University Catalog 2024-2025

Chemical Engineering (BS)

Overview

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 2
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
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
ECE 331
Principles of Electrical Engineering
or Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials
3
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours14
Spring Semester
Chemistry Elective 4
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
Technical Elective 3
 Hours11
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Technical 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
GEP 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.

Chemistry Electives

BIO 183Introductory Biology: Cellular and Molecular Biology4
BCH 451Principles of Biochemistry4
CH 335Principles of Green Chemistry4
CH 437Physical Chemistry for Engineers4
CH 610Special Topics In Chemistry1-6
FS 402Chemistry of Food and Bioprocessed Materials4
FS 502Chemistry of Food and Bioprocessed Materials4
PCC 461Chemistry of Polymeric Materials3
PCC 464Chemistry of Polymeric Materials Laboratory1
PSE 335Principles of Green Chemistry4

Technical Electives

BAE 322Introduction to Food Process Engineering3
BEC 462Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
BEC 463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
BEC 488Animal Cell Culture Engineering2
BEC 562Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
BEC 563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
BEC 577Advanced Biomanufacturing and Biocatalysis3
BIT 463Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
BIT 464Protein Purification2
BIT 563Fermentation of Recombinant Microorganisms2
BIT 564Protein Purification2
BME 466/566Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3
CE 214Engineering Mechanics-Statics3
CE 225Mechanics of Solids3
CE 373Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering3
CE 476Air Pollution Control3
CE 477Principles of Solid Waste Engineering3
CE 479Air Quality3
CE 484Water Supply and Waste Water Systems3
CHE 460/560Chemical Processing of Electronic Materials3
CHE 461Polymer Sciences and Technology3
CHE 462Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
CHE 463Fermentation 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 562Fundamentals of Bio-Nanotechnology3
CHE 577Advanced Biomanufacturing and Biocatalysis3
CHE 596Special Topics in Chemical Engineering1-3
CHE 597Chemical Engineering Projects1-3
E 304Introduction to Nano Science and Technology3
ECE 331Principles of Electrical Engineering3
ECE 468Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems3
ECE 568Conventional and Emerging Nanomanufacturing Techniques and Their Applications in Nanosystems3
ISE 311Engineering Economic Analysis3
ISE 443Quality Design and Control3
MAE 206Engineering Statics3
MAE 208Engineering Dynamics3
MAE 214Solid Mechanics3
MAE 406Energy Conservation in Industry3
MAE 421Design of Solar Energy Systems3
MEA 479Air Quality3
MSE 201Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials3
NE 404Radiation Safety and Shielding3
NE 419Introduction to Nuclear Energy3
PCC 201Impact of Industry on the Environment and Society3
PSE 425Bioenergy & Biomaterials Engineering3
TE 466/566Polymeric Biomaterials Engineering3

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
4
E 101 Introduction to Engineering & Problem Solving 2 1
E 115 Introduction to Computing Environments 1
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 2 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
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
E 102 Engineering in the 21st Century 2
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
Select one of the following Economic Courses: 3
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Introduction to Agricultural & Resource Economics
Principles of Microeconomics
Fundamentals of Economics
 Hours18
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 221
CH 222
Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Lab 2
4
CHE 205 Chemical Process Principles 2 4
MA 242 Calculus III 2 4
 Hours12
Spring Semester
CH 223
CH 224
Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Lab
4
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
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours17
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
ECE 331
Principles of Electrical Engineering
or Structure and Properties of Engineering Materials
3
GEP Requirement 3
CHE 395 Professional Development Seminar 1
 Hours17
Spring Semester
Chemistry Elective 4
CHE 312 Transport Processes II 3
CHE 316 Thermodynamics of Chemical and Phase Equilibria 3
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Lab I 4
Free Elective 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
Technical Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours14
Spring Semester
CHE 435 Process Systems Analysis and Control 3
CHE 451 Chemical Engineering Design II 3
Technical Elective 3
GEP Requirement 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours125
1

A grade of C or higher is required.

2

A grade of C- or higher is required.

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
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
Browse the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to view state and area employment and wage statistics. You can also identify and compare similar occupations based on your interests.

Career One Stop Videos
View videos that provide career details and information on wages, employment trends, skills needed, and more for any occupation. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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