2023-24 Edition

Chemical Engineering, B.S.

Program Educational Objectives: Graduates of the Chemical Engineering program will (1) demonstrate achievement by applying a broad knowledge of chemical engineering; (2) apply critical reasoning and quantitative skills to identify and solve problems in chemical engineering; (3) implement skills for effective communication and teamwork; (4) demonstrate the potential to effectively lead chemical engineering projects in industry, government, or academia; and (5) exhibit a commitment to lifelong learning.

(Program educational objectives are those aspects of engineering that help shape the curriculum; achievement of these objectives is a shared responsibility between the student and UCI.)

High School Students: See School Admissions information.

Transfer Students: Preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall, and who have satisfactorily completed the following required courses: two years of approved calculus, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratories (mechanics, electricity and magnetism), completion of lower-division writing, one year of general chemistry (with laboratory), one year of organic chemistry (with laboratory),  and one course in introductory programming. For course equivalency specific to each college, visit http://assist.org.

Students are encouraged to complete as many of the lower-division degree requirements as possible prior to transfer. Students who enroll at UCI in need of completing lower-division coursework may find that it will take longer than two years to complete their degrees. For further information, contact The Henry Samueli School of Engineering at 949-824-4334.

All students are required to meet the University Requirements.
All students are required to meet the School Requirements.
Major Requirements
Mathematics and Basic Science Courses:
CHEM 1A General Chemistry
or ENGR 1A General Chemistry for Engineers
CHEM 1B- 1C- 1LC- 1LD General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry Laboratory
and General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 51A- 51B- 51C- 51LB- 51LC Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CBE 105 Engineering Physical Chemistry
MATH 2A- 2B Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
MATH 2D Multivariable Calculus I
MATH 2E Multivariable Calculus II
MATH 3A Introduction to Linear Algebra
MATH 3D Elementary Differential Equations
PHYSICS 7C- 7LC Classical Physics
and Classical Physics Laboratory
PHYSICS 7D- 7LD Classical Physics
and Classical Physics Laboratory
Engineering Topics Courses:
Students must complete a minimum of 18 units of engineering design.
CBE 1 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
CBE 40A- 40B- 40C Chemical Processes and Material Balances
and Process Thermodynamics
and Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CBE 100 Introduction to Numerical Methods in Engineering
CBE 110 Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design
CBE 120A- 120B- 120C Momentum Transfer
and Heat Transfer
and Mass Transfer
CBE 130 Separation Processes
CBE 140A- 140B Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
and Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
CBE 145 Chemical Process Control
CBE 150A- 150B Chemical Engineering Design I
and Chemical Engineering Design II
CBE 160 Engineering Biology
ENGR 54 Principles of Materials Science and Engineering
ENGRMAE 10 Introduction to Engineering Computations
Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, any additional engineering topics courses needed to satisfy school and department requirements.
Technical Elective Courses:
Students select, with the approval of a faculty advisor, a minimum of 16 units of technical electives. Students may select an area of specialization and complete the associated requirements, as shown below.
(The nominal Chemical Engineering program will require 193 units of courses to satisfy all university and major requirements. Students typically need at least 14 units of engineering topics from technical electives to meet school requirements. Because each student comes to UCI with a different level of preparation, the actual number of units will vary.)
Engineering Professional Topics Course:
ENGR 190W Communications in the Professional World
Specialization in Biomolecular Engineering:
Requires a minimum of 11 units including at least one course from the following:
CBE 161 Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
CBE 163 Kinetics of Biochemical Networks
and a minimum of 8 units from the following:
Biochemistry
Molecular Biology
Cell and Molecular Engineering
Cell and Molecular Engineering
Genetic Engineering and Synthetic Biology
Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems
Introduction to Computational Biology
Tissue Engineering
Individual Study (up to 4 units)
Specialization in Energy and Sustainability:
Requires a minimum of 11 units including at least one course from the following:
Applied Spectroscopy
Electrochemical Engineering
Nuclear and Radiochemistry
Individual Study (up to 4 units)
Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
and select the remaining units from the following:
Environmental Processes
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Wastewater Treatment Process Design
Carbon and Energy Footprint Analysis
Physical-Chemical Treatment Processes
Combustion and Fuel Cell Systems
Fuel Cell Fundamentals and Technology
Solar and Renewable Energy Systems
Air Pollution and Control
Ceramic Materials for Sustainable Energy
Green Engineering: Theory and Practice
Specialization in Macromolecular Engineering:
Requires a minimum of 12 units from:
Polymer Science and Engineering
Surface and Adhesion Science
Semiconductor Device Packaging
Individual Study (up to 4 units)
Electronic and Optical Properties in Materials
Nano-Scale Materials and Applications
Mechanical Behavior and Design Principles
Ceramic Materials for Sustainable Energy
X-ray Diffraction, Electron Microscopy, and Microanalysis
Composite Materials Design
Composite Materials and Structures

The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the major in Chemical Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a sequence of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Students who are not adequately prepared, or who wish to make changes in the sequence for other reasons, must have their program approved by their faculty advisor. Chemical Engineering majors are encouraged to consult with academic counselors as needed, and students who are academically at risk are mandated to see a counselor as frequently as deemed necessary by the advising staff.

Freshman
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 2AMATH 2BMATH 2D
ENGRMAE 10PHYSICS 7CPHYSICS 7D
CHEM 1A or ENGR 1APHYSICS 7LCPHYSICS 7LD
CBE 1CHEM 1BCHEM 1C
General EducationGeneral EducationCHEM 1LC
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
MATH 3AMATH 3DMATH 2E
CHEM 51ACHEM 51BCHEM 51C
CHEM 1LDCHEM 51LBCHEM 51LC
CBE 40ACBE 40BCBE 40C
General EducationENGR 54 
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
CBE 100CBE 105CBE 120C
CBE 120ACBE 110CBE 130
CBE 160CBE 120BTechnical Elective
General EducationGeneral EducationGeneral Education
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
CBE 140ACBE 140BCBE 150B
CBE 145CBE 150ATechnical Elective
ENGR 190WTechnical ElectiveGeneral Education
Technical ElectiveGeneral EducationGeneral Education