Chemical Engineering

Director of undergraduate studies: Paul Van Tassel; seas.yale.edu/departments/chemical-and-environmental-engineering

Energy, the environment, and health care are key challenges facing humanity in the twenty-first century. Chemical engineering is a discipline well placed to confront these challenges. Chemical engineering is rooted in the basic sciences of mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology; a traditional engineering science core of thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and chemical kinetics; a rigorous design component; and an expanding focus on emerging topics in materials, nanotechnology, and life sciences. The discipline has grown from its petrochemical origins to become central to state-of-the-art technologies in microelectronics, alternative energy, biomedicine, and pharmaceutics.

The Chemical Engineering program, with two degree programs (see below), is principally focused on basic and engineering sciences and on problem solving. Additional emphasis is on communication, analysis of experiments, and chemical process design. A special feature of the program is the accessibility of laboratory research-most chemical engineering majors participate in faculty-led research projects, often resulting in publication and/or presentation at national meetings.

Chemical engineering graduates find a wide range of professional opportunities in academia, industry, government, business, and the nonprofit sector. Many majors go on to graduate programs in chemical, biomedical, or environmental engineering, or to medical, law, or business schools.

Upon graduation, Yale's Chemical Engineering students are expected to have achieved "Student Outcomes" as defined by ABET (www.abet.org) and the program. The Chemical Engineering major produces graduates who demonstrate: (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 to 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; and (7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Yale and ABET also look ahead, several years beyond graduation. Program educational objectives provide the expectations for graduates early in their career. The Chemical Engineering objectives are to produce graduates who: (1) have mastery of the basic principles of science and modern chemical engineering practice and are able to adapt and creatively apply them to solve new problems in a broad range of fields; (2) become ethical professionals who advance chemical engineering practice and knowledge in multiple fields and recognize the local and global impacts of their work on humans and the environment; (3) are able to work well with people from diverse backgrounds and are committed to the advancement of women and under-represented groups in engineering; (4) have a strong educational foundation enabling them to study in graduate and professional schools as well as become leaders in STEM or non-STEM career paths; and (5) are committed to, and engage in, lifelong learning throughout their careers.

Prerequisites

Students considering a Chemical Engineering major are encouraged to take two terms of chemistry and mathematics during the first year, and to contact the director of undergraduate studies (DUS).

Students in both degree programs (see below) take the following prerequisite courses: MATH 112, 115, and ENAS 151 or MATH 120; CHEM 161 and 165 or CHEM 163 and 167; CHEM 134L and 136L; PHYS 180, 181 or PHYS 200, 201 or PHYS 260. Students with advanced high school preparation may reduce the number of prerequisites by placing out of certain courses.

Requirements of the Major

Two degree programs are offered: a B.S. in Chemical Engineering accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., and a B.S. in Engineering Sciences (Chemical). All students majoring in Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sciences (Chemical) must follow the requirements listed below as approved by the program's faculty.

B.S. degree program in Chemical EngineeringThe curriculum for the ABET-accredited B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering requires twenty courses, totaling nineteen credits, including the senior requirement, CENG 416, and the following courses beyond the prerequisites:

1. Computing: ENAS 130 or CPSC 100 or CPSC 112 or CPSC 200
2. Mathematics: ENAS 194
3. Chemistry: CHEM 174 and 175 or CHEM 220 and 221; CHEM 222L and 223L; CHEM 332 and 333
4. Engineering science: Three term courses chosen from engineering electives
5. Chemical engineering: CENG 150 or CENG 210; CENG 300, 301, 314 (or MENG 361), CENG 315, 411, 412L, 480

B.S. degree program in Engineering Sciences (Chemical)The B.S. degree in Engineering Sciences (Chemical) requires twelve term courses, including the senior requirement, CENG 416 or CENG 490, and the following courses beyond the prerequisites, chosen in consultation with the DUS:

1. Computing: ENAS 130 or CPSC 100 or CPSC 112 or CPSC 200
2. Mathematics: ENAS 194 
3. Chemistry: 3 advanced chemistry courses: option 1: CHEM 174 and 175 or CHEM 220 and 221; and CHEM 332; or option 2: CHEM 174 or 220; CHEM 332 and 333
4. Chemical engineering: CENG 150 or CENG 210; CENG 300, 301, 314 (or MENG 361), CENG 315, 411

Senior Requirement

B.S. degree program in Chemical EngineeringIn their senior year, students must complete a senior research project in CENG 416.

B.S. degree program in Engineering Sciences (Chemical)In their senior year, students must complete a senior research project in CENG 416 or CENG 490.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE MAJOR

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, B.S.

PrerequisitesMATH 112, 115; ENAS 151 or MATH 120; CHEM 161 and 165 or CHEM 163 and 167; CHEM 134L and 136L; PHYS 180, 181 or PHYS 200, 201 or PHYS 260.

Number of courses20 courses, totaling 19 credits, beyond prereqs (incl senior req)

Specific courses required ENAS 130, CPSC 100, 112, or 200; ENAS 194; CHEM 174 and 175 or CHEM 220 and 221; CHEM 222L and 223L; CHEM 332, 333; CENG 150 or CENG 210; CENG 300, 301, 314 (or MENG 361), CENG 315, 411, 412L, 480

Distribution of courses3 addtl electives in engineering

Senior requirementCENG 416

ENGINEERING SCIENCES (CHEMICAL), B.S.

PrerequisitesMATH 112, 115; ENAS 151 or MATH 120; CHEM 161 and 165 or CHEM 163 and 167; CHEM 134L and 136L; PHYS 180, 181 or PHYS 200, 201 or PHYS 260.

Number of courses12 term courses beyond prereqs (incl senior req), chosen in consultation with DUS

Specific courses requiredENAS 130, CPSC 100, 112, or 200; ENAS 194; CENG 150 or CENG 210; CENG 300, 301, 314 (or MENG 361), CENG 315, 411 

Distribution of courses3 adv chem courses, as specified

Senior requirementCENG 416 or

• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor
• School Report with transcript
• Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) - not required for fall 2023 admission. (See below)
• English proficiency test results - required for non-native English-speakers (See below)
• Mid-Year Report & Final Report

See additional details about these required application components below.

Please note that if your application materials include any documents that are not in English, you must provide an official English translation in addition to the original documents.

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Applicants should pay the $80 application fee via the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application may request that the application fee be waived. Learn more on the fee waiver page. The fee waiver scale is based on family size and income in US dollars but is applicable to all international students.

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.

Also request a recommendation from your school’s college counselor. If your counselor does not know you well, the recommendation may still provide helpful contextual information about your school and its academic programs. If your school does not have someone serving as a college counselor, please request a recommendation from a school administrator such as a house master, principal, or academic advisor. 

School Report with transcript

Your counselor or other school official should submit a School Report with an official transcript that includes all your secondary school courses. If a question on the School Report form is not applicable to your secondary school, leave it blank. 

Recommendations and transcripts should be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application website. If necessary, teachers and counselors may also submit their recommendations and transcripts via mail or digital upload. Recommendations may be sent before or after you submit your application; materials that arrive before your application will be kept on file. The admissions office will make reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

Standardized test results

In response to the extraordinary circumstances associated with the pandemic, Yale has temporarily suspended its requirement that first-year and transfer applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT. The change will be in effect during the 2022-23 admissions cycles for applicants who intend to matriculate in fall 2023. 

More information on Yale’s test policies is available on the standardized testing page. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.

English proficiency exams

Yale requires that non-native English-speakers who have not taken at least two years of secondary education where English is the medium of instruction submit the results from any of the proficiency tests listed below.

The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale’s most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.

Cambridge English exams are available at testing locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have Cambridge English scores of 185 or higher on the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First exams.

Applicants may submit the Duolingo English Test (DET), which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yale’s most competitive applicants have DET scores of at least 120.

InitialView provides live, unscripted video interviews that candidates may submit to colleges for consideration with other application materials. Interview times must be reserved in advance. There is no scoring associated with these interviews.

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Students who do not receive new secondary school grades by February 1, including students who have already completed secondary school, are not required to submit a Mid-Year Report. This includes many international students. Applicants who receive new grades by February 1 should submit a Mid-Year Report.

Only admitted students are required to submit the Final Report, which provides final secondary school grades and examination marks. Admitted students submit the Final Report in the summer before fall matriculation.

If your secondary school provides predicted results for external exams such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and other international or national testing organizations, they should be submitted by your school alongside your transcript or Mid-Year Report.

All applicants for first-year admission must submit one of the following:

• The Coalition Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The Common Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The QuestBridge National College Match Application

Yale will accept any one of these applications, without preference for one over another. Students should submit one—and only one—application per admissions cycle.