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:

Achieve proficiency in modern chemical engineering principles and engage in successful professional careers utilizing knowledge, skills and experience in engineering and applied sciences.
Acquire personal and interpersonal skills such as communication, ethical behavior, teamwork and leadership that contribute to (a) to the development of the organizations of which they are a part of, and (b) their own development as professionals and as members of their community.
Engage in life-long learning and self-improvement in the midst of constantly changing technological sectors and keep strong footprints in creative problem solving, future innovation and technological breakthrough.
Engage in sustainability and sustainable practices in the broader area of industrial, environmental, societal and economic sectors while continuing their professional and personal growth.

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. an ability to design, analyze and control chemical processes, including the hazards assoicated with these processes

Curriculum Sequence

First Year

Fall (17.5 Credits)

ENGR 111 - Engineering Techniques 2 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 177 - General Chemistry I Lab 1 Credit(s)
ASC 101 - Thinking Through 3 Credit(s)
CHE 101 - Introduction to Chemical Engineering 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 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) *
CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 178 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 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)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
ENGR 325 - Thermodynamics 3 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)
CHE 222 - Chemical Engineering Principles 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)

Junior

Fall (17 Credits)

CHE 329 - Chemicals and Materials Transport Phenomena 4 Credit(s)
CHE 330 - Chemical and Materials Engineering Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 385 - Physical Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHE 301 Introduction to Materials Engineering 3 Credit(s)
PHIL 352 - Business Ethics 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 (15 Credits)

ENGR 401 - Senior Project I 2 Credit(s)
CHE 425 - Process Design I 3 Credit(s)
CHE 429 - Chemical Reaction Engineering 3 Credit(s)
Technical Elective 4 Credit(s)***
ASC 401 - Transformations Capstone 3 Credit(s)

Senior Spring (15 Credits)

ENGR 402 - Senior Project II 2 Credit(s)
CHE 428 - Process Design II (W) 3 Credit(s)
CHE 427 - Chemical Engineering Laboratory II 1 Credit(s) (W)
Technical Elective 6 Credit(s)***
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s)

Total Credits: 131

*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 may also choose to take 300 level humanities courses.

*** Out of 10 credits of elective courses, students must take at least 3 credits of engineering courses. 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 who are willing to go to master’s program should take graduate level courses as technical electives. Students should check with their academic advisor before choosing technical electives. Students enrolled in a dual degree program 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 academic advisor.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later. Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission. Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

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.