Online Education for Working Professionals
Learn chemical process simulation, economics, automation, and control.
Design and retrofit chemical processes to achieve improved performance and a better
bottom line.
Build skills in advanced process simulation and economic analysis. Develop dynamic
models of processes, advanced control configuration and methods, and stability and
performance analysis of controlled processes. Entry-level process engineers benefit
from an awareness of the operational flexibility and economic benefits afforded by
modular automation principles. Chemical engineers already practicing in the chemical
manufacturing and/or petrochemical industry can begin the transition into the process
design role. The average chemical process engineer salary is $86,372 per year (Payscale).
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How to Apply
3 courses in 3 semesters.
Length |
3 courses in 2-3 semesters |
Effort |
3 hours per credit per week |
Each course |
3 credits |
Total credits |
9 |
Course type |
Online or on-campus |
Modality |
Watch class recordings on demand |
Cost |
Based on credits and course type |
Already enrolled? |
Speak with your advisor |
Curriculum
Progress quickly with a compact curriculum. Work with the program advisor to select
courses that fit your interests and pre-requisite skills.
Prerequisites
Check your preparation. Here are some of the pre-requisite courses for this certificate.
CM 3120 - Transport Phenomena and Unit Operations II
Introduce and apply concepts of convective heat transfer and mass transfer to unit operations. Presents the basic equations of mass and heat transfer, mass transfer analogies, and combines transport equations for use in engineering analysis.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Spring
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Chemical Engineering
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 3110 and CM 3230
CM 3215 - Chemical Engineering Fundamentals Laboratory
This course is an introduction to basic laboratory methods and instrumentation used in chemical engineering including measurement of fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer. Topics include statistical data analysis, experimental design, principles of measurement and instrumentation, and technical communication.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Chemical Engineering
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 3110(C) and UN 1015
CM 3230 - Thermodynamics for Chemical Engineers
First and second law applied to closed and open systems. Topics include energy conservation, heat cycles, entropy and enthalpy calculations on engineering systems; property estimation for pure components and mixture constituents, and multicomponent phase equilibria.
- Credits:
4.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (4-0-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Spring
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 2110 and MA 2160 and PH 2100
CM 3510 - Chemical Reaction Engineering
A study of chemical reaction engineering including design and analysis of chemical reactors, the fundamentals of chemical kinetics, and analysis of reaction rate data.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Spring
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 2110 and CM 3110 and CM 3230 and (MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560)
CH 2410 - Organic Chemistry I
A study of the chemistry of carbon compounds. Review of hybrid orbitals, covalent bonding, and resonance. Introduction to nomenclature, stereochemistry, mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy, functional group chemistry based on reaction mechanisms, and multi-step synthesis.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall, Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): CH 1122 or (CH 1160 and CH 1161)
Required Courses
Take 9 credits of required courses. Take the following 3 courses.
CM 4855 - Process Analysis & Design I
Capstone technical and economic evaluations of processes and unit operations. Application of cost estimation, energy efficiency, and economic evaluation techniques. Teams analyze an existing facility, identify improvement opportunities, demonstrate the economic consequences, and recommend a course of action.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-3)
- Semesters Offered:
Fall
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Major(s): Chemical Engineering
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 3120 and CM 3215 and (CM 3240 or CM 2120) and CM 3510 and CH 2410 and CM 3980(C)
CM 5315 - Chemical Process Dynamics, Automation, and Control
This course provides theoretical and practical knowledge needed to design, select, evaluate, and manage today's complex control systems and advanced control strategies. On-line plant simulation software is used to analyze data for the design of control systems.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
- Semesters Offered:
Summer
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 3310 or EE 3160
CM 5860 - ChE Industrial Capital Projects
Process and project design principles applied to realistic problems, including project evaluation and management. Problems include safety, environmental, and operability constraints. Emphasizes the profit motive in industry and the role of the chemical engineer.
- Credits:
3.0
- Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-0-2)
- Semesters Offered:
Spring
- Restrictions:
Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
- Pre-Requisite(s): CM 4855
Typical Schedule
The minimum completion time is three semesters. CM 5315 may be taken before CM 5860.
Here is a typical schedule.
Fall |
Spring |
CM 4855 |
CM 5860 |
Summer |
|
CM 5315 |
|
Application Process and Admissions Requirements
Applications are reviewed on an individual basis using a holistic approach. Fill out
our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required
for the initial application, although you will need to upload them later.
Graduate School Admissions Process
Applying to the Graduate School is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts, test scores, or letters needed to start). The application
process involves three easy steps.
See Admissions Steps
Graduate School Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Graduate School as a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:
- have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
- be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous
degree and your scholastic record.
See additional application requirements, including required materials:
Program Specific Requirements
Program Specific
- Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0
scale
- GMAT/GRE: Not required
- Preferred major: Any Engineering Discipline
International Students
- TOEFL: Recommended Score of 79 iBT
- IELTS: Recommended Overall Band Score of 6.5
Admissions Decisions
Made on a rolling basis.
Prospective Students
- Prospective students and non-degree seeking students interested in obtaining a graduate
certificate must apply to the certificate program using the online application.
- Accelerated certificate options exist for current Michigan Tech undergraduate students in good standing and have
achieved at least junior-level standing or recent bachelor’s graduates of Michigan
Tech (less than two years).
- The number of credits earned prior to admission that can be counted are restricted.
Current Graduate Students
- Current Michigan Tech graduate students who are in a degree program do not need to formally apply. Current students must still submit the appropriate degree schedule in order to complete the certificate.
International Student Requirements
International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.
See International Applicants
Interested in taking a single, online course? Enroll as a non-degree seeking student.
Upon completion of the Certificate the student should be able to:
- Define the scope of realistic industrial problems and perform process simulation,
economic evaluation, and process optimization using computational tools.
- Design advanced process control strategies to optimize performance of dynamic unit
operations.
Michigan Tech was founded in 1885.
The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and widely respected
by fast-paced industries, including automotive development, infrastructure, manufacturing,
and aerospace. Michigan Tech graduates deliver on rapid innovation and front-line
research, leaning into any challenge with confidence.
The College of Engineering fosters excellence in education and research.
We set out as the Michigan Mining School in 1885 to train mining engineers to better
operate copper mines. Today, more than 60 percent of Michigan Tech students are enrolled
in our 17 undergraduate and 29 graduate engineering programs across nine departments.
Our students and curriculum embrace the spirit of hard work and fortitude our founders
once had. Our online graduate courses are the same, robust classes taken by our doctorate
and masters candidates, taught directly by highly regarded faculty, with outstanding
support from staff. We invite working professionals to join these courses, bring their
own experience and challenges as part of the discussion. Leverage the national reputation
of Michigan Tech to advance your career in tech leadership.
Online Certified Instructors
Meet the online certified instructors. Students have the flexibility to review class
recordings later.
Teaching Statement
Dr. Collins teaches computer-aided problem solving, chemical engineering process analysis and design, chemical plant operations, and the Unit Operations Laboratory.
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Teaching Statement
Dr. Rogers teaches chemical engineering process analysis and design.
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