Chemical engineering is a broad and versatile field that combines the principles of engineering and chemical sciences to make a more sustainable and efficient world. At Michigan Tech, chemical engineering majors study problems in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, and more.
A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech prepares you to be a versatile and adaptable engineer. With such a universal degree, you can work to solve complex challenges in a wide range of disciplines. Generate sustainable electricity to power the future. Protect and preserve the world’s natural resources. Develop vital medications and vaccines that keep communities safe and healthy.
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Use your expertise in engineering, mathematics, and chemistry in a hands-on educational environment. In the Department of Chemical Engineering’s three-story Unit Operations Laboratory (OU Lab)—the best in the nation—experience process simulation and control in a real-world chemical processing facility. Collaborate with industry-leading faculty members on groundbreaking research in renewable energy, waste management, pharmaceutical manufacturing, bioprocessing, and more.
Study alongside students who share your passions. Find your place in our community of driven engineers. Join professional organizations like the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Receive support from Chemical Engineering Learning Commons and department-specific academic and career advisors.
What Will I Study?
As a chemical engineering major at Michigan Tech, you'll build on a foundation of engineering principles and chemical sciences, gain technical and problem-solving skills, and work with design principles and scientific theories. In the lab, you'll develop hands-on expertise working with industry-standard equipment on groundbreaking research and product development.
Before you graduate, put your chemical engineering skills to the test in either an industry-sponsored Senior Design capstone project or collaborative Enterprise team. Specialize your chemical engineering degree with advanced coursework in the following areas:
- Biomanufacturing and Biosafety
- Polymer Science
- Alternative Energy Technologies and Processes
- Mineral Processing and Extraction Laboratory
- Sustainable Chemical Engineering
- Hydrometallurgy
Tomorrow Needs Versatile Chemical Engineers
Design processes that involve chemical or biological transformation. Work in large-scale manufacturing plants. Operate processes with safety, sustainability, and economics in mind.
You could also play an important role in protecting the environment. Invent cleaner technologies and calculate environmental impacts. Study the fate of chemicals in the natural world.
Chemical engineers make real changes that contribute to sustainability in society. They tackle big challenges, such as reducing our carbon footprint. You can help develop emerging technologies:
- Biofuels and alternative energy
- Engineered materials
- Hydrogen fuel cells
- Nanotechnology
- Drug and vaccine development
- Cleaner sources of energy
- Earth-friendly plastics
- Greener chemical processes
A chemical engineer's average starting salary is among the highest in the nation. Regional, national, and global corporations recruit our graduates. Our chemical engineering graduates have a 98 percent placement rate within six months of graduation. While studying at Michigan Tech, 90 percent of our students participate in a co-op, internship, or Enterprise project.
Engineering Enterprise Concentration
You can pursue an Enterprise concentration by taking part in Michigan Tech's award-winning Enterprise Program. Work on real projects, with real clients, in an environment that’s more like a business than a classroom. Choose from more than 25 Enterprise teams on campus to invent products, provide services, and pioneer solutions.
All Enterprise teams are open to students from all majors, including the chemical engineering-focused teams such as Alternative Energy Enterprise, Green Campus, or Consumer Product Manufacturing. Tackle real-world design projects for industry sponsors or take part in a national competition (or both). This concentration can add courses in business and entrepreneurship.
Be Career Ready
Explore career opportunities for chemical engineers.
Graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech. You will be well prepared to transition to an entry-level job in industry. Our degree provides excellent preparation for graduate school. An advanced degree is desirable for work in academia, research, medical school, or advanced industry.
After completing a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from Michigan Tech, our students go on to jobs or graduate degree programs in:
- Chemical production or manufacturing
- Mineral processing and mining
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology and bioprocessing
- Sustainable engineering
- Food production
- Consumer goods
- Alternative energy
- Process safety
- Environmental cleanup
- Design engineering
- Consulting
- Medical school
- Law school
