Nov 21, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H.

TOTAL DEGREE HOURS: 131
Plans of Study

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering take coursework in advanced chemistry, thermodynamics, fluids, heat, and mass transfer, numerical methods, separation processes, reacting systems, instrumentation, control, and plant and product design. Students must also satisfactorily complete a design project as part of their major. Chemical engineering students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 in required departmental courses. Therefore, it is imperative that the students retain close contact with their advisor. Students completing this major normally initiate their careers in manufacturing, environmental, and biological enterprises. Chemical engineers are found in administrative, technical, and research positions in these industries. Main products of these industries are petrochemicals, polymers, fibers, natural and synthetic fuels, electronic materials, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, bio-materials, etc.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Chemical, Biological, and Materials Engineering is to advance fundamental and applied engineering science of, and to prepare graduates with foundational knowledge and contemporary skills for, the analysis, design, and safe and sustainable operation of chemical, biological, and materials systems, processes, products, and methods in a manner compatible with professional engineering ethics and societal values.

Program Educational Objectives and Student Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

The overall objective of the Bachelor’s Degree Program in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Florida is to prepare graduates for successful careers in the chemical engineering and related professions. Accordingly, graduates of this program who have chosen to pursue a career in engineering shall achieve the following within a few years after graduation:

  1. Demonstrate professional engineering competence by holding positions of increasing responsibility in industry, business, government and/or educational institutions.
  2. Advance the state of engineering knowledge and practice at regional, national, and/or global levels.
  3. Further expand technical skills, knowledge and understanding through continuing education, pursuit of advanced degrees, and/or pursuit of professional license in their chosen professional roles.

Expected Student Outcomes for B.S. in Chemical Engineering

ABET 1: Students will demonstrate an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.

ABET 2: Students will demonstrate an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.

ABET 3: Students will demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.

ABET 4: Students will demonstrate 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.

ABET 5: Students will demonstrate an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.

ABET 6: Students will demonstrate an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.

ABET 7: Students will demonstrate an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

ABET 8: Students will demonstrate an ability to analyze the hazards associated with chemical, physical and/or biological processes.

University Admissions - College of Engineering

Admission to the University is based on the University’s Undergraduate Admission Requirements that may be found by clicking on the following urls:

For Admission information specific to the College of Engineering, see the information at College of Engineering .

Departmental Policies

In addition to the College of Engineering’s graduation requirements, the department has the following policies:

  1. Mandatory academic advising of students for each term.
  2. Exit interviews as a graduation requirement.

Progression Requirements - Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H.

In addition to meeting the College of Engineering’s continuation requirements, students majoring in the Chemical Engineering program must meet all of the following progression requirements to continue in the major:

  1. First Year Students must complete ECH 3023 - Material and Energy Balances  Credit(s): 3 with a minimum grade of C (C- is insufficient) by no later than the end of the fifth semester (not counting summers).  Upper level transfer students must meet the same course and grade requirement by the end of the third semester (not counting summers).  The semester count begins upon admission to USF.  Students are encouraged to complete this course as soon as possible upon entry at the university.
  2. Each student must not accumulate more than a total of three (3) grades of D, F, or W, in any combination, for the collection of required major specialization courses.

Students unable to satisfy these progression requirements will be required to reselect their major.

Required Courses: (110 credit hours)

State Mandated Common Course Prerequisites - Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H. (31 credit hours)*

Following Florida BOG Regulation 8.010, state mandated common course prerequisites are lower-division courses that are required for progression into the upper-division of a particular baccalaureate degree program.

Transfer students should complete the following prerequisite courses at the lower-level prior to entering the university. If these courses are not taken at a Florida College System institution, they must be completed before the degree is granted. Successful completion of common prerequisites alone does not guarantee a student admission into the degree program.

Unless stated otherwise, a grade of C is the minimum acceptable grade in prerequisite courses.

  • MAC X311 OR MAC X281 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X312 OR MAC X282 - 4 credit hours
  • MAC X313 OR MAC X283 - 4 credit hours
  • MAP X302 OR MAP X305 - 3 credit hours
  • (CHM X045 and CHM X045L) OR CHM X045C OR (CHS X440 and CHS X440L) - 4 credit hours
  • (CHM X046 and CHM X046L) OR CHM X046C - 4 credit hours
  • (PHY X048 and PHY X048L) OR PHY X048C - 4 credit hours
  • (PHY X049 and PHY X049L) OR PHY X049C OR (PHY X044 and PHY X049L) - 4 credit hours

* All state common prerequisite courses count towards major-required Mathematics and Science courses and are not additional credit hours

State Mathematics Pathway – Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H. (7 Credit Hours)*

The Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H. uses the Algebra through Calculus Mathematics Pathway with the following requirements:

Major Core Courses: 36 courses; 95 credit hours

Math and Science: 16 courses; 42 credit hours

Basic Engineering: 2 courses; 3 credit hours

Specialization: 18 courses; 50 credit hours

Major Electives: 15 credit hours

A maximum of 9 credits of S-graded coursework (Independent Study, Internship) may apply towards the major electives.

Note: Consult with the department undergraduate advisor for additional departmental and/or science electives and special topics courses that may be available.

Additional Information - Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H.

GPA Requirements

Students must have and maintain a minimum 2.0 semester GPA, 2.0 Math and Science GPA, 2.0 Engineering GPA, 2.0 Specialization GPA, 2.0 USF GPA, and 2.0 overall GPA.

Grading Requirements

Many courses required for the B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering have other prerequisite courses. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better (C- is insufficient) before the student is allowed to take the course. This applies to prerequisite courses taken in other departments as well. The passing grade for terminal courses which are not prerequisite courses is a D-.

Below is a list of courses for which a D- or better is sufficient:

Note:  There are two terminal courses that are an exception, in that they require a C or better.  Specifically,

Residency Requirements

Transfer students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of approved specialization courses in the major at USF. The University residency requirement must also be met.

A dual degree student must meet the requirements of each major and have a minimum of 18 approved specialization hours taken in Chemical Engineering degree program.

Internship Opportunities

The College of Engineering and USF’s Center for Career and Professional Development Cooperative Education (Co-Op) program provides services for students interested in experiential educational experiences. A wide variety of industries and government agencies offer internships and cooperative education employment opportunities for engineering students. Participants gain valuable expertise in practical applications and other aspects of operations and development in a professional engineering environment. Students normally apply for participation in this program during their first year in the College of Engineering and pursue actual internships during their sophomore, junior and senior years. 

Bachelor’s/Master’s Pathways

Students majoring in Chemical Engineering have the option to pursue one of the following Bachelor’s/Master’s Pathways:

  • B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering and M.S.B.E. in Biomedical Engineering
  • B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering and M.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering
  • B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering and M.S.E.M. in Engineering Management
  • B.S.C.H. in Chemical Engineering and M.S.M.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering

For more information, see the Graduate Catalog.

Accreditation Information

The Chemical Engineering (B.S.) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org, under the General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Research Opportunities - College of Engineering

Undergraduate students in any degree program are able to participate in undergraduate research. Several options exist to show mentored undergraduate research activity on a student’s official transcript. Those who wish to enroll in an undergraduate research course should consult with their academic advisor to understand how the credit will apply towards the degree requirements. If no credit is needed, students may be eligible to enroll in the 0-credit IDS 4914 - Advanced Undergraduate Research Experience  course. This course will not impact degree credits or GPA but will show on an official transcript and document the experience. The Office of High Impact Practices and Undergraduate Research (HIPUR) is able to assist with further inquiries.

Advising Information - Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H.

For questions about college and departmental admission, transferring from another institution or registration for prerequisite courses: http://www.usf.edu/engineering/student-services/academic-advising/index.aspx.

For questions specific to Chemical Engineering courses and curriculum: http://www.usf.edu/engineering/chbme/undergraduate/index.aspx.

Plans of Study - Chemical Engineering B.S.C.H.