CURRICULAR OPTIONS

Areas of Specialization

• Chemical Process Engineering
• General Chemical Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Polymer Science and Engineering

Customized areas of specialization may be defined to suit your particular interests; usually this is done within the flexible 'general' ChE option.

Certificate in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering

A new certificate for BS students with particular career interests in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and bioprocessing. Click here to learn more about the certificate.

Interested in Medical School?

Chemical Engineering is an excellent, rigorous course of study for pre-medical students. Choosing either the Biotechnology or Biomedical Engineering specialization allows you to apply all of the standard pre-med requirements (3rd quarter organic, full year Biol 210 sequence) directly towards your ChE degree as science & technical electives.

Honor's Program

• 3.5 minimum GPA
• 3 units advanced coursework built around a particular emphasis, including at least one grad-level (or highly advanced 300-level) course.
• 2 quarters of 399 research on related topic

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

ChE and the COOP Program

ChE has traditionally maintained one of the highest rates of participation in McCormick's COOP program (currently ~30%). Companies recruiting ChE students into COOP positions include: 3M, Air Products, Applied Materials, Argonne National Lab, Aventis, Avery Denison, Baxter Healthcare, BP, Dow Chemical, Eaton Corporation, GE Plastics, Honeywell, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Procter & Gamble, Searle, Texas Instruments, USG and UOP. This list also provides an indication of the breadth of employment opportunities enjoyed by ChE graduates. Click here to learn more about the COOP program.

Undergraduate Research

Senior surveys indicate that over 50% of NU ChE students participate in some form of undergraduate research. Typical mechanisms include ChE 399 independent study projects, work-study employments, or paid summer research positions. A more extensive description of research opportunities is available here. Click here to learn about the diverse research interests of our faculty.

The Whole Engineer

Northwestern is committed to providing unique opportunities for professional development, extending beyond technical excellence. Two examples are:

• annual 'Chemical Engineering Debates' which bring faculty and undergraduate & graduate students together to explore topics of broad interest at the intersection of technology and society, and
• ChE 390, 'Interpersonal and Organizational Effectiveness', and elective course on essential professional skills taught by a former Procter & Gamble Vice President (and NU alum).