Although chemical engineering has existed for only 100 years, its name is no longer completely descriptive of this dynamic profession. The work of the chemical engineer is not restricted to the chemical industry, chemical changes or chemistry. Instead, modern chemical engineers are concerned with all the physical, chemical and biological changes of matter that can produce an economic product or result that is useful to mankind.
About This Major
- College: Engineering
- Degree: Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Credits for Degree: 134
- Minor: No
- Combined-Degree Program: Yes
- Academic Learning Compact
- Website
Overview
The education of the chemical engineer is based on the fundamental sciences of physics, chemistry and biology, on mathematical and computer techniques, and on basic engineering principles. This background makes the chemical engineer extremely versatile and capable of working in a variety of industries: chemical, biochemical, petroleum, materials, microelectronics, environmental, food processing, consumer products, consulting and project management. It is also good preparation for law and medical schools.
Back to Top
Department Requirements
Successful applicants must have earned a minimum 2.5 grade point average in the better of two attempts of the eight preprofessional courses and have earned a minimum grade point average in the better of two attempts of 2.5 in the preprofessional calculus course sequence.
For the purposes of determining admission to or retention in the department, grade point averages will be based on no more than two attempts for each course. Students must maintain satisfactory progress (minimum GPA of 2.0) in chemical engineering courses and in their overall record.
To proceed to succeeding courses, minimum grades of C are required in ECH 3023, ECH 3101, ECH 3203, ECH 3223, ECH 3264 and COT 3502 within two enrollments (including withdrawals) for each course.
Any course taken to satisfy a degree requirement (general education, required course or technical elective) with the exception of ECH 4948 and ECH 4949, cannot be taken S-U.
Back to Top
Educational Objectives
Within a few years of obtaining a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Florida, the recent graduate will achieve one or more of the following:
- Graduates will demonstrate professional engineering competence via promotions and/or positions of increasing responsibility.
- Graduates will be successful in pursuing advanced degrees in chemical engineering or in other disciplines.
- Graduates will be able to work in diverse professional environments as demonstrated in their pursuit of continuing education, professional certification/registration and/or career path into business, government, education, etc.
The chemical industry alone provides an opportunity for the chemical engineer to participate in the research, development, design or operation of plants for the production of new synthetic fibers, plastics, chemical fertilizers, vitamins, antibiotics, rocket fuels, nuclear fuels, paper pulp, photographic products, paints, fuel cells, semiconductors and the thousands of chemicals that are used as intermediates in the manufacture of these products.
Back to Top
Goal
To prepare students for lifelong careers in chemical engineering.
Mission
To offer high-quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs in chemical engineering and to conduct research that helps educate graduate students and serves the needs of Florida and the nation.
Back to Top
Critical Tracking
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements.
Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.
Semester 1
- 2.5 GPA in MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 sequence based on the best of two attempts
- Complete 1 of 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts: CHM 2045 or CHM 2095, CHM 2046 or CHM 2096, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 2
- Complete 1 additional critical-tracking course with a minimum grade of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts
- 2.5 GPA in MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 sequence based on the best of two attempts
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 3
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts
- 2.5 GPA in MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 sequence based on the best of two attempts
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 4
- Complete 2 additional critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C within two attempts
- 2.5 GPA in MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 sequence based on the best of two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Semester 5
- Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with minimum grades of C in each course within two attempts and a 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts.
- 2.5 GPA in MAC 2311, MAC 2312 and MAC 2313 sequence based on the best of two attempts
- 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses based on the best of two attempts
- 2.0 UF GPA required
Back to Top
Recommended Semester Plan
To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold.
| Semester 1 |
Credits |
|---|
ABE 2062 Biology for Engineers or
BSC 2010 Integrated Principles of Biology 1 |
3 |
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1 (GE-P) or
CHM 2095 Chemistry for Engineers 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| IUF 1000 What is the Good Life (GE-H) |
3 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (State Core GE-M) |
4 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 2 |
Credits |
|---|
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2 or
CHM 2096 Chemistry for Engineers 2 (both State Core GE-B/P) |
3 |
| CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| ENC 1101 Expository and Argumentative Writing (State Core GE-C) |
3 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) |
4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 3 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECH 3023 Material and Energy Balances * |
4 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 |
4 |
| MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations |
3 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE-P) |
3 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE-P) |
1 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 4 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 4411 Physical Chemistry |
4 |
| COT 3502 Computer Model Formulation * |
4 |
| ECH 3264 Elementary Transport Phenomena * |
3 |
| ECH 4934 Professional Seminar |
1 |
| STA 3032 Engineering Statistics |
3 |
| Total |
15 |
| Semester 5 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry 1 |
3 |
| ENC 3246 Professional Communication for Engineers (GE-C) |
3 |
| Humanities (State Core GE-H) * |
3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (State Core GE-S) * |
3 |
| Total |
12 |
| Semester 6 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry 2 |
3 |
| CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory |
2 |
| ECH 3101 Process Thermodynamics * |
3 |
| ECH 3203 Fluid and Solids Operations * |
3 |
| ECH 3223 Energy Transfer Operations * |
3 |
| Total |
14 |
| Semester 7 |
Credits |
|---|
CGN 3710 Experimentation and Instrumentation in Civil Engineering or
EEL 3003 Elements of Electrical Engineering |
3 |
| ECH 4123 Phase and Chemical Equilibria |
3 |
| ECH 4224L Fluid and Energy Transfer Operations Laboratory 1 |
2 |
| ECH 4403 Separation and Mass Transfer Operations |
3 |
| ECH 4714L Safety and Experimental Evaluation |
2 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) * |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
| Semester 8 |
Credits |
|---|
| ECH 4404L Separation and Mass Transfer Operations Laboratory |
2 |
| ECH 4504 Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design |
4 |
| ECH 4604 Process Economics and Optimization |
3 |
| ECH 4824 Materials of Chemical Engineering |
2 |
| Technical electives |
6 |
| Total |
17 |
| Semester 9 |
Credits |
|---|
| CHM 3120 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry |
3 |
| ECH 4323 Process Control Theory |
3 |
| ECH 4323L Chemical Engineering Laboratory |
1 |
| ECH 4644 Process Design 2 |
3 |
| Chemical engineering technical elective |
3 |
| Technical elective |
3 |
| Total |
16 |
* Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements. This is often done concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
Back to Top
Technical Electives
Technical electives are defined as department-approved, upper-division courses with significant science, engineering, and/or math content. Provision is made to receive up to three credits of approved co-op, internship and/or research experience. Military courses cannot be used for technical electives.
* Must be completed with minimum grade of C.
1 Students should register for ECH 4224L Fluid and Energy Transfer Operations Laboratory immediately following completion of ECH 3101, ECH 3203 and ECH 3223.
2 The Integrated Product and Process Design program (ECH 4912 and ECH 4913) requires six credits of coursework and is offered as a sequence of two three-credit courses during fall and spring of the senior year. These two courses are pre-approved substitutes for three credits of technical electives and for ECH 4644 Process Design.
Back to Top