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Chemical and Materials Engineering

Chemical Engineering (B.S.Ch.E.)

Materials Science and Engineering (B.S.M.S.E.)

Materials Science and Engineering Minor

Metallurgical Engineering Minor

Advanced Materials Technology Academic Certificate

Chemical and Materials Engineering Graduate Degree Programs

Wudneh Admassu, Dept. Chair (305/312 Buchanan Engr. Lab. 83844-1021; phone 208/885-8918 and 203B McClure Hall ). Chemical Engineering Faculty: Wudneh Admassu, D. Eric Aston, David C. Drown, Dean B. Edwards, Supathorn Phongikaroon, Vivek Utgikar, Materials Science and Engineering Faculty : Indrajit Charit, Daniel Choi, Batric Pesic. Krishnan Raja, Mark Roll. Emeritus Faculty: Louis L. Edwards, Jr., Roger Korus, Jay Scheldorf, Margarit Von Braun, T. Alan Place.

Chemical Engineering Program. The Chemical Engineering Program is an ABET Accredited Program that combines the science of chemistry with the discipline of engineering in order to solve problems and to increase process efficiency. One of the most attractive aspects of a chemical engineering future is the variety of work available. The Chemical Engineering Program is a blend of physics, chemistry, and mathematics; thus, a chemical engineer possesses a versatility that gives him or her many opportunities for employment in fields such as energy systems, pulp and paper, environmental engineering, food products, nuclear power, petroleum and petrochemicals, semiconductors, synthetic fuels, radioisotope applications, plastics and polymers, pharmaceuticals, education, biomedical engineering, computer applications, alternate energy sources, steel, nano technology and textiles. A chemical engineer can choose work in any of the following areas: research and development, design and construction, operations, management, teaching, or technical sales.

The mission of the Chemical Engineering Program is to provide quality educational programs firmly based in fundamental concepts and to perform and publish outstanding chemical engineering research. The goals of the Chemical Engineering Program are (1) to prepare students with a broad-based education grounded in chemical engineering fundamentals, (2) to maintain an environment that promotes effective student/faculty involvement in teaching, research, and mentoring, (3) to promote an active interaction with regional industries, and (4) to graduate students capable of independent life long learning. In addition, the educational objective of the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering is to prepare students who (1) are well grounded in the fundamentals of chemical engineering, (2) can understand, analyze, and design efficient processes, (3) are proficient in the oral and written communication of their work and ideas, (4) are able to work in multidisciplinary teams in conjunction with their design, formulation of problems, and conducting of experiments, (5) understand the safety and environmental consequences of their work, and (6) are instilled with a sense of social responsibility, ethics, and a commitment to life-long learning. Progress towards these goals and objectives is assessed by student performance on the nationally administered Fundamentals in Engineering Examination, performance at international design competitions, exit interviews with graduating students, and surveys of graduated students and their employers.

The faculty of the Chemical Engineering Program is dedicated to excellence in teaching. It is the faculty's goal to provide the students with a strong, well-rounded background for immediate entry into the industrial workforce or for graduate study. This background includes the theoretical aspects of chemical engineering as well as practical work experiences. Thus, most of the equipment that is installed in the Chemical Engineering laboratory is on the scale of pilot plant equipment. Because much of the equipment is made of glass, students are able to see at a glance what processes occur and where the streams are flowing. The department has a two-story distillation column, a gas absorber, two-stage evaporator, two types of chemical reactors, a catalytic reactor, liquid extraction equipment, membrane based gas separation, an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) system, a multiple column micro gas chromatograph, process control lab, and supporting analytical equipment such as gas chromatographs. All of this equipment is used by undergraduate students. Proof that the program's goals are being achieved is in the job-placement statistics for chemical engineers from UI. Most receive job offers before graduation and many graduates now hold high-level technical and management positions in industry, government, and academia.

The department has available a number of fellowships and assistantships for students. Support includes fellowships from industry and alumni; UI graduate assistantships; and research assistantships. Entering graduate students must normally hold a B.S. in chemical engineering.

Students entering the graduate program in the Chemical Engineering Program can work towards an M.S., M.Engr., or Ph.D. degree. The graduate program also includes provisions for study leading to an M.S. in Chemical Engineering for students who have a B.S. degree in a related field. Students will be required to register as undergraduates for as many semesters as it takes to meet prerequisites to the courses required in the M.S. (Ch.E.) degree program.

Graduate studies in this department are highly diversified in order to accommodate the needs of most students who have a good basic background in the physical sciences, mathematics, and engineering. Areas of expertise include chemical reaction engineering; simulation, optimization and process design especially for energy systems, pulp and paper and food applications; hazardous waste characterization and bioremediation; membrane, nano-science, fluid mechanics, biochemical engineering; and mass transfer research. The graduate program in chemical engineering requires a total GRE score of at least (Analytical >500 and Quantitative >725), as well as a TOEFL score of at least 550 (paper based) or 225 (computer based).

Material Science and Engineering Program. The educational objectives of the Material Science and Engineering Program are to educate graduates who will: (1) Use their mathematics and science background to formulate and solve engineering problems. (2) Remain current in modern technology and in tools of engineering practice. (3) Demonstrate an understanding of current economic and societal issues associated with engineering projects and their impacts. (4) Be able to communicate effectively with engineers and non-engineers while working independently or on teams to develop engineering solutions. (5) Demonstrate an understanding of their professional and ethical responsibilities as engineers and uphold their responsibility to the public and occupational health and safety. (6) Demonstrate the importance of life-long learning and continued professional growth.

Our Materials Science and Engineering Program is an ABET Accredited program and its educational mission is to produce graduates who are equipped to begin competitive and productive careers in their engineering professions; who can define and solve material science and engineering problems to meet desired needs and produce societal benefits; and who understand the importance of working responsibly, acting ethically and pursuing professional growth.

Although the program emphasizes economics and technology, engineering training also includes environment concerns, ethical behavior, and safety concerns. As technological and engineering fields, these professional disciplines offer tremendous opportunities for the person who wishes to become involved in the application of material science and engineering, often in sophisticated designs, to the preservation and enhancement of our society. The program provides the technical training to prepare our graduates for productive and rewarding engineering careers.

The laboratory facilities for materials science and engineering include: state of the art magnetic and thin film, electrical and optical materials characterization, semiconductor processes including thin film sputtering and deposition, inductively coupled plasma processing, electron cyclotron resonance plasma dry etching, chemical mechanical planarization, mechanical alloying, vacuum arc furnaces, combustion synthesis, clean room, electron beam lithography, ion beam technology, electro-chemistry, computer chip and bio-chip design, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), nano-materials, nano-devices and other state of the art technologies including optical and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, focused ion beam, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, etc. These laboratories provide an understanding of nano scale technology, magnetic, electronic, bio-active, ceramic, polymeric, metallic and intermetallic materials.

Our faculty has proven their qualifications by their credentials in national and international professional societies. They are well known by their publications, research, and contract work. Most students find employment in the summer or on a cooperative basis, so that they can become more intimately involved in the disciplines that they are studying. Exposure to the department faculty members provides students with a one-to-one interaction and an expertise that enables them to be truly competitive when they enter the real world.

The program is designed to take advantage of the other excellent facilities of the university and other engineering disciplines. The program of study also includes involvement with practical aspects of professional practice by exposure to the regional industries and research groups through field trips, guest speakers, study problems, and work time during the summer.

A minor in Materials Science and Engineering is offered which integrates nicely with majors in chemical or mechanical engineering along with other engineering and science disciplines. This minor allows the graduate to combine expertise in materials with another technical discipline.

A minor in Metallurgical Engineering is offered and integrates nicely with majors in either chemical or materials engineering. This minor allows the graduate to specialize in the minerals processing area of metal materials, fabrications, and research.

The Advanced Materials Technology Certificate is a graduate level certificate open for working professionals or graduate students with a Bachelor degree in engineering or sciences (physical sciences preferred). The level of educational proficiency will be judged on a case-by-case basis; and thus it is possible that the student may need to take preparatory courses before they can register for the required courses.

The program offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in materials science and engineering. These programs include a mix of theoretical and practical study most appropriate to each student. Studies include topics on nano-technology, electronic materials, alternative energy materials (nuclear, solar, etc.), and advanced materials processing techniques, as well as other traditional materials science areas, such as corrosion, welding, powder metallurgy etc.. Some students prefer to work on applied problems that are presented by industry or research establishments in the area, generally with funding from outside sources. Studies can be tailored to individual interests.

These advanced studies are financed by research grants, an industry sponsor, or occasionally by departmental funding. They are designed to train the individual in research methods and investigative procedures that will later enhance his or her ability in industrial or research environments or in teaching. The master's program involves both class work and research; the latter being designed to familiarize the student with research methods. In the doctoral program, the student is expected to break new ground and advance the field both scientifically and to maintain the competitive technological lead enjoyed in the U.S. for so many years. The master's program generally requires 12 to 24 months beyond the baccalaureate degree and the doctoral program usually entails at least three years beyond the baccalaureate degree.

Most students find employment in the summer or on a cooperative basis, so that they can become more intimately involved in the processes that they are studying. The total program enables the person to leave the university with confidence, either as a baccalaureate student or at the master's or doctoral level, with the capability of a truly competent professional. Metallurgical and materials engineers have a wide variety of career options. This ranges all the way from primary metals/ceramics/polymer production through advanced materials industries. There are opportunities in technological areas with names and processes not even dreamed of just a few decades ago: plasma extractive processing, ceramic powder synthesis, bio-corrosion, magnetic recording media, and electron microscopy. The materials produced are formed into all of the products we use in our daily lives, such as our cars, home appliances, farm equipment, and electrical and electronic equipment. Some of our graduates are employed as engineering consultants or by government agencies. In fact, everything we touch, with the exception of agricultural or forestry products, has had its origin as a mineral in the earth. Materials engineers and materials scientists also develop new products to fit specific demands, such as materials to withstand high stress, high temperature environments, or the extreme cold of outer space.

Courses

See the course description section for courses in Chemical Engineering (ChE) and Materials Science & Engineering (MSE).