Undergraduate Course Descriptions

CHEN 1000 (3). Creative Technology.

Lect. Introduces undergraduate arts and sciences students to the most recent concepts in technology and how these concepts impact all aspects of life, such as health, the health of the planet, and social structures. Engineering students should consult an advisor before registering for this course. Approved for arts and sciences core curriculum: natural science.

CHEN 1211 (3). General Chemistry for Engineers.

Lect. A one-semester course designed to meet the general chemistry requirement for engineeringc students. Topics include stoichiometry; thermodynamics; gases, liquids, and solids; equilibrium; acids and bases; bonding concepts; kinetics; reactions; and materials science. Examples and problems illustrate the application of chemistry to engineering subdisciplines. Restricted to students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science; one year of high school chemistry or C- or higher in CHEM 1001 or 1021; and high school algebra. Not recommended for students with grades below B- in CHEM 1001 or 1021. Students may receive credit for only one of CHEM 1111, 1151, and CHEN 1211. Coreq., CHEM 1221.

CHEN 1300 (1). Introduction to Chemical Engineering.

Meets for one lecture per week. Introduces chemical engineering emphasizing history of the profession, curriculum, chemical industry, and industrial chemistry. Includes industry visits, oral presentations, faculty and professional meetings, and development of a goals statement.

CHEN 2120 (3). Chemical Engineering Material and Energy Balances. Provides a basic understanding of chemical engineering calculations involving material and energy balances around simple chemical processes. Prereq., CHEM 1211 and GEEN 1300.

CHEN 2810 (3). Biology for Engineers.

Develops a basic understanding of the science of biology, including an introduction to the disciplines of biochemistry, cell organization, metabolism, genetics, genomics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology and evolution. Provides a basic introduction to several key techniques used in biological engineering laboratories. Uses examples of complex and creative structures engineered by natural processes.

CHEN 2820 (3). Foundations of Bioengineering.

Introduces fundamental science and engineering principles on which bioengineering is based. Include a study of the structure/function of biomolecules, cell communication, nutrient supply, metabolism, excretion, fluid flow in the circulatory system, bioinstrumentation, drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Prereq., CHEN 2810 or MCDB 1150 or EBIO 1210 or equivalent AP credit.

CHEN 2840 (1-4). Independent Study.

Available to sophomores with approval of Department of Chemical Engineering. Subject arranged to fit needs of student.

CHEN 3010 (3). Applied Data Analysis.

Teaches students to analyze and interpret data. Topics include engineering measurements, graphical presentation and numerical treatment of data, statistical inference, and regression analysis. Prereqs., GEEN 1300 and APPM 2360.

CHEN 3130 (2). Chemical Engineering Laboratory 1.

One four-hour lab session per week. Investigates chemical engineering fluid flow, heat transfer, and thermodynamics. Emphasizes communication by written reports and oral presentations as well as laboratory safety. Prereq., CHEN 3010, CHEN 3210 and CHEN 3320.

CHEN 3200 (3). Chemical Engineering Fluid Mechanics.

Introduces fluid mechanics and momentum transfer, emphasizing the application of these principles to chemical engineering systems. Prereqs., APPM 2350 or 2360 and CHEN 2120 or MCEN 2022. Coreq., APPM 2360 (or APPM 2350, if not completed).

CHEN 3210 (3). Chemical Engineering Heat Transfer.

Examines conservation and transfer of thermal energy. Focuses on conduction and convection of heat in the context of chemical processes, with a special focus on heat exchangers. Also studies thermal radiation. Prereq., CHEN 3200 or MCEN 3021.

CHEN 3220 (3). Chemical Engineering Separations and Mass Transfer. Studies separation methods including distillation, absorption, and extraction, and graphical and computer-based solutions to separation problems. Also studies mass transfer rate processes, including diffusion, microscopic material balances, and correlations for mass transfer coefficients. Applies mass transfer rate theory to packed and tray columns. Prereq., CHEN 3200 and CHEN 3320. Coreq., CHEN 3210 or MCEN 3022.

CHEN 3320 (3). Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.

Applies thermodynamic principles to nonideal systems, phase equilibrium, chemical equilibrium, power generation, refrigeration, and chemical processes. Prereqs., CHEN 2120, minimum grade C-; CHEM 4521, minimum grade C-.

CHEN 3838 (3). Special Topics.

CHEN 3840 (1-4). Independent Study.

Available to juniors with approval of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Subject arranged to fit needs of the student.

CHEN 3930 (6). Chemical Engineering Cooperative Education.

Students enrolled in this course participate in a previously arranged, department-sponsored cooperative education program. Prereqs., CHEN 2120 and GPA higher than 2.85. GPA higher than 3.00 strongly recommended.

CHEN 4010 (2). Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 1.

Provides an opportunity for advanced students to conduct exploratory research in chemical engineering.

CHEN 4020 (2). Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis 2.

Continuation of CHEN 4010. CHEN 4010 and 4020 can substitute for CHEN 4130.

CHEN 4090 (1). Undergraduate Seminar.

Provides chemical engineering career and professional information, facilitates contact with faculty and industry representatives, and improves communication and leadership skills. Consists of a series of seminars and field trips and requires a research project involving a written and oral report.

CHEN 4130 (2). Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2.

Involves planning and execution of chemical engineering experiments on mass transfer operations, separations, and chemical reactors. Interprets experimental data with theoretical principles and statistical analysis. Emphasizes communication with written memos, full reports, and oral presentations. Prereqs., CHEN 3130, CHEN 3220, and CHEN 4330.

CHEN 4330 (3). Chemical Engineering Reaction Kinetics.

Introduces chemical kinetics and chemical reactor design. Involves mass and energy balances for steady-state and transient reactor systems. Also covers residence time distribution, mass transfer, catalytic reactions, and multiple steady states in reactors. Prereqs., CHEN 3320, and CHEN 3210.

CHEN 4390 (3). Chemical Reactor Engineering.

Prereq., CHEN 4330 and instructor consent. Same as CHEN 5390.

CHEN 4440 (3). Chemical Engineering Materials. Introduces materials engineering, including properties of polymers, metals, ceramics, and semiconductors, especially as related to chemical engineering processes. Prereq. CHEN 3320.

CHEN 4450 (3). Polymer Chemistry.

Lect. Introduces polymer science with a focus on polymer chemistry and polymerization reactions. Focuses on polymerization reaction engineering and how polymer properties depend on structure. Prereq., CHEN 4330 or instructor consent. Same as CHEN 5450.

CHEN 4460 (3). Polymer Engineering.

Introductory polymer engineering course reviewing basic terminology and definitions; the properties and synthetic routes of important industrial polymers; and processing of polymers and their applications. Prereq., CHEM 3311 and CHEN 3320, minimum grade C-, or equivalent, or instructor consent. Same as CHEN 5460.

CHEN 4520 (3). Chemical Process Synthesis.

Studies applied chemical process design including equipment specification and economic evaluation. Prereqs., CHEN 3220, 4330, minimum grade C-. Same as CHEN 5950.

CHEN 4530 (2). Chemical Engineering Design Project.

Provides a team-based capstone design experience for chemical engineering students. Projects are sponsored by industry and design teams collaborate with industrial consultants. Projects consider chemical process and product design with emphasis on economics analysis. Deliverables include an oral mid-project design review, a final oral presentation, and final written report. Prereqs., CHEN 4520.

CHEN 4570 (4). Instrumentation and Process Control.

Examines principles of control theory and their application to chemical processes. Focuses on single-loop feedback and feedforward control. Laboratory sessions cover measurement fundamentals, signal transmission, dynamic testing, control system synthesis, and implementation and adjustment. Prereq., APPM 2360, CHEN 3220, and CHEN 4330.

CHEN 4580 (3). Numerical Methods for Process Simulation. Covers use of macroscopic and microscopic balances for development of mathematical models to describe common chemical engineering unit operations. Also includes numerical methods for solution of model equations. Prereqs., CHEN 3210 and 3220.

CHEN 4630 (1). Intellectual Property Law and Engineering

Learn the fundamentals of various types of intellectual property, obtain the ability to search the USPTO database for patents, learn the difference between provisional patents, utility patents and foreign patents, and learn the timing requirements related to the filing of patents and public disclosure, use and/or sale of an invention.  Prereq., Senior/graduate standing or instructor consent. Same as CHEN 5630.

CHEN 4650 (3). Particle Technology.
Aims to identify the important physical mechanisms occurring in processes involving particles, formulate and solve mathematical descriptions of such processes, and analyze experimental and theoretical results in both a qualitative and quantitative manner. Teaches students to apply this knowledge to the design of particulate systems. Conveys the breadth and depth of natural and industrial applications involving particulates. Prereq., APPM 2360 and CHEN 3200 or MCEN 3021. Same as CHEN 5650.

CHEN 4670 (3). Environmental Separations.

Lect. Covers traditional, as well as new, chemical separations processes that have environmental applications. Includes chemically benign processing (pollution prevention) as well as approaches to address existing pollution problems. Prereqs., senior or graduate student standing and CHEN 2120. Same as CHEN 5670.

CHEN 4680 (3). Environmental Process Engineering.

Lect. Surveys the field of environmental process engineering and covers the topics of waste minimization and pollution, air pollution control, water pollution control, hazardous waste control, risk assessment and management, and ecological systems. Prereq., senior or graduate standing in engineering. Same as CHEN 5680.

CHEN 4800 (3). Bioprocess Engineering.

Lect. and lab. Reviews the recent developments in the fields of microbiology, molecular genetics, and genetic engineering that are of commercial value and benefit to mankind. Covers engineering implementation of such biological processes. Prereq., senior or graduate standing in engineering or science, or instructor consent. Same as CHEN 5800.

CHEN 4801 (3). Pharmaceutical Biotechnology.

Focuses on the engineering needed to bring therapeutic products derived from living organisms (e.g., proteins, peptides, DNA, RNA) from the production plant to the patient. Covers the challenges of keeping these products "active" as they are stored, shipped, and administered to patients. Prereq., CHEN 3320. Coreq., CHEN 4330.

CHEN 4805 (3). Biomaterials

CHEN 4810 (2). Biological Engineering Laboratory.
Involves planning and execution of chemical engineering experiments on mass transfer operations, bioseparations, and biological reactors. Interprets experimental data with theoretical principles and statistical analysis. Emphasizes communication with written memos, full reports and oral presentations. Prereqs., CHEN 3130 and 4820.

CHEN 4820 (3). Biochemical Separations.

Lect. and lab. Presents purification methods, mass transfer coefficients, problems specific to biologicals, and scale-up of processes. Also covers chromatography, phase extraction, supercritical fluids, sedimentation, precipitation, electrophoresis, dialysis, affinity techniques, cell separation, application of separations to bioreactors, and comparison of batch and continuous processes. Prereq., senior standing or above in engineering or science. Same as CHEN 5820.

CHEN 4838 (1-4). Special Topics in Chemical Engineering.

Senior topics courses offered upon demand. Prereq., senior standing or instructor consent.

CHEN 4840 (1-4). Independent Study.

Available to seniors with approval of chemical engineering department. Subject arranged to fit needs of student.