Chemical Engineering—MS, PhD | Chemical Engineering

Graduate students pursuing MS and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering at Michigan Tech work alongside faculty to advance fundamental and applied knowledge in chemical engineering and related fields.

Graduate research opportunities available to students are often interdisciplinary, with strong industry collaborations. Becoming part of nationally recognized research that improves the lives of people makes Michigan Tech chemical engineering an excellent choice for graduate study.

Current departmental research includes pioneering a microdevice—an entire miniature chemical plant on a silicon wafer—to rapidly determine a patient's blood type, as well as designing process equipment to sequester CO₂ using industrial waste materials.

Many of our new research projects are driven by University initiatives in sustainability, biotechnology, and alternative energy. Our core research thrust areas are

Process safety;
Process systems engineering;
Energy production and storage;
Sustainable engineering;
Applied thermodynamics;
Polymer processing;
New materials synthesis;
Minerals processing;
Iron and steel making; and
Biochemical engineering.

Extensive Funding Sources

Chemical and materials industries fund 25 percent of the department's research programs. Federal and state agencies support the majority of our projects, highlighted by funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Education, the National Institute of Health, and the US Department of Energy. The current level of external funding is approximately $3 million, with about $1 million in annual research expenditures.

Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

Fully equipped laboratory facilities and analytical equipment support the department's research efforts. Resources are available to study inorganic and biochemical systems and processes ranging in size from nanoscale to pilot plant. Students receive training in measurement and imaging methods needed for their research.

Projects go well beyond small-scale laboratory demonstrations. At three stories tall and 6,500 square feet, our Unit Operations Laboratory simulates a real-world chemical-processing facility. Students receive industrially relevant, hands-on experience with state-of-the-art equipment for chemical processing, instrumentation, control, and data acquisition.

MS Plans

Whether your interests lie in research or course work, we offer a master plan to suit your educational goals. A detailed explanation of degree requirements can be found on the Graduate School's Master of Science requirements page.

MS, Chemical Engineering: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Chemical Engineering: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in twelve months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Chemical Engineering: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

PhD Plan

A detailed explanation of degree requirements can be found on the Graduate School's Doctor of Philosophy requirements page.

PhD Requirements: Chemical Engineering

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
Pass Qualifying Examination
Pass Research Proposal Examination
Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Degrees	Credits
MS-PhD (minimum)	30 Credits
BS-PhD (minimum)	60 Credits

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.