PhD in Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering, PhD: 1st Year

Course Course Title Brief Description
Fall semester
ChBE 201
(3 credits)
Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering Mathematical analysis of heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Problems of industrial and biological interest.
ChBE 203
(3 credits)
Advanced Thermodymanics Advanced thermodynamics as applied to chemical and biological engineering. Statistical mechanics, chemical equilibrium, and computation of vapor-liquid equilibrium compositions for chemical and biological engineering applications.
Spring semester
ChBE 202
(3 credits)
Advanced Kinetics and Reaction Engineering Application of chemical kinetics to the development and improvement of industrial processes; theories of chemical kinetics, complex kinetics, chain reactions; isothermal and polytropic reactor stability; stability criteria; oscillatory catalytic and non-catalytic reactions.
ChBE 204
(3 credits)
Advanced Transport Phenomena Heat, mass, and momentum. Emphasis on coupling transport processes with chemical reaction in chemical and biological engineering.

Other requirements for the PhD program include:

  • Additional electives that emphasize individual research themes
  • Qualifying exam that requires:
    • 3.25 GPA in core classes (listed above)
    • Oral critique of a current research article
    • Research progress report with oral presentation
  • 1-3 teaching assistant assignments
  • Attendance and participation in the Departmental Seminar Series
  • Research committee meetings and thesis defense

** Additional program details are provided in the Graduate Handbook