///////

Chemical Engineering (B.C.E.)

Create a Reaction for the Common Good

Through the chemical engineering program in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at UD, you'll combine engineering skills with physical sciences to develop new products and processes. You'll also design, build and supervise facilities that convert raw materials into products and services needed in everyday life. And with an optional concentration in energy systems, you can personalize your studies to align with your interests and career goals.

Learn How to Apply
Visit Campus
Request Information
Explore Tuition and Aid
Fast Facts

ABET

accredited engineering program
Program Overview

Why Study Chemical Engineering at UD?
  • Personalize Your Experience: Compliment your major or connect with your passion by adding a minor or concentration to your degree program. The UD School of Engineering offers more than 30 minors, or you can choose a minor outside of engineering.
  • Unique Lab Spaces: Our curriculum includes three distinctive chemical engineering labs — transport phenomena lab, unit operations lab and process control lab — which allow you to put your coursework into practice, gain first-hand experience with industry-standard equipment and become familiar with the features and processes. These lab experiences in three critical areas of chemical engineering occur during your final three semesters at UD.
  • Get Involved With Faculty Research: We're big enough to have significant research programs, but small enough to involve you in cutting-edge, meaningful undergraduate research with our faculty as early as your first year.
  • Networking and Conferences: Our students are highly engaged in professional societies that afford unique experiences including networking with working professionals, participating in national challenges, and traveling to conferences. Some of the societies our students are most involved in include: American Institute of Chemical Engineering, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering, Tau Beta Pi honor society, and Society of Women Engineers.
  • ABET Accredited: Our accreditation by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs. ABET accreditation assures confidence that a collegiate program has met standards essential to prepare graduates to enter critical STEM fields in the global workforce.

Ready to take the next step? Explore admission options or schedule an academic visit to learn more about chemical engineering at UD.

Catholic, Marianist Education
UD is Home
Holistic Advising
Experiential Learning

Degree Information and Sample Plan

This degree offers an optional concentration in energy systems. The concentration provides an interdisciplinary focus in energy systems and its social consequences. By completing this concentration, you'll be prepared for jobs in both industrial and building energy systems, a rapidly growing market.

You can also choose from a variety of minors to personalize your educational experience.

Sample Plan of Study

This is a sample plan of study for students starting at UD in the 2025-26 academic year. This is a recommended course sequence, but your schedule may vary depending on previously earned college credits, course availability, advisor recommendations, and your personal goals and interests. Please contact your holistic advisor if you have any questions.

Semester 1
  • HUM 101 – Chaminade Seminar: Reading and Responding to the Signs of the Times
    3
  • CHM 123 – General Chemistry I
    3
  • CHM 123L – General Chemistry Laboratory
    1
  • MTH 168 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus I
    4
  • EGR 103 – Engineering Innovation
    3
  • EGR 102 – Introduction to the University Experience for Engineers
    0.5
  • Total Credit Hours 14.5
Semester 2
  • HUM 102 – Marie Thérèse Seminar: Human Dignity and the Common Good
    3
  • CHM 124 – General Chemistry II
    3
  • CHM 124L – General Chemistry II Laboratory
    1
  • PHY 206 – General Physics I - Mechanics
    3
  • MTH 169 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus II
    4
  • Total Credit Hours 14
Semester 3
  • ENG 200 – Writing Seminar II
    3
  • CME 203 – Material & Energy Balances
    3
  • CME 211 – Introduction to Thermodynamics for Chemical Engineers
    3
  • CHM 313 – Organic Chemistry
    3
  • CHM 313L – Organic Chemistry Laboratory
    1
  • MTH 218 – Analytic Geometry & Calculus III
    4
  • EGR 200 – Career Launchpad: Preparing for Success
    0.5
  • Total Credit Hours 17.5
Semester 4
  • CME 281 – Chemical Engineering Computations
    3
  • CME 311 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
    3
  • CHM 314 – Organic Chemistry
    3
  • CHM 314L – Organic Chemistry Laboratory
    1
  • MTH 219 – Applied Differential Equations
    3
  • CAP Social Science Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 5
  • CAP Advanced PHL/REL
    3
  • CME 306 – Chemical Reaction Kinetics & Engineering
    3
  • CME 324 – Transport Phenomena I
    3
  • CME 381 – Applied Mathematics for Chemical Engineers
    3
  • PHY 207 – General Physics II - Electricity & Magnetism
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 6
  • CAP Advanced PHL/REL
    3
  • CME 365 – Separation Techniques
    3
  • CME 465 – Fluid Flow & Heat Transfer Processes
    3
  • CME 326L – Transport Phenomena Laboratory
    3
  • CHEM/BIO Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 15
Semester 7
  • CAP Arts
    3
  • CME 400 – Senior Seminar I
    1
  • CME 430 – Chemical Engineering Design I
    3
  • CME 452 – Process Control
    3
  • CME 466L – Chemical Engineering Unit Operations Laboratory
    3
  • CME Broadening Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16
Semester 8
  • CAP Advanced HST
    3
  • CME 401 – Senior Seminar II
    1
  • CME 431 – Chemical Engineering Design II
    3
  • CME 453L – Process Control Laboratory
    3
  • CME Elective
    3
  • Engineering/Science Elective
    3
  • Total Credit Hours 16

At the University of Dayton, our flexible undergraduate curriculum, known as the Common Academic Program (CAP), encourages you to integrate knowledge — and put it to use.

Wondering how college credits you've already earned (e.g., transfer credit, CCP, AP/IB/CLEP exams) will apply to your undergraduate degree? Use our online Transfer Credit Evaluation tool to find out.

Visit the Academic Catalog for official major requirements, prerequisite(s), course descriptions and more.

Transfer and Exam Credits
Bachelor’s Plus Master’s Program
Learning Resources
Honors Program

Admission Information

At the University of Dayton, applying is free and test scores are optional. When you apply, you'll automatically be considered for a merit scholarship.

Learn about our admission process, then apply using UD's application or the Common App.

Explore Admission Information
Request Information
Visit Campus
Meet an Admission Counselor

Tuition and Financial Aid

Rooted in our Catholic, Marianist traditions, the University of Dayton is dedicated to being transparent and ensuring student success. And with high graduation and success rates, UD is an excellent value.

To help you cover your costs, a variety of scholarships, grants, loans and part-time work study are available. The University also accepts transfer credits and credit by exam for undergraduates, giving you more flexibility to add a double major or minor or participate in a transformational experience like study abroad or co-op.

Transparent Tuition Plan
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate Financial Aid

Success After Graduation

Get more than your foot in the door — get ready for success. At our School of Engineering, you will have the opportunity to combine the classroom and engineering world together in a way that allows you to further sharpen your skills. It’s a key reason why employers love hiring our students — they can hit the ground running.

Explore Career Services
Explore Student Outcomes
Fast Facts

$76,859 average

starting salary for chemical engineering majors

96% success rate

after graduation for the School of Engineering

Design Your Academic Path

Find Your Home in Engineering

Our Diversity in Engineering Center connects engineering students, faculty, staff, industry and community partners with opportunities for academic success, professional networking and inclusive communities.

Explore the Diversity in Engineering Center

Co-ops and Internships

Take your engineering experience to the next level and find your passion with co-op and internship opportunities. Our Engineering Co-op and Internship office helps students find placements.

Explore Co-ops and Internships

Bachelor's Plus Master's Program

With UD's Bachelor's Plus Master's (BPM) program, you can earn your bachelor's degree and a master's degree at an accelerated pace — often completing your master's degree within just one year of earning your bachelor's degree.

Explore the BPM Program

Engineering for the Common Good

UD's ETHOS Center connects students to community partners around the world for community-engaged engineering education, research, partnerships and action. You can participate in immersions or breakouts in the U.S. and abroad for hands-on social impact engineering projects.

Explore the ETHOS Center