Online Chemical Engineering Degree Program Summaries

Bachelor's degree programs in chemical engineering are rarely offered in an online format, although some are available. The most common chemical engineering degree program offered online occur at the master's level. Chemical engineering programs prepare students to specialize in the application of chemistry principles to the design and creation of new products.

Program Overview of an Online Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering programs cover basic engineering principles, chemistry, math, physics and English. Students learn to apply the principles of chemistry and engineering to both solve problems and develop new manufacturing processes. The effects of the chemical manufacturing process on workers, consumers and the environment is examined. Graduates are familiar with traditional chemical and petroleum processing as well as the production of biotechnology, electronic materials, food and polymer products.

Program Information

Students are typically allowed to complete all of the coursework online with the exception of brief on-campus labs. On-campus learning ranges from 3-14 days of lab instruction, usually conducted during the summer. Through the posting of online lecture videos and course assignments, students are able to conveniently access class materials, take tests and submit assignments at any time. The 133 credits required for this degree are comprised of essential general education courses and at least 30 credit-hours of upper-division coursework in chemical engineering. Some schools require students to complete approximately 60 credits of general education and lower-division courses at accredited colleges or universities prior to program enrollment.

Common Online Baccalaureate Chemical Engineering Courses

In addition to technical competence, chemical engineering graduates should be able to communicate with a variety of audiences. Core coursework includes the following:

Unit Operations in Chemical Engineering Course

Students become familiar with the principles of heat transfer and momentum. Lessons are presented from a unit operations perspective.

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics Course

With an emphasis on computational work, students gain an understanding of how thermodynamics are applied to chemical engineering processes. Topics covered include chemical equilibriums, thermodynamic laws and pressure-volume-temperature relationships.

Chemical Engineering Plant Design Course

This course introduces students to preliminary process design, project implementation and project cost assessment. Students become familiar with the typical drawings and other deliverables created during the scoping phase of process design.

Career and Licensing Information

A bachelor's degree in chemical engineering is all that is required for most entry-level positions within the field. Graduates are prepared to begin careers as chemical engineers in manufacturing, development, project engineering or research. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of chemical engineers within the manufacturing industries was projected to decline approximately two percent during the 2008-2018 decade (www.bls.gov). However, the BLS projected some job growth for chemical engineers within the service-providing industries, particularly in the development and research of energy, biotechnology and nanotechnology. In 2009, the median annual salary for chemical engineers was $88,280 according to the BLS.
Chemical engineers who provide services directly to the public are required to be licensed as professional engineers (PEs). Although they may vary from state to state, licensing requirements usually include an undergraduate degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), four years of relevant work experience and a passing score on a state exam.

Continuing Education

Because of continuous advances in technology, continuing education opportunities are critical for chemical engineers. Professional societies, such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), offer several types of continuing education programs, including focused symposiums, regional conferences and specialty conferences, throughout the year at various locations across the country. Examples of topics covered include process development, stem cell engineering and ammonia plant facility safety. Continuing education opportunities are also available through courses at major universities and colleges.

Program Overview of an Online Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering

Online master's degree programs in chemical engineering are designed for engineering professionals who hold a bachelor's degree in the same or related field. Online graduate programs are typically comprised of a core curriculum that includes topics like mathematical modeling, chemical reaction engineering, transport phenomena and kinetics. Students are able to customize their learning through elective courses in specialty areas, including environmental science, biotechnology, energy engineering, electronic materials and polymers.

Program Information

This graduate program typically takes two years to complete and requires approximately 30 hours of coursework. Online coursework mimics that of on-campus programs and is presented through recorded lectures that are digitally captured and delivered through streaming video. Students must have access to high-speed Internet, a word processing application and Microsoft Excel. Although all coursework is offered completely online, some programs required students to visit campus one time at the conclusion of the program for a final oral examination conducted by a graduate committee.

Common Master's-Level Chemical Engineering Classes Offered Online

Online courses at the graduate level provide advanced instruction in chemical engineering topics covered at the undergraduate level. Courses may include the following:

Chemical Reaction Engineering Course

Advanced reaction rate theories and reaction mechanisms are emphasized. Candidates learn to design and analyze a variety of complex reacting systems, including stirred tank, packed bed and fluidized bed chemical reactors.

Chemical Engineering Modeling and Analysis Course

This course covers the mathematical formulation of problems in chemical engineering. Topics include linear systems analysis and stability, mathematical modeling, differential equations and integral equations.

Thermodynamics Course

Students learn advanced chemical engineering principles in thermodynamics. Topics covered include physical and chemical equilibriums, phase behavior and general correlations of material properties.