M.S. in chemical engineering

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno gives students direct exposure to research and hands-on engineering through advanced coursework, laboratory experiences and faculty-mentored research. The department specifically emphasizes modern equipment, computers, chemical and biological process-engineering equipment, and research projects that build practical problem-solving skills. M.S. students can pursue thesis-based research in areas connected to chemical engineering, including renewable energy, biofuels, environmental engineering, biomolecular engineering and materials.

Students can build practical experience through the department's specialized laboratories, computational resources and advanced characterization facilities:

• Biofuels Laboratory: Research focuses on producing biofuels from waste, giving students opportunities to work on renewable-energy and sustainable chemical-engineering challenges.
• Biomolecular Engineering Laboratory: Students can engage with research involving protein engineering and the development of biotechnology tools and products.
• Chemical Engineering Modeling and Simulation: Students use computational methods and applied mathematics to investigate chemical-engineering thermodynamics, materials and systems.
• Materials and Electrochemical Research (MER) Laboratory: The facility has more than $6 million in advanced equipment, including XPS-Raman, XRD-SAXS and laboratory-based EXAFS capabilities, along with facilities for thin-film synthesis, corrosion studies and high-temperature/high-pressure analysis.
• Materials Modeling and Simulation: Research uses computational tools including Thermo-Calc, DICTRA, FactSage, COMSOL Multiphysics and MATLAB, giving students experience with industry-relevant modeling and simulation approaches.
• Polymer Science and Engineering Laboratory: Students can participate in research involving supramolecular polymer synthesis, surface polymerization and thermal, physical and electrochemical characterization.
• Solar Laboratory: Research investigates materials for light-activated reactions with applications in photovoltaics, environmental cleanup, green-fuel synthesis, biological processes and CO₂ control.
• Solar and Hydrogen Laboratory: Students can work around research focused on generating hydrogen from water using sunlight, connecting chemical engineering with renewable-energy technologies.
• Nuclear Materials Laboratory: Research includes reprocessing spent nuclear fuels and developing materials for nuclear reactors, providing exposure to specialized energy and materials challenges.
• Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility: Students conducting relevant research can access advanced microscopy and microanalysis capabilities; users receive required safety and instrument training before operating equipment.
• William N. Pennington Engineering Building: The College of Engineering facility includes more than 40 laboratories, a large computer lab, 150 graduate workstations and a Class 100 cleanroom, supporting research in chemical, biomedical, mechanical and materials engineering.
• Research projects and faculty mentorship: The department states that graduate students work closely with faculty to develop independent research, while the M.S. thesis pathway involves research under the mentorship of a Chemical Engineering faculty advisor.

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno prepares graduates for careers across industry, research, academia and entrepreneurship, with the graduate program reporting that its alumni have progressed into industry positions, Ph.D. programs, postdoctoral fellowships and academic roles nationally and internationally. The program's thesis and research structure can be particularly valuable for students targeting advanced technical or research-oriented positions in areas such as energy, materials, environmental engineering and biotechnology.

Potential career roles include: Chemical Process Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Energy Engineer, Materials Engineer.

• Career support: UNR's College of Engineering provides Engineering Career Services, which supports students with employment and internship opportunities.
• Industry exposure: UNR's engineering ecosystem includes industry-connected projects. At the university's 2025 Innovation Day, some student projects were completed in collaboration with industry partners, with representatives from organizations including Amazon, Nevada National Security Site, Southwest Gas Corporation and Bently Nevada Baker Hughes serving as judges.
• Battery and energy opportunities: UNR's Nevada Center for Applied Research has partnered with American Battery Technology Company (ABTC), with the collaboration including workforce-development opportunities; the university reported that ABTC had already hired three UNR students as interns or into full-time positions.
• Emerging technology experience: A 2026 chemical-engineering crystallization project is supported by the Nevada Tech Hub, a UNR-led coalition involving government, industry, education and nonprofit organizations focused on developing Nevada's lithium economy.
• Salary reference: UNR's Chemical Engineering undergraduate program reports a $70,099 median starting salary, citing the National Association of Colleges and Employers' 2022 report. This figure is for chemical-engineering majors generally and should not be interpreted as an M.S.-specific salary outcome.
• Graduate outcomes: UNR's Chemical Engineering graduate handbook reports that graduates have successfully entered industry, Ph.D. programs, postdoctoral fellowships and academic programs in the U.S. and internationally.
• Long-term academic progression: Students who want to remain in research can progress from the M.S. into UNR's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, while the department also provides a pathway from its graduate research environment into broader research and academic careers.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno, where they undertake significant original research and develop advanced expertise in a selected chemical-engineering area. The M.S. can also provide a foundation for doctoral study at other universities or for research-oriented careers and postdoctoral pathways.