Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Earn Your Chemical Engineering Degree in Houston
About the Program
Gain Knowledge, Specialize in Chemical Engineering Processes
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program at the University of St. Thomas teaches students to apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design chemical plant equipment and develop chemical processes for manufacturing a variety of products such as fuel, chemicals, drugs, and food.
Chemical engineers play an important part in the economy, especially in Houston, as it is the No. 1 employer of chemical engineers in the U.S.
Chemical Engineering Curriculum
Explore STEM, Live the Mission
The Chemical Engineering Program, in the Department of Physics & Engineering, offers an outstanding undergraduate program in a professional community that educates, nurtures, and prepares motivated students to assume creative technical, managerial, and leadership roles in chemical industries and related fields. In addition to pursuing excellence in teaching, the program embodies UST’s mission by instilling in students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline, knowledge and community.
The B.S. in Chemical Engineering degree will give you a strong foundation in general engineering and other STEM subjects as well as knowledge in specialized upper-division classes such as transport phenomena, chemical processes, kinetics and reactor design. Electives let you tailor the curriculum to your career goals. Enjoy an array of opportunities, including traditional classroom and laboratory settings, hands-on research, design experiences and internship opportunities
Career Opportunities
Houston Needs Engineers
Find chemical engineering employment opportunities across a wide span of industry branches, in Texas and around the world. Right here in Houston, the chemical and petrochemical industry, NASA and aerospace-related companies offer an abundance of chemical engineering careers to graduates, and the job potential is growing.
Chemical Engineering at UST
Program Educational Objectives
Within three to five years of graduation, graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas are expected to:
- Attain professional competence, sustain the intellectual curiosity of lifelong learners, and continuously contribute to the global body of knowledge in the field through scholarly work, inventions, and other forms of innovation.
- Acquire leadership competence by applying scholarly knowledge and effectively communicating ideas and solutions through written, oral, and visual means.
- Demonstrate social responsibility, professional commitment, and ethics through community engagement and active participation in professional organizations, reflecting the core values of the University of St. Thomas.
Student Outcomes
The Student Outcomes of the BS in Chemical Engineering Program are as follows:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- 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.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of 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 function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
Engineering Leadership
Vahid Taghikhani, Ph.D.
The UST Physics and Engineering departments operate under the leadership of Vahid Taghikhani, Ph.D. Dr. Taghikhani also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Rice University in Houston.
Why Study Chemical Engineering at UST?
Change the World as an Engineer
Small Class Sizes
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1, at UST you will receive focused instruction, opportunities to interact with faculty one-on-one and personal attention from accomplished professors who can help you pursue your chemical engineering career goals.
Hands-on Experience
UST offers abundant opportunities to conduct laboratory experiments and participate in undergraduate research, giving you the practical tools needed to succeed in an engineering career. All of this is guided by faculty mentors who encourage curiosity, exploration, and asking tough questions.
Design-Oriented Program
From your first year as an engineering student, the curriculum is focused on developing fundamental problem-solving skills, honing critical thinking abilities, and following the engineering design process through a number of design-related courses.
Begin Your Chemical Engineering Journey
Prepare for a career solving complex problems across the chemical, energy, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Earn your B.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.