Degree Requirements
Educational Program Objectives
Chemical Engineering is the engineering discipline which makes extensive use of chemical transformations (i.e., reactions) in addition to physical transformations (such as machining and molding) to achieve added value. Because all manufacturing involves chemical transformations in one way or another, chemical engineers are employed in virtually all manufacturing industries, from the basic chemical, materials, energy, food, pharmaceutical and microelectronics industries to the myriad consumer product industries. This means that chemical engineers must be very broadly educated and trained as well as highly adaptable.
To ensure that our graduates are adequately prepared for graduate studies in basic chemical engineering, as well as various related fields (such as health science professions, environmental, biochemical and biomedical engineering, for example) and for employment in the great variety of industries in California, the neighboring states and the Pacific Rim, the Chemical Engineering Department has set the following educational objectives:
(1) To provide each student with a rigorous education in mathematics, basic science and engineering science. These foundational courses will facilitate lifelong learning and professional adaptability in today's rapidly changing, highly technological society.
(2) To provide the students with a flexible selection of areas of emphasis within the major field of chemical engineering and to equip them with the ability to apply their scientific knowledge and engineering skills to the creative solution of problems.
(3) To ensure that students develop effective oral and writing communications skills and the ability to function well within groups.
(4) To impart to the students the importance of both personal and professional development.
(5) To develop in the students an understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities towards the individual, society and the environment; as well as an appreciation of societal, historical and global issues.
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Degrees
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers five Bachelor of Science degrees: B.S., Chemical Engineering (132 units); B.S., Chemical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering) (136 units); B.S., Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (135 units); B.S., Chemical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering) (136 units); and B.S., Chemical Engineering (Polymer Science) (136 units).
Sample student schedules are located on the department Web page (www.usc.edu/dept/che).
Common Requirements for all Bachelor of Science Degrees (111 units)
See also
common requirements for undergraduate degrees.
| GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES*** | units |
|---|
| PHYS 151 satisfies Category III | 20 |
| WRITING COURSES | units |
|---|
| WRIT 140* | Writing and Critical Reasoning | 4 |
| WRIT 340 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
| CHEMISTRY COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or |
| CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 105bL | General Chemistry, or |
| CHEM 115bL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 300L | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 322aL | Organic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 430a | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| MATH COURSES | units |
|---|
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| PHYSICS COURSES | units |
|---|
| PHYS 151** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152 | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHE 120 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 330 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 4 |
| CHE 350 | Introduction to Separation Processes | 3 |
| CHE 442 | Chemical Reactor Analysis | 4 |
| CHE 443 | Viscous Flow | 3 |
| CHE 444abL | Chemical Engineering Laboratory | 3-3 |
| CHE 445 | Heat Transfer in Chemical Engineering Processes | 2 |
| CHE 446 | Mass Transfer in Chemical Engineering Processes | 2 |
| CHE 460L | Chemical Process Dynamics and Control | 4 |
| CHE 480 | Chemical Process and Plant Design | 3 |
| OTHER COURSES | units |
|---|
| CSCI 101L | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
| ISE 460 | Engineering Economy, or |
| BUAD 301 | Technical Entrepreneurship | 3 |
Additional Requirements for Individual Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
The requirement for the degree is 132 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Chemical Engineering. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses:
| CHEMISTRY TECHNICAL ELECTIVE | units |
|---|
| CHEM 322bL | Organic Chemistry, or |
| CHEM 430b | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHE 405 | Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers | 3 |
| CHE 476 | Chemical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CHE 485 | Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design | 3 |
CHE Technical Elective |
| An upper division CHE course | 3 |
| OTHER ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
| EE 438L | Processing for Microelectronics | 3 |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Biochemical Engineering)
The requirement for the degree is 136 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses:
| BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES COURSES | units |
|---|
| BISC 300L | Introduction to Microbiology | 4 |
| BISC 320L | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BISC 330L | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BISC 403 | Advanced Molecular Biology | 4 |
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| BME 410 | Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 489 | Biochemical Engineering | 3 |
CHE Technical Elective |
| CHE 405 | Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers, or |
| CHE 485 | Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design | 3 |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering)
The requirement for the degree is 135 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Civil Engineering. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses:
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHE 405 | Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers | 3 |
| CHE 476 | Chemical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CHE 485 | Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design | 3 |
| CHE 486 | Design of Environmentally Benign Process Plants | 3 |
| OTHER COURSES | units |
|---|
| CE 453 | Water Quality Control | 3 |
| CE 463L | Water Chemistry and Analysis | 3 |
| PTE 463L | Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media | 3 |
Air Pollution Elective |
| ENE 428 | Air Pollution Fundamentals, or |
| ENE 429 | Air Pollution Control | 3 |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Petroleum Engineering)
The requirement for the degree is 136 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Chemical Engineering and in the Department of Petroleum Engineering. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses:
| CHEMISTRY COURSE | units |
|---|
Chemistry Technical Elective |
| CHEM 322bL | Organic Chemistry, or |
| CHEM 430b | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHE 405 | Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers | 3 |
| CHE 476 | Chemical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CHE 485 | Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design | 3 |
| OTHER ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| PTE 461 | Formation Evaluation | 3 |
| PTE 463L | Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media | 3 |
| PTE 464L | Petroleum Reservoir Engineering | 3 |
| PTE 465L | Drilling Technology and Subsurface Methods | 3 |
Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Polymer Science)
The requirement for the degree is 136 units. A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required in all upper division courses taken in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Electrical Engineering. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses.
| CHEMISTRY COURSES | units |
|---|
| Chemistry Technical Elective |
| CHEM 322bL | Organic Chemistry, or |
| CHEM 430b | Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEMICAL ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| CHE 405 | Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers | 3 |
| CHE 472 | Polymer Science and Engineering | 3 |
| CHE 474L | Polymer Science and Engineering Laboratory | 3 |
| CHE 476 | Chemical Engineering Materials | 3 |
| CHE 477 | Computer Assisted Polymer Engineering and Manufacturing | 3 |
| CHE 485 | Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design | 3 |
| OTHER ENGINEERING COURSES | units |
|---|
| Materials Elective |
| BME 410 | Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, or |
| CHE 475 | Physical Properties of Polymers, or |
| EE 438L | Processing for Microelectronics | 3 |
Accelerated Dual Degree Program: Bachelor of Science/Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
The accelerated dual degree program offers qualified students the opportunity to simultaneously complete the requirements for the B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years. Students are eligible for the accelerated dual degree program upon completing 96 or more units toward their B.S. with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Qualified students who are interested should see their advisor in their junior year to begin planning for the inclusion of graduate courses during their senior year. Students should apply to the graduate program in the fall of their senior year. Eligible students will be automatically accepted to the M.S. program without needing to take the GRE. All requirements for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees must be met; however, up to six units of course work will be counted toward satisfying the unit requirements of both programs. Application information may be obtained in the Viterbi School of Engineering Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Students should see their departmental advisors for assistance with course selection.
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering with the exception that the minimum unit requirement is 28. Registration in CHE 550ab is required.
Engineer in Chemical Engineering
Requirements for the Engineer in Chemical Engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements. See general requirements for graduate degrees.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in chemical engineering is awarded in conformity with the general requirements of the Graduate School. See
general requirements for graduate degrees.
Departmental Policies and Requirements
In addition to the
general requirements for the Ph.D. described in this catalogue, candidates in chemical engineering are required to demonstrate proficiency in the following fields: thermodynamics, fluid flow, heat and mass transfer and chemical engineering kinetics. Registration in CHE 550ab is required of all students. More detailed statements of the departmental requirements may be found in a brochure available upon request from the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering Three-Two Plan
A special curriculum is available for obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree in a letters, arts and sciences major in five years. For further information see departmental advisors.
Similar programs are available in cooperation with certain liberal arts colleges. Such programs are particularly suited for obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the liberal arts college and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at USC.
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