USC Catalogue: The Schools: USC Viterbi School of Engineering: Chemical Engineering: Degree Requirements

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

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. See the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester Units

CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or

CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4

MATH 125 Calculus I 4

WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4

General education* Social Issues 4

16

First Year, First Semester	Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
		16

First Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 120 Introduction to Chemical Engineering 3

CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or

CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4

CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3

MATH 126 Calculus II 4

PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4

18

First Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 120	Introduction to Chemical Engineering	3
CHEM 105bL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
		18

Second Year, First Semester Units

CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 4

CHEM 300L Analytical Chemistry 4

MATH 226 Calculus III 4

PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4

16

Second Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 330	Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	4
CHEM 300L	Analytical Chemistry	4
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
		16

Second Year, Second Semester Units

CE 205 Statics 2

CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 3

CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4

MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4

WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3

16

Second Year, Second Semester	Units
CE 205	Statics	2
CHE 350	Introduction to Separation Processes	3
CHEM 322aL	Organic Chemistry	4
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
		16

Third Year, First Semester Units

CHE 405 Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers 3

CHEM 430a Physical Chemistry 4

CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis 4

Elective*** Technical 3

General education 4

18

Third Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 405	Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers	3
CHEM 430a	Physical Chemistry	4
CHE 442	Chemical Reactor Analysis	4
Elective***	Technical	3
General education	4
		18

Third Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 443 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 3

CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 476 Chemical Engineering Materials 3

EE 438L Processing for Microelectronics 3

General education 4

16

Third Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 443	Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering	3
CHE 444aL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 476	Chemical Engineering Materials	3
EE 438L	Processing for Microelectronics	3
General education	4
		16

Fourth Year, First Semester Units

CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 445 Molecular Transport Processes 4

CHE 485 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design 3

General education 4

14

Fourth Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 444bL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 445	Molecular Transport Processes	4
CHE 485	Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design	3
General education	4
		14

Fourth Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control 4

CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design 3

ISE 460 Engineering Economy, or

BUAD 301 Technical Entrepreneurship 3

Elective*** Technical 4

General education 4

18

Fourth Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 460L	Chemical Process Dynamics and Control	4
CHE 480	Chemical Process and Plant Design	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy, or
BUAD 301	Technical Entrepreneurship	3
Elective***	Technical	4
General education	4
		18

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies general education category III.

***Restricted technical electives (7 units) CHEM 322bL (4) or CHEM 430b (4) and an upper division CHE course (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 Departments of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester	Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
		16

First Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 120	Introduction to Chemical Engineering	3
CHEM 105bL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
		18

Second Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 330	Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	4
CHEM 300L	Analytical Chemistry	4
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
		16

Second Year, Second Semester Units

BISC 320L Molecular Biology 4

CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 3

CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4

MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4

WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3

18

Second Year, Second Semester	Units
BISC 320L	Molecular Biology	4
CHE 350	Introduction to Separation Processes	3
CHEM 322aL	Organic Chemistry	4
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
		18

Third Year, First Semester Units

BISC 300L Introduction to Microbiology 4

BISC 330L Biochemistry 4

CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis 4

CHEM 430a Physical Chemistry 4

16

Third Year, First Semester	Units
BISC 300L	Introduction to Microbiology	4
BISC 330L	Biochemistry	4
CHE 442	Chemical Reactor Analysis	4
CHEM 430a	Physical Chemistry	4
		16

Third Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 443 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 3

CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

ISE 460 Engineering Economy, or

BUAD 301 Technical Entrepreneurship 3

General education 8

17

Third Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 443	Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering	3
CHE 444aL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy, or
BUAD 301	Technical Entrepreneurship	3
General education	8
		17

Fourth Year, First Semester Units

BISC 403 Advanced Molecular Biology 4

BME 410 Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering 3

CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 445 Molecular Transport Processes 4

Elective*** Technical 3

17

Fourth Year, First Semester	Units
BISC 403	Advanced Molecular Biology	4
BME 410	Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering	3
CHE 444bL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 445	Molecular Transport Processes	4
Elective***	Technical	3
		17

Fourth Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control 4

CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design 3

CHE 489 Biochemical Engineering 3

General education 8

18

Fourth Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 460L	Chemical Process Dynamics and Control	4
CHE 480	Chemical Process and Plant Design	3
CHE 489	Biochemical Engineering	3
General education	8
		18

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies general education Category III.

***Restricted technical elective (3 units) CHE 485 or CHE 405.

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. See the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester	Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
		16

First Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 120	Introduction to Chemical Engineering	3
CHEM 105bL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
		18

Second Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 330	Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	4
CHEM 300L	Analytical Chemistry	4
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
		16

Second Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 3

CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4

MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4

WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3

General education 4

18

Second Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 350	Introduction to Separation Processes	3
CHEM 322aL	Organic Chemistry	4
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
General education	4
		18

Third Year, First Semester Units

CHE 405 Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers 3

CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis 4

CHEM 430a Physical Chemistry 4

PTE 461 Formation Evaluation 3

PTE 463L Introduction to Transplant Processes in Porous Media 3

17

Third Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 405	Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers	3
CHE 442	Chemical Reactor Analysis	4
CHEM 430a	Physical Chemistry	4
PTE 461	Formation Evaluation	3
PTE 463L	Introduction to Transplant Processes in Porous Media	3
		17

Third Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 443 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 3

CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 476 Chemical Engineering Materials 3

ISE 460 Engineering Economy, or

BUAD 301 Technical Entrepreneurship 3

General education 4

16

Third Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 443	Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering	3
CHE 444aL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 476	Chemical Engineering Materials	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy, or
BUAD 301	Technical Entrepreneurship	3
General education	4
		16

Fourth Year, First Semester Units

CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 445 Molecular Transport Processes 4

CHE 485 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design 3

PTE 465L Drilling Technology and Subsurface Methods 3

General education 4

17

Fourth Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 444bL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 445	Molecular Transport Processes	4
CHE 485	Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design	3
PTE 465L	Drilling Technology and Subsurface Methods	3
General education	4
		17

Fourth Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control 4

CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design 3

PTE 464L Petroleum Reservoir Engineering 3

General education 4

Elective*** Technical 4

18

Fourth Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 460L	Chemical Process Dynamics and Control	4
CHE 480	Chemical Process and Plant Design	3
PTE 464L	Petroleum Reservoir Engineering	3
General education	4
Elective***	Technical	4
		18

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies general education category III.

***Restricted technical electives (4 units) CHEM 322bL (4) or CHEM 430b (4).

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering)

The requirement for the degree is 135 units. A grade point 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. See also common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

First Year, First Semester	Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
		16

First Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 120 Introduction to Chemical Engineering 3

CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or

CHEM 115bL Advanced General Chemistry 4

MATH 126 Calculus II 4

PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4

15

First Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 120	Introduction to Chemical Engineering	3
CHEM 105bL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
		15

Second Year, First Semester	Units
CHE 330	Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	4
CHEM 300L	Analytical Chemistry	4
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
		16

Second Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 3

CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4

CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3

MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I 4

General education 4

18

Second Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 350	Introduction to Separation Processes	3
CHEM 322aL	Organic Chemistry	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
General education	4
		18

Third Year, First Semester Units

CE 453 Water Quality Control 3

CHE 405 Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers 3

CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis 4

CHEM 430a Physical Chemistry 4

PTE 463L Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media 3

17

Third Year, First Semester	Units
CE 453	Water Quality Control	3
CHE 405	Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers	3
CHE 442	Chemical Reactor Analysis	4
CHEM 430a	Physical Chemistry	4
PTE 463L	Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media	3
		17

Third Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 443 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 3

CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 476 Chemical Engineering Materials 3

WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3

Air pollution elective*** 3

General education 4

19

Third Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 443	Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering	3
CHE 444aL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 476	Chemical Engineering Materials	3
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
	Air pollution elective***	3
General education	4
		19

Fourth Year, First Semester Units

CE 463L Water Chemistry and Analysis 3

CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 445 Molecular Transport Processes 4

CHE 485 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design 3

ISE 460 Engineering Economy, or

BUAD 301 Technical Entrepreneurship 3

16

Fourth Year, First Semester	Units
CE 463L	Water Chemistry and Analysis	3
CHE 444bL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 445	Molecular Transport Processes	4
CHE 485	Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy, or
BUAD 301	Technical Entrepreneurship	3
		16

Fourth Year, Second Semester Units

CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control 4

CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design 3

CHE 486 Design of Environmentally Benign Process Plants 3

General education 8

18

Fourth Year, Second Semester	Units
CHE 460L	Chemical Process Dynamics and Control	4
CHE 480	Chemical Process and Plant Design	3
CHE 486	Design of Environmentally Benign Process Plants	3
General education	8
		18

*Taken concurrently.

**Satisfies general education Category III.

***Restricted air pollution elective (3 units) ENE 428 or ENE 429.

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 Departments of Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science and Electrical Engineering. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.

first year, first semester Units

CHEM 105aL General Chemistry, or

CHEM 115aL Advanced General Chemistry 4

MATH 125 Calculus I 4

WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 4

General education* Social Issues 4

16

first year, first semester	Units
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry	4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
		16

first year, second semester Units

CHE 120 Introduction to Chemical Engineering 3

CHEM 105bL General Chemistry, or

CHEM 115bl Advanced General Chemistry 4

CSCI 101L Fundamentals of Computer Programming 3

MATH 126 Calculus II 4

PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4

18

first year, second semester	Units
CHE 120	Introduction to Chemical Engineering	3
CHEM 105bL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115bl	Advanced General Chemistry	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L**	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
		18

Second year, first semester Units

CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 4

CHEM 300L Analytical Chemistry 4

MATH 226 Calculus III 4

PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4

16

Second year, first semester	Units
CHE 330	Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	4
CHEM 300L	Analytical Chemistry	4
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
		16

second year, second semester Units

CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes 3

CHEM 322aL Organic Chemistry 4

MATH 245 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering 4

WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3

General education 4

18

second year, second semester	Units
CHE 350	Introduction to Separation Processes	3
CHEM 322aL	Organic Chemistry	4
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering	4
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
General education	4
		18

third year, first semester Units

CHE 405 Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers 3

CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis 4

CHE 472 Polymer Science and Engineering 3

CHEM 430a Physical Chemistry 4

General education 4

18

third year, first semester	Units
CHE 405	Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers	3
CHE 442	Chemical Reactor Analysis	4
CHE 472	Polymer Science and Engineering	3
CHEM 430a	Physical Chemistry	4
General education	4
		18

third year, second semester Units

CHE 443 Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering 3

CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 474L Polymer Science and Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 476 Chemical Engineering Materials 3

Technical Elective*** 4

16

third year, second semester	Units
CHE 443	Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering	3
CHE 444aL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 474L	Polymer Science and Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 476	Chemical Engineering Materials	3
	Technical Elective***	4
		16

fourth year, first semester Units

CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory 3

CHE 445 Molecular Transport Processes 4

CHE 477 Computer Assisted Polymer Engineering and Manufacturing 3

CHE 485 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design 3

General education 4

17

fourth year, first semester	Units
CHE 444bL	Chemical Engineering Laboratory	3
CHE 445	Molecular Transport Processes	4
CHE 477	Computer Assisted Polymer Engineering and Manufacturing	3
CHE 485	Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design	3
General education	4
		17

fourth year, second semester Units

CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control 4

CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design 3

ISE 460 Engineering Economy 3

Materials Elective **** 3

General Education 4

17

fourth year, second semester	Units
CHE 460L	Chemical Process Dynamics and Control	4
CHE 480	Chemical Process and Plant Design	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy	3
Materials Elective ****	3
General Education	4
		17

*Taken concurrently

**Satisfies general education Category III

***Restricted technical electives (4 units): CHEM 322bL (4) or CHEM 430b (4)

****Restricted materials elective (3 units): EE 438L (3) or BME 410 (3) or CHE 475 (3).

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 School of Engineering with the exception that the minimum unit requirement is 28. Two semesters of registration in CHE 550 are 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. Four semesters of registration in CHE 550 are 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.

Catalogue 2004-05