Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Overview

The chemical engineering program offers students a broad education built on the foundation of fundamentals in science, mathematics, and engineering, which is then applied to a variety of contemporary problems using modern tools such as computational software and computer-aided design. The role of chemical engineering is to develop new products and to design processes while reducing costs, increasing production, and improving the quality and safety of new products.

Innovative Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering prepares students for an exciting field. Chemical engineers have traditionally been employed in chemical, petrochemical, agricultural chemical, pulp and paper, plastics, cosmetics, and textiles industries and in consulting and design firms. Today, chemical engineers also play an integral role in emerging biological and advanced materials fields, including nanotechnology.

For example, chemical engineers are creating new materials needed for space exploration, alternative energy sources, and faster, self-powered computer chips. In biotechnology and bioengineering, chemical engineers are working to understand human diseases, developing new therapies and drug delivery systems, and producing new medicines through cell culture techniques. Chemical engineers employ nanotechnology to revolutionize sensors, security systems, and medical diagnostics and treatments. In addition to creating important products, chemical engineers are also involved in protecting our environment by exploring ways to reduce acid rain and smog; to recycle and reduce wastes; to develop new sources of environmentally clean energy; and to design inherently safe, efficient, and “green” processes.

BS in Chemical Engineering students have the option of selecting from several minors to complement their degree and personalize their path. Students can select from minors in the department, in other engineering departments, or from across the university.

The Accelerated Master’s Degree PlusOne program allows current undergraduate students to accelerate the attainment of the master’s degree by applying graduate credits taken as an undergraduate toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Current students apply to enroll in the PlusOne program. Students attain their bachelor’s degree followed by a PlusOne year to complete the master’s degree.

Students currently earning a BS in Chemical Engineering can select from the below MS degree PlusOne pathways.

BS in Chemical Engineering PlusOne PathwaysAdditional Prerequisites
PlusOne in Bioengineering
PlusOne in Chemical Engineering
PlusOne in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concentration in Water, Environmental, Coastal SystemsCIVE 2331, CIVE 2334, CIVE 2340
PlusOne in Civil Engineering, Concentration in Construction Management
PlusOne in Civil Engineering, Concentration in Structures
PlusOne in Civil Engineering, Concentration in Transportation
PlusOne in Cyber-Physical Systems
PlusOne in Data Analytics Engineering
PlusOne in Data Architecture and Management
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Communication, Control, Signal ProcessingEECE 2150, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, EECE 2520, EECE 3468* (*May be replaced with another probability course)
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Computer Networks and SecurityEECE 2150, EECE 2160, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, and two of the following: EECE 2322 (with EECE 2323), EECE 2540, or EECE 2560
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Computer Systems and SoftwareEECE 2150, EECE 2160, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, and two of the following: EECE 2322 (with EECE 2323), EECE 2540, or EECE 2560
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, AlgorithmsEECE 2150, EECE 2160, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, and two of the following: EECE 2322 (with EECE 2323), EECE 2540, or EECE 2560
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Electromagnetics, Plasma, OpticsEECE 2150, EECE 2160, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, EECE 2530, EECE 2531
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Microsystems, Materials, DevicesEECE 2150, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, and one of the following: EECE 3393, EECE 3410, or EECE 4524 (with EECE 4525)
PlusOne in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Concentration in Power SystemsEECE 2150, EECE 2412, EECE 2413, EECE 2520
PlusOne in Energy Systems
PlusOne in Engineering & Public Policy
PlusOne in Engineering Management
PlusOne in Environmental Engineering
PlusOne in Human Factors
PlusOne in Industrial Engineering
PlusOne in Information Systems
PlusOne in Mechanical Engineering, General ConcentrationME 2355, ME 2350
PlusOne in Mechanical Engineering, Materials ConcentrationME 2340, ME 2341, ME 2355
PlusOne in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics ConcentrationME 3455, ME 2355
PlusOne in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics ConcentrationME 3455, ME 4555
PlusOne in Mechanical Engineering, Thermofluids ConcentrationME 3475, ME 4570
PlusOne in Operations Research
PlusOne in Robotics, Mechanical Engineering ConcentrationME 4555
PlusOne in Software Engineering Systems
PlusOne in Telecommunication Networks

Upon completion, graduates with a BS in Chemical Engineering can move in several career directions. Traditionally, the degree prepares one for practice in the engineering and the control of processes involving chemicals, biotechnology feedstocks, and pharmaceuticals. The degree can also serve as a springboard to advance study in chemical engineering. Nontraditional postgraduate pathways include obtaining a law school degree related to patent law, an MBA, or a medical degree for a career in the health professions.

The broad foundation of a chemical engineering education gives students flexibility to apply their knowledge and follow their interests.

Examples in which Chemical Engineers Play an Important Role

  • Advanced Materials Research
  • Drug Discovery
  • Tissue Engineering
  • Molecular Modeling
  • Process Safety
  • Management

 

The Bachelor of Science (BS) program in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning is the heart of a Northeastern education, combining rigorous coursework with hands-on experience in the classroom, in the lab, and in the field—locally and abroad. With our signature cooperative education (co-op) program, students typically gain six months of work experience integrated as part of the educational program. Both five-year, three-co-op and four-year, two-co-op program options are available.

Bradley Priem, BS, Chemical Engineering, had two co-ops that gave him the ability to delve into a particular industry. At Synlogic he was a bioanalytical chemist and bacterial engineer creating e-coli strains, and at bluebird bio he was an upstream process development engineer for gene production. He now knows he wants to go into the biotech industry and is interested in graduate school too.

Academic Advising

For support with academic questions, contact the academic advisor assigned to this program.

Admissions & Aid

Ready to take the next step? Review Degree Requirements to see courses needed to complete this degree. Then, explore ways to pay for your education. Finally, review Admissions Information to see our deadlines and gather the materials you need to Apply.

Student News

A Path Combining Chemical Engineering and Communications

Andrea Griffin, BS chemical engineering and minor in marketing, combines her interest in chemical engineering and communications through co-ops and a variety of activities, paving the way for pursuing an MBA in the future.

Featured Galante Fellow: Marlena Stanton

Growing up, Marlena Stanton, BS chemical engineering, and MS in engineering management, 2023, always had an affinity for math and chemistry. Coupled with her interest in healthcare and cosmetic chemistry, chemical engineering was the perfect fit. At Northeastern, however, Stanton realized that another passion of hers lies in understanding processes as a whole and being […]

Taryn Sparacino

Sparacino Receives 2021-2022 Donald F. & Mildred Topp Othmer Scholarship Award

Chemical engineering student Taryn Sparacino, E’22, is the recipient of the 2021-2022 Donald F. & Mildred Topp Othmer Scholarship Award, which is awarded to 15 AIChE students annually for their outstanding academic achievement and involvement in student chapter activities.

2022 Huntington 100 COE Recipients

The 2022 members of Northeastern University’s “Huntington 100,” a group of students selected for their outstanding achievements locally and globally, included twenty students from the College of Engineering.