engineering chemistry phd

Ph.D./Sc.D. Program

The Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering are identical; students may choose for themselves the appellation they prefer. This traditional, research-based doctoral degree program provides a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles of chemical engineering, as well as an intensive research experience.

The Doctor of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering are identical degree programs. Degree candidates may choose to be called a “doctor of philosophy” or a “doctor of science”.

The degree requires that you complete:

• the core curriculum in chemical engineering
• one chemical engineering H Level class
• the departmental biology requirement
• a minor program of related subjects outside of chemical engineering
• written and oral doctoral qualifying examinations
• the writing and oral defense of a thesis on original research

The core curriculum is:

• Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering 10.34
• Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 10.40
• Analysis of Transport Phenomena 10.50
• Chemical Reactor Engineering 10.65

The departmental biology requirement is fulfilled by completing an undergraduate subject equivalent to MIT 7.01x, either at MIT or at your undergraduate institution. Examples of minor programs for some recent doctoral students include applied mathematics, control theory, physical, organic or analytical chemistry, mechanical structure, power systems, process metallurgy, nuclear engineering, management, economics, music, ancient history and philosophy.

The normal duration of the degree program is five to six years. (Including an intermediate M.S. CEP degree normally has little effect on the duration.) A master’s degree is not required for entrance into the doctoral program, nor is the M.S. CEP required.

For incoming, first-year graduate students, academic advisors are members of the Committee for Graduate Students. When you select a research topic and begin your thesis, the research supervisor becomes your academic advisor. In general, students choose research advisors at the end of their first Fall semester at MIT. Should you wish to choose a research advisor from a department other than Chemical Engineering, you will also need to choose a co-advisor from the Chemical Engineering faculty.

Prior to Registration Day (Fall and Spring semesters), your subject selection must first be approved by your advisor before the Graduate Officer can authorize registration on Registration Day. Advisor approval should also be obtained for any subsequent subject add/drop actions during the term (no additional authorization by the Graduate Officer is required).

• Graduate programs

Ph.D. in chemical engineering

• Ph.D. program requirements
• Application mentorship program

Advance your career by developing groundbreaking solutions to worldwide issues, including health, sustainability, and energy. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering program at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) provides unmatched opportunities to investigate captivating areas at the intersection of technology and society.

Graduate admission

With a chemical engineering Ph.D. from CMU, you will be an independent researcher equipped to apply chemical engineering principles and advanced analytical and experimental techniques to pose and solve open-ended research problems. Complete your degree in four to five years and prepare for a career in academia, industry, or government research.

CMU's College of Engineering ranks fifth in the U.S. News & World Report list of best graduate engineering programs,  with our chemical engineering programs ranked 14th. Explore our Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and advance your career in this vital, innovative field.

Why earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon?

Make world-changing discoveries.

CMU's chemical engineering Ph.D. program empowers you to conduct leading-edge research that tackles critical global challenges. The world-renowned faculty in the Department of Chemical Engineering leads the way in advancing impactful solutions for our world.

The department's research areas include:

• Air quality and climate
• Energy, decarbonization, and sustainability
• Process systems engineering
• Biotechnology and pharmaceutical engineering
• Catalysis and surface science
• Soft materials and complex fluids

Learn in a collaborative, collegial research environment

We strive to foster a research environment that leads to fresh perspectives and trailblazing results. The faculty actively engages with colleagues across various departments at CMU and beyond. This interconnected approach enables CMU Ph.D. students to seek guidance from faculty with different areas of expertise to find novel solutions.

This collaborative ethos also extends to our facilities. The chemical engineering department has adopted an open plan for its laboratories, so students can easily share equipment and exchange ideas for new breakthroughs.

Finally, we encourage Ph.D. candidates to go beyond chemical engineering courses to select electives in related engineering and science disciplines. Cross-disciplinary studies help amplify the breadth and depth of scholarship while aligning with research goals.

Advance the state-of-the-art with your Ph.D. thesis

Our chemical engineering Ph.D. program empowers you to author and defend a thesis that advances scholarship in the field through original research. You will work closely with a faculty advisor who meets with you regularly to guide you.

You will analyze and communicate your findings in a substantive thesis and defend it before a thesis committee. You may even publish parts or all of your thesis in scientific journals or present them at conferences.

Through this rigorous process, you develop into an independent and innovative chemical engineering researcher ready to take on new challenges and make discoveries in academia or industry.

Join a supportive community for doctoral students

Our Ph.D. students hail from the United States and around the globe, and we prioritize ensuring students feel welcome in our department, whether through research groups or departmental gatherings. This culture helps students form lifelong friendships and professional connections with fellow graduate students.

Many students also join the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association (ChEGSA).  This student-run organization helps peers bond through seminars, socials, and networking events. It also hosts the ChEGSA Symposium, a two-day event where graduate students present their ongoing research and make networking connections with industry guests and alumni.

Meet chemical engineering Ph.D. students

Mariah L. Arral

Arral honored as one of AIChE’s 35 Under 35

Robert MacKnight

Student spotlight: Robert MacKnight

Studying microbes in marine environments and microcapsules

Curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

The Ph.D. program takes four to five years to complete, depending on prior education experience.

• Direct Entry students have a bachelor's degree and can fulfill all Ph.D. requirements in four years plus two semesters.
• Advanced Entry students have a Master of Science in Chemical Engineering or similar and can complete the Ph.D. program in four years or less.

Students take advanced courses in chemical engineering and can choose to take other engineering courses in the College of Engineering . In addition, students take a Qualifying Exam and write a Research Proposal that prepares them to write and defend their Ph.D. thesis.

Learn more about the chemical engineering Ph.D. program requirements.

Meet the Department of Chemical Engineering faculty

Ph.D. students work alongside CMU’s world-class professors.

Meet the faculty

Careers and outcomes for chemical engineering Ph.D. students

A Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Carnegie Mellon opens up an expansive world of opportunity in research. Our graduates secure rewarding careers advancing innovations at leading companies and laboratories.

In 2020-2023, CMU Ph.D. graduates found roles at:

• Air Products & Chemicals
• AstraZeneca
• Boston Consulting Group
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies
• Los Alamos National Laboratory
• Northwestern University
• Princeton University
• University of California, Santa Barbara
• University of Wisconsin

Job titles for our doctorate graduates include:

• AI researcher
• Postdoctoral fellow or researcher
• Research engineer
• Research scientist
• Senior data scientist
• Senior engineer
• Senior research specialist

Median salary* : $120,000

*Based on survey results from program graduates

See more post-graduation salaries and destination information for recent CMU Ph.D. students.

Chemical engineering program Ph.D. funding

The Department of Chemical Engineering pays tuition and stipends for all full-time Ph.D. students who make sufficient progress toward degree completion. Students are required to pay for books and course supplies.

A Direct Entry student is supported for up to fourteen semesters (including summer semesters), and Advanced Entry students are supported for up to twelve semesters (including summer semesters).

At CMU, we welcome applicants of different backgrounds to apply to our chemical engineering Ph.D. program. That's why ChEGSA offers an application mentorship program that pairs prospective students with a current ChemE graduate student.

Students work one-on-one with mentors to:

• Discuss your academic journey and goals
• Ask for tips on organizing application materials
• Receive constructive feedback on your CV and essays
• Get any questions answered about the program or application process

You also receive an application fee waiver for participating in the program.

Learn more about the application mentorship program.

See how current Ph.D. students have benefited from the program .

Admissions and application deadlines

Learn more about the admissions process

• Ph.D. program information sessions
• Graduate admissions FAQs

To apply to CMU's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering program, you should have:

• completed a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or a related engineering or science discipline at an accredited university OR
• completed a master's degree in chemical engineering or a related engineering or science discipline at an accredited university

The Ph.D. program admits students for the fall and spring semesters.

• Fall term of entry deadline : December 15
• Spring term of entry deadline : September 1

Take the next step toward earning your chemical engineering Ph.D.

Gain expertise to advance scholarship and transform society through Carnegie Mellon University's Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering program. Our research-intensive curriculum, cross-disciplinary thinking, and world-class faculty mentors empower you to pioneer solutions to global challenges.

Request info

PhD Program Information - Davidson School of Chemical Engineering - Purdue University

Doctor of Philosophy Program

The Ph.D. program is designed to prepare each student to take an active part in the development and growth of the field of chemical engineering at all levels in academia, industry, and various research organizations. All admitted graduate students must demonstrate competence in graduate course work and demonstrate the capability to do independent research. Each student selects a major professor and an advisory committee to assist him/her in planning a program of course work and thesis research. The student takes thirty credits of graduate course work (usually 10 three-credit classes), and writes a thesis. The thesis research should be original work that contributes significantly to new knowledge.

In the beginning of the second year of the program, all students go through the Ph.D. Qualifying Procedure.  They must pass the Qualifying Procedure (Qual) in order to proceed directly to the Ph.D. program.

Beginning with the third semester, each student, as part of the degree requirement, occasionally assists in the instructional activities of the department as a Teaching Fellow (TF). The current periodicity is one semester every other year. Students usually teach in their third and sixth semesters. Advanced students may have the opportunity to participate directly in the planning and presentation of undergraduate courses that are related to their thesis work.

By the eighth week of the sixth semester, students must take their Preliminary Examination (Prelim). During the Prelim, the student presents a plan for his/her research, and the student demonstrates proficiency in the theory and experimental methods needed for completion of the research. Once a student passes the Prelim, he/she is admitted into candidacy. After the student completes the research and writes the thesis, he/she will take the Final Examination, which is a defense of the written thesis.

Bev Johnson Graduate Program Administrator FRNY 2043A (765) 494-4057 [email protected]

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Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at UNH provides an intensive experience at a top-tier research university and a solid foundation in chemical engineering principles, preparing you for highly selective careers in academia, research, and related fields. You'll collaborate with award-winning faculty in state-of-the-art labs, exploring areas like biochemical engineering, electrochemical engineering, and fluid dynamics. UNH’s program emphasizes hands-on learning, challenging coursework, and opportunities to tackle real-world problems, ensuring you're well-equipped for leadership roles in the field.

Why pursue a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at UNH?

Our chemical engineering Ph.D. will give you intensive research experience alongside a solid foundation in the fundamental principles of chemical engineering, preparing you forhighly selective careers in academia, research and related fields. You’ll learn to apply knowledge of mathematics, science and engineering to identify, formulate and solve chemical engineering problems.

Program highlights

We offer challenging courses and hands-on learning alongside award-winning faculty in our state-of-the-art laboratories. Our research areas include biochemical engineering, biomaterials, biomedical engineering, biophysics, chemical and biosensors, electrocatalysis, electrochemical engineering, fluid dynamics, microfluidics, modeling and simulation, and synthetic biology. Our department also has clean and renewable energy research activities in different labsand has for years offered courses in areas such as energy and environment, fossil fuels, electrochemical methods, nuclear engineering,and air pollution control. The Center for Clean and Renewable Energy Research was established in 2007 with the purpose of improving organizational cohesion and enhancing public recognition of the role of chemical engineering in this important area.

Potential career areas

• Biochemical engineering
• Biomedical engineering
• Biotechnology
• Energy engineering
• Industrial chemicals
• Petroleum and petrochemicals
• Pharmaceuticals and medicine
• Plastics and textiles
• Pollution abatement

Contact Information

Curriculum & Requirements

Program description.

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program normally have a master's degree in chemical engineering. Exceptional students with a baccalaureate degree in chemical engineering are eligible for admission to the program. To be admitted, students must present evidence that they have a strong foundation in chemical engineering. Applicants must submit current scores (within five years) from the general test of the Graduate Record Examination. International students are required to submit TOEFL test scores. IELTS scores are accepted on a case-­by­-case basis, and students must have a minimum score of 6.5.

Requirements for the Program

Ph.d. degree requirements.

PhD students will complete the following core chemical engineering courses:

Students should register for CHBE 900 for 1 credit each in their first two semesters and 0 credits each additional semester until their degree is granted.

Those students admitted with a master's degree in chemical engineering are required to take an additional 3 elective courses at the 800­- or 900­- level to complete the course work requirements. Those students admitted with a baccalaureate degree in chemical engineering are required to complete an additional 5 elective courses at the 800­- or 900­- level to complete the course work requirements. Courses taken within the UNH School of Law, College of Life Sciences and Agriculture, and the Paul College of Business and Economics can apply with approval. Electives must be assessed with a letter grade and cannot be pass/fail. Students take electives after consulting with their advisers.  The courses the students have taken to fulfill their B.S. degree requirement cannot be counted toward their PhD. degree requirement. 

Students in the PhD program are expected to complete at least two core courses excluding CHBE 900 within the first year of graduate study. Students with a GPA of 3.0 or better in the two core courses are eligible to take the qualifying exam.  The qualifying exam will have a written and an oral component and will be administered by the graduate committee. The graduate coordinator / committee will conduct an annual review of each student's progress in the program. All course work, including electives, should be completed by the end of the second year of study and must be completed before the student can be advanced to candidacy.

To advance to candidacy, the student must prepare a research proposal, and defend the proposal in an oral examination before a doctoral guidance committee. After successful completion of the oral qualifying examination, the student is advanced to candidacy and upon recommendation of the graduate coordinator, a doctoral dissertation committee is appointed by the dean of the graduate school. The doctoral dissertation committee supervises and approves the dissertation and administers the final dissertation defense.

There is no language requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the doctoral degree, the student will be able to:

• Use appropriate chemical engineering techniques, tools and methods to solve broadly defined engineering problems.
• Critically analyze the literature and determine the state-of-the-art in a given research topic.
• Write and defend an original research proposal.
• Use computational and/or experimental skills to solve an original research problem in the field of chemical engineering and critically evaluate the results. 
• Demonstrate independence in conducting research and take ownership for its direction.
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills through publications and presentations to a variety of audiences. 

Application Requirements & Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall : Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (recommended US; final international); July 1 (final)
• Spring : Dec. 1 , Nov. 1 for international students
• Summer : N/A
• Special : N/A

Application fee : $65

Campus : Durham

New England Regional: VT

Accelerated Masters Eligible : No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form . This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted , you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts : Please have your institution send the transcript directly to [email protected] . Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts : Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Test Scores: GRE Required

GRE required. Request official test scores to be sent directly to the Graduate School by the testing service. Test scores more than five years old are not acceptable. Student copies and photo copies of scores are not considered official. Our CEEB code is 3918.

For general information about test scores, including waiver requests and current COVID related impacts,  please visit our Test Scores webpage .

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

• Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
• Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.

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PhD Program Requirements

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The Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering is awarded after completing a minimum of 135 units of graduate work, satisfactory completion of any additional university requirements, and the following departmental requirements. Completion of an MS degree is not a prerequisite for beginning, pursuing, or completing doctoral work.

Unit and course requirements

A minimum of 135 completed units is required, including a minimum of 39 units, consisting of 36 coursework units and 3 colloquium units. These 36 units consist of 15 units of CHEMENG core courses listed below, 6 units of CHEMENG 400-level courses, 9 additional units of graduate-level science & engineering lecture elective courses, and 6 units of flexible elective courses consisting of any course that the student and their advisor feels will further their research. CHEMENG 699 should be taken each quarter; its units count toward the required 135 units. The research units for CHEMENG 399 are included in the 135 total, but may not be counted toward the 36 unit requirement. The following courses are required:

These courses are to be taken at Stanford. Any petition to substitute another graduate-level course for any of these core courses must be approved by the department chair. The remaining graduate-level science and engineering lecture courses may be chosen from any department. A student may petition the department chair for approval to include an upper-division undergraduate science or engineering lecture course. All proposals for PhD course work must be approved by the student’s adviser and the department chair or his/her designee. Students working with a research advisor should enroll each quarter in the 500 series, 600 and 699 as appropriate and as study list unit limits permit. Students with questions or issues should see departmental graduate student services.

Predoctoral students may petition to have an MS degree program added to their university record; see departmental student services and submit them in a Graduate Authorization petition in Axess. Once a petition is approved, the MS candidate must complete a Program Proposal for a Master’s Degree form and submit it to student services. Students may apply in Axess for MS degree conferral upon completion of the requirements for this degree. The MS degree must be awarded within the university’s candidacy period for completion of a master’s degree.

Minimum grade requirement

Any course intended to satisfy the PhD degree requirements must be taken for a letter grade if offered. A GPA of 3.0 or above is required at the end of the second quarter (or, potentially, a petition approved by the student's research advisor, any required co-advisor, and the department chair). In any case, a GPA of 3.0 or above is required at the end of the third quarter in order to continue in the PhD program. An overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 must be maintained.

To be advanced to PhD candidacy, students must secure a research dissertation adviser (and any required co-adviser) and complete a PhD candidacy examination. First, the research adviser and any required co-adviser must be established by the end of the second quarter in the PhD program. Failure to do so leads to termination of a student's study toward a PhD in Chemical Engineering; however, the student may continue to work toward an MS degree. Failure to obtain a doctoral adviser precludes any financial aid beyond that already awarded for which the student is still eligible. Second, the PhD candidacy examination before a faculty committee at the end of the fourth quarter consists of (a) a student’s oral presentation of their thinking about their research proposal and current progress; and (b) an examination by faculty members of the proposal specifics as well as the student’s understanding of the fundamental chemical, physical and biological concepts that govern the molecular behavior of the system being studied. Upon successful completion of this examination, candidates must submit an Application for Candidacy for Doctoral Degree form, approved by their research adviser(s), to departmental graduate student services within two months.

Teaching requirement

Teaching experience is considered an essential component of predoctoral training because it assists in further developing and refining candidates' skills in conveying what they know, think, and conclude, based on articulated assumptions and knowledge. All PhD candidates, regardless of the source of their financial support, are required to assist in teaching a minimum of two chemical engineering courses.

Reading committee requirement

Reading committee meetings are intended to be discussion sessions, which help to focus and guide the dissertation project; they are not examinations. By the end of the second year, all PhD candidates must assemble reading committees and submit Doctoral Dissertation Reading Committee forms signed by research advisers to student services. By the beginning of their third year (or by the end of their ninth quarter), candidates should have had an initial meeting with the full reading committee. The faculty strongly encourage doctoral candidates to take advantage of the benefits of ongoing, yearly, full reading committee meetings. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule committee meetings and the faculty to respond in a timely manner to scheduling requests.  Students should assist in the maintenance of degree progress records by reporting the committee meeting dates to the student services manager.

Research poster requirement

Experience in analyzing and presenting one’s research to diverse audiences is also an essential component of predoctoral training. Faculty strongly encourage candidates to do so several times each year, starting in the second year. All candidates in their third year are required to prepare and present a research poster during the annual Mason Lecturers week in the spring quarter.

Dissertation and oral defense requirements

A dissertation based on a successful investigation of a fundamental problem in chemical engineering is required. A student is expected to have fulfilled all the requirements for this degree, including the completion of a dissertation approved by his or her research adviser(s) and reading committee members within approximately five calendar years after enrolling in the PhD program. Upon adviser approval(s), copies of the dissertation's final draft must be distributed to each reading committee member. No sooner than three weeks after this distribution, a student may schedule an oral examination. This examination is a dissertation defense, based on the candidate’s dissertation research, and is in the form of a public seminar followed by a private examination by the faculty members on the student’s oral examination committee. Satisfactory performance in the oral examination and acceptance of an approved dissertation by Graduate Degree Progress, Office of the University Registrar, leads to PhD degree conferral.

PhD minor in Chemical Engineering

An application for a PhD minor must be approved by both the major and minor departments. A student desiring a PhD minor in Chemical Engineering must work with a minor program adviser who has a faculty appointment in Chemical Engineering. This adviser must be included as a member of the student’s reading committee for the doctoral dissertation, and the entire reading committee must meet at least once and at least one year prior to the scheduling of the student’s oral examination. The department strongly prefers that regular meetings of the full reading committee start no later than the third year of graduate study or when the student is admitted to PhD candidacy. Besides, the Chemical Engineering faculty member who is the minor adviser must be a member of the student’s university oral examination committee.

The PhD minor program must include at least 20 units of graduate-level lecture courses (numbered at the 200 level or above) but may not include any 1- to 2-unit lecture courses in the 20-unit minimum. The list of courses must form a coherent program and must be approved by the minor program adviser and the chair of this department. All minor courses must be taken for a letter grade, and a GPA of at least 3.0 must be earned for these courses.

Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Focus: advancing knowledge and research in areas such as catalysis, reaction kinetics, complex fluids, microelectronics, microfluidics, optimization, bioinformatics, polymers, sustainable development, pulp and paper, separations, carbon capture, biomedicine, solar energy, thermodynamics, MEMS, environmental science, reaction engineering, cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, biofuels, air quality, modeling, and process synthesis and control.

College of Engineering

Chemical Engineering (Ph.D.)

Chemical Engineering

Doctor of philosophy, chemical engineering and materials science, program details.

• Application process

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering combines a wide range of course offerings and research activities, to allow a tailored program to fit the background, capabilities, and aims of each student. Coursework is designed to expand the student's knowledge of engineering principles and applications. Each student also conducts an extensive research project that significantly advances fundamental understanding of a chemical engineering system. Research results are documented in a dissertation, and in peer-reviewed journal publications.

In addition to Chemical Engineering graduates, the doctoral program welcomes students who have completed a B.S. degree in chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, or other STEM disciplines. "Foundations in Chemical Engineering", a program of accelerated, online courses are provided to prepare non-chemical engineering students for graduate study in Chemical Engineering. These courses can be taken prior to formally entering the doctoral program. Please see the link below for more information.

• Program overview (Office of Registrar)
• Course descriptions (Office of Registrar)
• Foundations in Chemical Engineering

Current MSU students

Future students

Michigan State University uses a decentralized admissions process for graduate studies. Visit the College of Engineering graduate admissions page for details on the overall process.

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science graduate admissions process is as follows:

1. Fill out a complete  MSU Graduate School Application . Use the on-line forms, or contact  [email protected]  to check on the availability of a paper application. Note the following degree codes:

• Chemical Engineering M.S. = 2303
• Chemical Engineering Ph.D. = 2304
• Materials Science and Engineering M.S. = 8001
• Materials Science and Engineering Ph.D. = 8002

Please Note: Applications completed prior to January 5 will receive full consideration. Your application cannot be marked complete until your application fee has been paid.

2. Completing the MSU application online will give you access to the  Student portal.   You will be able to:

• Upload Resume/CV
• Upload personal and academic statements
• Manage Letter of Recommendations (see guidelines below)
• Upload any other pertinent information for your application
• For MS students only:  Affidavit of Support  and bank statements
• Send Messages to Graduate Secretary and Graduate Director

3. The following items must be submitted in an official capacity:

• Copy of your official transcripts (undergraduate and graduate). Note: for paper copies, please have official correspondence sent to department. Please contact the Graduate Secretary if you wish to have electronic copies sent, as they must meet certain criteria.
• GRE Scores are currently not required.
• Official TOEFL or IELTS scores (international applicants only). ( See Guidelines ).

Official test scores (GRE and TOEFL) must be submitted to the University via the Educational Testing Service ( ETS ). Unofficial photocopies of score sheets are useful for review purposes, but we cannot admit applicants without a complete application, which requires official scores.

4. Arrange for three recommendations from instructors and/or advisors familiar with your academic record who have agreed to write a letter of recommendation for you. This may be done via the student portal (step 2) or by mail. The student portal allows for the student to add referrers, send reminder emails and waive their right to view letters.

For mail submissions, please use our  CHEMS Recommendation Form (Word document, .doc)  (rather than the form provided by the graduate school.) Fill out and sign the top portion of each form. Ask the recommender to complete the form, attach a letter if they wish, and return it to us at the departmental address given on the bottom of the form.

Address for Mailing ALL Printed Application Materials:

Graduate Secretary Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Michigan State University 428 S. Shaw Ln Rm 2100 Engineering Building East Lansing, MI 48824-1226

Phone: (517) 355-5135 FAX: (517) 432-1105 [email protected]

Applications will only be reviewed when complete and official. Please utilize the  student portal  for up-to-date information about your application status.

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CBE Doctorate Degree Program & Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

The Ph.D. program is designed to enlarge the body of knowledge of the student and, more importantly, to discover and develop talent for original, productive, and creative work in chemical and biomolecular engineering.

Breadth of knowledge and professional training are achieved through advanced course work. A total of 18 units of letter-graded courses must be taken during residence in the graduate program. A minimum of 9 units must be obtained from the five core chemical engineering courses in the areas of mathematics, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and transport phenomena. Additional units must be obtained from graduate level or upper division elective courses so that the total number of units taken is 18. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue additional courses of specific relevance to their thesis research and to explore other areas of technical, professional, or personal interest. In addition students are required to take the ChE 375 Pedagogy course and department colloquium.

To develop the creative talents of the student, a paramount emphasis in the Ph.D. program is placed on intensive research. Starting the second semester students will work on a project with one or more members of the faculty serving as their advisor.

Two departmental examinations are required in the course of the degree. The first, an oral preliminary examination, is held at the beginning of the second semester to ensure adequate knowledge of fundamental graduate and undergraduate course material. The results of this examination, performance in course work, and a statement from the students' research director are used by a committee of the faculty to evaluate the students' progress toward the Ph.D.

The second examination, the oral qualifying examination taken at the beginning of the fifth semester in residence, consists of a written technical manuscript and a formal presentation of students' research to a committee, including review of the most relevant literature, research accomplishments to date, and a future plan. After passing the examinations students advance to candidacy and will spend most of their time on their dissertation research projects.

The department requires that each doctoral candidate assist in the instructional program of the department as a teaching assistant for two semesters. The faculty regard teaching experience as highly valuable for all graduate students, especially those who plan to teach as a career.

Completion of the Ph.D. occurs with students presenting the results of their dissertation research at the department colloquium and filing the dissertation with graduate division. Time for completion of the degree is on average 5.5 years.

Research Areas Online Application

PhD Application Deadline

Dec 1, 2024 8:59 PM

Analytical Chemistry

Chemical Biology

Chemical Engineering

Computational Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Renewable Energy

Upcoming public defense.

College of Arts & Sciences

Ph.D. Program

Interested in the chemistry ph.d. program.

Prospective students can contact our Graduate Admissions coordinator Ms. Tabi Lemlem (202-687-6073) or the Graduate Admissions chair Prof. Kaveh Jorabchi

Office of Admissions

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Our Ph.D. program guides students to attain the following goals upon graduation:

1.  Broad chemistry knowledge. The students will broaden and deepen their understanding of theories, concepts and models to enhance their success as scientists and educators.

2.  Expertise in a specific discipline.   Each student will acquire a deep working knowledge of a particular field in chemistry.

3.  Communication skills. Graduates will be able to construct and defend arguments with clarity.  They will be able to write for and speak with peers, experts and the public on a range of topics specific to their discipline.

4.  The ability to access and evaluate primary literature.   Students will have the ability to search, read and critically analyze the primary literature in order to understand and synthesize new ideas in their field.

5.  Data analysis skills.  Students will have the ability to produce, analyze and interpret meaningful chemical data and draw sound conclusions.

6.  Become independent researchers.  Graduates will be able to conceive, design and execute research projects independently.

7.  Make original scientific contributions.   Students will solve new and significant problems in their chosen field.  They will understand the importance of this work in advancing the progress of their discipline and be able to explain its relevance.  The quality and value of this work will be such that it can be published in a highly respected peer reviewed journal.

8.  Responsible conduct in research.  Graduates will understand and conduct research exhibiting the highest standards of safety, honesty and integrity.

9.  Teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration.   Graduates will have the ability to work effectively as part of a team and to cross traditional boundaries and execute multidisciplinary research. 

10. Teaching and mentoring skills.   Students will acquire teaching skills and gain experience mentoring less experienced scientists in a research setting.

Graduate Admissions

Graduate studies.

The Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (CCE) offers degree programs in:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
• Chemical Engineering

The Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering especially encourages applications from first-generation, low-income, systemically marginalized, and underrepresented groups in science and engineering, including women. Caltech CCE is committed to increasing the diversity of our student body. Although admissions for our program requires an application fee, this fee should not stand between you and your future degree. If you are considering Caltech graduate programs and need assistance with the application fees, consider applying for a fee waiver. For more information, click the link below:

Information about the Graduate Application Fee Waiver

All Graduate applications are handled through the Office of Graduate Studies , and all application materials should be sent to them. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online, however, you may request a paper application through the Graduate Office.

Completed applications are due to the Graduate Office no later than December 1st. Late applications may be considered but may be at a disadvantage in the allocation of assistance or the priority for admission.

APPLY ONLINE

Please note that a Master's degree in chemistry or chemical engineering is not ordinarily offered, except under special circumstances, and with prior approval of the Graduate Study Committee.

We strongly discourage applications from Caltech undergraduates, except for extenuating circumstances.

Admitted graduate students are supported through a combination of research assistantships, teaching assistantships and fellowships. Applicants are encouraged to pursue outside fellowships including those offered by US governmental organizations as well as those offered through international governments and private organizations.

For information regarding visit weekends, please see the description for each specific graduate program on the Graduate Student Visits page.

Required Tests

Students coming from non-English speaking countries are required to take an English proficiency exam. However, students who have studied in the U.S. for 2 or more years, or who obtained a degree from a school whose primary instruction is in English are exempt from this requirement.

More information on the TOEFL, TSE, TWE, and IELTS tests are available at the Office of Graduate Studies Checklist .

Prospective chemistry graduate students: For students coming from non-English speaking countries, English proficiency test scores are no longer required for admission.  However, English proficiency is required and will be assessed through interviews with faculty.

The Admissions Committees will take several components of the application into consideration including letters of recommendation, grades in college particularly those in chemistry, biochemistry, and related subjects, any research experience including resulting publications or presentations, GRE scores*, and the statement of purpose.

*GRE scores are not required. Absence of GRE scores will not be negatively considered for otherwise qualified applicants. If an applicant believes that GRE scores strengthen the application and chooses to submit them, submitted GRE scores will be considered. Caltech is reviewing the future use of the GRE at the institution.

All documents related to the application must be submitted to the Graduate office on or before the December 1st deadline (Chemical Engineering program application must be submitted before the December 1st).

If you have questions about your application, please call the Graduate Office at (626) 395-6346 or send email to [email protected] .

Details of the Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics PhD Programs can be found in the Caltech course catalog .

Learn more about admission to the Caltech Graduate Program at Graduate Admissions .

Chemistry, Ph.D.

The ingredients for discovery..

Scientists who hold an advanced degree in chemistry are on the front lines of chemical research and development, making significant contributions to the knowledge of our physical world.

In this program, you will focus on a branch of chemistry that interests you, including analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Using sophisticated instrumentation, you may work to develop new materials for medicine, agriculture, food production or industry. You could also explore environmental monitoring, pollution abatement, or the building of sensors for use in explosives detection.

Additionally, students in this program have unique opportunities to actively research across disciplines in such areas as bio-organic chemistry, biophysical chemistry, environmental chemistry, medicinal chemistry and nanomaterials.

This degree could be a good fit if you:

• Have a solid background in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry
• Want to be in the lab designing and conducting research
• Want to apply your chemistry knowledge to solve pressing global problems
• Have a strong work ethic

Career Outcomes

With this degree, you could become a/an:

• Scientists in the chemical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical or oil industries
• Industrial chemist
• Consultant in a R&D, architecture, engineering, or environmental firm
• Researcher in a government laboratory
• Teacher at the high-school or college level

Available On-Campus

You may also be interested in:

Water Resources, M.S.

Learn to work across disciplines to help communities solve today’s increasingly complex problems in water resources management.

Neuroscience, M.S.

Study the complex workings of the nervous system and prepare to advance the scientific understanding of the human brain and spinal cord.

More degrees below. Enjoy!

Learn the advanced geographic research methods, technologies and analytical techniques for a management-level or research-oriented position in the field.

Neuroscience

Geographic information science.

Explore the science of space and place and be a part of finding the answers our nation and world need.

Build the relevant knowledge and research skills to address geological challenges affecting the environment, energy and water resources, and more.

Deepen your understanding of theoretical and experimental physics and gain the independent research experiences to make your own discoveries in the field.

Gain the advanced biological knowledge and research experiences to solve complex problems in medicine, agriculture, industry, the environment and more.

Microbiology, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry

Prepare to lead research and advance scientific knowledge that could cure and treat diseases, improve agriculture, eliminate toxic waste and more.

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology

Learn to analyze and manage complex biological data and research new applications in health sciences, agriculture and other industries.

• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

2024 Chemistry Student Excellence Fellowships & TA Awards

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (9/12/2024) – At the Department of Chemistry’s Kickoff Seminar on September 5th, 25 Chemistry PhD students were recognized with honors and awards for their excellence and hard work in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

Ten students were honored with Excellence Fellowships in recognition of their achievements in the Chemistry graduate program. 2024 Department of Chemistry Fellowships for Excellence in Graduate Studies awardees are:

• Wilanyi Alvarez Reyes (Wayland E. Noland Fellowships in Chemistry Fund)
• Rupal Baliyan (PPG Graduate Student Support Fund)
• Richard Ede (Robert and Jill DeMaster Fellowship Fund)
• Brandon Hosford (Lester C. and Joan M. Krogh Endowed Fellowship Fund II)
• MaKenna Koble (Robert and Jill DeMaster Fellowship Fund)
• Rowan Matney  (Lester C. and Joan M. Krogh Endowed Fellowship Fund II)
• Gabrielle Vandendries (Wayland E. Noland Fellowships in Chemistry Fund)
• Casey Wouters (Dr. Carl and Dorothy Krespan Chemistry Fellowship)
• Sallu Kargbo (Wayland E. Noland Fellowship in Organic Chemistry)
• Erik Moran (Lester C. and Joan M. Krogh Endowed Fellowship)  

13 students were recognized for their dedication and distinction in Teaching Assistant roles for the 2022-2023 academic year. Jack Orr and Rose Liyanagunawardana were awarded the 2023-2024 Robert L. Ferm Outstanding Graduate TA Award:

“Jack is the best TA I have had so far, he is extremely helpful both in-lab and via email. He is always prepared for class, enthusiastic to be there, and he always seems to have a solution for problems that arise in class. His knowledge of chemistry and his eagerness to teach it is really inspiring, and it is clear that he puts in a lot of effort into this course. He also is one of the most patient TAs I’ve ever had and is never judgmental of what somebody does or doesn’t know.”

Rose Liyanagunawardana

“Rose is an absolute treasure of a TA. She was always patient and kind with us, helping us understand the chemistry behind what we were doing, but allowing us to come to our own conclusions. Rose was prompt with grading and gave insightful feedback, and was also very quick at responding to student emails for help with lab reports. Rose has a great sense of humor, and despite the strict safety protocols and seriousness of the lab, she also somehow managed to make lab fun!”

The 2023 – 2024 TA Award Honorable Mentions are:

• Luc Wetherbee
• Alyssa Bright
• Gabby Blake
• Briana Krupinsky
• Ruoqi Jiang
• Jane Schlesinger
• Timmy Nguyen
• Tucker Besel 
• Ikumi Ellis 
• Killian Macfeely 
• Douglas Kavaguti   

Three students Isabella Jacobsen, Timmy Nguyen, and Nitha Puthalath were recognized for achieving a 4.0 GPA in the 2023-2024 academic year. 

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