About the Program
Gain Knowledge, Specialize in Process
Chemical engineers play an important part in the economy, especially in Houston as it is the No. 1 employer of chemical engineers in the US. 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.
The 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 is to instill in the 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. Various electives will allow you to tailor the curriculum to your desired career goals. Enjoy an array of opportunities, from 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 B.S. 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.
Performing Study
Engineering Leadership
Vahid Taghikhani
The UST Physics and Engineering departments operate under the leadership of Vahid Taghikhani. His leadership reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary learning, academic excellence, and the development of students as thoughtful, ethical, and engaged individuals.
WHy UST
Change the World as an Engineer
Small Class Sizes
With a student to faculty ratio of 15:1, at UST you will get focused instruction, plenty of opportunities to interact with faculty one–on–one and personal attention from accomplished professors helping you succeed in your chosen career goals.
Hands-on Experience
UST offers abundant opportunities to perform laboratories and participate in undergraduate research to get the tools you need to be successful 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.