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:
Class of 2025 and beyond Class of 2024 Classes of 2021, 2022, 2023
Course spotlight: Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Class of 2025 and beyond
| 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 |
| Total Units | 44 |
First Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 43 |
Second Year - Fall
| 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 |
| Total units | 53 or 55 |
Second Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 52 or 54 |
Third Year - Fall
| 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 |
| 09-217/219 | 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 |
| Total units | 50 or 51 |
Third Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 54 |
Fourth Year - Fall
| 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 |
| Total units | 48 |
Fourth Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 45 |
† 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 pre-requisite 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.
Class of 2024
First Year - Fall
| 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 |
| Total Units | 44 |
First Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 43 |
Second Year - Fall
| Course | Description | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 21-259 | Calculus in Three-Dimensions (C grade or better) or 21-254 Linear Algebra and Vector Calculus for Engineers (11 units) | 10 |
| 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 |
| Total units | 51 or 53 |
Second Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 52 or 54 |
Third Year - Fall
| 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 |
| 09-217/219 | 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 |
| Total units | 50 or 51 |
Third Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 54 |
Fourth Year - Fall
| 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 |
| Total units | 48 |
Fourth Year - Spring
| 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 |
| Total units | 45 |
† 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: 390.
- 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 pre-requisite 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.