Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Chemical Engineering

The Chemical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical Engineering. This program leads to a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering.

Recommended CHE B.S. Curriculum
CHE Prerequisites Flowchart

Chemical Engineers are concerned primarily with the design, operation and management of processing systems to alter and upgrade raw materials into products that are more useful to society (and therefore more valuable). In the design and operation of such facilities two competing concerns are generally paramount: the need to minimize both costs and environmental impact. Since chemical engineers are employed in many different industries, the basic training is general and not industry-specific.

The Bachelor of Science program in Chemical Engineering is broadly based and built on a thorough grounding in mathematics, physics and chemistry followed by the study of thermodynamics, kinetics, fluid mechanics and unit operations. Economics, process design and more specialized technical electives are studied during the final year.

Key goals of the program are to develop analytical and problem solving skills, communication skills and a level of general education that will allow the graduate to function effectively as a chemical engineer in the twenty-first century.

Program Objectives

Our objectives are that in the time frame of three to five years after graduation our students will:

  • Hold positions that utilize their engineering training and have advanced in their job responsibilities, or be pursuing postgraduate education
  • Be working as engineering professionals, act ethically by adhering to standards and being committed to the health and safety of employees and the general population
  • Be pursuing innovative solutions to current societal challenges and continue to improve themselves through a variety of learning opportunities
  • Contribute to their employer and society by working effectively in the global economy, contribute to professional, civic, or governmental organizations, be leading or working collaboratively in teams, and be communicating with diverse groups

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, our students will possess:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Program Requirements

The program requires successful completion of 120 credits* of course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in Chemical Engineering courses, including technical electives credits. The program can be completed in four academic years of full time study.

*Students matriculated in Fall 2020 or later require a minimum of 120 credits. Students matriculated before Fall 2020 require a minimum of 130 credits.

Program Enrollment and Graduation Data

The UMaine Office of Institutional Research annually compiles statistical data for all programs across campus.  Enrollment and graduation data for all Engineering programs can be found at:

Pulp & Paper Management Certificate Concentration

  • ACC 201 – Principles of Financial Accounting Credits: 3
  • GEE 230 – Introduction to Engineering Leadership and Management Credits: 1
  • CHE 493 – Chemical Engineering Seminar Credits: 1
  • CHE 494 – Chemical Engineering Practice Credits: 2
  • MET 440 – Lean Six Sigma Credits: 3 *
  • PPA 264 – Introduction to the Pulp and Paper Industry Credits: 3 *
  • PPA 466 – Paper Technology Credits: 3 *

Notes

  • These three courses (marked by *) count as pre-approved technical electives for BS in CHE.
  • The 16 credit-hour concentration requirement can double count 9 credits of technical electives.

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