BS in Chemical Engineering

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at the American University of Ras Al Khaimah (AURAK) is a four-year undergraduate degree that prepares students to apply engineering science and technology to solve complex problems in energy, materials, environment, biotechnology, and process industries. It suits students who want careers in chemical process design, sustainable engineering, oil and gas or petrochemicals, and offers study in key areas such as thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and process simulation. 

Curriculum structure

Year 1:
In the first year, students build essential foundations in sciences and engineering with courses such as General Chemistry I & II, University Physics I & II, Calculus I & II, and Introduction to Engineering, which develop analytical skills and fundamental understanding of matter, energy, and physical laws. Laboratory sessions in chemistry and physics reinforce experimental technique, data collection, and safety procedures, which are vital for later process-oriented work. General education units also support communication and critical thinking needed for engineering contexts. 

Year 2:
The second year introduces core chemical engineering concepts through units like Principles of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Fluid Mechanics, and Material Science, where students begin to analyse mass and energy balances, flow behaviour, and material properties. Students also learn Applied Computational Thinking and modeling fundamentals using software tools, connecting theory with computational problem solving. Opportunities such as Internship I give early professional exposure, linking classroom knowledge to real industry settings. 

Year 3:
In the third year, learners advance into integrated engineering topics including Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Process Control, where they deepen their ability to design and optimise industrial processes. Laboratory work and project components enhance understanding of how unit operations interact in real systems and build skills in measurement and analysis. Electives such as Engineering Statistics and Engineering Economy broaden students’ capacity to analyse systems quantitatively and consider economic and statistical aspects of engineering decisions. 

Year 4:
In the final year, students focus on synthesis and professional engineering practice through Senior Design Projects, Separation Processes, and advanced units that integrate principles of chemical engineering into full process design and optimisation. Additional industrial experience through Internship II and specialised modules such as Computational Tools in Chemical Engineering prepare students for workplace challenges, while electives allow focus on areas such as renewable energy or environmental engineering. By the end of this year, students have completed comprehensive projects and gained confidence to enter professional practice or graduate study. 

Focus areas (in a string):
Thermodynamics, transport phenomena, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, process design and control, materials science, computational modeling and simulation, sustainability and energy systems. 

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Apply core chemical engineering principles to solve complex industrial problems; conduct experiments and interpret data; design and optimise unit operations; use computational tools and simulation; communicate engineering solutions effectively; and demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility. 

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission (ABET) and meets the standards of the Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, ensuring it adheres to recognised international engineering education quality criteria. 

Reputation (employability rankings):
AURAK is a recognised university in the UAE and appears in global listings such as QS World University Rankings, with engineering programmes accredited and graduates sought after in sectors like energy, petrochemicals, materials, and environmental industries.