Chemical Engineering
About the Chemical Engineering Major
The field of chemical engineering plays a critical role in solving some of society’s most pressing challenges, and CBU’s chemical engineering program prepares you to contribute to that impact.
In small classes led by expert faculty, you’ll explore topics like heat transfer, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and chemical separations while also considering how safety, sustainability, and scale factor into real-world engineering decisions. Lab courses, internship placements, and a senior project give you practical, hands-on experience and allow you to demonstrate your skill set.
Learn more about the student outcomes and accreditation of CBU’s Chemical Engineering program.Chemical Engineering Program Accreditation
Christian Brothers University’s Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
Program Highlights
- Step into real-world engineering environments through internships with major corporations.
- Earn a BS in Chemical Engineering and a Master of Science in Engineering Management (MSEM) degree in five years.
- Lead your own engineering project during your senior year.
- Take elective courses across topics like industrial safety and air pollution that prepare you for regulatory affairs or environmental careers.
- Customize your degree by selecting a concentration in traditional chemical engineering or biochemical engineering.
Careers in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers design safer, more efficient, and more sustainable processes. They plan, develop, and manage the production of chemicals, fuels, food, pharmaceuticals, and other essential items. In this role, you might work in a lab, on a production floor, in a consulting firm, or at a research center. The skills chemical engineers possess are in high demand throughout various industries.
Job opportunities with a chemical engineering degree include:
- Biochemical/Bioprocess Engineer
- Chemical Engineer
- Health and Safety Engineer
- Pharmaceutical Biologics Engineer
- Research Investigator/Engineer
- Technical Support Engineer
A career in chemical engineering may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- Using reasoning and logic to solve problems
- Identifying and solving problems
- Developing rules and guidelines
- Designing equipment and technology
- Analyzing user needs and requirements
Where Our Graduates Work
CBU chemical engineering alumni have launched careers in the following roles:
- Anodizing Technical Manager, Jordan Aluminum
- Business Development Specialist, Vanguard Soap
- Environmental Engineer, International Paper
- Field Process Engineer, Bioenergy Development Group
- Industrial Water Technologies Sales, Solenis
- Logistics Engineer, ABB
- Process Engineer, Georgia Pacific
- Process Engineer, Valero Memphis Refinery
- Safety and Health Consultant, Ensafe
Engineering Internships
Internships are a key part of the chemical engineering degree program at CBU. They give you first-hand management experience in real professional environments so that you can build confidence, develop technical skills, learn more about your career direction, and make valuable industry connections before you graduate.
Many students complete paid internships that often tie directly into the senior project requirement. Past chemical engineering students have interned with leading companies such as:
- Arkema
- Charles River Laboratories
- Draslovka
- FedEx
- Georgia Pacific
- Medtronic
- Merck Consumer Care
- Wright Medical
- Valero Memphis Refinery
- Pennakem
What You’ll Study
Over 132 credit hours, the chemical engineering program curriculum consists of general education and liberal arts requirements; a foundation in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; and applied engineering courses. The curriculum also supports your specific goals through elective courses and a concentration in either traditional chemical or biochemical engineering.
Classes cover fundamental areas of engineering, including:
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Fluid mechanics
- Heat transfer
- Material and energy balances
- Physics
- Separations
- Thermodynamics
Individual Senior Project
In your final year of the chemical engineering major, you’ll complete an individual project that brings together what you’ve learned throughout the program. You’ll select a topic that interests you and apply your skills to a specific chemical engineering problem.
Many students complete their senior project alongside an internship, using their workplace experience to support their research. By the end of the program, you’ll graduate with a tangible example of your academic training that you can share with employers or graduate schools.
Chemical Engineering Concentrations
Whether you want to learn more about traditional chemical processes or how biology and chemistry come together in engineering, you can choose a concentration that matches your goals:
Traditional Chemical Engineering Concentration
Discover how raw materials become the everyday products we rely on, like plastics and clean water. In this concentration, coursework covers chemistry, physics, math, and engineering economics. Learn the science behind large-scale production and the transformation of matter through chemical engineering.
This track is a strong fit if you’re considering a career in manufacturing, energy, environmental engineering, or process design.
Biochemical Engineering Concentration
Explore the interaction between chemical processes and biological systems in food, medicine, sustainable energy, and more. Train as a biochemical engineer for professional opportunities in biotech, pharma, or research-focused industries by studying areas such as pharmaceutical development, enzyme production, biofuels, and food additives.
Planning to apply to medical school? This track also includes the prerequisite coursework required for medical school admission, making it a great option for healthcare or biomedical careers.
Five-Year BS/MS in Engineering Program
CBU offers a unique opportunity for chemical engineering majors to earn both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just five years. The accelerated five-year BS/MS program pairs your undergraduate degree in chemical engineering with a Master of Science in Engineering Management degree, blending core engineering competencies and managerial skills that prepare you for leadership roles in the field.
Apply at CBU
Get started on your chemical engineering degree. Begin your application today! There is no fee to apply. To qualify for more scholarships and declare chemical engineering as your major, you must either submit your ACT or SAT scores and have earned at least a 22 on the math portion of the ACT or a 540 on the math portion of the SAT.
Engineering Minors
Explore undergraduate minors through the Gadomski School of Engineering that can complement your chemical engineering major:
Related Programs
Interested in a different path? Take a look at CBU’s related degree programs in engineering and science:
Meet the Faculty
Put Engineering Principles into Action
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree program at Christian Brothers University equips you to solve meaningful problems in industries that affect daily life. Whether you want to improve industrial systems, contribute to medical innovation, or work toward a more sustainable future, you can make a difference with us.
