University Catalog 2024-2025

EXPLORE PROGRAMSAPPLY

Chemical Engineering (BS): Honors Concentration

The Honors Program allows students to gain a deeper understanding of chemical engineering principles than would be acquired by completing the standard CHE curriculum. Admission to the program requires students to have earned a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in CHE 205 Chemical Process Principles and CHE 225 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis. An honors thesis based on a supervised research experience and completion of at least one semester of faculty-supervised research are required for completion of the Honors Program.

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
or CH 103
 Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1
or General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
 3
CH 102
or CH 104
 General Chemistry Laboratory 1
or General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences
 1
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 2 4
 Hours14
Spring Semester
CH 201
or CH 203
 Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 2
or General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
 3
CH 202
or CH 204
 Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 2
or General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences
 1
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205
& PY 206		 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1		 4
Select one of the following Economics Courses: 3
ARE 201
 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
ARE 201A
 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
EC 201
 Principles of Microeconomics
EC 205
 Fundamentals of Economics
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 221
or CH 225
 Organic Chemistry I 2
or Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
 3
CH 222
or CH 226
 Organic Chemistry I Lab 2
or Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences
 1
CHE 205 Chemical Process Principles 2 4
MA 242 Calculus III 2 4
 Hours12
Spring Semester
CH 223
or CH 227
 Organic Chemistry II
or Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
 3
CH 224
or CH 228
 Organic Chemistry II Lab
or Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences
 1
CHE 225 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis 2 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 2 3
PY 208
& PY 209		 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory		 4
 Hours14
Third Year
Fall Semester
CH 315
& CH 316		 Quantitative Analysis
and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory		 4
CHE 311 Transport Processes I 2 3
CHE 315 Chemical Process Thermodynamics 2 3
Select one of the following Mathematics Electives: 3
MA 401
 Applied Differential Equations II
MA 402
 Mathematics of Scientific Computing
MA 405
 Introduction to Linear Algebra
MA 427
 Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
MA 501
 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Select one of the following Chemistry Electives: 4
PCC 464
 Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory
BCH 351
 General Biochemistry
BCH 451
 Principles of Biochemistry
CH 437
 Physical Chemistry for Engineers
CH 610
 Special Topics In Chemistry
BIO 183
 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
FS 402
 Chemistry of Food and Bioprocessed Materials
CHE 312 Transport Processes II 3
CHE 316 Thermodynamics of Chemical and Phase Equilibria 3
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Lab I 4
ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CHE 446 Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors 3
CHE 450 Chemical Engineering Design I 3
CHE 497 Chemical Engineering Projects I 3
Select one of the following: 3
CHE 711
 Chemical Engineering Process Modeling
CHE 713
 Thermodynamics I
CHE 715
 Transport Phenomena
CHE 717
 Chemical Reaction Engineering
 Hours12
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Honors Elective 3
CHE 495 Honors Thesis Preparation 1
 Hours10
 Total Hours110
1

A grade of C or higher is required.

2

A grade of C- or higher is required.

GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Total Hours17

Honors Electives

CHE 460/560Chemical Processing of Electronic Materials3
CHE 461Polymer Sciences and Technology3
CHE 462/562Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
CHE 463/563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
CHE 465Colloidal and Nanoscale Engineering3
CHE 467Polymer Rheology3
CHE 468/568Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems3
CHE 475/575Advances in Pollution Prevention: Environmental Management for the Future3
CHE 488Animal Cell Culture Engineering2
CHE 495Honors Thesis Preparation1
CHE 497Chemical Engineering Projects I3
CHE 498Chemical Engineering Projects II1-3
CHE 525Process System Analysis and Control3
CHE 543Polymer Science and Technology3
CHE 546Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors3
CHE 551Biochemical Engineering3
CHE 577Advanced Biomanufacturing and Biocatalysis3
CHE 596Special Topics in Chemical Engineering1-3
CHE 597Chemical Engineering Projects1-3
CHE 711Chemical Engineering Process Modeling3
CHE 713Thermodynamics I3
CHE 715Transport Phenomena3
CHE 717Chemical Reaction Engineering3
CHE 718Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering3
CHE 719Electrochemical Systems Analysis3
CHE 752Separation Processes For Biological Materials3
CHE 761Polymer Blends and Alloys3
CHE 796Special Topics In Chemical Engineering1-6
CHE 797Chemical Engineering Projects1-3
CHE 798Advanced Chemical Engineering Projects1-3

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
& CH 102		 Chemistry - A Molecular Science
and General Chemistry Laboratory 1,2		 4
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 3 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 3 4
MA 141 Calculus I 1 4
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 201
& CH 202		 Chemistry - A Quantitative Science
and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory 2,3		 4
MA 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205
& PY 206		 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1		 4
Select one of the following: 3
EC 205
 Fundamentals of Economics
EC 201
 Principles of Microeconomics
ARE 201
 Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 221
& CH 222		 Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab 3,4		 4
CHE 205 Chemical Process Principles 3 4
MA 242 Calculus III 3 4
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 223
& CH 224		 Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab 4		 4
PY 208
& PY 209		 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory		 4
CHE 225 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis 3 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 3 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
CH 315
& CHE 316		 Quantitative Analysis
and Thermodynamics of Chemical and Phase Equilibria		 4
CHE 311 Transport Processes I 3
CHE 315 Chemical Process Thermodynamics 3
Select one of the following Mathematics Electives: 3
MA 401
 Applied Differential Equations II
MA 402
 Mathematics of Scientific Computing
MA 405
 Introduction to Linear Algebra
MA 427
 Introduction to Numerical Analysis I
MA 501
 Advanced Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists I
GEP Requirement 3
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
Select one of the following Chemistry Electives: 4
PCC 464
 Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory
BCH 351
 General Biochemistry
BCH 451
 Principles of Biochemistry
CH 437
 Physical Chemistry for Engineers
CH 610
 Special Topics In Chemistry
BIO 183
 Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
FS 402
 Chemistry of Food and Bioprocessed Materials
CHE 312 Transport Processes II 3
CHE 316 Thermodynamics of Chemical and Phase Equilibria 3
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Lab I 4
ENG 333 Communication for Science and Research 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CHE 497 Chemical Engineering Projects I 3
CHE 446 Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors 3
CHE 450 Chemical Engineering Design I 3
Select one of the following CHE Electives: 3
CHE 711
 Chemical Engineering Process Modeling
CHE 713
 Thermodynamics I
CHE 715
 Transport Phenomena
CHE 717
 Chemical Reaction Engineering
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Honors Elective 5 3
GEP Requirement 3
CHE 495 Honors Thesis Preparation 6 1
 Hours13
 Total Hours127
1

Grade of C (2.0) or higher is required.

2

CH 103 General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences/CH 104 General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences may substitute for CH 101 Chemistry - A Molecular Science/CH 102 General Chemistry Laboratory and CH 203 General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences/CH 204 General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences may substitute for CH 201 Chemistry - A Quantitative Science/CH 202 Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory

3

Minimum grade of C- required.

4

CH 225 Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences/CH 226 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences may substitute for CH 221 Organic Chemistry I/CH 222 Organic Chemistry I Lab and CH 227 Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences/CH 228 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences may substitute for CH 223 Organic Chemistry II/CH 224 Organic Chemistry II Lab.

5

Honors electives include CHE 460 Chemical Processing of Electronic Materials and above, CHE 5xx, CHE 7xx.

6

An honors thesis is required for completion of the Honors Program.

Career Opportunities

Careers in chemical engineering are sometimes exciting, always demanding, and ultimately provide a sense of accomplishment and achievement. Graduates find employment in sub-disciplines such as production, technical service, sales, management and administration; research and development; and consulting and teaching. Students desiring careers in teaching, research, or consulting are encouraged to continue their education and pursue a graduate degree (consult the Graduate Catalog). The undergraduate curriculum also provides strong preparation for graduate study in a wide range of professional specialties, and chemical engineering graduates often pursue careers in the medical sciences, business management, and law.

Career Titles

  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Automotive Engineer
  • Biochemist
  • Biomedical Engineer
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemist
  • Dairy Technologist
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Engineering Professor
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Fire Prevention Engineer
  • Industrial Air Pollution Analyst
  • Industrial Waste Inspector
  • Laboratory Tester
  • Materials Engineer
  • Materials Scientist
  • Nanosystems Engineers
  • Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
  • Occupational Safety & Health Inspector
  • Perfumer
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Physicist
  • Physics Professor
  • Product Safety Engineer
  • Quality Control Managers
  • Radiation Protection Engineer
  • Safety Inspector
  • Sales Engineers
  • Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
  • Soil Engineer
  • Solar Energy Systems Engineers
  • Sustainability Specialists
  • Toxicologist
  • Water/Wastewater Engineers

Learn More About Careers

NCcareers.org
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Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Career One Stop Videos
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Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.

Focus 2 Apply Assessment (Available to prospective students)
A career assessment tool designed to support prospective students in exploring and choosing the right major and career path based on your unique personality, interests, skills and values. Get started with Focus 2 Apply and see how it can guide your journey at NC State.

American Institute of Chemical Engineers
American Chemical Society
American Oil Chemists’ Society
National Society of Professional Engineers