Chemical engineers work in all sorts of industries like food, plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, microelectronics, and consumer products like shampoo and toothpaste, not to mention going to graduate school in medicine, law, or business. It would be hard to choose a broader or more flexible major.

What's different about it?

The curriculum draws on the fundamentals of math, physics, and chemistry taught in the CSM core curriculum. In the junior and senior years you focus on the basics of chemical engineering, and the senior capstone design course lets you pull it all together in a major project which makes extensive use of computer-aided process simulation.

The Unit Operations Lab is an intensive six-week course taught in the summer after the junior year. "Unit Ops" gives you a chance to do hands-on work as well as develop teamwork, critical thinking, and oral and written communications skills.

If you want to develop a minor or Area of Special Interest, you can use your free electives to take courses in economics, microelectronics, bioengineering, environmental engineering, or other areas.

In addition to strong undergraduate teaching, the department also has a strong research program. Qualified students can participate in the Honors Undergraduate Research program and do independent research or join a graduate research team.

What can I do with it?

CSM chemical engineering grads go to graduate school in engineering, medicine, law, and business, as well as begin their careers in industry, business, or government. The job market for chemical engineers is good and starting salaries are among the highest for all engineering graduates. And because so many companies and business need chemical engineers, there's plenty of choice.