Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, 151 Amundson Hall, 421 Washington Avenue S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-625-0382; fax 612-626-7246)

Research activities in the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) Department focus on the development of renewable energy technologies, the solution of important medical and biological engineering challenges, the development of advanced materials, and the application of sophisticated mathematical and theoretical models. Graduate courses offered cover core areas of chemical engineering (fluid mechanics, applied mathematics: linear and nonlinear analysis, transport, chemical thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics and kinetics, and analysis of chemical reactors) and core areas of materials science (structure and symmetry of materials, thermodynamics and kinetics, electronic properties of materials, and mechanical properties of materials). In addition, several specialized topics are offered, including biochemical engineering, biological transport processes, food processing technology, colloids, principles of mass transfer in engineering and biological engineering, rheology, coating process fundamentals, process control, finite elements methods of computer-aided analysis, ceramics, polymers, materials design and performance, materials processing, corrosion, introduction to polymer chemistry, polymer laboratory, contact and fracture properties of materials, electron microscopy, thin films and interfaces, composites, electrochemical engineering, physical chemistry of polymers, solid state reaction kinetics, electronic structure of materials, electronic properties and applications of organic materials, electronic ceramics, dislocations and interfaces, epitaxial thin film growth, and science of porous media. The master of chemical engineering (M.Ch.E.), also known as the professional master's, is designed for working professionals who are interested in obtaining a master's degree part time. This degree requires a design project. Part-time students may also choose the M.S.Ch.E. Plan C, which is coursework only. The CEMS department focuses on the Ph.D. and does not generally admit students directly to the M.S.Ch.E. Plan A degree, which is a thesis based master's and is intended for current graduate students who choose not to seek a Ph.D.

Other requirements to be completed before admission:

This professional master of engineering degree (M.Ch.E.) is designed for employees of local industries who wish to pursue their studies part time. No financial support is available. Applicants should contact the program before applying for admission.

All master's students must complete at least four core courses chosen from CHEN 8101, 8201, 8301, 8401, 8402, and 8501. In addition, master's students must complete a total of 30 credits, including 14 from the major program (this includes the four required courses), 6 from the minor or related program, and 10 thesis credits (for the M.Ch.E., thesis credits are used for the design project). Precise coursework plans are approved by the director of graduate studies. The minimum required GPA for completion is 2.80. In addition to the coursework, M.Ch.E. students are required to complete a design project. The work-related M.Ch.E design project consists of an in-depth study of an engineering design. It need not represent a publishable research project. While the amount of work should be the same as for a master's thesis, the project can contain elements that the thesis would not, such as economic considerations, design consultation, and social relevance. The written design report must be approved by a three-person faculty committee. The final exam consists of the written design report and an oral presentation to the faculty committee.