CHE - Chemical Engineering

CHE 211 - Material and Energy Balances

Mathematical analysis of steady-state flow processes including those with chemical reactions. Emphasis on general principles and techniques used in problem solving. Material and enthalpy balances as applied to physical and chemical systems. Heats of reaction. Recycle and purging. Digital and graphical procedures. Lecture/recitation.

Prerequisite
CHEM 107

CHE 222 - Thermodynamics

Fundamental thermodynamic relationships and their application to non-reactive chemical engineering systems. Equations of state involving ideal and non-ideal behavior. Estimation and use of thermodynamic properties. Analysis of open systems. Lecture/Problem-solving.

Prerequisite
CHEM 108
Corequisite
MATH 263

CHE 311 - Transport Phenomena

Unified treatment of continuum descriptions of momentum, heat, and mass transfer and analogies among the three.Evaluation and use of transport coefficients. Shell balances and equations of change. Molecular (laminar) transport and introduction to convective transport. Lecture/Problem Solving.

Prerequisite
CHE 211 or ES 103, and MATH 264

CHE 312 - Experimental Design I

Statistical analysis of data from laboratory experiments which illustrate the basic principles of thermodynamic and transport properties. Emphasis on laboratory safety, statistical analysis of data, and technical writing. Lecture/laboratory. [W]

Corequisite
CHE 311

CHE 313 - Fluid Phase and Reaction Equilibria

Application of fundamental thermodynamic relationships to phase and reaction equilibria in chemical and biological systems. Solution thermodynamics; solid, liquid, vapor equilibria for ideal and nonideal systems; prediction of equilibrium data; chemical reaction equilibria for ideal and nonideal systems. Lecture/Problem-solving

Prerequisite
CHE 222 OR ES 254

CHE 314 - Chemical Engineering Computing

Applications of high-level computer languages, spreadsheets, software, and computer operating systems as tools for engineering problem solving. Lecture/ laboratory.

Prerequisite
CHE 211

CHE 321 - Applied Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer

Analysis of fluid flow in complex geometries and porous media; unsteady heat conduction, convection, and heat exchange. Analysis and design of driving forces. Introduction to integrated fluid flow-heat transfer processes.

Prerequisite
CHE 311

CHE 322 - Experimental Design II

Statistical design of laboratory experiments which illustrate the principles of fluid flow and heat transfer culminating in integrated separations processes in pilot-scale equipment. Emphasis on statistical experimental design and analysis of data, instrumental analysis, technical writing, and oral presentations. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite
CHE 313
Corequisite
CHE 321

CHE 325 - Mass Transfer, Separations, and Bioseparations

Unit operations of chemical engineering pertaining to mass transfer and separations processes. Staged and continuous equilibrium separations including multi-component distillation, gas absorption/stripping and liquid extraction. Rate-based separations such as chromatography and membrane systems. Lecture/Problem Solving. (Formerly CHE 411)

Prerequisite
CHE 311, CHE 313

CHE 331 - Polymers

Formation, structure, and properties of polymers. Thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers; stereospecific structures; polymer solutions and solvent resistance; chain conformation; molecular weight; morphology; transitions; condensation polymerization; free radical and nonradical addition polymerization; copolymerization; rubber elasticity; viscous flow; viscoelasticity. Lecture/laboratory.

Prerequisite
ES 231, or permission of instructor

CHE 342 - Atmospheric Engineering and Science

This course acts an introduction to foundational principles of physics, chemistry, and thermodynamics that occur in atmospheric processes. Students will explore governing mass and energy balances present in the atmosphere, and their application to fundamental weather, air quality, and climatological phenomena. Topics include atmospheric dynamics, cloud formation and microphysical behavior, radiative forcing, and chemistry in gas/condensed-phase systems.

Prerequisite
CHEM 107

CHE 350 - Introduction to Nanoengineering

Nanoengineering and nanomaterials play an important role in current and future advancements in technology. This process allows for precise control of structure-property relationships. Topics in this course include colloids, amphiphiles, polymers, semiconductors, and biological macromolecules; the thermodynamics and kinetics of self-assembly; and fabrication and characterization techniques. Applications of nanomaterials science and engineering to a variety of technological challenges will be evaluated using peer-reviewed literature.  

Prerequisite
ES 231 or ES 232 or permission of the instructor

CHE 360 - Drug Delivery

Mathematical analysis of transport phenomena in biological systems, including pharmacokinetic modeling, diffusion and kinetics of biochemical reactions. Analysis of current drug delivery systems through problem solving, discussion of peer-reviewed literature, and laboratory experiences. Lecture/recitation/laboratory.

Prerequisite
MATH 161

CHE 370 - Alternative Energy Sources

This course sets a framework to analyze and compare the engineering goals and challenges associated with various energy technologies across all energy sectors (electricity, heat, transportation, industry).  Conversion principles and technology are covered for conventional and alternative energy sources. Mass and energy balances are applied to compare energy systems within technical, geographical, and practical constraints.  Each technology is evaluated using economic, technological, and social/environmental metrics to evaluate their potential and future outlook.

Prerequisite
CHEM 107

CHE 375 - Introduction to Food Engineering

Introduction to food components and their combinations; basic equipment used in food processing. Applications of basic engineering principles in food processing through problem solving and in-class activities culminating in an open-ended project.

CHE 386 - Composites

This course introduces students to the structure, properties, and processing of engineering composite materials. The emphasis is on the modeling and understanding the behavior of fiber reinforced materials. Topics to be discussed include: selection of fiber and matrix materials, strength and stiffness of fiber reinforced composites, elastic stress-strain relationships, laminated composites, fatigue and impact properties, composite-environment interactions, and the experimental characterization of composites.

Prerequisite
ES 231 or permission of instructor
Corequisite
MATH 264

CHE 390-391 - Independent Study in Chemical Engineering

An opportunity for selected students to engage in an individualized learning experience for a wide range of technical topics. Before registering, a proposal for the work must be submitted to a faculty member who serves as the adviser and to the department head for approval. Each student is required to submit a course portfolio, detailed in the syllabus, and present a summary of the work completed in both a paper and oral presentation.

CHE 392-393 - Independent Research in Chemical Engineering

An opportunity for selected students to engage in a high quality, hands-on, independent research experience. Before registering, a research proposal must be submitted to a faculty member who serves as the adviser and to the department head for approval. Each student is required to submit a course portfolio, detailed in the syllabus, and present a summary of project results in both a paper and oral presentation.

CHE 412 - Integrated Chemical Engineering

Principles of separation processes, mass transfer, reaction kinetics in developed and emerging applications illustrated by multi-scale laboratory experiments. Emphasis on analysis of safe practices, hazards analysis, kinetic data, computer simulation, technical writing, and oral presentation. Lecture/Laboratory.

Prerequisite
CHE 325
Corequisite
CHE 413

CHE 413 - Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design

The kinetics of reacting systems and the design of chemical reactors. Analysis of rate data; multistep reaction mechanisms, enzymatic reactions, catalysis and heterogeneous processes; design of single phase isothermal reactors, multiple-phase reactors, non-isothermal reactors, and nonideal reactors. Lecture/recitation.

Prerequisite
CHE 313

CHE 415 - Design Analysis

Quantitative study of current processes. Analysis and flowsheet layout of typical systems; safety, health, environmental, quality control, and ethical concerns in design; economic factors in estimation, design, construction, and operation of process equipment. Lecture/recitation.

Corequisite
CHE 325, CHE 413

CHE 416 - Green Design Analysis

One of the central roles of chemical engineers is to design and operate chemical processes yielding chemical products that meet customer specifications. Metrics for success include profit, but increasingly also incorporates sustainability. This course provides students with the fundamental tools needed for process design and practicing the principles of green engineering. Specific topics will include regulations and safety, heuristics, simulation software, economics, impact assessment, and life cycle analysis.

Corequisite
CHE 325, CHE 413

CHE 422 - Design Synthesis

This capstone design course provides opportunities for the application of all prior course work in the resolution of an industrially realistic or derived chemical process design problem in a team format. Teams demonstrate a practical ability to define the required technical challenge, develop relevant criteria to evaluate alternatives, and present the resolution of the technical challenge in both oral and written formats.[W]

Prerequisite
CHE 415

CHE 424 - Process Control

Analysis of dynamic process and control systems including controllers, measuring elements, control elements, and system components. Design of controlled systems. Analytical and experimental evaluation of process dynamics. Dynamic simulation and stability analysis. Lecture/problem period. (Formerly CHE 324)

Prerequisite
MATH 264, CHE 211

CHE 495-496 - Thesis

This program is designed and operated in accordance with the requirements of the Honors program as administered by the Student Affairs Committee. [One W credit only upon completion of both 495 and 496]

Prerequisite
Senior standing.