Q. What makes The University of Arizona's Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE) program unique?
A. We offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Our undergraduate program participates in the Honors Program. Our Department is large enough to cover the major academic and research areas, yet small enough for individual attention. Our classes are taught by experts in their fields, and our undergraduate students have many opportunities for research projects with excellent faculty. Among our faculty are one Presidential Young Investigator, and two NSF Young Faculty Career Award winners. Our main strengths lie in the areas of environmental engineering, semiconductor applications, combustion, fluid mechanics, rheology, biotechnology, chemical kinetics, and transport in colloidal and polymeric systems. Environmental engineering applications are firmly embedded in our undergraduate chemical engineering program. We are strong participants in the university-wide, NIEHS-sponsored Superfund Basic Research Center (SBRC) for hazardous waste treatment and management. We provide a productive, nurturing environment for our doctoral students, whom we cherish. We are the home of the NSF/SRC Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Benign Semiconductor Manufacturing.
Q. What degree(s) does ChEE offer?
A. Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, (BS CHE)
Q. What is a Chemical Engineer?
A. Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, water and wastewater treatment, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, polymers, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others. Our graduate program is designed to provide advance work in a core of transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and reaction engineering, but almost all of our work focuses on developing an environmentally benign approach to applications.
Chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science, especially chemistry, to overcome technical problems safely and economically. And, of course they draw upon and apply their engineering knowledge to solve any technical challenges they encounter. Chemical engineers may also apply their knowledge to other areas such as law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well as many other fields that require technical training.
Q. What is an Environmental Engineer?
A. Environmental engineers apply basic principles of chemistry, physics, economics and mathematics to the development of safe, economical and environmentally sound processes in which chemical and/or physical changes take place for the prevention and remediation of environmental problems.
Environmental engineering is a rapidly growing, multidisciplinary branch of engineering, concerned with the development, implementation and management of technical solutions and programs that support sustainable economic development. They monitor air, water and land quality to protect and restore the environment. Their professional skills might be used to reduce catchment soil erosion and water salinity; develop and implement cleaner production technologies to minimize industrial pollution; develop or rehabilitate landfill sites; develop environmental management systems; provide and distribute clean water; design, construct, operate and manage wastewater treatment facilities and develop long-range environmental protection plans and strategies for facilities and communities.
Q. What are the departmental academic policies?
A. Refer to the policies or talk to your advisor.
Q. Who will my advisor be?
A. You will be assigned an advisor during the orientation process at the beginning of the semester. This assignment will be determined by several factors including your research interests and skills and the availability of funds for student support.
Q. If, after viewing the Programs section of this site, I have additional questions whom can I contact?
A. For the undergraduate Chemical Engineering (CHE) program contact Rosemary Myers.
Q. What are the minimum requirements for undergraduate admission?
A. The entrance requirements for undergraduate admission to the CHE undergraduate program are the same as the requirements for admission to University of Arizona for both new freshman and transfer students.
Q. Will any of my high school AP courses count towards my degree?
A. The University of Arizona offers a strong Advanced Placement (AP) credit program. AP classes are offered in select high schools. Exams are administered through the College Board each May. Some students take AP exams after taking honors or accelerated courses in their schools. Grades are usually reported to the University during the month of July. AP exams can provide credits at the University of Arizona, but this depends on the score you earn. Exams can also yield credits toward your major or minor fields of study or General Education requirements. See the 2008-2009 AP Credit Table and contact the Undergraduate Advisor to confirm course credit equivalency.
Q. Does the Chemical Engineering undergraduate program participate in the Honors College?
A. Yes. On average, 29% of the incoming Chemical Engineering freshmen are admitted to the Honors College. Many students in the program, who attempt to graduate with honors, are successful (about 24%). Numerous honors courses are offered (identified in the Schedule of Classes by an "H" after the course number), and most students in science do independent research that serves as the basis for the senior honors thesis.
Q. What are the estimated costs of attending The University of Arizona?
A.View the Financial Aid Office website to see a table of estimated cost during a 9-month attendance at the University of Arizona. View the cost of registration and fees by semester using the pull down menu on the Bursar's Office website for the College of Engineering.
Q. What are the requirements for residency status?
A. Employment opportunities will not be known until the beginning of each semester. There are many undergraduate research positions available to students throughout the Chemical and Environmental Engineering (ChEE) Department. The College of Engineering (CoE) sponsors some scholarships and grants as does the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Q. If I do not qualify for a research position, scholarship or internship, can I apply for financial aid?
A. There is a variety of on- and off-campus housing available for students on a first-come, first-served basis. The department will assist you as much as possible in this process; however, the ultimate responsibility for housing rests with you. Housing in Tucson, Arizona is affordable and relatively easy to find compared to other cities of similar size. The best place to start your search is through the Residence Life website and the Student Union Housing Guide. As a general rule, housing within a 5-mile radius of campus will be more expensive than what is available further out. The weather in Tucson is conducive to pedestrian and bicycle transportation. The ChEE Department is centrally located on campus where most public transportation is available.
A. The University of Arizona provides an ideal environment for study, as reflected by its status as a Research I University. Since its founding in 1885, the UA has grown to become one of the outstanding research institutions in the world. You can learn more history and explore the on-line tours through the UA web.
With more than 35,000 students, including 8,000 graduate students, UA is large enough to attract the best scientists and engineers in the nation. This is demonstrated by the faculty's ability to garner large amounts of funding for research and support of graduate students. In terms of federal and private support for research and development, the university ranks among the country's top 20 research universities. The library and museum system -- an invaluable resource for students -- is among the best in the country.
All of this found on a single campus, located entirely within the City of Tucson, a dynamic community of more than half a million people.
Q. If I have a car, what kind of parking is available?
A. There are two Student Unions (Main and Park) on campus as well as local businesses within walking distance. For more information, visit the Student Union.
The University of Arizona
Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering
JW Harshbarger Bldg
PO Box 210011
Tucson, Arizona 85721
