2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering
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Faculty
Chair
Mark R. Marten
Professor
Douglas D. Frey
B.S., Stanford University, 1978; M.S., University of California, Berkeley, 1980; Ph.D., 1984
Upal Ghosh
B.Tech., Indian Institute of Technology, 1989; M.S., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1993; Ph.D., 1998
Erin Lavik
B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995; Sc.D., 2001
Mark R. Marten
B.S., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1986; M.S., Purdue University, 1988; Ph.D., 1991
Antonio R. Moreira
B.S., University of Porto (Portugal), 1973; M.S., University of Pennsylvania, 1975; Ph.D., 1977
Govind Rao
B.S., Indian Institute of Technology (Madras, India), 1984; Ph.D., Drexel University, 1987
Brian Reed
B.S., State University of New York at Buffalo, 1984; M.S., 1986; Ph.D., 1990
Claire Welty
B.A., University of Virginia, 1976; M.S., The George Washington University, 1983; Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1989
Associate Professor
Lee Blaney
B.S., Lehigh University, 2005; M.S., 2007; Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 2011
Christopher Hennigan
B.S., University of Florida, 2001; M.S., Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006; Ph.D., 2008
Assistant Professor
Tyler R. Josephson
B.S., University of Minnesota, 2011; Ph.D., University of Delaware, 2017
Principal Lecturer
Mariajosé Castellanos
B.S., Autonomous University of Mexico, 1999; Ph.D., Cornell University, 2005
Lecturer
Gautom Das
B.S., Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 2004; Ph.D., Nanyang Technological University, 2010
Neha B. Raikar
B.S., University Institute of Chemical Technology, 2004; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst, 2010
The undergraduate program in Chemical Engineering emphasizes the application of basic engineering principles and the basic sciences - mathematics, physics, and chemistry - to process industries concerned with the chemical transformation of matter. The program prepares students for graduate study or immediate industrial employment in such varied fields as chemical processing, food processing, environmental engineering, metallurgy, energy conversion, petroleum refining and pharmaceutical production. Recent graduates of the department have obtained employment as chemical engineers at W.R. Grace, DuPont, Corning, ExxonMobil, Merck, FMC, International Paper, and many other major companies. Additional opportunities are presented by the research and development activities of many public and private research institutes and allied agencies.
The Biotechnology and Bioengineering track in the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering is a specialized program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. The program is designed to integrate the life sciences into each year of the curriculum. The track is intended for students who are interested in working in the biotechnology industry, pursuing graduate work in biochemical or biomedical engineering, or going to medical school. In choosing senior-year electives, students may concentrate in biomedical or biochemical engineering or explore both areas. The research interests of many of the department faculty are focused in biotechnology and bioengineering and cover a wide range of areas. Students in this track are encouraged to participate in ongoing research projects by utilizing the undergraduate research elective.
The Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering also offers a second track in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability which leads to the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree. The track emphasizes the knowledge and skills necessary for students interested in both chemical and environmental engineering. Students graduating from this track will be well-equipped to seek employment with traditional chemical engineering companies as well as environmental engineering firms and graduate programs. Current departmental research in environmental engineering focuses on water sustainability, storm water management, contaminant fate and transport, water/wastewater treatment, and environmental remediation.
Academic Advising
First- and second-year students are advised by professional staff advisors in the College of Engineering and Information Technology. After students majoring in chemical engineering complete the Gateway requirements, they are assigned a permanent advisor, chosen from the faculty of the Department of Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Engineering. Students are required to meet with their assigned advisor before registering for an upcoming semester’s courses.
Educational Objectives
The Program Educational Objectives (Five Cs) are to develop in students:
- Competency in the discipline of chemical engineering
- Critical thinking ability that will enable them to solve complex problems
- Ability to work in Cooperation with teammates
- Ability to Communicate effectively
- Capacity for lifelong learning
Admission Requirements
Students admitted to UMBC who, by virtue of their math placement exams are eligible for MATH 150 - Precalculus Mathematics (4) or higher, who intend to pursue Chemical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Information Technology are initially admitted to the Pre-Chemical Engineering program. Full admission to Chemical Engineering is granted upon completion of the gateway courses and upon previous transcript review (if applicable). Students should review the academic requirements and policies of the university and the college, including gateway requirements and repeat policies. Additional information for incoming first year students and information for transfer students is available on the COEIT advising website.
The Gateway requirement for the Chemical Engineering major is for students to earn at least two B’s and two C’s in the following courses: ENES 101 , MATH 152 , CHEM 102 and ENCH 215 . For students who are using AP credit for MATH 152 , they must earn at least two B’s and one C in ENES 101 , CHEM 102 and ENCH 215 . Once students have met the Gateway requirement for the Chemical Engineering major, they may continue taking the required ENCH courses.
Past experience has shown that for students to pursue an engineering education successfully immediately upon graduation from high school, should have taken three years of high school mathematics, including algebra, geometry and trigonometry; one year of physics and one year of chemistry. Students also should have obtained a SAT score of 1200 (critical reading and mathematics) with a minimum of 600 on the mathematics test.
Transfer Students
Transfer students will be admitted into chemical engineering upon completion of 28 transferable college credit hours and they must earn at least 2 B’s and 2 C’s in ENES 101 , MATH 152 , CHEM 102 and ENCH 215 .
Program Regulations
- The responsibility for proper registration and for satisfying prerequisites for any course rests with the student, as does the responsibility for proper achievement in courses in which the student is enrolled. Each student should be familiar with the provisions of this catalog, including the academic regulations.
- It is strongly recommended that every chemical engineering student satisfy the mathematics, chemistry, and physics requirements as early as possible in his or her program.
- To be eligible for a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, a student must have an overall average of at least a ‘C’ (2.0) and a grade of ‘C’ or better in all engineering and required courses. Responsibility for knowing and meeting all degree requirements for graduation rests with the student.
General Education Requirements
Engineering students graduating from UMBC must take 30 credits of General Education Requirements, as described on the Undergraduate Baccalaureate Degree Requirements page.
Special Opportunities
Chemical engineering faculty members strive to make research opportunities available to all students. Many students take advantage of these opportunities by enrolling in ENCH 468 - Research Projects (1-3) for course credit or by working as a research assistant in the laboratory of a faculty member. Research of this type is especially valuable for students intending to enroll in graduate school.
ProgramsMajorCoursesChemical Engineering
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