Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering
Overview
The Master of Science (MS) in Chemical Engineering at Northeastern University offers three concentrations to prepare students with knowledge and skills that align with their career interests. Students can pursue research with the general principles and applications concentration, or topical areas with the course-based concentrations in biosystems or sustainability that integrate chemical engineering knowledge with systems applications for industry. Additionally, a common computational-based core curriculum gives students important real-world mathematical tools, while experience through research opportunities or our industry-leading cooperative education program provides a competitive edge.
Innovative Curriculum - MS in Chemical Engineering
The MS in Chemical Engineering is normally pursued by students with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering or closely allied fields. Students wishing to pursue the master’s degree but with undergraduate educational backgrounds other than chemical engineering may be required to complete supplementary undergraduate course work. These courses are in addition to the minimum course requirements.
Unique Features
Concentrations. A choice of three concentrations allows students to align their education with personal career goals.
Flexibility. Students can select from two course-based concentrations, or a research concentration, and pursue coursework and non-thesis concentrations part-time or full time.
Industry Aligned. A common computational-based core curriculum give students important real-world mathematical tools, while a career skills-based seminar helps them translate the skills and knowledge learned to their resumes and presentations for career opportunities.
Top Ranked. The department was ranked among the top 50 graduate programs by U.S. News and World Report in 2024.
Faculty. 28 tenured/tenure-track and teaching faculty members and growing. This includes numerous young investigator and NSF CAREER Award winners, as well as fellows of professional societies.
Location. With a premier location in downtown Boston, research in the department and co-op opportunties leverage the wealth of collaborations with neighboring universities, hospitals, medical centers, and industry.
Co-op/Careers. Northeastern is a leader in experiential learning and offers cooperative education opportunities for full-time MS students. Students can gain up to eight months of professional work experience as part of the academic curriculum.
With a premier location in downtown Boston, research in the department leverages the wealth of collaborations with neighboring universities, hospitals, medical centers and industry.
The department’s research areas include:
- Biomolecular and Biomedical Systems
- Complex and Computational Systems
- Energy and Sustainability
- Engineering Education and Pedagogy
- Materials and Nanotechnology
Graduate students are able to select thesis topics from a diverse range of faculty research interests.
New or prospective graduate students can learn about ongoing research topics from individual faculty members, faculty websites and graduate student seminars. Graduate student seminars, where our students present the results of their research, are held on a regular basis and provide an interactive forum for learning and exchanging ideas.
Graduates of the program will have the knowledge and skillset required to work in the pharmaceutical field, including the ability to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems; and
- Explain and apply engineering design principles, as appropriate, to the student’s selected concentration.
Over 15 graduate certificates are available to provide students the opportunity to develop a specialization in an area of their choice, such as nanomedicine and process safety engineering. Certificates can be taken in addition to or in combination with a master’s degree, or provide a pathway to a master’s degree in Northeastern’s College of Engineering. Master’s programs can also be combined with a Gordon Engineering Leadership certificate. Students should consult with their faculty advisor regarding these options.
Gordon Institute of Engineering Leadership Certificate
Students may complete a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in addition to earning a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership. Students must apply and be admitted to the Gordon Engineering Leadership Program in order to pursue this option. The program requires fulfillment of the 16-semester-hour curriculum required to earn the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership, which includes an industry-based challenge project with multiple mentors and the required chemical engineering course work.
Engineering Business Certificate
Students may complete a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering in addition to earning a Graduate Certificate in Engineering Business. Students must apply and be admitted to the Galante Engineering Business Program in order to pursue this option. The program requires the applicant to have earned or be in a program to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Northeastern University. The integrated 32-semester-hour degree and certificate will require 16 semester hours of the chemical engineering core courses and 16 semester hours from the outlined business-skill curriculum. The coursework, along with participation in co-curricular professional development elements, earn the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Business.
Concentrations
This research-based concentration is ideal for those planning to continue their studies toward a PhD or are interested in research careers. Students develop an in-depth understanding of the fundamental principles of chemical engineering and gain expertise in modern topics in the field through select elective courses.
Students choose from thesis or report options. Thesis topics can be selected from a diverse range of faculty research interests. Department research areas include Biomolecular & Biomedical Systems, Complex & Computational Systems, Energy & Sustainability, Engineering Education & Pedagogy, and Materials & Nanotechnology.
Students in this course-based concentration utilize chemical engineering principles in biological applications to improve medicine and environmental systems. Learn about metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, mechanobiological networks, microfluidic systems, and more.
Focused on meeting societal needs for improved energy storage and water delivery while considering impact and feasibility, this course-based concentration delves into materials, chemicals, energy, and the reactions produced.
Experiential Learning
Northeastern combines rigorous academics with experiential learning and research to prepare students for real-world engineering challenges. Northeastern is an R1 research institution, rated among universities with the highest research activity.
The Cooperative Education Program, also known as a “co-op,” is one of the largest and most innovative in the world, and Northeastern is one of only a few that offers a co-op program for graduate students. Through this program, students gain up to eight months of professional experience employed in their field of interest as part of the academic curriculum, giving them a competitive edge upon graduation. The College of Engineering has over 3,000 co-op employer partners globally. Our dedicated team of co-op coordinators prepare students for the co-op experience through resume building, developing interview skills, and guiding professional development. Some chemical engineering co-op employers include Ambri, Metalor Technologies, Nano-C, Pellion Technologies, Sanofi Genzyme, and Waters Corporation.
Academic Advising
The Academic Advisors in the Graduate Student Services office can help answer many of your questions and assist with various concerns regarding your program and student record. Use the link below to also determine which questions can be answered by your Faculty Program Advisors and OGS Advisors.
Admissions & Aid
Ready to take the next step? Review degree requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to fund your education. Finally, review admissions information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.
Student News
Co-ops Instilled Confidence To Create a Multifaceted Career
After a series of co-ops, Clifford Smith, E’71, MS’73, chemical engineering, created a fast-paced and varied career that took him from Boston to California to Paris and back, all while increasing his management roles in the technology sector.
2024 Outstanding Master’s Student Award in Teaching
Rahul Bhaveshbhai Kapadiya, MS’24, chemical engineering, is the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Master’s Student Award in Teaching, which honors excellence in teaching, positively impacting academic success.
Working Toward Better Electric Vehicles With Battery Materials on Co-op
As electric vehicles become more prominent, accessible, and convenient, it is imperative that research continues to push the reliability of their batteries further. That’s what Haroon Bukhari, a chemical engineering master’s student, explores each day as an employee on co-op at Rogers Corporation which is based onsite on Northeastern’s Innovation Campus in Burlington, Massachusetts.
Reaching Goals Sooner with the PlusOne
Derek Smith, E’20, ME’21, initially decided he wanted to pursue a PlusOne degree after talking to his coworkers on one of his co-ops. “They admitted to me that they found […]