Chemical Engineering undergraduate curriculum
The following information on required course work includes semester-specific advising information. This information is intended to be a supplement for meeting with your advisor to discuss your career goals and professional development. We hope it will serve to guide your discussions with your advisor and allow you to concentrate on more important issues than what classes to take during your meetings.
Use these links to navigate to your class:
Graduating class of 2028 and beyond Graduating classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027 Curriculum archive
Curious what your courses will be like?
Graduating class of 2028 and beyond
First year - Fall
Total units: 44
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus | 10 |
| 76-xxx | Designated Writing/Expression Course | 9 |
| 99-101 | Core@CMU | 3 |
| 06-100 | Introduction to Chemical Engineering | 12 |
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
First year - Spring
Total units: 43
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-122 | Integration and Approximation | 10 |
| xx-xxx | Introductory Engineering Elective (other than ChE) | 12 |
| 33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
Second year - Fall
Total units: 53-55
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
| 06-223 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 12 |
| 06-222 | Sophomore Chemical Engineering Seminar | 1 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| xx-xxx | Computer Sci./Physics II * | 10-12 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
| 39-210 | Experiential Learning I | 0 |
Second year - Spring
Total units: 54-52
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-261 | Fluid Mechanics | 9 |
| 06-262 | Mathematical Methods of Chemical Engineering | 12 |
| 09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| xx-xxx | Physics II/Computer Sci. * | 12-10 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
| 39-220 | Experiential Learning II | 0 |
* Computer Science/Physics II: Students should complete 15-110 Principles of Computing or 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science as well as 33-142 Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students by the end of the sophomore year. The recommended sequence is 33-141 /33-142 for engineering students, however 33-151/ 33-152 will also meet the College of Engineering physics requirement.
For those students who have not taken 06-100 as one of the two introductory engineering electives, 06-100 should be taken in the fall semester of the sophomore year. The general education course normally taken during that semester may be postponed until the junior year. These students should consult with their advisor as soon as possible.
At the end of the sophomore year, a student should have completed the following required basic science and computer science courses:
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 09-105 | Introduction to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| 09-221 | Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| 15-110 or 15-112 | Principles of Computing or Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science | 10-12 |
| 33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
| 33-142 | Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students | 12 |
| 99-101 | Core@CMU | 3 |
Third year - Fall
Total units: 50-51
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-322 | Junior Chemical Engineering Seminar ** | 2 |
| 06-323 | Heat and Mass Transfer | 9 |
| 06-324 | Computational Optimization and Machine Learning for Chemical Engineering | 12 |
| 09-217 or 09-219 | Organic Chemistry I or Modern Organic Chemistry | 9-10 |
| 06-310 | Molecular Foundations of Chemical Engineering | 9 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
| 39-310 | Experiential Learning III | 0 |
Third year - Spring
Total units: 54
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-361 | Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering | 9 |
| 06-363 | Transport Process Laboratory | 9 |
| 06-364 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Advanced Science or Mathematics Elective **/*** | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
Fourth year - Fall
Total units: 48
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-421 | Chemical Process Systems Design | 12 |
| 06-423 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
Fourth year - Spring
Total units: 45
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-463 | Chemical Product Design **** | 9 |
| 06-464 | Chemical Engineering Process Control | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | General Education Course | 9 |
** For students pursuing chemical engineering with an additional major in biomedical engineering, the 06-322 Junior Chemical Engineering Seminar is replaced by 42-201 Professional Issues in Biomedical Engineering. Students pursuing chemical engineering with an additional major in engineering and public policy will take 36-220 as their Advanced Science or Mathematics Elective.
*** Advanced Science or Mathematics Elective. Students must take any one technical course offered by the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, or Mathematical Sciences for at least 9 units at the 200-level or above, or one of the following: 06-607 Physical Chemistry of Colloids and Surfaces, 06-609 Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules, or 36-220 Engineering Statistics and Quality Control. Students may petition to count other courses. This elective can be completed in any semester that fits into the student's schedule.
**** The 06-463 Chemical Product Design requirement is waived for BME additional major students completing 42-401 Foundations of Biomedical Engineering Design (6 units, fall) AND 42-402 Biomedical Engineering Design Project (9 units, spring).
Notes:
-
In addition to the graduation requirement of an overall QPA of 2.0 (not counting the first year), the Department of Chemical Engineering requires a cumulative QPA of 2.0 in all chemical engineering courses (all those numbered 06-xxx).
-
Minimum number of units required for graduation: 391.
-
All mathematics (21-xxx) courses required for the engineering degree taken at Carnegie Mellon must have a minimum grade of C in order to be counted toward the graduation requirement for the BS engineering degree.
-
A minimum grade of C must be achieved in any required mathematics (21-xxx) course that is a prerequisite for the next higher level required mathematics (21-xxx) course.
-
Overloads are permitted only for students maintaining a QPA of 3.5 or better during the preceding semester.
-
Electives: To obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, students must complete 06-100 and one other introductory engineering elective. There are also five Unrestricted Electives.
-
Undergraduate research: Independent research projects are available by arrangement with a faculty advisor. Many students conduct these research projects for elective credit by enrolling in 06-200, 06-300, or 06-400 (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Research Projects) or 39-500 CIT Honors Research Project for eligible Seniors.
- Advanced undergraduates may also take chemical engineering graduate courses (600 or 700 level).
Graduating classes of 2025, 2026, and 2027
First year - Fall
Total units: 44
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-120 | Differential and Integral Calculus (C grade or better) | 10 |
| 76-xxx | Designated Writing/Expression Course | 9 |
| 99-101 | Computing @ Carnegie Mellon | 3 |
| 06-100 | Intro to Chemical Engineering | 12 |
| 09-105 | Intro to Modern Chemistry I | 10 |
First year - Spring
Total units: 43
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-122 | Integration, Differential Equations & Approximation (C grade or better) | 10 |
| xx-100/101 | Introductory Engineering Elective (other than ChE) | 12 |
| 33-141 | Physics I for Engineering Students | 12 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, or GE | 9 |
Second year - Fall
Total units: 53 or 55
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-254 | Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers | 11 |
| 06-223 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 12 |
| 06-222 | Sophomore Chemical Engineering Seminar * | 1 |
| 09-106 | Modern Chemistry II | 10 |
| xx-xxx | Computer Sci./Physics II ** | 10 or 12 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, or GE | 9 |
| 39-210 | Experiential Learning I | 0 |
Second year - Spring
Total units: 52 or 54
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-261 | Fluid Mechanics | 9 |
| 06-262 | Mathematical Methods of Chemical Engineering | 12 |
| 09-221 | Lab I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis | 12 |
| xx-xxx | Physics II/Computer Sci. ** | 10 or 12 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, GE (excluding category(ies) fulfilled after 1st year) | 9 |
| 39-220 | Experiential Learning II | 0 |
Third year - Fall
Total units: 50 or 51
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-325 | Numerical Methods & ML for Chemical Engineering | 6 |
| 06-326 | Optimization, Modeling & Algorithms | 6 |
| 06-322 | Junior Chemical Engineering Seminar * | 2 |
| 06-323 | Heat and Mass Transfer † | 9 |
| 09-217 or 09-219 | Organic Chemistry I or Modern Organic Chemistry | 9 or 10 |
| 06-310 | Molecular Foundations of Chemical Engineering | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, GE (excluding category(ies) fulfilled after 1st year) | 9 |
| 39-310 | Experiential Learning III | 0 |
Third year - Spring
Total units: 54
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-361 | Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering † | 9 |
| 06-363 | Transport Processes Laboratory | 9 |
| 06-364 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Advanced Chemistry Elective *** | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, GE (excluding category(ies) fulfilled after 1st year) | 9 |
Fourth year - Fall
Total units: 48
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-421 | Chemical Process Systems Design | 12 |
| 06-423 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, GE (excluding category(ies) fulfilled after 1st year) | 9 |
Fourth year - Spring
Total units: 45
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 06-463 | Chemical Product Design **** | 9 |
| 06-464 | Chemical Engineering Process Control | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Unrestricted Elective | 9 |
| xx-xxx | Select one: PPC, SDM, I&I, W&E, GE (excluding category(ies) fulfilled after 1st year) | 9 |
† Courses include projects.
* For students pursuing the additional major in biomedical engineering, the Junior Chemical Engineering Seminar course (06-322) is replaced by the biomedical engineering course Professional Issues in Biomedical Engineering (42-201).
** Computer Science/Physics II: Students should complete 15-110 (Introduction to Programming) or 15-112 (Fundamentals of Programming & CS) as well as 33-142 (Physics II for Engineering and Physics Students) by the end of the second year. The recommended sequence is 33-141/142 for engineering students, however, 33-151/152 will also meet the College of Engineering physics requirement. Another acceptable course for Physics I is 33-121.
For those students who have not taken 06-100 as one of the two Introductory Engineering electives, 06-100 should be taken in the fall semester of the second year. The general education course normally taken during that semester may be postponed until the third year. These students should consult with their faculty advisors as soon as possible.
*** Advanced Chemistry Elective may be any technical course offered by the Department of Chemistry for at least 9 units at the 200-level or above, or one of the following: 03-232 Biochemistry, 06-607 Physical Chemistry of Colloids and Surfaces, or 06-609/09-509 Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules. Students may petition the Undergraduate Committee to approve other chemistry-focused courses offered by other departments on a case-by-case basis.
Students pursuing the additional major in engineering and public policy are waived from taking the Advanced Chemistry Elective. They will take 36-220 Engineering Statistics and Quality Control.
**** For students pursuing the additional major in biomedical engineering, the 06-463 Chemical Product Design requirement is waived, provided they complete both 42-401 Foundations of Biomedical Engineering Design (6 units, fall) AND 42-402 Biomedical Engineering Design Project (9 units, spring).
Notes:
- In addition to the graduation requirement of an overall QPA of 2.0 (not counting the first year), the Department of Chemical Engineering requires a cumulative QPA of 2.0 in all chemical engineering courses (all those numbered 06-xxx).
- Minimum number of units required for degree: 391.
- All mathematics (21-xxx) courses required for the engineering degree taken at Carnegie Mellon must have a minimum grade of C in order to be counted toward the graduation requirement for the BS engineering degree.
- A minimum grade of C must be achieved in any required mathematics (21-xxx) course that is a prerequisite for the next higher level required mathematics (21-xxx) course.
- Overloads are permitted only for students maintaining a QPA of 3.5 or better during the preceding semester.
- Electives: To obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering, students must complete 06-100 and one other Introductory Engineering elective. There are also five unrestricted electives. At most, 9 units of ROTC or physical education can be counted toward these electives. Students must discuss their choices of electives with their faculty advisors.
- Undergraduate research: Independent research projects are available by arrangement with a faculty advisor. Many students conduct these research projects for elective credit by enrolling in 06-200, 300, or 400 (Sophomore, Junior, or Senior Research Projects) or 39-500 (College of Engineering Honors Research) for eligible seniors.