Chemical Engineering, B.S.

Program
Degree Type
Bachelor of Science

Chemical and Biological Engineering Chair: Christopher Kitchens, Ph.D
Office: 236B Drosdick Hall
Telephone: 610-519-5498
Email: chris.kitchens@villanova.edu

About

  • Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Honors.

The chemical engineer typically uses the principles of mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics and engineering sciences to creatively solve technical and commercial problems arising in the design and operation of industrial scale processes. These solutions must respond to economic constraints and address social, ethical, environmental and safety implications. Industrial scale processes can include fuels, bulk chemicals, polymers, foods and pharmaceuticals (including protein, gene and cell-based therapies). Graduates are prepared to think critically and apply their skills in chemical and biological engineering to fields such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, manufacturing, research and development, finance, management and patent law.

Mission Statement

The Chemical & Biological Engineering Department is committed to providing undergraduate and graduate students with effective and innovative educational experiences that prepare them to address the technological, professional, and societal opportunities in their careers. Rooted in Augustinian Catholic values, the Department cultivates leaders who integrate ethical responsibility, a collaborative spirit, and the pursuit of knowledge to design solutions that serve the common good. The Department brings value to the Villanova community and the broader world through research that advances engineering and scientific knowledge. 

Program Educational Objectives

Consistent with the University’s Augustinian Catholic mission that values broadly educated, well-rounded individuals, recent graduates of the Chemical Engineering program are prepared to:
•    Conduct themselves in a manner that recognizes their professional and ethical responsibilities to society.
•    Apply their technical capabilities and interpersonal skills to collaborate and succeed in their chosen career.
•    Leverage professional opportunities that facilitate their continued learning and career growth. 

Curricular Philosophy

The early years of the chemical engineering curriculum includes a strong humanities component while emphasizing the basic principles of natural and engineering sciences. Later courses relate these skills to chemical engineering applications including the solution of open-ended problems constrained by requirements such as economics, safety, and sustainability. Courses develop students’ abilities with the complexity of design experiences systematically increasing throughout the courses in chemical and biological engineering; culminating in the senior process design and process controls courses.

The curriculum includes several engineering, science, and humanities/social science electives, providing flexibility for a student to pursue individual educational and career goals. Chemical and biological engineering electives include opportunities for specialization in traditional and emerging fields of chemical engineering as well as biochemical and biological engineering. Seniors may conduct research for academic credit or complete a six-month co-op. Students develop their academic plan with guidance from a faculty member designated as the student’s academic advisor.

 

133 credits required to complete degree. 

Second Semester

Course
Title
Credits
3
Sub-Total Credits
16.5

Junior Year

First Semester

Course
Title
Credits
3
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
18.5

Second Semester

Course
Title
Credits
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
16.5

Senior Year

First Semester

Course
Title
Credits
3
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
12

Second Semester

Course
Title
Credits
3
3
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
15

Academic Requirements

Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all required CHE (Chemical Engineering) courses to satisfy the degree requirements. 

These courses include the following:  

CHE 1102 Material Balances  

CHE 2101 Thermodynamics 1

CHE 2102 Thermodynamics 2 

CHE 2201 Fluid Dynamics  

CHE 2202 Heat Transfer 

CHE 2301 ChE Computational Methods  

CHE 2402 Technical Communications  

CHE 3201 Mass Transfer  

CHE 3202 Reactor Design  

CHE 3301 ChE Applied Mathematics  

CHE 3401 Unit Operations Lab 1  

CHE 3402 CHE Unit Operations Lab 2 

CHE 4201 Process Design  

CHE 4202 Process Controls  

A student earning a grade of D+, D, or D- in a required CHE course must retake that course and earn a minimum grade of C- to satisfy the degree requirement.   

If an approved equivalent course is taken at another institution, a minimum grade of C is required to transfer the credits to Villanova. Students requesting to take a course elsewhere should complete the appropriate form which can be found on the Current Engineering Undergraduate Students Intranet site.

A student earning a grade of F in a required CHE course that is a prerequisite for a subsequent required CHE course may not enroll in the subsequent course until the prerequisite requirement is satisfied.  

For Chemical Engineering Elective courses or courses offered by other departments, a minimum passing grade of D- is sufficient for the course to satisfy a degree requirement.