Program Objectives

The objectives of the graduate studies in the Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering programs are as follows.

• To prepare students for successful careers and major contributions to the chemical process and petroleum industries by instilling in them fundamental concepts as well as practical knowledge of modern engineering to overcome current as well as future challenges of the industries.
• To prepare students for doctoral study in petroleum/chemical or related disciplines.
• To instill in students a sense of responsibility to their profession and to society in general.

The Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering offers programs in developing interdisciplinary specialties, as well as in the more traditional areas of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering.

Several modern engineering buildings contain laboratories, including unit operations, process control, gas measurement and drilling facilities. Excellent computer facilities also are available.

Programs of Study

The Chemical Engineering Program offers programs of study and research leading to the Master of Science and Master of Engineering degrees in Chemical Engineering.

Master of Science Degree

For the Master of Science degree, both Plan I (thesis) and Plan II (non-thesis) are available.

• Plan I requires 24 semester hours of course work (18 hours in the major area and 6 hours in a minor area) plus completion of a research thesis.
• Plan II requires 36 semester hours of course work, including 21 to 30 hours in the major area and 6 to 15 hours in one or two minor areas. If two minor areas are chosen, at least 6 hours must be taken in each area. Completion of a short research project and report is also required.

Master of Engineering Degree

The Master of Engineering Degree is a special program intended for practicing engineers. It requires 36 semester hours of graduate credit, including 21 hours in the major area, plus an engineering research project and report. Comprehensive oral examinations are required for all degrees. Approved minor areas include all engineering disciplines, computer science, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, physics and biology.

Admission

A minimum GRE (verbal + quantitative) score of 295 and, (for international students, a minimum TOEFL score of 550 or 79 ibt or 6.0 IELTS.) The minimum G.P.A. is 2.75.

Prerequisites

An undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering, natural gas engineering, petroleum engineering, or a related field. For students whose undergraduate work is in a related field, some undergraduate course work may be required to remove deficiencies in their backgrounds. Such course work will be determined by the graduate coordinator for each program on an individual basis.

Core Course Requirements (15 Credits)

• Mathematical Methods and Modeling in Chemical Engineering - CHEN 5303* Advanced Topics in Ch Eng
• Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics – CHEN 5371
• Separation Processes – CHEN 5309
• Transport Processes – CHEN 5308
• Chemical and Catalytic Reaction Engineering – CHEN 5333

(A grade of B or higher is required in each core course.)

Elective Courses (9-18 Credits)

• Chemical Process Design and Economics – CHEN 5311
• Optimization of Chemical Processes – CHEN 5314
• Advanced Process Dynamics and Control – CHEN 5361
• Simulation and Analysis of Chemical Engineering Processes – CHEN 5331
• Rheology – CHEN 5336
• Biochemical Engineering – CHEN 5334

Thesis and Research

The thesis (Plan I) or research project (Plan II) committee consists of faculty Project Committees: members from the major and minor areas. Members of the committee are selected in consultation with the student's research advisor and the graduate coordinator.

Time Requirements

The Plan II program can normally be completed in one calendar year of full-time study (Fall, Spring and Summer semesters). The Plan I program may require an additional one or two semesters due to the open-ended nature of thesis research.

Departmental Deadlines

Theses and research project reports must be submitted to research advisors with sufficient lead time to allow for revisions and review by committee members. Minimum lead times are typically 6 to 8 weeks for theses and 3 to 4 weeks for research projects. Final deadlines for completed reports are set by the graduate office.