Chemical Engineering Program

The department offers ABET accredited, integrated programs on two campuses to prepare students for opportunities in chemical engineering. Students can pursue the B.S. degree at the Lexington campus or the Paducah campus. The undergraduate program offers sufficient depth and breadth of study through a variety of core courses while providing flexibility through a number of elective courses. Core components of undergraduate study include:

• Mathematics, physics and chemistry
• University studies (language and communications, social sciences, humanities)
• Materials and energy balances
• Fluid dynamics
• Separations
• Heat and Mass Transfer
• Process control
• Process modeling
• Capstone design
• Professionalism and ethics

Elective course offerings are focused in areas such as Biochemical Engineering, Nanotechnology, Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Fuel Sciences, Polymers and Environmental Engineering.

Students may enhance their education experience by participating in specialized tracks within the curriculum. These include Nanotechnology, Biopharmaceutical Engineering and Environmental Engineering. A pre-medical curriculum is also available for students wanting to pursue a medical degree after graduating with their B.S. in chemical engineering.

Students also have the opportunity to participate in the College's cooperative education program. In the coop program, after their second year of study, participating students alternate a semester of study with a semester of employment, giving them one full year of work experience upon graduation. Major employers of chemical engineers provide students the opportunity to work with qualified professionals and gain valuable real-world experience.

Students not only learn in the classroom, but also have the chance to participate in hands-on research in a laboratory under the supervision of faculty. Many of these research projects have resulted in publications for the students and prestigious awards at regional and national meetings.

The Department has a very active student section of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and all students are strongly encouraged to participate beginning their freshmen year of study. The AIChE student chapter is involved in professional, service and social activities and has won the National Best Student Chapter Award for the past 20 years.

The Chemical Engineering Program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.

Click here to look at the Chemical Engineering curriculum