MS Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Cincinnati

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati is a research-focused graduate program designed for students who want to develop advanced expertise in chemical engineering and prepare for careers in research, industry, academia, or further doctoral study. Students can explore areas such as Biomolecular Engineering, Nanotechnology, Energy and Environment, and Separations through advanced coursework, research, and a thesis or non-thesis pathway.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:

Students begin with core graduate chemical engineering courses that establish advanced technical foundations, including CHE 6040 Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHE 6043 Advanced Transport Phenomena I, and CHE 6044 Advanced Transport Phenomena II. Students also begin exploring graduate-level electives and participate in CHE 8070 Graduate Seminar, which is required each semester for full-time students.

Year 2:

Students advance into CHE 7077 Chemical Reaction Engineering and select additional Chemical Engineering electives according to their research interests. In the thesis pathway, students complete at least six credits of CHE 8071 Thesis, supported by research or special-project work such as CHE 8000 MS Research in Chemical Engineering and CHE 9072 Special Projects in Chemical Engineering. Students choosing the non-thesis pathway instead complete additional Chemical Engineering and technical electives and a three-credit CHE 8060 Master of Science or Master of Engineering Capstone Project.

Focus Areas:

Biomolecular Engineering, Nanotechnology, Energy and Environment, Separations, Biotransformations and Biocatalysis, Bioengineering, Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modeling, Fuel Cells, Membrane Processes, Functional Nanomaterials, Polymer Systems, Process Dynamics and Control, Reaction Engineering and Catalysis, Separation Processes, Tissue Engineering, and Transport Phenomena.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, research and problem-solving abilities, experimental and analytical skills, technical communication, and the ability to apply engineering principles to complex problems in areas such as energy, environment, biomolecular engineering, nanotechnology, and separations. The program also develops research experience through thesis, research, special-project, or capstone work.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Cincinnati is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is separately accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET; the M.S. in Chemical Engineering is not listed as a separately ABET-accredited graduate program.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

The University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering and Applied Science has a strong research and industry profile. In the 2023 U.S. News & World Report graduate rankings, UC's Chemical Engineering program was ranked No. 87 nationally, while UC highlighted federal research support from organizations including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and National Institutes of Health as part of the college's research strength.

UC also ranked No. 3 nationally and No. 1 among public universities for co-ops and internships in the 2027 U.S. News rankings, reflecting the university's broader emphasis on industry-connected experiential learning.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati gives students substantial opportunities to develop practical research and technical skills through thesis research, special projects, graduate seminars, and advanced coursework across Biomolecular Engineering, Nanotechnology, Energy and Environment, and Separations. Students can work with specialized research facilities and computational tools while applying chemical engineering concepts to areas such as nanomaterials, energy systems, membrane processes, biocatalysis, and environmental engineering.

Students can gain hands-on and research experience through:

Nanoworld Laboratory: Chemical Engineering students can participate in interdisciplinary research involving nanomaterials, sensors, devices, carbon nanotubes, graphene, electrochemistry, and composites. Facilities include CNT and graphene synthesis labs, nanostructured materials processing labs, a Pilot Micro Factory Laboratory, and an Electrochemistry and Composites Laboratory.
M.S. Thesis Research: Students following the thesis option complete graduate research through courses such as CHE 8071 Thesis and CHE 8000 MS Research in Chemical Engineering, allowing them to develop research and technical problem-solving skills.
Special Projects: The curriculum includes CHE 9072 Special Projects in Chemical Engineering, providing an opportunity to work on focused technical or research projects.
Advanced Chemical Engineering Research: Faculty research covers biomolecular engineering, nanotechnology, energy and environment, and separations, with topics including biotransformations and biocatalysis, fuel cells, membrane processes, functional nanomaterials, polymer systems, reaction engineering, and tissue engineering.
Chemical Engineering Software: CEAS provides students access to engineering software including MATLAB, ANSYS, ChemCAD, ChemSep, COMSOL Multiphysics, Minitab, LabVIEW, Siemens STAR-CCM+, and Tecplot.
Computing Facilities: CEAS operates approximately 400 PC workstations across its computing laboratories, with some facilities offering 24-hour access; students can also remotely access CEAS lab computers.
Mantei Center: The Mantei Center is a major College of Engineering research facility housing state-of-the-art research laboratories and graduate student facilities, providing an environment for advanced engineering research.
Mantei Center Cleanroom: The university's more than 8,000-square-foot cleanroom provides micro/nanofabrication and characterization capabilities, including lithography, deposition, etching, oxidation, and optical/electrical characterization tools.
Graduate Seminar: Full-time M.S. students participate in CHE 8070 Graduate Seminar, supporting professional development and exposure to graduate-level chemical engineering research.
Collaborative Research: Nanoworld is explicitly interdisciplinary, bringing together Chemical Engineering with areas including Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Biomedical Engineering, and the College of Medicine.

Facilities: University of Cincinnati College of Engineering and Applied Science facilities include Rhodes Hall, the Mantei Center, Old Chemistry Building, computing laboratories, research centers, and specialized laboratories.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati prepares graduates for advanced technical and research-oriented roles across chemical processing, energy, materials, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and related industries. The program's thesis and research options can also provide a strong foundation for students who want to continue into doctoral-level study or research careers. UC's broader engineering ecosystem combines graduate education with extensive employer connections and career-focused experiential learning.

Typical career options: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Process Design Engineer.

Key career and progression opportunities include:

Career support: UC's CEAS co-op and career system provides access to co-op advisers, Handshake, resume-building support, mock interviews, employer databases, and engineering career fairs.
Industry connections: UC's co-op network had 1,798 employer partners in 2025–26, with students working with organizations such as Procter & Gamble, GE Aerospace, Siemens, Honda, Toyota, NASA, and Northrop Grumman.
Chemical engineering employers: UC identifies companies including BASF, SABIC, Givaudan, Lubrizol, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Patheon/Thermo Fisher Scientific, L'Oréal, and Sherwin-Williams among employers connected with its Chemical Engineering program.
Salary information: UC reports an average $22.45/hour co-op wage for Chemical Engineering majors. This is a co-op wage rather than a post-graduation M.S. salary.
University-wide co-op outcomes: In 2025–26, UC students reported $99.5 million in collective co-op earnings, averaging $13,130 per student per semester and $21.89 per hour. These figures are university-wide and should not be interpreted as M.S. Chemical Engineering graduate salaries.
Professional experience: UC's CEAS co-op model connects students with more than 1,300 employers and provides opportunities for industry- and research-based experiences.
Accreditation value: The University of Cincinnati is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). The university's Chemical Engineering B.S. is ABET-accredited; the M.S. itself is not listed as a separately ABET-accredited graduate program.
Graduation and career preparation: UC's engineering programs emphasize real-world learning, employer engagement, and professional experience, allowing students to graduate with technical preparation alongside opportunities to develop industry connections.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or related doctoral fields such as materials science, environmental engineering, energy, biotechnology, or other specialized engineering areas. The M.S. thesis/research pathway is particularly relevant for students planning research-intensive careers or doctoral study.