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Chemical Engineering and Materials Sciences are the twin engines of technological innovation, and hence an ideal starting point to launch a successful engineering career. At UCI, our department provides personalized educational experience, high-level training, and a strong support network for achieving career goals. The department benefits from the surrounding high-tech industry, which offers opportunities for joint industry/university collaborations, undergraduate and graduate internships, and job placement. I invite you to review the descriptions of our undergraduate and graduate programs, and contact us directly if you have any questions.
Since its inception in 1987, the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science has established itself as a leader in the field of Chemical Engineering and Material Science. Our faculty have received National Young Investigator, CAREER, and PECASE Awards from the National Science Foundation and ONR. Research funding exceeds $2.1 million annually, and comes from federal sources (NIH, NSF, ONR, ARO, DOE, NASA, EPA), state government sources (BioSTAR , Regional Water Quality Control Board), local government sources (Orange County, Cities of Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Newport Beach), private foundations (Whitaker Foundation, National Water Research Institute, Water Environment Research Foundation, American Water Works Research Foundation), and private companies (Alcoa, Boeing, EPRI, Fluor Daniel, Ford, Hewlett Foundation, Hitachi, Corp., Metrolaser, Praxair, Rockwell, Sandia, Toshiba, Toyota).
Faculty conduct research in four main areas:
- Chemical Engineering (molecular biotechnology; biological reactor engineering; bioseparation technology; bacterial, yeast, and mammalian cell systems).
- Materials Science and Engineering (synthesis, mechanical behavior, and characterization of advanced and nanostructural materials; net shape manufacturing; sol-gel processing; electronic materials; IC and fiber optic manufacturing; microbiological corrosion of metals and alloys).
- Environmental Engineering (bioremediation, coastal water quality studies, drinking water treatment).
- Biomedical Engineering (biomedical laser applications; tissue engineering and biomedical transport processes; biomaterials; macromolecular self-assembly systems; biomechanical-electro-microsystems).
The cross-disciplinary nature of the department fosters a creative and highly stimulating environment for graduate study. Many of our students have gone on to become faculty at other institutions, and leaders in their respective fields.
In order to meet the engineering and research needs of industry, the ChEMS department has identified two thrust areas for future growth and development.
BIOTECHNOLOGY THRUST
The biotechnology industry requires engineers with solid foundations in both chemical engineering and the life sciences. Engineers with training in the biological sciences are in high demand. The biotechnology thrust encompasses activities within Biochemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biology, Medicine, and Computer Engineering. The current program in Biochemical Engineering introduces students to achievements made in biotechnology and stimulates them to analyze basic scientific and engineering principles through organized and individualized curricula and research. UCI now has a unique opportunity to partner with local biomedical engineering companies to provide a unique educational program aimed at training scientists and engineers who can support the local economy. The emerging Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department will coordinate with the biotechnology thrust to explore critical intellectual areas such as tissue engineering and bio-compatible materials.
NANOTECHNOLOGY THRUST
Nanotechnology involves the creation and utilization of materials, devices and systems through the manipulation of matter at the nanometer (10-9 m) length scale. The ChEMS department's existing strengths in biomedical engineering, biochemical engineering and materials science mean that the potential of nanotechnology can be realized. Cutting edge technology has become increasingly interdisciplinary as research issues in materials have become broad in scope and complex in approach. The ChEMS department's interdisciplinary Materials Program provides graduate students with a strong background in chemistry, physics, mathematics and engineering. The Materials Program prepares students for a wide range of engineering applications, including the design and development of optoelectric devices, diagnostic devices, semiconductors and composites.
Stanley B. Grant
Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering and
