two chemical engineering researchers in lab

Chemical Engineering (B.S.)

Specialize in energetics, petroleum engineering or sustainability at our top ranked chemical engineering program.

Solving many of today’s chemical engineering problems boils downs to specialized technical knowledge that fuses chemistry, physics, math and economics. Over 85% of UND chemical engineering graduates participate in hands-on learning through industrial internships, undergraduate research or design competitions.

Program Snapshot
Program type:
Major
Format:
On-campus or online
Est. time to complete:
4-5 years
Credit hours:
130

Why Study Chemical Engineering at UND?

Chemical engineers transform substances and solve problems encompassing a broad range of industries, helping to make products and processes faster, safer, more reliable and sustainable. Leaders in this field have more than just a strong technical knowledge; they excel in critical thinking with solid real-world application experience.

With the UND chemical engineering undergraduate program, you'll gain the skills to succeed:

  • Learn the fundamentals of the physical sciences, mathematics and chemical engineering.
  • Participate in a hands-on lab sequence that emphasizes critical thinking and relates course content to real-world applications.
  • Seize on many opportunities to design, conduct and analyze your own experiments.

Specialize Your Chemical Engineering Degree

Chemical engineering students have the option of three concentration to further specialize their career path in chemical engineering. Your transcript will be marked with the concentration upon completion of the curriculum.

  • Energetics: Concepts widely used in defense applications, space exploration, counter-terrorism, fire suppression and public safety technologies, automotive airbags, and fireworks.
  • Petroleum Engineering: An emphasis on the upstream development, drilling and production of oil and natural gas.
  • Sustainability: Designed for careers associated with sustainable energy technologies, climate change, rising energy costs and energy security.

Top Online Engineering College in the Nation

Every engineering program offers education, but not every program prepares students to make a real impact the way UND does. UND is increasingly regarded as one of the top chemical engineering schools in the nation. Our chemical engineering programs consistently rank among the best for educational quality, affordability, and career outcomes.

#3 - Best Online Colleges Offering Bachelor's in Engineering Degrees in 2019

#5 - 15 Best Online Engineering Degree Bachelor's Programs for 2020

Accreditation by ABET

Study chemical engineering at an accredited university. Both our on-campus and online programs are ABET accredited.

Knowledge to Lead

Through research and hands-on experience, UND students are learning to make an impact and change the world.

 

Chemical Engineering at UND

  • Tailor the program to your individual interests such as environmental concerns, alternative energy, materials, bio-processes or other areas.

  • Learn in a smaller and interactive environment with class sizes of only 30-40 students.

  • Earn your degree from one of the most well-respected engineering colleges in the upper Midwest. UND is experienced in educating distance engineering students for over 30 years.

  • Bring together all you've learned as part of a team participating in a process design and evaluation project (senior capstone course).

 

Careers in Chemical Engineering

 
85%

Graduates who participate in experiential learning opportunities through industrial work studies, internships or undergraduate research

102K

Median salary range for a chemical engineer*

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Chemical engineering graduates often go on to successful careers in today's fastest-growing and dynamic industries and sectors including: chemicals, agriculture, oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy.

UND chemical engineering graduates can expect a range of opportunities in careers like:

  • Environmental engineer
  • Plant process engineer
  • Process design engineer
  • Product development engineer
  • Project engineer/manager
  • Quality control engineer

UND Chemical Engineering Alumni

Chemical Engineering alumni have gone on to work at such companies as:

  • Marathon Oil
  • 3M
  • Cargill
  • Dow Chemical
  • Schlumberger
  • Intel
  • Energizer Battery
  • US Steel
  • Dakota Gasification Company, Inc.
  • Boston Scientific Corporation
  • Archer Daniels Midland Company

Courses in Chemical Engineering

CHE 232. Chemical Engineering Laboratory I. 2 Credits.

The use and application of apparatus to measure the physical and chemical properties involved in chemical process material and energy balances. Prerequisite: CEM majors only or permission of instructor. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 201. S.

CHE 301. Introduction to Transport Phenomena. 4 Credits.

An analytical study of the transport of momentum, energy and mass; derivation and utilization of the differential equations of change. Prerequisites: CHE 201 with a grade of C or better; Chemical Engineering majors only or permission of instructor. Prerequisite or Corequisite: MATH 266. F.

CHE 303. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics. 4 Credits.

Thermodynamics applied to chemical engineering with emphasis on computational work, including thermodynamic laws, chemical equilibria and pressurevolume-temperature relationships. Prerequisites: CHE 201 with a grade of C or better; Chemical Engineering majors only or permission of instructor. F.

CHE 321. Chemical Engineering Reactor Design. 3 Credits.

Theory of chemical reaction rates. Design of batch, tubular, CSTR and catalytic chemical reactors. Prerequisites: CHE 206, MATH 266 and C or better in CHE 201; Chemical Engineering majors only or permission of instructor. S.

CHE 408. Process Dynamics and Control. 3 Credits.

Dynamics and control of chemical processes and of systems. Prerequisites: MATH 266, CHE 206, and CHE 305; Chemical Engineering majors only or permission of instructor. F.

CHE 411. Plant Design I: Process Design and Economics. 4 Credits.

Introduction to how projects are executed in the process industries, including an understanding of what constitutes preliminary process design, preliminary cost estimation, the fundamentals of economics as applied to process economic assessment, sustainability considerations in design, oral & written communications, teamwork, and the typical drawings and other deliverables produced during the scoping phase of process plant design. There is a particular emphasis on safety considerations in design. Prerequisites: CHE 303 and C or better in CHE 201, CHE 206, CHE 305 and CHE 321; Chemical Engineering majors only or permission of instructor. F.

Explore Options

Looking to add a double major, pursue graduate work or connect with the chemical engineering department?

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