Minor in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers are involved in a wide range of high technology industries that produce new pharmaceuticals and high-value chemicals, manufacture microelectronics devices, develop high-performance plastics and alternative fuels, purify therapeutic proteins, and design artificial organs. Chemical engineering is unique in its focus on the processes involved in making new products, including the chemical/biological reactions and the complex physical transformations and purifications. As such, chemical engineering draws heavily on the basic sciences, with a particular emphasis on physical chemistry, organic chemistry, molecular biology, and physics.

The minor in chemical engineering is ideal for students who are interested in chemistry, have strong quantitive/mathematical skills, and who want to learn how to use this background to solve technologically significant problems. The minor covers the fundamental principles of material and energy balances, thermodynamics, heat and mass transfer, fluid mechanics, and chemical reaction engineeing. The required courses will help students develop strong problem-solving skills, while providing a broad exposure to the full range of applications and opportunities available for chemical engineers.

Career Opportunities
Chemical engineers work throughout the chemical, pharmaceutical, food, biotechnology, consumer products, and microelectronics industries. Specific opportunities for students with a minor in chemical engineering include product development, marketing, techical consulting. The strong foundation in quantitative logical thinking and problem-solving also provides an outstanding foundation for careers in business, law, and medicine.

Programs Requirements (21 credits)
Take the following courses:

• CH E 210, Introduction to Material Balances (3 credits)
• CH E 220, Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3 credits)
• CH E 320, Phase and Chemical Equilibria (3 credits)
• CH E 330, Process Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)
• CH E 350, Process Heat Transfer (3 credits)
• CH E 410, Mass Transfer Operations (3 credits)
• CH E 430, Chemical Reaction Engineering (3 credits)

Note: It may be possible to subsitute cources from other engineering disciplines to satisfy the requirements in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and/or heat transfer. Students should discuss possible substitutions with the undergraduate program coordinator in chemical engineering before pursuing the minor.

Admission Requirements
Applicants wishing to enroll in the chemical engineering minor must meet prerequisite requirements for each course. Students need to pay particular attention to requirements in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Physics.

For more information, contact:

• Professor Themis Matsoukas
• Program Coordinator
• Department of Chemical Engineering
• The Pennsylvannia State University
• 149 Fenske Laboratory
• University Park, PA 16802-4400