Chemical Engineering

If you find it fascinating how tiny fibers in a bulletproof vest can stop a speeding bullet, or wonder how biofuels are produced, or you simply have a love of science and math, chemical engineering at Clemson combines your two avenues of interest into one exciting course of study. Chemical engineering uses science, math and engineering principles to solve technical problems that face the world today. This major also offers unique research and study abroad opportunities that give you hands-on experience. Working with chemical and biological systems provides the building blocks of advanced materials, a sustainable environment, nanotechnology, biomedical devices and much more. With a degree in chemical engineering you will be making contributions to the development of mankind.

Freshmen who major in engineering at Clemson are initially admitted into our general engineering program, where you'll have a year to explore many different engineering disciplines, meet faculty from each of our engineering departments and discover which major fits your personal interests and talents. On the admissions application, you will apply as a general engineering major.

Chemical engineering courses include a blend of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Combined classroom and laboratory activities provide hands-on learning and small class sizes. To help you further specialize your training, we offer both a concentration in biomolecular engineering and a broad scope of emphasis areas:

• Environmental Engineering and Science
• Polymeric Materials
• Energy Studies
• Business Management
• Applied Engineering, Mathematics and Science
• Biomolecular Science and Engineering

Students also have the flexibility to take a minor (with limited exceptions) instead of an emphasis area.

Biomolecular Engineering Concentration: This concentration addresses the purposeful manipulation of biological molecules and processes applied to problems and issues in the life sciences, biotechnology and medicine. Learn about various biomolecules, biochemical pathway engineering and cell growth.

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Plan: Get a jump-start on either your Master of Science in chemical engineering or your Master of Science in environmental engineering and science while completing your bachelor's. In our dual-degree program, you can apply graduate credits to both degrees.

For the 2022 admissions cycle, Clemson has adopted a test-optional policy. Applicants are not required to submit a standardized test score to be considered for admission to Clemson for the 2022-2023 academic year.

If you choose that test scores should be used, your scores must be submitted electronically by the respective testing agency. Clemson’s institutional code for SAT is 5111, and the code for ACT is 3842. Clemson super-scores both the SAT and the ACT. For the SAT, this means that the overall total SAT score will then be derived by taking the highest of the evidence-based reading and writing/math scores.

According to The ACT, superscoring at Clemson means that we “consider a student’s highest ACT section (or subtest) scores regardless of test date. The super composite ACT score is calculated as the average of the best ACT English, Reading, Math, and Science subject scores and is used as one of multiple factors in admission and financial aid.”