Undergraduate Major in Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering uses knowledge of chemistry, mathematics, physics, biology, and humanities to solve societal problems in areas such as energy, health, the environment, food, clothing, shelter, and materials and serves a variety of processing industries whose vast array of products include chemicals, petroleum products, plastics, pharmaceuticals, foods, textiles, fuels, consumer products, and electronic and cryogenic materials. Chemical engineers also serve society in improving the environment by reducing and eliminating pollution.
The undergraduate curriculum in Chemical Engineering builds on basic courses in chemical engineering, other branches of engineering, and electives which provide a strong background in humanities and human behavior. Elective programs developed by the student with a faculty advisor may include such areas as applied chemistry, biochemical engineering, chemical reaction engineering, chemical processing, environmental engineering, materials science, process control, and systems engineering.
Admissions
Transfer Students seeking admission to the Chemical Engineering major are expected to have completed one year of calculus, one year of engineering physics (with laboratory), one year of general chemistry (with laboratory), one coursein computational methods (FORTRAN), and one year of approved lower-division writing prior to transferring to UCI. Courses in organic chemistry, chemical engineering calculations, and thermodynamics are required for junior-level standing, and it is recommended that these courses be completed prior to transfer. Thermodynamics may be offered during summer session at UCI. Students should work closely with the academic counselors, or contact the UCI Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools, to ensure that they are enrolled in appropriate courses.
Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering
Credit for at least 196 units including:
Departmental Requirements:
Mathematics Courses: Mathematics 2A-B-C-D, 3A, and 3D (24 units). Basic Science Courses: Chemistry 1A-B-C; 1LA-LB; 51A-B-C, 51LA-LB or 52A-B-C, 52LA-LB; 130A-B-C or 131A-B-C; and Physics 5A-B-C and 5LB-LC (53 units). Basic Engineering Courses: Engineering E10 and E54 (8 units). Chemical Engineering Core Courses: Engineering ChE40, ChE60, ChE96, ChE120A-B, ChE120LA-LB, ChE122, ChE160, ChE162, ChE163 (43 units). Technical Electives: 18 units; all technical electives must be approved by the faculty advisor.
Planning a program of Study
The sample program of study chart shown is typical for the major in Chemical Engineering. Students should keep in mind that this program is based upon a sequence of prerequisites, beginning with adequate preparation in high school mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Students who are not adequately prepared, or who wish to make changes in the sequence for other reasons, must have their program approved by their faculty advisor. Chemical Engineering majors must consult at least once every year with the academic counselors in the Undergraduate Student Affairs Office and with their faculty advisors.
Sample Program of Study -
Chemical Engineering Freshman/Sophomore/Junior/Senior
Fall Mathematics 2A/Mathematics 2D/Chemistry 130A or 131A/ChE120LA Chemistry 1A, 1LA/Chem 51A, 51LA or 52B, 52LB/Breadth/ChE122 E10/ChE40/ChE160/Technical Elective ChE96/--/Physics 5C, 5LC/Breadth Breadth/--/--/--
Winter Mathematics 2B/Mathematics 3A/Chemistry 130B,131B/ChE120LB Chemistry 1B, 1LB/Chem 51B,51LB or 52B, 52LB/ChE120A/ChE163 Physics 5A/ChE60/Technical Elective/Technical Elective Breadth/--/E54/Breadth
Spring Mathematics 2C/Mathematics 3D/Chem 130C or 131C/ChE162 Physics 5B, 5LB/Chem 51C or 52C/Tech Elective/Tech Elective Chemistry 1C/Breadth/ChE120B/Breadth Breadth/Breadth/Breadth/Breadth
Undergraduate Courses in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
NOTE: The undergraduate courses listed below are open only to students in the School of Engineering. All other majors must petition for permission to enroll.
Chemical Engineering
ChE40 Chemical Engineering Calculations (5) F. Quantitative calculations and applications to process industries using mass and energy balances. Stoichiometric equations, multiple bypasses and recycle streams in process industries, and introduction to the first law of thermodynamics. Prerequisites: Mathematics 2B, Chemistry 1C, and Physics 5A. Formerly Engineering E40. (Design units: 0)
ChE60 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (5) W. Basic concepts and use of the thermodynamic functions of free energy, enthalpy, and entropy; properties of pure and mixtures; application of dynamic process and efficiencies. Solution thermodynamics and applications to oxidation reactions. Equilibrium phase diagrams and liquid to solid phase transformations. Prerequisites: Engineering ChE40, and Mathematics 2C or equivalent. Formerly Engineering ChE110,
ChE120A Momentum Transfer (4) W or S. Macroscopic and differential mass balances; macroscopic and differential linear and angular momentum balances, mechanical energy balances; Ideal fluids, Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids and turbulence. Applications to chemical processes. Prerequisites: Engineering ChE40 and Mathematics 3D. Formerly Engineering E120A. (Design units: 1)
ChE120LA Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (4) F or W. Experimental study of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer. Operation and evaluation of process equipment, data analysis. Prerequisites: ChE60, ChE120B, and ChE160. Formerly Engineering E120LA. (Design units: 1)
ChE120B Heat and Mass Transfer (4) S or F. Macroscopic and differential energy balances. Heat transfer coefficients, convective and radiative heat transfer, applications to equipment design, macroscopic and differential species balances, mass transfer wit h and without chemical reactions, mass transfer equipment design. Prerequisite: ChE120A. Formerly Engineering E120B. (Design units: 1)
ChE120LB Chemical Engineering Laboratory II (3) W or S. Continuation of ChE120LA covering mass transfer operations such as distillation, absorption, extraction. Rate and equilibria studies in simple chemical systems with and without reaction. Study of chemical processes. Prerequisite: ChE120LA. Formerly Engineering E120LB. (Design units: 3)
ChE122 Separation Processes (4) F or W. Application of equilibria and mass and energy balances for design of separation processes. Use of equilibrium laws for design of distillation, absorption, stripping, and extraction equipment. Design of multicomponent separators. Prerequisite: ChE120B or equivalent. Formerly Engineering E122. (Design units: 3)
ChE160 Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design (4) F. Introduction to quantitative analysis of chemical reactions and chemical reactor design. Reactor operations including batch, continuous stirred tank, and tubular reactor. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions. Prerequisites: Mathematics 3D, Chemistry 1C, and Engineering ChE60. Formerly Engineering BE160. (Design units: 2)
ChE162 Chemical Engineering Design (5) S. Application of chemical engineering science techniques to design of chemical processes. Introduction to the systematic design of separations and the integration of energy requirement. Integration of process economics and optimization. Consideration of retrofit design, design of nontraditional chemical processes, process safety. Prerequisites:ChE120B, ChE122, and ChE160. Formerly Engineering E162. (Design units: 5)
ChE163 Chemical Process Control (4) W. Dynamic responses and control of chemical process equipment, dynamic modeling of chemical processes, linear systems analysis, analyses and design of feedback loops and advanced control systems. Prerequisites: ChE120B and ChE160. Formerly Engineering E163. (Design units: 1)
ChE165 Introduction to Biochemical Engineering (3) F, W, or S. Application of engineering principles to biochemical processes. Topics include: microbial pathways, energetics and control systems, enzyme and microbial kinetics, and the design and analysis of biological reactors. Prerequisites: Chemistry 1C, Mathematics 3D, and Engineering ChE160 or consent of the instructor. Formerly Engineering BE150. (Design units: 1)
ChE170 Pollution Control (3) F, W, or S. Application of basic pollution control principles to the chemical industry. Selection of environmentally compatible materials, prioritization of pollutants, analysis of material life cycles, design of unit operations to minimize waste, and economics of pollution control. Prerequisite: ChE40 or consent of instructor. Formerly Engineering E170. (Design units: 1)
ChE175 Introduction to Catalysis (3) f, w, or S. Solution catalysis, enzyme catalysis, catalysis by polymers and zeolites, and catalysis on inorganic surfaces. Prerequisites: Chemistry 51A or 52A; Engineering ChE60 or Chemistry 130A or 131A.
ChE185 Modeling Physiological Systems (4) S. Experimental and theoretical model building and testing. Emphasis on physiological systems including, but not limited to, transport phenomena in the respiratory system and pressure-flow relationships in the cardiovascular system; statistical methods for parameter specification; analytical and numerical solutions techniques. Prerequisites: E10, ChE40, ChE120A, ChE120B or equilvalent
ChE199 Individual Study (1 to 4) F, W, S, Summer. For undergraduate Engineering majors in supervised but independent readings, research, or design. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. May be repeated for credit as topics vary.
Materials Science
ChE/MSE 149 Ceramic Materials (4) W. A technical elective for students interested in the materials area. Topics covered include structure and properties of ceramics and design with ceramics. The laboratory component offers hands-on experience. Prerequisit es: Engineering E54 and ME105. (Design units: 1)
ChE/MSE 153 Design Failure Investigation (4) S. Survey of the mechanisms by which mechanical devices may fail, including overload, fatigue, corrosion, and wear. Use of fractography and other evidence to interpret failure modes and specify design/manufacturing changes. Students redesign failed parts or structures based on actual parts and/or case histories. Prerequisites: Engineering ME151A, ME156. Formerly Engineering ME153. (Design units: 2)
ChE/MSE 154 Advanced Materials: Polymeric Materials (3) S. Covers the processing and design of polymeric materials, beginning with the synthesis of polymers. Mechanical behavior of polymers and polymeric composites emphasized. Design aspect using polymeric materials composes significant portion, utilizing case studies and student projects. Field trips to local polymeric industries required. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. (Design units:1)
ChE/MSE 155A Composite Materials Design (4) W. Introduction to fiber-reinforced composites for mechanical applications. Properties of reinforcing fibers. Manufacture of fibers and composites. Micromechanics of fiber composites. Strength criteria and failure modes. Macromechanics in design of laminated composite structures. Prerequisites: Engineering E54, ME150. (Design units: 3)
ChE/MSE 155B Advanced Composites Design (4) S. Stress analysis and design limit of laminated composite structures. Thermal stresses, fatigue behavior, elastic instability. Manufacturing considerations and design of fittings and joints. Design cases include pressure vessels, shafts, struts, as well as components of an all-composite airplane. Prerequisite: ChE 155A. (Design units: 2).
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