Chemical Engineering 
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Chemical Engineering
W. Vincent Wilding, Chair
350 CB, (801) 422-2393
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology Advisement Center
264 CB, (801) 422-4325
Admission to Program
The chemical engineering degree program is open to all students.
The Discipline
Chemical engineering deals with the development and
application of manufacturing processes in which chemical and
physical changes of materials are involved. Chemical engineers
research and develop new methods to manage energy resources
as well as commercial consumer products. They design reliable,
cost-effective manufacturing plants and implement air-quality
control systems. As problem solvers, chemical engineers work on
the leading edge of technology—researching and developing the
ideas of today for the designs, systems, and products of
tomorrow.
Areas of instruction include heat transfer, fluid dynamics,
chemical reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, separation
operations, materials science, process control, and plant design. In
addition, chemical engineering places strong emphasis on
computer skills.
The BS curriculum is accredited by the Engineering
Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for
Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) and the American
Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Educational Objectives
The Chemical Engineering Department's educational objectives
are to:
- Graduate students who are prepared for and committed to
lives of faith in Jesus Christ, service to family, church, and
community; and lives of learning.
- Graduate students who have a broad university education and
who have developed reasoning skills, effective communication
abilities, and an understanding of their role in society and of
contemporary issues.
- Provide an education built on a strong foundation of the
fundamentals of engineering, science, and mathematics and an
excellent preparation in chemical engineering theory and
practice.
- Graduate students who exemplify professional ethics, have an
appreciation for diversity and an ability to work with and
contribute to the development of others, and are committed to
responsible engineering practice.
These objectives are intended to help develop the following
attributes in students graduating from the program:
- An understanding of the chemical engineering major and
profession.
- An understanding of fundamental principles of mathematics
and science.
- An understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals.
- Practical experience with chemical process equipment,
chemical handling, chemical analysis, and process
instrumentation.
- An ability to use modern engineering tools necessary for
engineering practice.
- An ability to define and solve engineering problems.
- A dedication to and a working knowledge of safety and
environmental aspects of engineering practice.
- An ability to communicate ideas effectively in both oral and
written form.
- An ability to work effectively with others to accomplish
common goals.
- An ability to apply chemical engineering fundamentals to
solve open-ended problems and to design process units and
systems of process units including multiple operations.
- An appreciation for and a commitment to ethical and
professional responsibilities.
- An appreciation for and a commitment to the continuing
pursuit of excellence and the full realization of human
potential.
Career Opportunities
The combination of knowledge about process engineering, math,
and chemistry obtained in the chemical engineering curriculum is
a versatile preparation that opens a wide variety of opportunities
to graduates. This versatility is one reason why chemical
engineers have traditionally been among the highest paid
professionals in the engineering and science disciplines.
Chemical engineers make a significant difference in the
quality of life. Some develop clean, new energy sources to power
society. Some develop and produce fertilizers and other
agricultural chemicals to feed mankind. Virtually all
pharmaceuticals are produced by chemical engineers to enhance
the life of millions. Others study and produce biomedical devices
and artificial organs. Still others are involved in development and
production of new materials for use in new high-tech products.
Chemical engineers produce chemicals ranging in use from
cleaning products to medicines and from man-made fibers for
clothing and textiles to plastics for construction and consumer
goods. Another large employer of chemical engineers is the
semiconductor industry. In work that involves significant
knowledge of chemistry and related processes, chemical engineers
assist in the design and manufacture of semiconductor chips and
circuit boards. The petroleum industry also employs chemical
engineers, requiring their expertise for the discovery, production,
and refining of petro-chemicals, including fuels, chemicals, and
oils.
Many chemical engineers are employed in environmentally
related positions, working on ways to improve air and water
quality, to reduce acid rain and smog, and to recycle and reduce
waste. Additionally, chemical engineers are employed by
universities as teachers and researchers and by government
agencies to provide answers for energy, environmental, and
defense concerns. Chemical engineers also train to work in the
medical, business, and legal professions.
Though chemical engineering career opportunities are diverse,
job functions can be categorized more easily. Chemical engineers
are usually involved in research, design, development,
production, technical sales, or management.
In research, they develop new ideas, new products, and new
ways to produce existing products more economically and with
less environmental impact.
In design, they create the processes that convert raw materials
into finished products with emphasis on efficiency, safety,
consumer needs, and environmental protection.
The development engineer improves existing processes and
technology to better meet changing needs.
Production engineering involves supervision, quality control,
and testing of production processes and operations.
Management and technical sales involve decision making with
regard to consumer needs and technical capabilities.
Chemical engineers are creative problem solvers. Their careers
are rewarding not only from an intellectual and financial view, but
also from a personal perspective. Affecting the lives of millions,
their solutions provide a better lifestyle for mankind.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
BS Chemical Engineering
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs and Degrees
MS Chemical Engineering
PhD Chemical Engineering
For more information see the BYU
2006–2007 Graduate Catalog.
General Information
The Chemical Engineering Department offers a professional
program leading to the bachelor of science degree. The first two
years of this program are considered to be preprofessional with
course work emphasis on math, chemistry, and chemical
engineering fundamentals. The remaining two years are
considered to constitute the professional program.
Any student who is admitted to the university may choose
this program as a possible major. All students are urged to declare
their intention to major in the department upon first entry to the
university or as soon thereafter as possible by contacting the
college advisement center (264 CB). Students electing to major in
this program must successfully complete the minimum
preprofessional program requirements and submit an application
for the department's professional program.
Transfer Students. Provisions have been made so that a qualified
student transferring from a junior college or from another
university, college, or department, who has completed the
equivalent of the first two years of the academic program, can
complete the BS degree requirements in another two years.
Contact the department at the earliest date possible so that any
variations can be accommodated with minimum loss of time.
Integrated Master's Program. At the end of the sophomore year
or during the junior year, a student who desires to obtain a
master's degree in chemical engineering may elect to enter the
integrated master's program. The purpose of this program is to
afford greater flexibility in scheduling course work than is
normally available through the traditional BS degree followed by
MS degree program. In this program students may work toward
both the bachelor's and master's degrees simultaneously, either
receiving the BS degree before or at the same time as the MS
degree. At the end of the sophomore year students must have a
cumulative GPA of 3.5 or more. All credit to be counted toward
the master's degree must carry a cumulative GPAof 3.0 or better.
Before completing the final 30 hours of undergraduate course
work, students should submit a formal application for admission
to the Office of Graduate Studies. Additional details may be
obtained from the college advisement center.
Professional Registration. The Chemical Engineering Department
encourages graduates to become registered professional
engineers. General qualifications for becoming registered are
explained in the Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and
Technology section of this catalog. Some states require this status
for consulting and practice in the private sector. Successful
completion of the basic chemical engineering program outline
prepares graduates to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)
examination. Students who wish to become registered as
professional engineers are also advised to talk to their advisor
about developing their own professional engineering option,
which may include additional FE preparation courses.
Professional Program Admission Policy. Admission to the
professional program is available to all students in good academic
standing with the university who have (a) passed the
prerequisite courses for the first-semester professional courses,
namely Ch En 273 and Math 302, and (b) submitted to the
department an Application for the Chemical Engineering
Professional Program.
The Application for the Chemical Engineering Professional
Program requires the student to meet with their department advisor
for direction and counseling with regard to performance in the
preprofessional program courses and successful completion of
the professional program.
Academic Standards and Continuance Policy. The student's
academic standing with the university must be "Good" or
"Previous" to enroll in professional program courses. Anyone
who accumulates chemical engineering grades below C– in excess
of 6 hours may not take further chemical engineering courses
until he or she has reduced the unacceptable credits to 6 hours or
less. A student may not graduate with more than 3 hours below
C– in chemical engineering courses.
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