University of Arkansas

Chemical engineering deals with the creation, design, operation, and optimization of processes that derive practical benefits from chemical or physical changes principally involving chemical and biochemical reactions. The profession is quite broad and has traditionally provided the technology for: supplying energy and fuel; synthesizing materials such as plastics, chemicals, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals; and managing environmental and safety concerns of physical and chemical processes. Some new applications of the principles of chemical engineering at nanoscales are being made in sustainable energy production and detection of gene mutations, protein configurations, and virus serotypes as well as thermal destruction of cancer cells.

Chemical engineers have a variety of traditional job opportunities in industries such as petroleum production and processing, chemical manufacturing, food processing, pharmaceutical production, and process equipment manufacturing. Job opportunities may involve research, development, design, manufacturing, sales, or teaching as professional activities. The chemical engineer can also move easily into environmental engineering, nuclear engineering, oceanography, biomedical engineering, pharmacology, law, medicine, or other multidisciplinary fields.

In chemical engineering, students obtain a broad foundation in chemistry, mathematics, physics, communication skills, economics, and the humanities. Courses in material and energy balances, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, process control, computer methods, safety, and design provide students with the background and learning skills required of the practicing chemical engineer. The curriculum includes elective courses that enable a student to prepare for immediate employment or further study at the graduate level or the professional level, such as for medical school. The chemical engineering program also serves as an excellent preparation for dental, pharmacy, or law school.

The educational objective of the undergraduate program in the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering is to prepare students for careers and professional accomplishment after graduating, including:

• Successfully practicing as an engineer or in another professional pursuit, including traditional or emerging fields of chemical engineering, to make a positive impact locally and globally.
• Actively involved in professional lifelong learning, both informal and formal, that deepens their knowledge and readiness to contribute to advancing science, technologies and solutions essential for the future, including successfully participating in a graduate or professional program.

The program prepares graduates to achieve these educational objectives through development of their skills as outlined in our educational outcomes and taught in our curriculum.

Completion of the degree requirements provides graduates with the following learning outcomes:

• An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
• An ability to apply the engineering design process to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration for public health and safety, and for global, cultural, social, environmental, economic, and other factors as appropriate to the discipline
• An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
• An ability to communicate effectively with a range or audiences
• An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
• An ability to recognize the ongoing need to acquire new knowledge, to choose appropriate learning strategies, and to apply this knowledge
• An ability to function effectively as a member or leader of a team that establishes goals, plans tasks, meets deadlines, and creates a collaborative and inclusive environment