Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

The chemical engineering program consists of 33 credit hours in chemical engineering, 28 credit hours in science, 15 credit hours in mathematics, and 30 credit hours in professional electives.

See the course catalog for current Bachelor's requirements and course numbers.

Course Catalog

Clarkson Common Experience

The following courses are required for all students, irrespective of their program of study. These courses are offered during the fall semester, with FY100 First-Year Seminar being required of only first-year students. Both FY100 and UNIV190 are typically taken during the fall semester of the first year at Clarkson.
FY100 First-Year Seminar 
UNIV190 The Clarkson Seminar

Chemical Engineering Core Requirements

Students are required to complete the following courses:

Chemical Engineering

• Molecular Properties
• Material Balances
• Thermodynamics & Energy Balances
• Phase Equilibria
• Transfer Process Fundamentals
• Chemical Engineering Laboratory
• Chemical Reactor Analysis I
• Design of Transfer Process Equipment
• Chemical Engineering Laboratory
• Process Economics & Conceptual Design
• Chemical Process Safety
• Process Dynamics & Control 

Professional Experience

Students are required to complete the following Professional Experience:

• Professional Experience 

Engineering Common First Year

Students must complete the following courses in their first year:

• General Chemistry I (4 credits)
• Introduction to Engineering Use of the Computer
• Engineering & Society
• Calculus I
• Calculus II
• Physics I
• Physics II 

Chemical Engineering Core Electives

Students must complete the following courses:

Core Electives

• Biology II - Cellular & Molecular Biology
• General Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry I
• Organic Chemistry II
• Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• Economic Principles & Engineering Economics
• Calculus III
• Elementary Differential Equations 

Professional Electives

• 1 x Mathematics (MA) elective
• 2 x ES electives from two different areas (mechanics/electrical science/materials science)
• 3 x engineering electives
• 1 x technical electives (science/engineering/mathematics)
• 2 x undesignated electives

Knowledge Area/University Course Electives

Students will have at least 18 credit hours available to use toward Knowledge Area and/or University Course electives to satisfy the Clarkson Common Experience requirements.

Free Electives

Students will have approximately 33 credit hours available to use toward courses of their choice.

As an undergraduate, you can sign up for up to three credits per semester to conduct research with a faculty member. Examples of research topics include:

• Advanced membranes
• Biomaterials
• Environmental electrochemistry
• Chemical-mechanical polishing for microelectronics
• Nanotechnology
• Plasma chemistry
• Process control, optimization and AI

Learn more about research at Clarkson.

Our faculty are experts in what they do, and they engage our students in the pursuit of interdisciplinary research, scholarship and innovation. Chemical engineering students work closely with faculty members to help with research, develop ideas and acquire internships.

Learn more about our faculty and their research expertise.

As a chemical engineering major, you'll have opportunities for internships and co-ops in the chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas and microelectronics industries, among others. Twice a year, nearly 200 employers come to campus to recruit undergraduate Clarkson students for internships and co-ops, including many looking for chemical engineers. Students make connections; apply for internships, co-ops and full-time positions; attend informational sessions hosted by companies and interview for positions during these Career Fairs.

Our chemical engineering students have had internships and co-ops at companies including:

• American Refining Group, Inc.
• Estee Lauder
• GlobalFoundries
• Mars Wrigley
• L'Oreal
• Pall Corporation
• Procter & Gamble
• Regeneron Pharmaceuticals
• Schenectady International

Learn more about co-ops and internships.

Chemical engineering undergraduates get hands-on experience through our SPEED (Student Projects for Engineering Experience and Design) teams. Students represent the Department with our Chem-E Car team, competing in the annual American Institute of Chemical Engineers competition with their design of a shoebox-sized car powered by chemical reactions. Any major can join any of our 13 SPEED teams, with chemical engineers joining teams like Human-Powered Vehicle, FIRST Robotics, Baja SAE, Concrete Canoe and Formula SAE.

Chemical engineering students can get involved in more than 200 clubs and organizations on campus, including several related to engineering. These include:

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)
• American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)
• Engineers for International Sustainability (EIS)
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE) - National Chemical Engineering Society
• Sigma Xi - The Scientific Research Society
• Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE)
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
• Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
• Tau Beta Pi - National Engineering Honor Society
• The Electrochemical Society (ECS)

Learn more about student clubs and activities at Clarkson.

Biomedical Engineering Minor

As various fields of medicine and healthcare increasingly depend on advances in technology, graduates with combined expertise in biomedical engineering principles and knowledge of biological sciences will be in high demand. Learn more about the biomedical engineering minor.

Chemistry Minor

Chemistry, often called the "central science," is the core of many of Clarkson's science programs. Gain a thorough understanding of properties, composition and matter while participating in research with real-world implications. Learn about the chemistry minor.

Environmental Engineering Minor

See what’s needed to make more sustainable decisions. Learn more about the environmental engineering minor.

Individually Designed Minor

Create a customized academic experience that aligns with your unique interests and career goals. An Individually Designed Minor allows you to combine courses from multiple disciplines to build specialized knowledge in an area not covered by a traditional minor. Learn more about the Individually Designed Minor.

Manufacturing Engineering Minor

This minor expands your knowledge of manufacturing‐related topics, such as production management, statistical quality control and manufacturing processes. Learn more about the manufacturing engineering minor.

Materials Engineering Minor

Want to apply the fundamental principles learned in chemistry, particularly in understanding how materials are composed and how their properties can be manipulated at the molecular level, to material engineering? Consider adding a Materials Engineering Minor and synthesize new materials or modify existing ones. Learn more about a materials engineer minor.

Mathematics

Math and physics go hand in hand. Become even more adept at understanding the formulas and models that help us describe the physical world with a minor in mathematics.

Learn more about the mathematics minor.

Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering Minor

Expand your knowledge of sustainable energy systems. Learn about their potential to transform society going forward. Learn more about the sustainable energy systems engineering minor.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine learning

As artificial intelligence and machine learning become increasingly important across industries, graduates with expertise in intelligent systems, data analysis, and AI-driven technologies will be in high demand. The Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Minor provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. Learn more about the AI and Machine Learning minor.