Other Pathways to ChemE
High School Students
Freshman applicants who meet UW admissions criteria and who list an engineering department (or Engineering-undecided) as their first choice major on their UW application are automatically considered for Direct to College admission.
Engineering Undeclared Students
Request placement into chemical engineering at the end of your first year. Students who are ready to start ChemE core coursework during their first year should contact an advisor to discuss their options and be prepared to follow the process below for UW students outside the College of Engineering.
We are so glad you're considering applying to chemical engineering! This page goes over the details of application requirements, steps, and policies. If you're interested in learning more about chemical engineering, please use the links on the right hand side.
We pride ourselves on our community and student-centered department where students have opportunities to participate in undergraduate research, study abroad, design capstones and internships. Students will progress through the program as a cohort, building community and support among their classmates.
UW Students outside the College of Engineering
Many ChemE students discover an interest in ChemE after arriving at UW and we'd love to have you join our program.
Students must be in good standing at UW and complete the following requirements with a minimum 2.0 GPA in each prerequisite course and a minimum 2.50 GPA overall in the prerequisite courses:
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Prerequisite courses: These courses must be completed prior to application, i.e. no later than autumn quarter to have grades available for the January 15 deadline.
- CHEM 142, 152 or equivalents
- MATH 124, 125, 126 or equivalents
- PHYS 121 or equivalent
- ENGL 131 or other composition course
- Enrollment requirements: Students must be able to demonstrate they plan to complete the following spring quarter enrollment requirements and autumn quarter continuation requirements.
- Prior to the start of spring quarter: CHEM 162, PHYS 122, and MATH 207
- Prior to the start of Autumn Quarter: organic chemistry I and II (CHEM 237 and CHEM 238; or CHEM 223 and CHEM 224; or CHEM 335 and CHEM 336); PHYS 123 (or PHYS 143); MATH 208 (unless MATH 136 or AMATH 352 is taken); CHEM E 310; CHEM E 375
The department follows a cohort model beginning in spring quarter. We have a single annual admissions cycle focused on students starting the chemical engineering core sequence of courses in the spring quarter immediately following the deadline of January 15.
Students who apply and are admitted before completing all of the requirements listed above will need to finish those requirements quickly to stay on track with the ChemE Continuation policy. Please use the links in the sidebar to set up an appointment with an advisor for more assistance with your academic plan.
Transfer & Postbaccalaureate Student Admission
Transfer students make up a significant and valued part of our program each year. We're aware the transfer process can be complicated. In an attempt to make transfer advising more simple, we've made a checklist. We recognize everyone has different circumstances that impact their academic plans and we love to meet with students very early on in their coursework preparing for a transfer to chemical engineering. Please use the links in the sidebar to set up time with one of our advisers.
Please note that the UW ChemE program starts in spring quarter, so students should be planning to transfer to UW and take CHEM E 310 and 375 for spring quarter. Students applying to UW during other quarters who are interested in ChemE should meet with UW ChemE Academic Advising to identify a clear plan and timeline for declaring the major as well as graduation.
Postbaccalaureate students are students who have completed a prior bachelor's level degree and wish to return to school for a B.S. ChemE: The admissions requirements and process are essentially identical, though it is very important to explain why you need a ChemE degree in addition to the one you already have.
The department follows a cohort model beginning in spring quarter. We have a single annual admissions cycle focused on students starting the chemical engineering core sequence of courses in the spring quarter immediately following the deadline of January 15. Students must complete the following requirements with a minimum 2.0 GPA in each prerequisite course and a minimum 2.50 GPA overall in the prerequisite courses:
-
Prerequisite courses: These courses must be completed prior to application, i.e. no later than autumn quarter to have grades available for the January 15 deadline.
- CHEM 142, 152 or equivalents
- MATH 124, 125, 126 or equivalents
- PHYS 121 or equivalent
- ENGL 131 or other composition course
- Enrollment requirements: Students must be able to demonstrate they plan to complete the following spring quarter enrollment requirements and autumn quarter continuation requirements.
- Prior to the start of spring quarter: CHEM 162, PHYS 122, and MATH 207
- Prior to the start of Autumn Quarter: organic chemistry I and II (CHEM 237 and CHEM 238; or CHEM 223 and CHEM 224; or CHEM 335 and CHEM 336); PHYS 123 (or PHYS 143); MATH 208 (unless MATH 136 or AMATH 352 is taken); CHEM E 310; CHEM E 375. CHEM E 310 and 375 must be taken at UW during the spring quarter following admission. The others may be taken either at UW or at your prior college, as long as they're complete by autumn quarter.
FIRST STEPS
Complete your college's math placement course and begin math courses as soon as possible.
Review ChemE Application Requirements, Statistics and Policies
Review sample plans of study.
Use the UW Transfer Equivalency Guide to identify the courses you need to take at your community college.
Join your college's MESA program, if it's offered, for assistance with preparing for transfer.
Meet with your college academic adviser to make a potential academic plan.
Meet with UW ChemE Academic Advisors
Begin working on your ChemE personal statement.
February & March
PREPARE TO TRANSFER
Apply for financial aid: Submit your FAFSA or WAFSA to UW
Decisions communicated mid-February
Begin looking for housing. UW ChemE classes require in-person participation, so you'll need to be able to commute or move to Seattle.
Students with disabilities should get in contact with UW Disabled Resources for Students to begin the process of getting accommodations in place at UW.
Attend Virtual Advising & Orientation
Classes begin late March at UW Seattle
Reverse Transfer - Finish your Associate's degree at UW
Since the ChemE major starts with CHEM E 310 in spring quarter of the second year, many transfer students do not complete their transfer degrees prior to transferring. It is more important to complete prerequisites and the continuation requirements than to complete a degree prior to transferring. The WA State Reverse Transfer Process makes it possible for students to receive that AS degree after transferring to UW.