Chemical Engineering, BS

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Program Educational Objectives
Student Outcomes
Curriculum Sequence
Dual Degrees With Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering uses science, especially chemistry, engineering, and mathematics, to solve societal problems. Chemical engineering is key in the safe production of pharmaceuticals, fuels, food, clean water, and the modern materials used in electronics, apparel, and construction. Chemical engineers design processes, equipment, plant-testing procedures, evaluation techniques, and standards in all areas of chemical production, as well as with pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

Graduates from Widener’s chemical engineering program are employed in the pharmaceutical, chemical, food, biochemical, pulp and paper, and polymer industries, as well as by the government. Many chemical engineering graduates continue their careers by earning advanced degrees and professional licenses.

Program Educational Objectives

Consistent with Widener University’s mission to be a leading metropolitan university, the chemical engineering program’s graduates will:

Engage in successful careers in a branch of chemical engineering or other professional areas using their knowledge and experience of science and engineering.
Exhibit personal and interpersonal abilities such as communication, ethical behavior, and teamwork that contribute to the development of the organizations of which they are a part and their own development as professionals and as members of their community.
Pursue professional development opportunities including advanced degrees, technical certifications, and professional registration.
Continue their professional and personal growth, assuming technical, business, and administrative leadership positions within their chosen fields.

Student Outcomes

Over the course of their studies, graduates of the program shall have demonstrated:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics

2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors

3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences

4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts

5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives

6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions

7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies

8. a thorough grounding in the basic sciences, including chemistry, physics, and/or biology, with some content at an advanced level as appropriate to the objective of the program, and the engineering application of these basic sciences to the design, analysis, and control of chemical, physical, and/or biological processes, including the hazards associated with these processes.

Curriculum Sequence

Freshman

Fall (16.5 Credits)

ENGR 111 - Engineering Techniques 2 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s) (W)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (17.5 Credits)

ENGR 115 - Introduction to Computer Programming Using MATLAB 2 Credit(s) *
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 148 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 161 - Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 163 - Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Sophomore

Fall (16 Credits)

MATH 241 - Multivariable Calculus 4 Credit(s)
CHE 222 - Chemical Engineering Principles 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 162 - Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 164 - Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)

Spring (17 Credits)

MATH 242 - Elementary Differential Equations 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
ENGR 325 - Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)

Junior

Fall (16 Credits)

CHE 329 - Transport Phenomena 4 Credit(s)
CHE 330 - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 385 - Physical Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
Technical Elective 2 Credit(s) **
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)

Spring (16 Credits)

CHE 314 - Introduction to Process Control 3 Credit(s)
CHE 327 - Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (W) 1 Credit(s) (W)
CHE 332 - Mass Transfer Operations 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 386 - Physical Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 389 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)

Senior

Fall (17 Credits)

ENGR 401 - Senior Project I 2 Credit(s)
CHE 429 - Chemical Reaction Engineering 3 Credit(s)
CHE 425 - Process Design I 3 Credit(s)
CHE 427 - Chemical Engineering Laboratory II 1 Credit(s) (W)
Technical Electives 5 Credit(s) **
ASC 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s) (W) ^†

Senior Spring (14 Credits)

ENGR 402 - Senior Project II 2 Credit(s)
CHE 428 - Process Design II (W) 3 Credit(s) (W)
Technical Electives 6 Credit(s) **
Humanities/Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 130

*Students may take ENGR 112 Computer Prog. & Engr. Problem Solving, ENGR 113 Computer-Aided Engineering Design, or ENGR 114 Engineering Graphics and Computer-Aided Design in lieu of ENGR 115 .

**Students completing this curriculum must take no more than one technical elective outside of the School of Engineering, unless they add technical electives in addition to those specified above. Students considering an initial career in the chemical process or petroleum industries should select technical electives from: ENGR 312 , ENGR 315 , ME 215 , ME 352 , CHEM 300- or 400-level courses, and, if qualified, graduate engineering courses. Students considering an initial career in the biochemical or pharmaceutical industries should select from: CHE 430 ; CHE 460 /BME 460 ; CE 445 ; BCH 451 and BCH 452 ; BIOL 261 and BIOL 262 ; CHEM 300- or 400-level courses; and, if qualified, graduate engineering courses. Students considering other initial career orientations may take technical electives at the 200 level or above, including those previously listed, as well as many other courses offered by any department in the School of Engineering. Students should check with their academic advisor before choosing technical electives. Students enrolled in a dual degree program and those taking biomedical engineering, mathematics, chemistry, or biology minors should check with their academic advisor before choosing technical electives.

**A student who wishes to take a graduate course must have a cumulative GPA and a cumulative Tech GPA of 3.0 or higher, and must get the approval of their acadmic advisor.

^†Students may substitute PHIL 352 Business Ethics (W).

Dual Degrees with Chemical Engineering

Students interested in a dual degree with Biomedical Engineering, BS or a dual degree with chemistry should contact the chairs of the departments and the dean’s office for details about the curriculum. Students wishing to pursue a dual degree must get written permission from both departments.