The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science offers Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degree programs in chemical engineering and in materials science and engineering. A wide range of course offerings and research activities allows an individual program to be designed to fit the background, capabilities, and aims of the student. Studies in the department may be supplemented with courses offered by other departments in the College of Engineering and in other colleges.

The chemical engineering program emphasizes a fundamental approach to chemical engineering principles and contemporary applications of chemistry, biosciences, and advanced mathematics. Specialized studies (selected topics) in chemical engineering build upon fundamentals with opportunities for study and research in such areas as nanotechnology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, bioprocessing, metabolic engineering, process analysis, thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, composite materials, polymers, heat transfer, mass transfer, distillation, absorption, extraction, transport phenomena, and diffusion.

The graduate programs in chemical engineering and materials science and engineering are designed to develop research expertise needed for the graduate to serve as a principal investigator in industrial or academic research. The coursework is designed to expand the student’s knowledge of engineering principles and applications. Each student also conducts an extensive research project that significantly advances fundamental understanding of a chemical engineering or materials science system. Results of the research are documented in a dissertation and research paper(s) for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Department Research and Opportunities
ChE Grad Courses

Recent Master's Theses
Recent Doctoral Dissertations

Degree Requirements
Graduate Handbook (pdf)

Admission Process and Contacts for Admission Questions, Funding and Housing

Visit the Department

Contact

Graduate Secretary
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Michigan State University
2527 Engineering Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
Phone:(517)355-5135
FAX: (517)432-1105
grad_rec@egr.msu.edu

NON-MAJORS INTERESTED IN ADVANCED DEGREES IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Students who have completed a BS degree in chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, other biological or physical science, or another engineering discipline are eligible for admission into the graduate program in chemical engineering at Michigan State University. Students who are notified, upon review of their application by the Graduate Committee, that their academic record warrants admission will be expected to complete CHE 804 and CHE 805, with a minimum grade of 3.5 in each course, prior to the fall semester for which they have been admitted. These two classes are accelerated courses specifically designed to prepare non-chemical engineering students for graduate study in Chemical Engineering.  The courses provide an intensive overview of chemical engineering principles and are a time‑saving alternative to taking undergraduate courses to fulfill collateral requirements. CHE 804 is taught in the spring semester and CHE 805 is taught in the summer semester on the internet. Specific details are found on our web site: http://www.chems.msu.edu/cont.ed/foundations.html. Since the courses fulfill a collateral as well as a pre-enrollment requirement, no departmental funding is available, and students must pay their own tuition. Please note that, in general, students who do not have BS degrees in chemical engineering must have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in their current major to be considered for admission into the MS or Ph.D. program.