Chemical Engineering, BSE
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE)
Major: Chemical Engineering
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Program Educational Objectives
The undergraduate program in chemical engineering seeks to produce graduates who will:
- apply the knowledge, skills and ethical practice acquired through the chemical engineering curriculum to positively contribute to their profession and society
- assume and excel in positions of responsibility and/or leadership in academia, industry, government, and business
- succeed in post-graduate and professional degree programs
Learning Outcomes
In preparation for achieving the above educational objectives, the Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree program with a major in Chemical Engineering is designed so that students attain:
- an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
- an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
- an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
- an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
- an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Co-op and Internship Programs
Opportunities are available for students to alternate studies with work in industry or government as a co-op student, which involves paid full-time employment over seven months (one semester and one summer). Students may work in one or two co-ops, beginning in the third year of study. Co-ops provide students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in their field by completing a significant engineering project while receiving professional mentoring. During a co-op placement, students do not pay tuition but maintain their full-time student status while earning a salary. Alternatively or additionally, students may obtain employment as summer interns.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Mathematics, Science and Engineering courses | ||
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | 4 |
| or MATH 124 | Calculus II | |
| MATH 223 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III | 3 |
| or MATH 227 | Calculus III | |
| MATH 224 | Elementary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or MATH 228 | Differential Equations | |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| or PHYS 123 | Physics and Frontiers I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| or PHYS 124 | Physics and Frontiers II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| ECHE 225 | Thermal and Fluid Sciences | 4 |
| ENGR 130 | Foundations of Engineering and Programming | 3 |
| ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | 4 |
| ENGR 210 | Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation | 4 |
| ENGR 399 | Impact of Engineering on Society | 3 |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Required Courses: | ||
| ECHE 151 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering at Case | 1 |
| ECHE 260 | Introduction to Chemical Systems | 3 |
| ECHE 360 | Transport Phenomena for Chemical Systems | 4 |
| ECHE 361 | Separation Processes | 4 |
| ECHE 362 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory | 4 |
| ECHE 363 | Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems | 4 |
| ECHE 364 | Chemical Reaction Processes | 4 |
| ECHE 365 | Measurements Laboratory | 3 |
| ECHE 367 | Process Control | 4 |
| ECHE 398 | Process Analysis, Design and Safety | 4 |
| ECHE 399 | Chemical Engineering Design Project | 3 |
| Related Required Courses: | ||
| CHEM 290 | Chemical Laboratory Methods for Engineers | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 233 & CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | |
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| ECHE 313 | Statistical Analysis of Chemical Processes | 3 |
| or STAT 312 | Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science | |
| or STAT 313 | Statistics for Experimenters | |
| Science/Engineering Elective | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introductory Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | ||
| Polymer Properties and Design | ||
| Materials Properties: Composition and Structure | ||
| Introduction to Modern Physics | ||
300-level or higher lecture- or laboratory-based course a | ||
| Engineering Elective b | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 56-57 | |
- a
Excludes research and independent study courses. Must be taken in an engineering or designated science department (Chemistry, Physics, Biology or Biochemistry).
- b
Any lecture- or laboratory-based course (research and independent study courses are excluded) that is 200-level or higher, offered by the engineering school exclusive of the Department of Computer and Data Science
Technical Breadth Elective Sequences
A distinctive feature of the chemical engineering program is the three-course, 9-11 credit hours, breadth elective sequence that enables a student to specialize in a technical or professional area that complements the chemical engineering core. Breadth elective sequences that have standing departmental approval are described below. Alternatively, students may design their own breadth elective sequence, which must be approved by the department.
Biomolecular Engineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| BIOL 301 | Biotechnology Laboratory: Genes and Genetic Engineering | 3 |
| BIOL 343 | Microbiology | 3 |
| ECHE 340 | Biochemical Engineering | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Computing
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECSE 281 | Logic Design and Computer Organization | 4 |
| ECSE 346 | Engineering Optimization | 3 |
| ECSE course a | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 10-11 | |
- a
Must be 200 level or above.
Design and Manufacturing
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| EMAE 160 | Mechanical Manufacturing | 3 |
| EMAE 260 | Design and Manufacturing I | 3 |
| EMAE 360 | Design and Manufacturing II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Electrochemical Engineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECHE 381 | Electrochemical Engineering | 3 |
| ECHE 383 | Chemical Engineering Applied to Microfabrication and Devices | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Processing of Electronic Materials | ||
| Electromagnetic Fields I | ||
| Semiconductor Electronic Devices | ||
| Corrosion Fundamentals | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9-10 | |
Electronic Materials
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECHE 383 | Chemical Engineering Applied to Microfabrication and Devices | 3 |
| ECSE 309 | Electromagnetic Fields I | 3 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Semiconductor Electronic Devices | ||
| Processing of Electronic Materials | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9-10 | |
Energy
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECHE 381 | Electrochemical Engineering | 3 |
| Electives a | 6-7 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9-10 | |
- a
Two additional courses selected from approved energy courses in Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Management, or Law.
Environmental Engineering
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECIV 368 | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Engineering Hydraulics and Hydrology | ||
| Water Resources Engineering | ||
| Solid and Hazardous Waste Management | ||
ECSE 342 | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Hydrogeology | ||
| Seminar in Environmental Studies | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 6 | |
Management/Entrepreneurship
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ACCT 100 | Foundations of Accounting I | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Corporate Finance | ||
or BAFI 341 | Money and Banking | |
| Legal Environment of Management | ||
| Entrepreneurial Strategy | ||
or ENTP 311 | New Venture Creation | |
| International Management Institute | ||
| Operations Research and Supply Chain Management | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Polymer Science
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| EMAC 270 | Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Polymer Properties and Design | ||
| Polymer Engineering | ||
| Polymer Processing | ||
| Polymer Engineer Design Product | ||
| Structure of Biological Materials | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Pre-Medical
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| BIOL 214 | Genes, Evolution and Ecology | 3 |
| BIOL 214L | Genes, Evolution and Ecology Lab | 1 |
| BIOL 215 | Cells and Proteins | 3 |
| BIOL 215L | Cells and Proteins Laboratory | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
Research
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECHE 350 | Undergraduate Research Project I | 3 |
| ECHE 351 | Undergraduate Research Project II | 3 |
| Elective a | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
- a
Must be approved by sequence advisor.
Systems and Control
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| ECSE 281 | Logic Design and Computer Organization | 4 |
| ECSE 304 | Control Engineering I with Laboratory | 3 |
| ECSE 346 | Engineering Optimization | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 10 | |
BS/MS Advanced Study Sequence
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| Three 400-level 3 credit hour ECHE courses | 9 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 9 | |
Custom-Designed Sequence
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students can design a custom breadth elective sequence, consisting of three courses (9 credits) that fit in one coherent technical or professional theme. The courses must be technical or professional courses (see footnote a) that are 200-level or higher, with at least one of the courses being 300-level or higher. These courses cannot be research or independent study courses. Students interested in this option should submit a petition to their advisor naming and explaining the coherent theme, why this theme complements the chemical engineering core for him/her, and how the three courses fit into this theme. The petition must be approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. a | 9 | |
- a
For the purpose of the sequences, “technical and professional courses" are defined as courses that would not satisfy the humanities and social sciences requirement of the Case School of Engineering; also excluded are courses in Asian Studies (ASIA), Childhood Studies (CHST), Ethnic Studies (ETHS), Jewish Studies (JWST), Applied Music (MUAP), Education (EDUC), Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGST), Washington Semester (WASH), and other courses deemed by the department to be of this genre.
Pre-Medical Option
By using the flexibility provided by science and technical electives in the curriculum, students are able to pursue courses that provide the background needed for medical school. Students choose the following electives to meet the course requirements of most medical schools.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Science/Engineering elective: CHEM 224 or CHEM 324 | 3 | |
| Chemistry labs: CHEM 233 and CHEM 234 instead of CHEM 290 | 6 | |
| Breadth Elective Sequence: Pre-Medical sequence (described above) | 10 | |
| One extra course: BIOC 307 | 4 | |
Sample Plan of Study
The following is a suggested program of study. Current students should always consult their advisers and their individual graduation requirement plans as tracked in SIS.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CHEM 111 | Principles of Chemistry for Engineers | 4 |
| MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | 4 |
| ENGR 130 | Foundations of Engineering and Programming | 3 |
| ECHE 151 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering at Case | 1 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGR 145 | Chemistry of Materials | 4 |
| MATH 122 or MATH 124 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II b or Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 223 or CHEM 323 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I b or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MATH 223 or MATH 227 | Calculus for Science and Engineering III b or Calculus III | 3 |
| ECHE 260 | Introduction to Chemical Systems | 3 |
| ECHE 225 | Thermal and Fluid Sciences | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MATH 224 or MATH 228 | Elementary Differential Equations b or Differential Equations | 3 |
| ECHE 313 | Statistical Analysis of Chemical Processes or Basic Statistics for Engineering and Science or Statistics for Experimenters | 3 |
| ECHE 363 | Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECHE 360 | Transport Phenomena for Chemical Systems | 4 |
| ECHE 367 | Process Control | 4 |
| ENGR 210 | Introduction to Circuits and Instrumentation | 4 |
| CHEM 290 | Chemical Laboratory Methods for Engineers | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECHE 361 | Separation Processes | 4 |
| ECHE 364 | Chemical Reaction Processes | 4 |
| ECHE 365 | Measurements Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 399 | Impact of Engineering on Society | 3 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| ECHE 362 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory | 4 |
| ECHE 398 | Process Analysis, Design and Safety | 4 |
| Technical Breadth Elective c | 3 | |
| Technical Breadth Elective c | 3 | |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECHE 399 | Chemical Engineering Design Project | 3 |
| Engineering elective d | 3 | |
| Science/Engineering Elective d | 3 | |
| Technical Breadth Elective c | 3 | |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 127 | |
- a
- b
Advanced courses are available to students by invitation only.
- c
A three-course (9-11 credit hours) breadth sequence, as described above.
- d
The course cannot double count towards any other requirement of the major.