Chemical Engineering Program (CENG)Student Affairs: 182 Engineering Building II, Warren College Program Mission and ObjectivesThe Chemical Engineering Program has affiliated faculty from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Bioengineering. The program is administered by the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are designed to support and foster chemical engineering as a profession that interfaces engineering and all aspects of basic sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology). The mission of the Chemical Engineering Program is to provide the next generation of chemical engineers with an excellent and innovative chemical engineering education. The primary goals are:
The curriculum is designed to prepare chemical engineering graduates for further education and personal development through their entire professional career. We strive to accomplish these goals by providing a rigorous and demanding curriculum that incorporates lectures, discussions, laboratory and project development experiences in basic sciences, mathematics, engineering sciences, and design as well as the humanities and social sciences. The main objectives are:
Unless otherwise stated, the requirements and policies follow those of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Only features unique to Chemical Engineering are provided in this section. The Undergraduate ProgramThe B.S. program in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET/EAC). The curriculum is tailored to provide breadth and flexibility by taking advantage of the strength of basic sciences and other engineering disciplines at UCSD. The intention is to graduate chemical engineers who are multidisciplinary and can work in a broad spectrum of industries rather than solely traditional chemical and petrochemical industries. Areas of specialization are available whereby a graduate can be in a position for a career in environmental technology, microelectronic device fabrication, materials and polymer processing, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, biomedical engineering, energy and thermal systems, control and system engineering, and so forth. For students who aspire to pursue a graduate degree and a career in research and development, the units in an area of specialization can be allocated to more fundamental science and engineering courses. These students are also encouraged to perform independent projects in one of the faculty research laboratories or groups. Whether the career goal is industry, or graduate or professional school, the curriculum has a strong emphasis on developing problem-solving skills and the ability to think and learn independently. The capstone courses in this respect are the two senior design courses and the two very unique senior process laboratory courses where the environment is not unlike product development in either an industrial or academic setting. In each process development lab, students work in groups of three, on one project where they carry through the entire stages of project planning, experimental design and setup, execution, analysis, modification and improvement, and final project evaluation. Major RequirementsFor policies in general education requirements, professional licensing, academic advising, and application for admission to the major, please refer to the section under Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. To receive a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, students must complete 194 units for graduation, which includes 44 units of general education (HSS) requirements of their Colleges and the ABET requirements in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The balance consists of basic sciences (53 units), chemistry core (24 units), chemical engineering core (32 units), process laboratory and design (16 units), general engineering (12 units), and an area of specialization (12 units). Beyond the 53 units of basic sciences, the science and engineering courses total to 96 units. A one-unit introductory seminar (CENG1) is required of all incoming freshmen. The specific breakdown is as follows:
Chemical Engineering (ABET Accredited Program)
1 MAE 9 can be replaced by MAE 10, CSE 8B or 11. 2 Humanities and social sciences (HSS). 3 Chem. 141A is offered only in the fall quarter. Chem133, 105, or 106 may fit in the spring quarter schedule. 4 If a student chooses process control as the area of specialization, CENG 120 can be replaced by a relevant course within the approved set of courses for specialization in process control. 5 Two advanced chemistry electives must be selected among Chem. 133, 135, 140B or 141B, 114A-B, and 120 A-B, and the third laboratory elective must be selected among Chem. 100B, 105, and 143A. Students who choose Chem. 105 must take Chem 6BL. 6 The electives in an area of specialization (AS) must be upper-division or graduate courses in engineering, natural sciences or mathematics based on the pre-approved sequences. Otherwise, the selections must receive prior approval of the department to meet ABET standards. 7 If students do not require these additional HSS courses to meet their College requirements, they may substitute an unrestricted elective in order to meet the minimum 194 unit graduation requirement. The twelfth HSS course is intended only for students who have additional College requirements to fulfill. To meet ABET requirements, students must have a total of twenty-four units in the arts, humanities, and social sciences, not including subjects such as accounting, industrial management, finance or personnel administration. Transfer Students The Chemical Engineering curriculum is designed to integrate four years of college educational experience. It is not easy for transfer students to complete the major requirements in only two additional years beyond their junior college work. However, if transfer students seek a College for which they already satisfy the general education requirements, have taken the lower-division science and mathematics, and have completed the organic chemistry requirement, then the rigorous first-year schedule below will permit them to graduate in two years. Other students should consult their adviser for a transition program compatible with their junior college preparation. Effective fall 2004, it is strongly recommended that transfer students complete the following course preparation for engineering majors*:
*Effective fall 2006, these courses will be required preparation
for all engineering transfer students. For major-specific advising,
please contact the MAE undergraduate academic advising office. **Refer to the General Catalog to select major prerequisite requirement for computer language courses.
1 Transfer students can petition with an equivalent course in probability and statistics if it is available at a junior college. Integrated BS/M.S. Requirements An integrated co-terminal program leading to a bachelor of science and a master of science degree in chemical engineering is offered to a student with junior standing who has an upper-division GPA of 3.5 or better and a 3.0 overall UCSD GPA. Details of the program are available from the MAE Graduate Student Affairs Office. Program Accreditation The B.S. Program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET/EAC). Graduate ProgramThe Chemical Engineering Program offers graduate instruction leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in engineering sciences with a designated specialization in chemical engineering. Admission is in accordance with the general requirements of the graduate division, which requires at least a B.S. In some branch of engineering, sciences, or mathematics; an overall GPA of 3.0; and three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the academic or professional competence and to the depth of their interest in pursuing graduate study. In addition, all applicants are required to submit GRE General Test Scores. A minimum score of 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English. Students who score below 600 on the TOEFL are strongly encouraged to enroll in an English as a second language program before beginning graduate work. UCSD Extension offers an excellent English language program during the summers as well as the academic year. Applicants are judged competitively. Based on the candidate’s background, qualifications, and goals, admission to the program is in one of three categories: M.S. only, MS, or Ph.D. Admission to the M.S. only category is reserved for students for whom the M.S. degree is likely to be the terminal graduate degree. The M.S. designation is reserved for students currently interested in obtaining an M.S. degree but who at a later time may wish to continue in the doctoral degree program. Admission to the Ph.D. Program is reserved for qualified students whose final aim is a doctoral degree. Non-matriculated students are welcome to seek enrollment in graduate level courses via UC Extension’s concurrent registration program, but an extension student’s enrollment in a graduate course must be approved by the instructor. Master’s Degree Program The M.S. program is intended to extend and broaden an undergraduate education with fundamental knowledge in different fields. The degree may be terminal, or obtained on the way to the Ph.D. The degree is offered under both the Thesis Plan I and the Comprehensive Examination Plan II. M.S. Time Limit Policy: Full-time M.S. students are permitted seven quarters in which to complete all requirements. While there is no written time limit for part-time students, the department has the right to intervene and set individual deadlines if it becomes necessary. Course requirements: All M.S. students must complete a total of 48 units which include a core of five courses (20 units) chosen among fluid dynamics (CENG 210A, MAE 210B), heat and mass transfer (CENG 221AB), kinetics (CENG 252), and mathematics. To maintain a certain balance in the core, no more than two mathematics courses should be chosen among the choices of applied mathematics (MAE 294AB or Math. 210AB), and numerical mathematics (MAE 290AB or Math. 270AB). No more than three courses (12 units) of upper-division courses may be applied toward the total course work requirement. No more than a total of 8 units of CENG 296 and 298 may be applied toward the course work requirement. Units in seminars (CENG 259) may not be applied toward the degree requirement. Thesis Plan I: Completion of the research thesis (CENG 299) fulfills 12 units toward the total graduation requirement. The balance is made up of the five core courses (20 units) and additional four elective courses (16 units) subject to the restrictions described above. Comprehensive Examination Plan II: This plan involves course work only and culminates in an oral comprehensive examination based on topics selected from the core courses. In addition to the five core courses (20 units), one must choose an additional seven electives (28 units) subject to the restrictions of CENG 259, 296, and 298 described above. Sample electives are listed in the table below. A student should consult their academic adviser to choose an appropriate course schedule, including alternatives in bioengineering, electrical and computer engineering, materials science, basic sciences, and mathematics.
Change of Degree: Upon completion of the requirements for the M.S. degree, students admitted as M.S. only or M.S. candidates are not automatically eligible for admission to the Ph.D. Program M.S. only and M.S. candidates who subsequently wish to pursue a doctorate must submit an application for a change in status to their examining committee. The application, if approved by the committee, must be signed by a faculty member who expects to serve as the student’s Ph.D. adviser. The student must also submit a general petition for graduate students to effect the change of status. If the student elects the comprehensive examination plan for the M.S. degree, the examining committee may recommend that the comprehensive examination may replace the preliminary qualifying examination expected of Ph.D. students. Doctoral Degree Program The Ph.D. Program is intended to prepare students for a variety of careers in research and teaching. The emphasis is on research. In general, there are no formal course requirements. All students, in consultation with their advisers, develop appropriate course programs that will prepare them for the Preliminary Qualifying Examination and for their dissertation research. These programs must be planned to meet the time limits established to advance to candidacy and to complete the requirements of the degree. All Ph.D. Students are required to pass three examinations. The first is a Preliminary Qualifying Examination which should be taken within three to four quarters of full-time graduate study. The second is the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. The last is the Dissertation Defense. Preliminary Qualifying Examination: The examination is intended to determine a candidate’s basic understanding of engineering fundamentals and the candidate’s ability to pursue successfully a research project at a level appropriate for the doctorate. The scope of the examination is based on topics selected from the core curriculum as listed under the M.S. degree program. A candidate is expected to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to these courses and formal enrollment record is not a prerequisite. The format is an oral examination administered by a committee of three faculty members in the Chemical Engineering Program. The candidate should present to the committee, prior to the examination, the five core courses that will constitute the basis of the examination. Depth Requirement: A candidate must have the ability to perform in-depth analysis in the dissertation topic. A candidate should consult with the thesis adviser to develop a proper course program if it is deemed necessary. Depending on an individual’s background and the nature of the research problem, a candidate should either complete a set of a minimum of four courses or demonstrate to the thesis adviser the equivalent knowledge and ability. Ph.D. Qualifying Examination: Prior to taking this examination, the candidate must have completed the departmental qualifying examination, obtained a faculty research adviser, and must have made initial progress on a chosen dissertation project. At the time of application for advancement to candidacy, a doctoral committee responsible for the remainder of the student’s graduate program is appointed by the Graduate Council under the policy listed in the Graduate Studies section of the General Catalog. The committee conducts the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination, during which the student must demonstrate the ability to engage in thesis research. The process involves the presentation of a plan for the thesis research project. The committee may ask questions directly or indirectly related to the project and general questions that it determines to be relevant. Upon successful completion of the examination, subject to the UCSD time limit policy, the student is advanced to candidacy and is awarded the candidate in Philosophy degree (see “Graduate Studies” section in this Catalog). Teaching Experience: Prior to the dissertation defense, the candidate must serve at least once as a teaching assistant with the responsibility to hold a problem-solving section one hour a week. Dissertation Defense: This is the final Ph.D. examination. Upon completion of the dissertation research project, the candidate writes a dissertation that must be successfully defended in an oral examination and public presentation conducted by the doctoral committee. A complete copy of the student’s dissertation must be submitted to each member of the doctoral committee four weeks before the defense. It is understood that this copy of the dissertation given to committee members will not be the final copy, and that the committee members may request changes in the text at the time of the defense. This examination may not be conducted earlier than three quarters after the date of advancement to doctoral candidacy. Acceptance of the dissertation by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research and the University Librarian represents the final step in completion of all requirements for the Ph.D. degree. Ph.D. Time Limit Policy: Pre-candidacy status is limited to four years. Doctoral students are eligible for university support for six years. The defense and submission of the doctoral dissertation must be within seven years. Annual Evaluation: In the spring of each year, the faculty adviser evaluates each doctoral student’s overall performance in course work, research, and prospects for financial support for future years. A written assessment is given to the student after the evaluation. If a student’s work is found to be inadequate, the faculty may determine that the student cannot continue in the graduate program. |
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