Chemical Engineering, BSChE

Chemical engineering students have strong interests in math, chemistry, physics, and biology. These subjects are often combined and encountered throughout our curriculum. Overall, chemical engineering students are curious about how and why things work, and they have a desire to invent new ways to improve existing technology.

The BSChE degree is a professional degree that prepares graduates for employment and graduate study in chemical engineering and related fields, as well as entry into professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, law, and business.

Chemical engineers apply economics, chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to the design and operation of processes and to the research and development of new materials, processes, and systems. The many and varied issues associated with going from concept to demonstration to operation of processes and equipment all fall within the province of chemical engineering. Chemical engineers are as comfortable with plant operations, research and development projects, synthesis of alternative fuels, energy conservation and conversion, process design, optimization and control, environmental conservation and pollution prevention, as they are with the exciting fundamental studies associated with biotechnology, nanotechnology, electrochemical technology, and other areas yet to be discovered.

The BSChE degree and curriculum place strong emphasis on the basic sciences, but a vital feature remains the high degree of confidence and practical ability gained from laboratory and design courses. Laboratories include equipment needed to study and demonstrate heat, mass, and momentum transfer; material and energy balances; process dynamics and control; chemical reaction systems, and thermodynamics. The laboratory courses cover fundamental principles to reinforce the basic courses within the chemical engineering curriculum, while also containing pilot scale process units and other pieces of equipment that allow students to build, operate, and analyze results collected during their operation. The Chemical and Biological Engineering High Bay Facility provides state-of-the-art visualization equipment for research and instruction in continuous and batch distillation and reaction engineering. Individual faculty member research laboratories give students the opportunity to work one-on-one with faculty in special problems courses.

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Design component of this curriculum includes development of student creativity, use of open-ended problems, development and use of modern design theory and methodology, formulation of design problem statements and specifications, consideration of alternative solutions, feasibility analyses, concurrent engineering design, technical research, and detailed system descriptions. The introduction of realistic constraints, such as economic factors, safety, reliability, aesthetics, ethics and environmental and social impacts, are used to fully develop each design experience.

Program Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, UA chemical engineering graduates will be able to:

• Provide solution strategies for a wide variety of technical applications, including the design and improvement of chemical or biological processes
• Successfully pursue their desired career path while upholding ethical, safe, and environmentally-responsible strategies that benefit society
• Continue to grow professionally and advance in their respective careers by utilizing effective communication skills, by working successfully as a member of a professional team, and by expanding their knowledge and application of chemical and biological engineering

Student Outcomes

Student learning outcomes include the following:

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

Special Features

While the baccalaureate degree curriculum contains many courses designed to sequentially introduce students to methodologies for understanding, defining, and solving a broad array of increasingly complex problems, there are elements in the program that also allow students to investigate exciting and challenging issues that often exist at the intersections where engineering and the sciences meet. Some of the elective and special program options are described below.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

• The undergraduate international admissions office will review the applicant’s transcripts within the context of the school, curriculum and country.
• GPA will be calculated on all coursework, not just core subjects. UA considers applicants with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for admission.
• UA will accept unofficial transcripts for admission purposes. These can be emailed or uploaded by the student. 
  • If a student applies with unofficial documents, we MUST receive the official documents directly from the school or testing authority by July 1 for Fall admission and November 1 for Spring admission. 
  • Any student who does not provide official copies will not be able to enroll for courses. 
  • If a student’s official documents are not available by that time, exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting an exception must email [email protected] before the deadline to be considered.
• For academic admission, students must meet the English proficiency requirement. For more information see UA’s English Language Proficiency page. 
• Students who meet the academic and financial qualifications, but do not meet the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score requirement may apply for conditional admission.
  • Conditionally admitted students will begin their studies in the English Language Institute and then enter directly into their academic coursework once they have satisfied English proficiency. 
  • For more information see UA’s conditional admission page.
• Students requiring F-1 and J-1 visas must also send documentation in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2010.
• Successful candidates for UA will have completed a college preparatory curriculum.

• Copy of your passport
• Relevant visa and immigration documents (This includes PR card, current visa, or F-1/ J-1 visa request and supporting documents)
• Unofficial transcript copies from every secondary school you have attended. This includes academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, national standardized examination results, or other academic course work.
  • Include an English translation for all documents not written in English. If you need assistance translating your documents into English, we recommend using the American Translators Association to find a certified translator.
  • Students graduating high school in Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, The Gambia or Sierra Leone must submit a copy of their WASSCE results and scratch card information (serial number and PIN) in order to complete their application.
• Students that graduated 6 or more months ago should also provide a brief statement listing any academic activities since graduation (including any post-secondary coursework at institutions inside or outside of the US, English language programs, study abroad programs, etc.) List name(s) of the institutions and dates of attendance. If you have no additional academic activities, please write a short statement that speaks to your activities during the gap period. In the statement, please include the following and send to International Admissions at [email protected]:
  • Full Name
  • Address
  • High School/Secondary School
  • Graduation Date