chemical, biological and materials engineering

Chemical engineering applies knowledge in mathematics and science to chemical process design and optimization. Chemical engineers solve technical problems safely and economically for a wide range of industries including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and environmental health and safety, among others. Our curriculum builds on our faculty expertise in chemical engineering, applied to scientific advances in energy, nanotechnology, sustainable manufacturing and translational medicine.

• Program mission
• Accreditation
• Enrollment and graduation statistics
• Program educational objectives
• Student outcomes

Program mission

Enrollment data reflect the total number of students in BSCHE pre-professional and professional engineering programs. Detailed information on enrollment and graduation pertaining to the ME professional engineering program can be obtained through the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE).

We are an academic community of faculty, students, and academic staff committed to the creation and application of chemical engineering and materials science knowledge that contributes to the economic vitality and sustainability of our society. We accomplish our mission by 1) preparing highly skilled professional engineers, 2) conducting basic and applied research, 3) preparing the next generation of scholars, and 4) collaborating with industry to facilitate technology transfer and talent acquisition. Through our work we advance the creation and application of chemical engineering and materials science knowledge, develop future researchers to expand the scientific enterprise, provide highly skilled professional engineers to meet the evolving needs of industry and society, and translate scientific discovery into products and processes that contribute to our wellbeing and the sustainability of our society. Our guiding principles are: 1) professionalism, 2) growth, 3) opportunity, 4) excellence, 5) diversity, inclusion, and equity, 6) multidisciplinary collaboration, and 7) innovation.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in chemical, biological and materials engineering at WSU is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Enrollment and graduation statistics

Enrollment data reflect the total number of students in BSCHE pre-professional and professional engineering programs. 

Program educational objectives

1. The overall objective of the BS CHE program at Wayne State University is to prepare students for a) success in their immediate and long-term careers as practicing chemical engineers; and b) success in continuing education in graduate and professional schools. 
2. The program supports the university's urban mission by promoting diversity and encouraging disadvantaged and nontraditional students to enter the engineering profession.  
3. We utilize our faculty's strengths in research to enrich undergraduate education through: a) individual undergraduate research experiences; and  b) we engage in educational partnerships with our industrial constituents in southeastern Michigan through an active undergraduate coop program.

Student outcomes

The Student Outcomes are described below, and the contribution of each Program Outcome to the ABET Criterion 3 components a-k is explained. 

1. Chemistry.   Graduates of the BS CHE program will possess a strong grounding in Chemistry, together with a working knowledge of organic chemistry and materials science.  Graduates will possess a working knowledge of either physical chemistry or biochemistry, depending on their choice of Curriculum Options.  Contributes to the Science portion of Criterion 3 component (a).
2.  Math and Science.  Graduates of the BS CHE program will possess a working knowledge of mathematics, including calculus through differential equations, and they will be able to apply modern mathematical and computational techniques to the solution of engineering problems.  Graduates will be well grounded in physics and biology. Contributes to the Math and Science parts of Criterion 3, component (a).
3. Chemical Engineering Fundamentals. Graduates of the BS CHE program will possess a working knowledge of material and energy balances applied to chemical processes; thermodynamics of physical and chemical equilibrium; fluid flow and heat transfer; chemical reaction kinetics and reaction engineering; mass transfer and separation processes, and they will be able to apply this knowledge to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems. Contributes to the Engineering part of Criterion 3, component (a), and to Criterion 3, component (e).  Contributes broadly to Criterion 3 components (c), (h), and (k).
4. Chemical Process Engineering. Graduates of the BS CHE program will possess a working knowledge of process dynamics and control and product and process design.  Contributes to the Engineering part of Criterion 3, component (a).  Contributes intensively to Criterion 3, components (c),(d), (e), (h) and (k) through the capstone design project in CHE 4200 (Product and Process Design).
5. Design Experience.  Graduates of the BS CHE program will develop skills in engineering design via content throughout the curriculum that includes identification, formulation, and solution of open-ended problems, scale-up concepts, consideration of safety and environmental issues, and understanding of economic factors. Contributes to the engineering part of Criterion 3, component (a).  Contributes intensively to Criterion 3, components (c),(d), (e), (f), (h) and (k) through the capstone design project in CHE 4200 (Product and Process Design).
6. Laboratory Experience. Graduates of the BS CHE program will develop experimental skills via laboratory experiences relevant to chemical engineering principles, covering design of appropriate experiments for measurement of engineering properties and process variables, the analysis and interpretation of data, written and oral presentation of results, and teamwork skills including project management and multidisciplinary team functions. Contributes broadly to Criterion 3, components (a), (e), (h), and (k).  Contributes intensively to Criterion 3, components (b), (d), (f), and (g). 
7. Advanced Technical Knowledge.  Graduates of the BS CHE program will develop in-depth knowledge of an advanced area of chemical engineering through curriculum options in the areas of Product and Process Engineering; Biological Engineering; and Molecular Engineering and Nanotechnology.  Contributes to Criterion 3, components (a), (e), (h), (i), (j), and (k).
8. Communication Skills.  Graduates of the BS CHE program will be able to communicate effectively in oral presentations, electronic communications, and written technical reports. Contributes to Criterion 3, component (g).
9. Professionalism.  The BS CHE program will develop awareness in staying current with the changing chemical engineering profession through lifelong learning and continuing professional development.  The BS CHE program will foster the development of professional conduct through awareness of the importance of ethics, safety, environmental issues, and sustainability to the practice of chemical engineering.  Contributes to Criterion 3, components (c), (f), (h), (i), and (j).

Each applicant is evaluated as an individual. Your admission to WSU is based on a review of many factors, which may include:

• High school or secondary school academic performance

• Submit an SAT/ACT score, or submit test-optional documents (two letters of recommendation, two essays, and an activities list).

• Rigor of high school curriculum

• Meeting Wayne State's English proficiency requirements

• Any other supporting documentation requested

• Submit all application documents by December 1 to be considered for merit-based scholarships. 

Additional requirements

• English translations of documents must bear the seal/stamp of the issuing institution.

• Your statement of financial support cannot be older than six months.

• Bank supporting documentation must show the dollar amount equivalent to the financial requirements (pdf) for undergraduate international students.

• English proficiency tests cannot be more than two years old.

• Checks drawn on foreign banks should carry the notation "Payable in U.S. funds, plus service charges."