Curriculum

The minimum number of credits required for a B.S.Ch.E degree is 180. Some courses cannot be counted toward degree requirements. Students should consult with a departmental advisor to determine whether a particular course can be counted. Among those that cannot be counted are chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses at a lower level than those required by the Department.

For a sample four-year plan, please see the Plan of Study page. 

General Education Requirements

ChemE undergraduate students complete 97 credits of  general education requirements, which includes 8 credits of written and oral communication; 24 credits in Visual, Literary, & Performing Arts and Individuals & Societies; and 65 credits of natural world courses.

Written and Oral Communication (12 credits)

English Composition: 5 credits from the university list

Writing: 7 remaining credits met by coursework in the major

Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences (24 credits)

Courses that count toward these requirements are identified as A&H or Ssc in the quarterly Time Schedule and in the UW Catalog. 

Of the 24 credits, minimum 10 credits in Arts and Humanities (A&H)

Of the 24 credits, minimum 10 credits in Social Sciences (Ssc)

At least 5 credits must be in Diversity (DIV). 

Natural World (65 credits)

Mathematics (24 credits):

Chemistry (26 credits):

CHEM 142 (5): General Chemistry, with lab (or 145) CHEM 152 (5): General Chemistry, with lab (or 155) CHEM 162 (5): General Chemistry, with lab (or 165)	CHEM 237 (4): Organic Chemistry (or 223) CHEM 238 (4): Organic Chemistry (or 224) CHEM 455 (3): Physical Chemistry OR  CHEM E 456: Quantum Mechanics for Chemical Engineers
*CHEM 143 and CHEM 153 or CHEM 145, 155, 165 may substitute for CHEM 142, 152, 162 CHEM 223 and 224 or CHEM 257 and 258 may substitute for CHEM 237 and 238

Physics (15 credits):

PHYS 121 (5): Mechanics (with Lab) PHYS 122 (5): Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion (with Lab) PHYS 123 (5): Waves (with Lab) PHYS 141, 142, 143 may substitute for completing this requirement.

Major Requirements (74 credits):

Chemical Engineering Core Courses (57 credits)

Molecular & Nano-Engineering (3 credits): CHEM E 455 (3): Surface and Colloid Lab  OR   CHEM E 460 (3): Polymers Lab

Engineering Electives  (16 credits)

Standard option: Any 16 credits listed on the Engineering Electives page. Students may also petition for other engineering courses to count. Most courses from outside the College of Engineering do not count. 

Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering (NME) option: The Nanoscience and Molecular Engineering (NME) Option in the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering is a transcriptable option focusing on nanoscale principles in molecular engineering that provides hands-on experience and stresses the interdisciplinary nature of the field. To declare the NME option, students must complete NME 220 and CHEM E 310 and earn minimum of 3.0 GPA.  For more information about the NME option for the B.S. ChemE, please see our NME Option page. 

Optional Focus Areas: Students may choose to complete an optional focus area. These focus areas are not listed on the transcript. Many courses that count for the focus areas also count as engineering electives. For a list of focus areas, please see our Optional Focus Areas page.

Unspecified Electives (9 credits):

The total number of credits needed for graduation is 180. If students earn only the minimum number of credits in the above categories, they will need 9 additional (elective) credits. The electives may be used to pursue areas of interest outside chemical engineering, or to deepen professional training. Students are urged to include as many upper division courses as possible among the electives they choose.