University Catalog 2024-2025

Chemical Engineering (BS): Sustainable Engineering, Energy, and the Environment

The Sustainable Engineering, Energy, and Environment Concentration connects chemical engineering concepts with global grand challenges in the generation of clean and affordable energy, as well as sustainable and environmentally responsible engineering practices.

Plan Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 101
Chemistry - A Molecular Science 1
or General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
3
CH 102
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
Chemistry - A Quantitative Science 2
or General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
3
CH 202
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
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
 Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 221
Organic Chemistry I 2
or Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
3
CH 222
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
Organic Chemistry II
or Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
3
CH 224
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
PSE 335 Principles of Green Chemistry 4
CHE 311 Transport Processes I 2 3
CHE 315 Chemical Process Thermodynamics 2 3
CHE 497 Chemical Engineering Projects I 3
 Hours13
Spring Semester
Select one of the following Chemistry Electives: 4
Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory
and Chemistry of Polymeric Materials
Principles of Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry for Engineers
Special Topics In Chemistry
Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
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
 Hours14
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CHE 331 Chemical Engineering Lab II 2
CHE 446 Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors 3
CHE 450 Chemical Engineering Design I 3
Concentration Elective 3
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours12
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Concentration Elective 3
 Hours9
 Total Hours105
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
Restricted Elective - Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 13
Total Hours20
1

Students should consult their academic advisors to determine which courses fill this requirement.

Concentration Electives

BAE 528Biomass to Renewable Energy Processes3
CE 373Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering3
CE 476Air Pollution Control3
CE 477Principles of Solid Waste Engineering3
CE 478Energy and Climate3
CE 484Water Supply and Waste Water Systems3
CE 578Energy and Climate3
FB 576Environmental Life Cycle Analysis3
PSE 425Bioenergy & Biomaterials Engineering3
PSE 476Environmental Life Cycle Analysis3

Interdiscplinary Perspectives Electives 

ES 100Introduction to Environmental Sciences3
ES 200Climate Change and Sustainability3
ES 300Energy and Environment3
IDS 201Environmental Ethics3
SMT 232Recycling to Create a Sustainable Environment2
PCC 201Impact of Industry on the Environment and Society3

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 Economics Courses: 3
Fundamentals of Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
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 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 3,4
4
CHE 225 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Analysis 3 3
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 3 3
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
4
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours17
Third Year
Fall Semester
PSE 335 Principles of Green Chemistry 4
CHE 311 Transport Processes I 3 3
CHE 315 Chemical Process Thermodynamics 3 3
CHE 497 Chemical Engineering Projects I 3
Free Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
Select one of the following Chemistry Electives: 4
Chemistry of Polymeric Materials
and Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory
Principles of Biochemistry
Physical Chemistry for Engineers
Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology
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
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours17
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CHE 331 Chemical Engineering Lab II 2
CHE 446 Design and Analysis of Chemical Reactors 3
CHE 450 Chemical Engineering Design I 3
Concentration Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Concentration Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours12
 Total Hours125
1

Grade of C (2.0) or higher 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.

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

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Occupational Outlook Handbook
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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.

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