Engineering, Chemical and Biomedical, B.Ch.E

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At-a-Glance

Minimum hours required for degree: 135 (not including credits earned in the Engineering Cooperative Education Program and Orientation)

Admission to major: Admission to Fenn College of Engineering

Hours required for minor: There is no authorized minor in the Chemical Engineering Program. The chemical engineering curriculum fulfills the requirements for a minor in chemistry; the requirements for a minor in physics can be fulfilled with 4 additional credit hours. Interested students must complete an application for a minor with the Chemistry and Physics departments.

Certificate Program: Biotechnology - Engineering Track
(see description or call the department at 216-687-2571 for additional information.)

Evening Program: No evening program exists, but most non-CHE courses (and CHE electives) are offered evenings.

Advising: Students should meet with their assigned adviser each semester during advising week; phone: 216-687-2571.

Student Organizations: American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), Student Chapter.

Chemical Engineering Educational Objectives

The Chemical Engineering curriculum prepares the student for a successful career in a dynamic and progressive profession. A chemical engineer may pursue a wide scope of projects. Chemical engineers are responsible for the design and operation of processes that accomplish chemical changes. Examples of such processes are the production of antibiotics, detergents, drugs, paints, plastics, petrochemicals, advanced materials, and synthetics. A chemical engineer may also work on the research and development preceding or accompanying a given process design, or the management of a plant or an entire enterprise. The Cleveland State University chemical engineering curriculum provides a strong foundation to work in energy conservation and utilization, environmental pollution control, as well as the petrochemical industry and many other chemical-related industries. Consistent with mission of the university, college and department, this program has been designed to provide an attractive avenue for students interested in chemical engineering. The chemical engineering program at CSU strives to prepare its graduates to:

Utilize practical engineering skills for productive, gainful, and ethical careers in chemical and related industries and organizations; and
Engage in lifelong learning through professional activities and/or the pursuit of higher educational degrees.

Special Notes:

Advanced Science Electives: A minimum of 4 credit hours of advanced science are required. The advanced science credits must be earned in a 300-level or above course in the fields of chemistry, physics, biology or geology. Independent studies with faculty from the departments of Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Geology can be used to fulfill these requirements. These courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students are required to present a formal written petition to the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering prior to registration in such independent studies. Courses promoted on an S/U basis will not qualify to fulfill graduation requirements. Students can plan their electives sequence to fulfill the requirements for minors in chemistry and physics. These electives can also be selected to satisfy the Biotechnology Certificate track, or Accelerated Masters Programs in the College of Engineering. Details and guidelines can be obtained from the department academic adviser.

Senior Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Technical Electives: Two Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Technical electives are also required. These elective courses must be approved by the department for engineering design and science contents. A varied selection is offered each year. These electives can be selected to satisfy the Biotechnology Certificate track, or Accelerated Master’s Programs in the College of Engineering. Details and guidelines can be obtained from the department academic adviser.

2-D in ESC and CHE rule: Chemical Engineering students are limited to a combined maximum of two grades of D in Engineering Science (ESC) or Chemical Engineering (CHE) courses to be eligible for graduation.

Program for the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering

First Year, Fall Semester

Total: 15 Credits

First Year, Spring Semester

Total: 17 Credits

Second Year, Fall Semester

Total: 17 Credits

Second Year, Spring Semester

CHE 300 - Chem Engineering Principles
ESC 301 - Fluid Mechanics
ESC 350 - Linear Alg/Num Mthds in Engr
ESC 315 - Electrical Engr Concepts or
ESC 201 - Statics
(ESC Elective)
MTH 283 - Multiv Calculus for Engineers or
MTH 281 - Multivariable Calculus
General Education Requirement (3 credits)

Total: 18 or 20 Credits

Third Year, Fall Semester

Total: 17 Credits

Third Year, Spring Semester

CHE 404 - Chemical Reactor Design
CHE 408 - Separation Processes
ESC 282 - Engineering Economy
CHM 322 - Physical Chemistry II
General Education Requirement (3 credits)

Total: 18 Credits

Fourth Year, Fall Semester

CHE 440 - Process Design I
CHE 430 - Chemical Process Control
CHE 4xx Senior Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Technical Elective I (3 credits)
Advanced Science Elective (4credits)
General Education Elective (3 credits)

Total: 17 Credits

Fourth Year, Spring Semester

CHE 441 - Process Design II
CHE 4xx Senior Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Technical Elective II (3 credits)
CHE 420 - Senior Chem Engineering Lab
General Education Elective (3 credits)
PHL 215 - Engineering Ethics or
PHL 213H - H: Environmental Ethics-Honors

Total: 16 or 17 Credits

Note(s):

*Not required for transfer students

**Required for co-op

Upper-Division Honors and University Scholars Program

Students in the Honors or University Scholars programs who are majoring in Chemical Engineering are required to complete an Honors Thesis (three credit hours, minimum) and at least six (6) additional credits of approved Upper-Division Courses and/or Independent Studies. These credits can be used to fulfill graduation requirements within the traditional program, by substituting for senior chemical and biomedical engineering electives. In addition, students in the Honors program must complete an Honors Thesis (three credit hours, minimum). Credits earned through these guided research activities could be used towards the fulfillment of the Advanced Science Elective requirement.

Aiming to address a variety of educational goals (preparation for industry, graduate school, medical school, professional schools, etc.), the upper-division honors and university scholars program of the Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Department is to be tailored for each individual student.

Students will select, or be assigned, an Upper-Division Honors adviser who will assist the student in formulating a “Plan of Study” designed to achieve the student’s educational goals. This plan of study must be formulated by the first semester of the student’s junior year, and filed with the student’s academic records and the Honors and University Scholars Programs Office.

Upper-Division Honors and University Scholars Program:

Students in the Honors and University Scholars Programs will fulfill the six (6) credits requisite of upper-level technical electives by enrolling in two (2) 500-level graduate courses in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Students in the Upper-Division are allowed to enroll in a graduate-level course so long as the prerequisites are met or approval from the course instructor is secured. These courses will fulfill the two (2) Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (Senior) Technical Electives graduation requirement.

All Chemical Engineering Honors students are required to write and present a thesis in their senior year, as a culmination of their honors experience. Students completing this requirement should register for CHE 598 (Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Honors Thesis). Thesis work will be performed under the guidance of a faculty member of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering and may take the form of a proposal, a research paper, a business plan, or a design project, representing the work and interest of the student and the program eduational objectives. At the outset, the topic and scope of the thesis will be detailed and approved by the student’s academic and honors adviser(s).

If the proposed research project for the Honors Thesis is anticipated to require more than one semester, the student can register for CHE 598 in multiple terms. Students will register for CHE 598 in those semesters when research is performed, including the semester when the Honors Thesis completion is anticipated. Students in the University Scholars Program are also eligible to register in CHE 598 by requesting permission from the Honors and Departmental Programs.

Conference attendance

Senior honors students will have the opportunity to travel to a regional, national, or international professional meeting with his or her project adviser. If appropriate, students will be encouraged to present work performed towards completion of the Honors Thesis. Funds will be available to support travel and/or conference fees.

Replaced courses:

As specified above, credits earned in fulfillment of the Upper Divsion Honors or Scholars Program can be used to replace the two senior chemical and biomedical engineering technical electives as well as fulfilling the advanced science elective requirement.

Accelerated Master’s Program: Students in the Honors and University Scholars Programs are eligible to participate in the Accelerated Masters Programs available in the College of Engineering. In order for the Upper-Division course work to be applicable towards these accelerated programs, students must be admitted to the corresponding Accelerated Masters Program prior to registering for the applicable courses.