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The undergraduate program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Department Office: 3290 Merrill Engineering Building (MEB)
Mailing Address: 50 S. Central Campus Dr., Rm. 3290, Salt Lake City, UT 84112-9203
Website: www.che.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-6915

Department Chair: Eric Eddings, Ph.D.
Associate Chair: James Sutherland, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Director: Michael Nigra, Ph.D.
Graduate Director: Kody Powell, Ph.D.
Undergraduate Advisors: Emily Pollard, M.Ed. and David R. Wagner, Ph.D.
Graduate Advisor: Wanda Brown
Contact for Prospective Students: Emily Pollard, M.Ed., cheundergrad@utah.edu

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Chemical Engineering is to graduate high quality chemical engineers, perform and disseminate groundbreaking research, and provide service to the profession and community at large.

Overview

The chemical engineer uses the physical, life, and engineering sciences to design processes for converting natural resources into needed materials and energy. Chemical engineers take into account long-range and immediate concerns for the environment, safety, and other human needs.

Types of Degrees

  • Bachelor of Science

  • Master of Science

  • Graduate Certificates

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Undergraduate Programs

It is the versatility of chemical engineers that makes them attractive to so many industries and professions. The current state of the profession is being transformed by the needs of increasingly diverse industries. The companies that have recently hired our undergraduates make diverse products and provide a range of services: medical devices, cement, combustion engineering, energy engineering, semiconductors, personal care products, mineral processing, petroleum refining, oil services, energy production, water purification, environmental engineering, natural gas pipelines, and petrochemicals. A number of recent graduates have been admitted to graduate school, law school, and medical school.

The undergraduate program prepares students in fundamentals while providing exposure in diverse areas of chemical engineering. The core subjects in chemical engineering include fluid mechanics, heat transfer, chemical thermodynamics, reaction engineering, mass transfer, and separations. The Department has a strong record of involving students in research and cooperative education experiences. Roughly 80 % of our graduating seniors have had co-op or research experience and many have had both.

BS Degree Emphases

  • AI, Computational Methods, and Data Science

  • Biochemical Engineering & Bioprocessing

  • Energy

  • Environmental & Sustainability

  • Semiconductor Processing

Financial Assistance

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic performance, letters of recommendation, and other experiences. Some employment as research assistants or laboratory assistants is available.

Graduate Program

The Graduate Program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Utah prepares engineering professionals who are trained in depth in their selected area of research and in sufficient breadth to successfully transition to new areas of research, as needed. The Graduate Program is designed to provide the foundation for life-long learning, instill independent and critical thinking, and develop technical skills needed to solve challenging technical problems.

Areas of Specialization

  • Biomedical and Biotechnology

  • Energy and Fuels

  • Environmental Sustainability

  • Materials and Nanotechnology

  • Multi-Scale Simulation

  • Nuclear Engineering

  • Petroleum Engineering

Fellowships and Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are available; detailed information on financial support may be found at www.che.utah.edu/graduate/financial_support.