Chemical Engineering — MS, PhD
Program Degrees
The Chemical Engineering Department offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of science and doctor of philosophy. Specialized courses and research training are provided in a wide variety of specialties within chemical engineering or related interdisciplinary areas. Some of these specialties include: surface science, biochemical engineering, catalysis, pulp and paper engineering, environmental engineering, waste conversion, computer-aided process design and simulation, novel bioseparations systems, chemical kinetics and reactor design, biomedical engineering, process control and optimization, thermodynamics, advanced energy research, mass and energy transfer, electrochemical engineering, polymer engineering, interfacial phenomena, process synthesis, material science, nanotechnology, and space science. Additionally, individualized interdisciplinary programs which cross the traditional departmental boundaries are encouraged. These may include collaborative work in chemistry, engineering disciplines, physics, mathematics, agriculture, forestry, biology, microbiology, genetics and health sciences or other areas.
The applicant must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an institution of recognized standing and must have the pre-requisite undergraduate experience in areas of study relevant to the proposed graduate program. If the applicant’s undergraduate degree is not in chemical engineering, an individualized plan of study will be developed to impart the critical skills inherent in the bachelor’s chemical engineering program. All applicants are evaluated on an individual basis by the Chemical Engineering Graduate Recruiting Committee. The Recruiting Committee evaluates the undergraduate (and graduate) record, letters of recommendation, and any research or relevant experience. Non-core, non-duplicating, “A” grade graduate courses from another university are eligible for transfer credit (maximum of 6 credit hours for Master's , 12 credit hours for PhD), as determined by the Graduate Program Officer.
The Master of Science (MS) may be earned under a thesis or non-thesis option. For both options, a total of 30 semester hours of work is necessary and at least 21 hours must be in chemical engineering (CHEN). A total of 12 hours must be taken at the 7000 level or higher, the remaining 18 hours must be at the 6000 level or higher. The following core courses must be taken for a total of 9 hours:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN 7100 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| CHEN 7200 | Chemical Engr Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CHEN 7250 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |
Students pursuing a MS with thesis degree should enroll in CHEN 7950 Graduate Seminar each semester of enrollment. These students may include six (6) hours of research and thesis as part of the 30 hours. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass a final oral examination defending the thesis. The non-thesis MS degree option does not have a residency, seminar, research or final oral exam requirement. The non-thesis degree can be earned entirely through the Auburn Engineering Graduate Online Program.
The Doctor of Philosophy provides advanced coursework and emphasizes original, creative research. A dissertation embodying the results of this research is the essential requirement for this degree. A minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate work is necessary. Each student may include 10 hours of research and dissertation as part of the 60 hours. Four calendar years beyond the bachelor’s degree or three years beyond a master’s degree are usually needed to complete the PhD. The following four (4) core courses must be taken for a total of 12 credit hours:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEN 7100 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| CHEN 7110 | Chem Engr Anlys Adv Transport | 3 |
| CHEN 7200 | Chemical Engr Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CHEN 7250 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Total Hours | 12 | |
An additional 18 credit hours of elective courses at the 6000 level or higher are required, and at least 9 credit hours of these 18 credit hours must be in chemical engineering (CHEN). The remaining 30 credit hours are composed of research and dissertation (minimum 10 credit hours), formal courses (6000 level or higher), and graduate seminar (CHEN 7950).
The General Doctoral Examination consists of two parts, the “PhD Qualifying Examination” and the “PhD Preliminary Oral Examination”. The PhD Qualifying Examination will be successfully fulfilled by earning a B or higher in each of the four (4) core graduate courses above.
At the PhD Preliminary Oral Examination, the student will present to their Faculty Research Advisory Committee a thorough description and comprehensive discussion of his/her proposed dissertation research. Successful completion of the Preliminary Oral Examination requires unanimous approval of the student’s Faculty Research Advisory Committee. Upon successful completion of the PhD Qualifying and Preliminary Oral Examinations, the student advances to candidacy. Upon completion of the dissertation research, the student must pass a final oral examination defending the dissertation.