Undergraduate Program

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

The enrollment and graduation data for the Chemical Engineering program and other Mines programs can be found on the homepage of the Mines Office of Institutional Research.

To be accredited, a program must have educational objectives and associated student outcomes that lead to meeting those objectives. Programs must also have a comprehensive assessment methodology in place that provides continuous feedback and demonstrates that the objectives are being met.

PROGRAM EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

For the degree program, our objectives for our graduates within three to five years of completing their degree are that they will:

1. be in graduate school or in the workforce utilizing their education in chemical engineering fundamentals; and
2. be applying their knowledge of and skills in engineering fundamentals in conventional areas of chemical engineering and in contemporary and growing fields; and
3. have demonstrated both their commitment to continuing to develop personally and professionally, and an appreciation for the ethical and social responsibilities associated with being an engineer and a world citizen.

STUDENT OUTCOMES:

Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. The student outcomes for the Chemical Engineering program are:

1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. 
2. 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. 
3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. 
4. 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. 
5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives. 
6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. 
7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies. 

No track flowchart > 

Biological engineering track flowchart > 

Process engineering track flowchart > 

Honors research track flowchart > 

Additional track-specific requirements and suggested four-year plans can be found at catalog.mines.edu and for declared chemical engineering students on the CBE UG Communications Canvas site.

What are the requirements of the Honors Research track?

> 12 credit hours of coursework (which take the place of 12 credits of major-level electives in the no-track degree)

*Research must be completed over a minimum of 2 semesters. Students who complete research for hourly pay (e.g., via the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship program or hourly contract) can petition for full or partial research credit equivalence at a rate of 56 hours/credit hour. If the equivalency is granted, the student must also complete an equivalent number of credit hours in an elective course approved by CBE’s Assistant Department Head. For example, a student who will complete 168 hours of paid research through MURF in an academic year could petition for three credits of CBEN350/450 to be waived, and would need to take one approved 3-credit elective course.

> Students in the Honors Research track must submit a written undergraduate thesis and obtain acceptance of the thesis from their advisor. 

> Additionally, the student must publicly disseminate their research. Acceptable options include:

• Poster at Undergraduate Research Fair
• Presentation at Professional Conference
• Peer Reviewed Publication
• Other dissemination options may be approved by request to CBE’s Assistant Department Head

> Finally, the student must complete their degree with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher. 

How will I find a research advisor?

Students are strongly encouraged to begin conversations with prospective research advisors prior to applying to the track, though you are not required to secure an advisor prior to application. Research advisors can be from any department at Mines as long as the advisor agrees to supervise your thesis. In order to build a complete body of work for your undergraduate thesis, you are encouraged to work in the same research laboratory for all 5 of your research credits. 

For students who do not have a research advisor upon preliminary acceptance to the track, the department will circulate their information to all faculty who are seeking undergraduate researchers. The department will assist in facilitating connections between students and possible research placements. Ultimately, it will be the student’s responsibility to schedule meetings and secure a research placement.

Students are welcome and encouraged to use the Mines Undergraduate Research Fellowship (MURF) program to source research placements. Typically, projects are posted to the MURF website by early April and it is wise to reach out to research advisors of interest as soon as possible after the projects are posted, as positions often fill quickly. Make sure to let faculty that you are also hoping to do the Honors Research Track in your conversations with them about their MURF project. 

Who is eligible to apply?

• Application geared for sophomores (those currently enrolled in MEB), but juniors, particularly those who have pre-met some of the track requirements, are also welcome to apply
• Current minimum GPA of 3.3 or higher
• Applicants should have a strong interest in research; track is especially good for those who think graduate school may be in their future 

Why might a student want to take the track?

• Boost your credentials for future graduate school or job applications
• Have research be a key part of your chemical engineering degree
• Pre-meet the requirements to receive “Undergraduate Research Scholar Distinction” at commencement
• Receive structured guidance and hands-on experience in conducting and disseminating research
• Gain a sense of accomplishment from completing an undergraduate thesis and advanced electives

Do I have to enroll in the track to conduct research?

No, many students are engaged in undergraduate research for credit or for pay without being enrolled in the track. Research may be completed under any track or the no-track option.

How can an interested student apply?

Enrollment in the track is limited to ensure that there are enough spaces in research labs to accommodate students. 

• Students will enroll in the track by competitive application only
• Submit the (short and sweet!) online application by the deadline
• Have one Mines’ faculty member complete the online recommendation form by deadline
• Deadline will be in late March/early April. Information and application links will be emailed to all CBE sophomores and juniors annually. Contact your CBE advisor if you are interested and have not received information.

Visit the CBE Undergraduate Program FAQ for more information for prospective and current undergraduate students.