Chemical Engineering (BS)
The Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and similarly named engineering programs.
The Program Educational Objectives, expectations of what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation, are:
- Careers in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
- Leadership positions in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
- Graduate-level studies in chemical engineering and related technical or scientific fields (e.g. biomedical or environmental engineering, materials science).
- Careers outside of engineering that take advantage of an engineering education, such as business, management, finance, law, medicine, or education.
- A commitment to life-long learning and service within their chosen profession.
Upon graduation, we expect our students to achieve the following Student Outcomes:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- 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
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- 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
- an ability to function effectively on teams whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
The first and sophomore years of study introduce general principles of science and engineering and include a broad range of subjects in the humanities and social sciences. Although the program for all engineering students in these first two years is to some extent similar, there are a few important differences for chemical engineering majors. Those wishing to learn about, or major in, chemical engineering should take the professional elective CHEN E1000 Chemical Engineering for Humanity in term I, taught by the Chemical Engineering Department. This course provides a broad overview of modern chemical engineering. Those wishing to major in chemical engineering should also take ENGI E1006 INTRO TO COMP FOR ENG/APP SCI in term II. Chemical engineering majors receive additional instruction in CHEN E3020 ANALYSIS OF CHEM ENGIN PROBLMS, and throughout the major core curriculum, on the use of computational methods to solve chemical engineering problems.
The Degree Track table spells out the core course requirements, which are split between courses emphasizing engineering science and those emphasizing practical and/or professional aspects of the discipline. Throughout, skills required of practicing engineers are developed (e.g., writing and presentation skills, competency with computers).
The Degree Track table also shows that a significant fraction of the junior-senior program is reserved for electives, both technical and nontechnical. Twenty-one points (7 courses) of technical electives are included in the junior and senior year requirements. Technical electives are science and/or technology based and feature quantitative analysis. Generally, technical electives must be 3000 level or above but there are a few exceptions including:
| Code | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS UN1403 | INTRO-CLASSCL ＆ QUANTUM WAVES | |
| PHYS UN2601 | PHYSICS III:CLASS/QUANTUM WAVE | |
| BIOL UN2005 | INTRO BIO I: BIOCHEM,GEN,MOLEC | |
| BIOL UN2006 | INTRO BIO II:CELL BIO,DEV/PHYS | |
| BIOL UN2501 | CONTEMPORARY BIOLOGY LAB | |
| CHEM UN2444 | ORGANIC CHEMSTRY II-LECTURES |
A full list of approved technical elective courses in each category can be found on the departmental website or obtained from the departmental advisers. The technical electives are subject to the following constraints:
- 1 Thermodynamics Elective: One technical elective must fall within the category “thermodynamics electives”: Chemical engineering courses with 50% or more content related to thermodynamics. Examples include:
Course List Code Title Points CHAP E4120 STATISTICAL MECHANICS AND COMP METHODS CHEN E4650 POLYMER PHYSICS CHEN E4880 ATOMISTIC SIMULATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND EN - 1 Transport Elective: One technical elective must fall within the category “transport electives”: Chemical engineering courses with 50% or more content related to transport phenomena (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, or mass transfer). Examples include:
Course List Code Title Points CHEN E4150 COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS I CHEN E4201 ENGIN APPL OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY CHEN E4600 AEROSOLS CHEN E4630 TOPICS IN SOFT MATERIALS
- 3 Engineering Technical Electives: Three upper-level SEAS technical courses having significant engineering content. At least one of these three tech electives must have the designators BMCH, CHEN, CHEE, CHAP, or MECH. Qualifying courses are determined by Chemical Engineering advisors.
- 2 STEM Technical Electives: The remaining two technical elective courses must comprise "advanced STEM" coursework, which includes the natural sciences, mathematically-oriented SEAS classes, and certain courses based on engineering topics. Qualifying courses are determined by Chemical Engineering department advisors. For a course to count towards this category, these STEM courses must be sufficiently advanced/technical (generally 3000 level or above), but do not necessarily contain engineering content. A limited number of natural science courses (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Biology) with course number less than 3000 level are approved for this category.
The junior-senior technical electives provide the opportunity to explore new, interesting areas beyond the core requirements of the degree. Often, students satisfy the technical electives by taking courses from another SEAS department in order to obtain a minor from that department. Alternately, you may wish to take courses in several new areas, or perhaps to explore familiar subjects in greater depth, or you may wish to gain experience in actual laboratory research. Up to 6 points of CHEN E3900 UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT may be counted toward the technical elective content. (Note that if more than 3 points of research are pursued, an undergraduate thesis is required.)
The undergraduate elective specializations are a way for students to explore a subject area in modern chemical engineering in depth through their selection of technical elective courses. To fulfill an elective specialization, the student must complete any combination of four courses (12 points total) from the list of suggested courses in that subject area. Elective specialization areas are: Climate, Environment, and Energy Solutions; Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals; Data and Computational Science; and Advanced Materials. More information on courses satisfying the requirements for each elective specialization can be found on the departmental website.
The program details discussed above apply to undergraduates who are enrolled at Columbia as first-years and declare the chemical engineering major in the sophomore year. However, the chemical engineering program is designed to be readily accessible to participants in any of Columbia’s Combined Plans and to transfer students. In such cases, the guidance of one of the departmental advisers in planning your program is required (contact information for the departmental UG advisers is listed on the department’s website: cheme.columbia.edu).
Elective Specializations
Undergraduate elective specializations allow chemical engineering students to carry out in- depth exploration of a subject area in modern chemical engineering. To fulfill a specialization, the student must complete any combination of four courses (12 points total) from a list of technical elective courses that have been approved by the department to count towards that specialization. Courses taken P/F do not count towards specializations. Four specializations are offered: (i) Advanced Materials, (ii) Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals, (iii) Climate, Environment, and Energy Solutions, and (iv.) Data and Computational Science.
Advanced Materials
The coursework for a concentration in Advanced Materials provides an understanding of the fundamentals and technological challenges associated with the design of new materials, including soft materials, materials for electrochemical energy storage, and biomaterials.
Any combination of four courses (12 points total) satisfies the Advanced Materials Specialization Requirement.
| Code | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN E3900 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT | |
| APCH E4080 | SOFT CONDENSED MATTER | |
| CHEN E4620 | INTRO-POLYMERS/SOFT MATERIALS | |
| CHEN E4630 | TOPICS IN SOFT MATERIALS | |
| CHEN E4650 | POLYMER PHYSICS | |
| CHEN E4860 | NMR BIOSOFTENG | |
| CHEN E4665 | Polymer Chemistry for Sustainable Solutions | |
| CHEN E4870 | Synthetic Organogenesis | |
| CHEN E4880 | ATOMISTIC SIMULATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND EN | |
| CHEN E4910 | SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY IN PHARMACEUTICAL | |
| CHEN XXXX 1 | ||
| MSAE E3010 | FOUNDATIONS OF MATERIALS SCIENCE | |
| MSAE E4090 | NANOTECHNOLOGY | |
| MSAE E4206 | ELEC ＆ MAGNETIC PROP OF SOLIDS | |
| MSAE E4260 | ELECTROCHEM MATLS ＆ DEVS | |
- 1
Polymer Science for Sustainability (taught as a CHEN E4900 Topics in Chemical Engineering course in Spring 2025; it will be given its own course number in future semesters)
Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals
Manufacturing and discovery in biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals continue to advance at a rapid pace, creating opportunities for engineers to contribute to interdisciplinary areas and apply their core skills to advancing technology. This concentration engages students with recent developments within biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, focusing on engineering applications and approaches.
Any combination of four courses (12 points total) satisfies the Biotechnology and Biopharmaceuticals Specialization Requirement.
| Code | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN E3900 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT | |
| CHEN E4180 | Machine Learning for Biomolecular and Cellular Applications | |
| CHEN E4325 | BIOSEPARATIONS | |
| CHEN E4400 | Pharmaceutical Process Development | |
| CHEN E4660 | BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING | |
| CHEN E4700 | PRINCIPLES OF GENOMIC TECHNOL | |
| CHEN E4725 | Therapeutic Systems Design: Biomolecules and Immune Interfaces | |
| CHEN E4800 | PROTEIN ENGINEERING | |
| CHEN E4870 | Synthetic Organogenesis | |
| CHEN E4890 | BIOPHARMACEUTICALS PRODUCT DEV | |
| CHEN E4910 | SOLID STATE CHEMISTRY IN PHARMACEUTICAL | |
| CHEN E4920 | PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY FOR ENGINEERS | |
| CHEN E4930 | Biopharmaceutical Process Laboratory | |
| CHEN E8100 | TOPICS IN BIOLOGY | |
| CHEN XXXX 1 | ||
| BMEN E4110 | BIOSTATISTICS FOR ENGINEERS | |
| BMEN E6500 | TISSUE/MOLECULAR ENGI LAB | |
| BIOL C2005 | ||
| BIOL C2006 | ||
| or BIOL C2016 | ||
| BIOL W2501 | ||
| BIOC UN3300 | BIOCHEMISTRY | |
- 1
Sustainable Process Engineering (taught as a CHEN 4900 Topics in Chemical Engineering course in Spring 2025; it will be given its own course number in future semesters)
Climate, Environment, and Energy Solutions
The coursework for a specialization in Climate, Environment, and Energy Solutions provides the student with an understanding of the fundamentals and technological challenges associated with solutions to the challenges of climate change and environmental pollution, including clean energy and storage, geoengineering, pollution control, and their environmental context. Furthermore, students may choose to learn about electrochemical processes that will continue to rise in importance as sustainable routes to leverage renewable energy for the production of chemicals, fuels, and materials.
Any combination of four courses (12 points total) satisfies the Climate Solutions Specialization Requirement.
| Code | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN E3900 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT | |
| CHEN E4201 | ENGIN APPL OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY | |
| CHEN E4231 | SOLAR FUELS | |
| CHEN E4331 | Catalysis and Kinetics of Sustainable CO2 Conversion | |
| CHEN E4600 | AEROSOLS | |
| CHEN E4410 | ||
| CHEN XXXX 1 | ||
| EAEE E3103 | ENERGY,MINERALS,MATERIALS SYST | |
| EAEE E4002 | ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES | |
| EAEE E4003 | AQUATIC CHEMISTRY | |
| EAEE E4011 | Industrial ecology for manufacturing | |
| EAEE E4163 | ||
| EAEE E4180 | ELECTROCHEMICAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS | |
| EAEE E4300 | INTRO TO CARBON MANAGEMENT | |
| EAEE E4301 | CARBON STORAGE | |
| EAEE E4305 | CO2 UTILIZATION AND CONVERSION | |
| CIEE E3255 | ||
| CIEE E3250 | ||
| CIEE E4252 | ||
| MECE E4211 | ENERGY SOURCES AND CONVERSION | |
| MSAE E4260 | ELECTROCHEM MATLS ＆ DEVS | |
| EESC UN2100 | EARTH'S ENVIRO SYST: CLIM SYST | |
| EESC UN3101 | Geochemistry for a Habitable Planet | |
| EESC W4008 | ||
| EESC W4020 | ||
| EESC W4924 | ||
- 1
Sustainable Process Engineering (taught as a CHEN 4900 Topics in Chemical Engineering course in Spring 2025; it will be given its own course number in future semesters)
Data and Computational Science
The coursework for a concentration in Data and Computational Science provides an understanding of data science tools and computational modeling methods relevant to modern chemical engineering practice. These tools include methods of data curation, statistical data analysis, predictive modeling, and experimental design that integrate advances in machine learning and artificial intelligence into the chemical engineering domain.
Any combination of four courses (12 points total) satisfies the Data and Computational Science Specialization Requirement.
| Code | Title | Points |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN E3900 | UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECT | |
| CHEN E4010 | MATH METHODS IN CHEMICAL ENGIN | |
| CHEN E4180 | Machine Learning for Biomolecular and Cellular Applications | |
| CHEN E4670 | CHEMICAL ENGINEERING DATA ANALYSIS | |
| CHEN E4580 | ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING | |
| CHAP E4120 | STATISTICAL MECHANICS AND COMP METHODS | |
| CHEN E4150 | COMPUTATIONAL FLUID DYNAMICS I | |
| CHEN E4880 | ATOMISTIC SIMULATIONS FOR SCIENCE AND EN | |
| ORCA E2500 | FOUNDATIONS OF DATA SCIENCE 1 | |
| STAT W4001 | ||
| COMS W4721 | MACHINE LEARNING FOR DATA SCI | |
| COMS W4771 |
- 1
These courses cannot be counted as technical electives, but they may be used for the math elective.
Chemical Engineering Program
An overview of the degree track in PDF format can be found here.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester I | ||
| MATH UN1101 | CALCULUS I | |
| Choose one of the following Physics courses depending on sequence: | ||
PHYS UN1401 (Sequence1) | INTRO TO MECHANICS ＆ THERMO | |
PHYS UN1601 (Sequence 2) | PHYSICS I:MECHANICS/RELATIVITY | |
PHYS UN2801 (Sequence 3) | ACCELERATED PHYSICS I | |
| Choose one of the following Chemistry courses depending on sequence: | ||
| GENERAL CHEMISTRY I-LECTURES | ||
CHEM UN1604 (Sequence 2) | 2ND TERM GEN CHEM (INTENSIVE) | |
CHEM UN2045 (Sequence 3) | INTENSVE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | |
| ENGL CC1010 (taken Semester l or ll) | UNIVERSITY WRITING | |
| CHEN E1000 | Chemical Engineering for Humanity | |
| ENGI E1102 (taken Semester l or ll) | THE ART OF ENGINEERING | |
| Semester II | ||
| MATH UN1102 | CALCULUS II | |
| Choose one of the following Physics courses depending on sequence: | ||
PHYS UN1402 (Sequence 1) | INTRO ELEC/MAGNETSM ＆ OPTCS | |
PHYS UN1602 (Sequence 2) | PHYSICS II: THERMO, ELEC ＆ MAG | |
PHYS UN2802 (Sequence 3) | ACCELERATED PHYSICS II | |
| Choose one of the following Chemistry courses depending on sequence: | ||
CHEM UN1404 (Sequence 1) | GENERAL CHEMISTRY II-LECTURES | |
CHEM UN1507 (Sequence 2) | INTENSVE GENERAL CHEMISTRY-LAB | |
| INTENSVE ORG CHEM-FOR 1ST YEAR | ||
| ENGL CC1010 (taken Semester l or ll) | UNIVERSITY WRITING | |
| ENGI E1006 | INTRO TO COMP FOR ENG/APP SCI | |
| ENGI E1102 (taken Semester l or ll) | THE ART OF ENGINEERING | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester III | ||
| APMA E2000 & APMA E2001 | MULTV. CALC. FOR ENGI ＆ APP SCI | |
| Choose one of the following Physics courses depending on sequence: | ||
| INTRO TO EXPERIMENTAL PHYS-LAB | ||
| INTERMEDIATE LABORATORY WORK | ||
| CHEM UN2443 (Sequences 1 and 2) | ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I-LECTURES | |
| One core humanities elective (3-4)1 | ||
| CHEN E2100 | Material and Energy Balances | |
| Semester IV | ||
| MATH UN2030 or APMA E2101 | ORDINARY DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS | |
| Three core humanities electives (11) | ||
| CHEN E3020 | ANALYSIS OF CHEM ENGIN PROBLMS | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester V | ||
| CHEN E3110 | PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPORT PHENOMENA | |
| CHEE E3010 | PRIN-CHEM ENGIN-THERMODYNAMICS | |
| Adv Natural Science Lab2 | ||
| Complete Required Nontech Elective | ||
| Complete Required Tech Elective3 | ||
| Semester VI | ||
| Math Elective4 | ||
| PHED UN1001 (may be taken any Semester) | PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES | |
| CHEN E3230 | REACTOR KINETICS/REACTOR DESIGN | |
| CHEN E4140 | ENGINEERING SEPARATIONS | |
| Complete Required Nontech Electives | ||
| Complete Required Tech Electives3 | ||
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester VII | ||
| CHEN E4500 | PROCESS ＆ PRODUCT DESIGN I | |
| CHEN E4300 | CHEM PROC. CONTROL ＆ SAFETY | |
| Complete Required Nontech Elective | ||
| Complete Required Tech Electives3 | ||
| Semester VIII | ||
| PHED UN1002 (may be taken any Semester) | PHYSICAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES | |
| CHEN E3810 | CHEM ENG ＆ APPLIED CHEM LAB | |
| Complete Required Tech Electives3 | ||
- 1
Four core humanities electives should be taken as follows: In Semester III, HUMA CC1001 Literature Humanities I or COCI CC1101 CONTEMP WESTERN CIVILIZATION I (4) or any initial course in one of the Global Core sequences offered by the College (3–4); in Semester IV, HUMA CC1002 Literature Humanities II or COCI CC1102 CONTEMP WESTRN CIVILIZATION II (4) or ASCM UN2002 or the second course in the Global Core sequence elected in Semester III (3–4); also in Semester IV, ECON UN1105 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS (4) with ECON UN1155 PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS-DISC recitation (0) and either HUMA UN1121 Art Humanities or HUMA UN1123 Music Humanities (3).
- 2
Total of 3 points required. Choose from CHEM UN2493 ORGANIC CHEM. LAB I TECHNIQUES (1.5), CHEM UN2496 ORGANIC CHEM. LABORATORY II (1.5), CHEM UN2543 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (3), CHEM UN2545 INTENSIVE ORGANIC CHEM LAB (3), CHEM UN3085 PHYSICL-ANALYTICL LABORATORY I (3), BIOL 2501 (3), EEEB 3015 (3), or another course approved by the major adviser.
- 3
See the bulletin text for technical elective requirements.
- 4
Math elective options include APMA E3101 APPLIED MATH I: LINEAR ALGEBRA, MATH UN2010 LINEAR ALGEBRA, APMA E3102 APPLIED MATHEMATICS II: PDE'S, APMA E4150 APPLIED FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS, APMA E4300 COMPUT MATH:INTRO-NUMERCL METH, STAT GU4001 INTRODUCTION TO PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS, or another course approved by the major adviser.