Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [FINAL EDITION]

Chemical Engineering, BS


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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)


Spring (17.5 Credits)


Sophomore


Junior


Fall (16 Credits)


Senior


Fall (17 Credits)


Senior Spring (14 Credits)


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.

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