Undergraduate Courses

An introduction to the most important processes employed by the chemical industries, such as plastics, pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical, and biochemical. The major emphasis is on formulating and solving material and energy balances for simple and complex systems. Equilibrium concepts for chemical process systems will be developed and applied. Computer courseware will be utilized extensively.

Thermodynamic laws and functions with particular emphasis on systems of variable composition and chemically reacting systems. Chemical potential, fugacity and activity, excess function properties, standard states, phase and reaction equilibria, reaction coordinate, chemical-to-electrical energy conversion.

The objectives of this course are to learn modern systematic design strategies for steady state chemical processing systems and at the same time to gain a functional facility with a process simulator (Aspen) for design, analysis, and economic evaluation. A process is constructed stepwise, with continuing discussion of heuristics, recycle, purge streams, and other process conditions. Aspen is used for design and analysis of the process units. From the viewpoint of the process simulations, the course is divided into four categories: Component, property and data management; Unit operations; System simulation; and Process economic evaluation. The equations used by the simulator are discussed as well as convergence methods, loops and tear streams and scrutiny of default settings in the simulator. The factored cost method and profitability measures are reviewed and compared to simulator results. Work on a capstone design project is begun in the last section of the course.

The design of industrial separation equipment using both analytical and graphical methods is studied. Equilibrium based design techniques for single and multiple stages in distillation, absorption/stripping, and liquid-liquid extraction are employed. An introduction to gas-solid and solid-liquid systems is presented as well. Mass transfer considerations are included in efficiency calculations and design procedures for packed absorption towers, membrane separations, and adsorption. Ion exchange and chromatography are discussed. The role of solution thermodynamics and the methods of estimating or calculating thermodynamic properties are also studied. Degrees of freedom analyses are threaded throughout the course as well as the appropriate use of software. Iterative rigorous solutions are discussed as bases for Aspen simulation models used in Design VI.

Linear cause-effect relationship; molecular aspects, microscopic mass, momentum and energy balances leading to the field equations of change; emphasis is on both isothermal and nonisothermal, steady state flow of incompressible Newtonian fluids; integral forms of the equations of change: macroscopic balances for laminar as well as turbulent isothermal and nonisothermal systems: engineering correlations.

Heat conduction, convection and radiation. General differential equations for energy transfer. Conductive and convective heat transfer. Molecular, convective and interface mass transfer. The differential equation for mass transfer. Steady state molecular diffusion and film theory. Convective mass transfer correlations. Mass transfer equipment.

Development of deterministic and non-deterministic modelsfor physical systems, engineering applications, and simulation tools for case studies and projects.

Chemical equilibria and kinetics of single and multiple reactions are analyzed. Conversion, yield, selectivity, and temperature and concentration history are studied in ideal plug flow, continuous stirred tank and batch reactors. The bases of reactor selection are developed. Rate expression for catalytic reactors are developed using L-H approach and applied to the design of fixed bed catalytic reactors.

Senior Design provides, over the course of two semesters, collaborative design experiences with a problems of industrial or societal significance. Projects can originate with an industrial sponsor, from an engineering project on campus, or from other industrial or academic sources. In all cases, a project is a capstone experience that draws extensively from the student's engineering and scientific background and requires independent judgments and actions. Advice from the faculty and industrial sponsors is made readily available. The projects generally involve a number of unit operations, a detailed economic analysis, simulation, use of industrial economic and process software packages, and experimentation and/or prototype construction. The economic thread initiated in Design VI is continued in the first semester of Senior Design by close interaction on a project basis with E 421. Leadership and entrepreneurship are nourished throughout all phases of the project. The project goals are met stepwise, with each milestone forming a part of a final report with a common structure.

Senior Design (ChE 423, ChE 424) provides, over the course of two semesters, collaborative design experiences with a problems of industrial or societal significance. Projects can originate with an industrial sponsor, from an engineering project on campus, or from other industrial or academic sources. In all cases, a project is a capstone experience that draws extensively from the student's engineering and scientific background and requires independent judgments and actions. Advice from the faculty and industrial sponsors is made readily available. The projects generally involve a number of unit operations, a detailed economic analysis, simulation, use of industrial economic and process software packages, and experimentation and/or prototype construction. The economic thread initiated in Design VI is continued in the first semester of Senior Design (ChE 423) by close interaction on a project basis with E 421. Leadership and entrepreneurship are nourished throughout all phases of the project. The project goals are met stepwise, with each milestone forming a part of a final report with a common structure. Additional options to students are as follows: (a) students wishing to complete a deeper Senior Design experience may complete a year-long project by registering for CHE 424 in the Fall and continue the project by registering for CHE 498 the following Spring; (b) students wishing to complete a process-design project (using the ASPEN computer-aided process design software tool) rather than a lab-based design experience. In both cases, students should consult with the instructor by the end of the semester before they wish to begin CHE 424.

A laboratory course designed to illustrate and apply chemical engineering fundamentals. The course covers a range of experiments involving mass, momentum and energy, transport processes and basic unit operations such as distillation, stripping and multi-phase catalytic reactions.

Integration of the principles of biochemistry and microbiology into chemical engineering processes; microbial kinetic models; transport in bioprocess systems; single & mixed culture fermentation technology; enzyme synthesis, purification & kinetics; bioreactor analysis, design and control; product recovery and downstream processing.

Individual investigation of a substantive character undertaken at an undergraduate level under the guidance of a member of the Departmental faculty on a Course by Application basis.  A written report is required.  Hours to be arranged with the faculty advisor.

Individual investigation of a substantive character undertaken at an undergraduate level under the guidance of a member of the departmental faculty. A written report is required. Hours to be arranged with the faculty advisor. Prior approval required. This course cannot be used for degree requirements.

Individual investigation of a substantive character undertaken at an undergraduate level under the guidance of a member of the departmental faculty on a Course by Application basis. A written report is required. Hours to be arranged with the faculty advisor.

The course addresses the science underpinnings of nanotechnology to provide a hands-on experience for undergraduate students in nanofabrication and characterization. It will discuss the grand challenges of nanofabrication and will showcase examples of specific applications in electronics, photonics, chemistry, biology, medicine, defense, and energy. NANO 200 would be a pre-requisite for this course. This course will offer hands-on experiments to fabricate prototype devices/systems (e.g. relatively simple sensors or actuators) in order for students to understand the full sequence/spectrum of development of nanodevices and systems, e.g. from concept design, fabrication and characterization.Prerequisites:  NANO 200 or instructor permission