Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Clarkson University places strong emphasis on hands-on research and professional experience, with students able to pursue an independent thesis or a professionally oriented special project. The program highlights work in state-of-the-art laboratories, data science, advanced materials, energy, environmental remediation, process engineering and design, giving students opportunities to apply chemical engineering knowledge to real industrial and research challenges.

Students can build practical and research experience through:

• Independent research: Thesis-track students begin their research in their first semester and complete 10 thesis credits, culminating in an oral presentation and defense before a faculty committee.
• Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP): Chemical Engineering graduate research can connect with CAMP's work in advanced materials processing, including chemical-mechanical planarization, nanomaterials, colloids, surface science, energy-storage materials and semiconductor processing.
• Advanced characterization equipment: CAMP provides access to SEM, TEM, AFM, EDS, XRF, XRD, DMA, TGA and DSC, as well as mechanical-property testing through the ATLAS Laboratory.
• Computational modeling and simulation: Research facilities support computational modeling and simulation, allowing students to develop computational approaches alongside experimental chemical engineering research.
• Process engineering research: Students can engage with research involving machine learning, continuum-scale modeling and optimization, as well as advanced process engineering and design.
• Energy and sustainability: Research opportunities include separation technologies, batteries, water splitting and other energy and sustainability applications, providing exposure to current engineering challenges.
• Plasma and electrochemical research: Clarkson's chemical engineering research includes plasma and electrochemical approaches to environmental remediation, providing opportunities to work on technologies addressing environmental challenges.
• Industry-connected research: CAMP has collaborated with dozens of companies on chemical-mechanical planarization research and offers corporate arrangements involving research, internships, visiting scientists and co-ops.
• Semiconductor applications: Clarkson's CAMP has more than 25 years of involvement in chemical-mechanical planarization, a key process used in semiconductor manufacturing, giving students exposure to an industry-relevant research environment.
• Graduate seminars: Students in residence attend departmental seminars, providing regular exposure to research and developments across chemical engineering.

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Clarkson University prepares graduates for careers in research, development, design, process engineering, materials, energy, environmental engineering and related industries. Clarkson specifically lists career paths including chemical engineer, electrochemical engineer, environmental engineer and process design engineer, while recent graduates have joined organizations such as Dow Chemical, Intel, Moderna, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and Procter & Gamble.

Typical job roles: Chemical Engineer, Process Design Engineer, Electrochemical Engineer, Environmental Engineer.

Students can build professional connections and prepare for employment through:

• Career services: Clarkson's Parker Career Center hosts two career fairs each year, bringing employers to campus to recruit students for internships, co-ops and full-time positions.
• Employment and salary: Clarkson reports that Chemical Engineering M.S. graduates from the Class of 2023 had starting salaries as high as $138,000. The university also reports a 96% placement rate for the Clarkson Class of 2026 across its broader student population.
• Industry partnerships: The Center for Advanced Materials Processing (CAMP) works directly with companies on advanced materials and manufacturing challenges. Its corporate sponsors include Corning, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, L3Harris, SK hynix, Samsung, Xerox, Estée Lauder Companies and Nippon Shokubai, among others.
• Industry research opportunities: CAMP offers corporate arrangements involving research, internships, visiting scientists and co-ops, creating opportunities for students to gain experience connected to industry needs.
• Industry-connected research: CAMP has more than 30 years of chemical-mechanical planarization research conducted in collaboration with dozens of companies, particularly for the semiconductor industry.
• Professional value: The M.S. develops advanced technical and research expertise and can help students move toward more specialized positions in chemical engineering. Clarkson also states that the program provides strong preparation for admission to a chemical engineering doctoral program.
• Accreditation: Clarkson's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is ABET-accredited; the M.S. is a graduate program and is not separately identified as ABET-accredited.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students can continue into Clarkson's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, which provides deeper research training and prepares students for careers in academia, product and materials development, biotechnology and industrial research. The M.S. itself is also specifically described by Clarkson as providing preparation for admission to a chemical engineering doctoral program.