Master of Science - Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Auburn University

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University is designed for students who want to advance their expertise in engineering design and practice while developing specialized knowledge in areas such as biochemical engineering, catalysis, environmental engineering, process simulation, bioseparations, chemical kinetics, and reactor design. The program offers a flexible 30-credit non-thesis pathway online, making it particularly suitable for students and working professionals seeking advanced chemical engineering knowledge without a traditional campus-based schedule.

Curriculum Structure:

Graduate Study:
Rather than following separate academic years, the program allows students to create a graduate plan of study with the program officer. The non-thesis option requires 30 graduate credit hours, including at least 21 hours in Chemical Engineering, while the thesis route requires at least 30 credits and includes CHEN 7990 – Research and Thesis.

Students can build their technical depth through graduate courses such as CHEN 7100 – Transport Phenomena, which covers heat, mass, and momentum transport; CHEN 7200 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, which explores chemical reaction and phase equilibrium; and CHEN 7250 – Chemical Reaction Engineering, which focuses on the analysis and design of homogeneous and heterogeneous chemical reactors.

The curriculum also provides opportunities to specialize in areas such as CHEN 6410 – Macromolecular Science and Engineering, CHEN 6800 – Biochemical Engineering, CHEN 6810 – Biomedical Engineering, CHEN 6660 – Macroscale Assembly and Applications of Nanomaterials, and CHEN 6090 – Pulp and Paper Technology. Online students can take courses offered through sections designated for online delivery, allowing them to tailor their studies to their professional interests.

Focus Areas:

Surface science, biochemical engineering, catalysis, pulp and paper engineering, environmental engineering, waste conversion, computer-aided process design and simulation, bioseparations, chemical kinetics, reactor design, polymer science, biomedical engineering, nanomaterials, biorefineries.

Learning Outcomes:

Advanced chemical engineering analysis, engineering design and practice, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, process modeling and simulation, specialized technical knowledge, quantitative problem-solving, research and independent study skills, and application of engineering principles to industrial and emerging technologies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Auburn's undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, with accreditation dating back to 1950. This accreditation applies to the undergraduate program; Auburn's MS in Chemical Engineering should therefore not be described as separately ABET-accredited.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

Auburn Engineering reports that its graduate engineering programs have consistently performed strongly in U.S. News & World Report rankings, with Auburn Engineering ranked No. 20 among Best Online Graduate Engineering Programs in 2025, marking five consecutive years in the top 20. Auburn's Chemical Engineering department also reports a strong research environment, with 95 graduate students and 24 full-time faculty in Fall 2024 and approximately $40 million in Ross Hall and Wilmore Laboratories facility renovations.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MS in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University gives students opportunities to develop advanced practical and research skills through faculty-guided research, specialized laboratories, and access to engineering research facilities. The department's graduate environment brings together core chemical engineering knowledge with specialized research in areas such as advanced energy systems, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, process systems, nanotechnology, sustainable engineering, polymers, and membrane technology. Students pursuing the thesis pathway can gain direct research experience, while the non-thesis MS is also available through Auburn's outreach/online route.

Students can gain hands-on and research experience through:

Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories: The department is primarily supported by Ross Hall and the Woltosz Engineering Research Laboratory, with additional laboratory facilities in Wilmore Laboratories and Gavin Engineering Research Laboratory.
Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering (ACPABE): Students can engage with industry-oriented research through a controlled-condition wet-test laboratory and a pilot-scale microfluidizer capable of producing micro- and nanofibrillated cellulose. Current research includes CO₂ capture, biorefining, sustainable pulping, and data-driven process applications.
Center for Microfibrous Materials Manufacturing (CM3): Research facilities include process-integrated wet-lay machines, sintering, cutting and forming operations, reactor and electrode loading stations, and analytical quality-control equipment, with applications in microfibrous materials, reactors, thermal management, and desulfurization.
Specialized Research Laboratories: Chemical Engineering research facilities include laboratories for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, supercritical fluid processing and nanomaterial synthesis, and supercritical fluid reactions, providing specialized environments for advanced chemical engineering research.
Computer Facilities: The department maintains a dedicated Chemical Engineering PC Lab in Ross Hall, supporting computer-based engineering coursework and activities.
Research Centers: Students can connect their graduate work with centers including the Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites (CPAC), Alabama Center for Paper and Bioresource Engineering (ACPABE), and Center for Microfibrous Materials (CM3).
Faculty-Led Research: Auburn's graduate Chemical Engineering program emphasizes close collaboration between students and faculty, with research opportunities spanning energy, process control, biomedical engineering, computer-aided chemical engineering, biotechnology, composite materials, and membrane technology.
Industry-Aligned Research: ACPABE provides research and testing services to the pulp, paper, and allied industries, while CM3 specifically supports business scale-up and development, giving students exposure to research connected with real industrial applications.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Auburn University prepares graduates for advanced engineering and technical roles by combining chemical engineering fundamentals with specialized areas such as process design and simulation, biochemical engineering, catalysis, environmental engineering, and reactor design. Auburn’s Chemical Engineering career data shows graduates moving into a wide range of engineering positions and being recruited by major chemical, energy, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and materials organizations.

Typical career roles: Process Engineer, Chemical Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Process Design Engineer.

These opportunities are supported by Auburn’s career resources, employer network, and graduate outcomes:

Career support: Auburn Engineering’s Office of Career Development and Corporate Relations helps graduate students explore career options, develop targeted job-search strategies, customize application materials, and network with alumni and employers. Students can also use Handshake, CareerShift, USAJobs, BuzzFile, and LinkedIn, along with career fairs, Industry Days, employer events, and interviews.
Salary outcomes: Auburn’s 2024–25 First Destination Survey reports a $94,114 mean starting salary and $105,000 median starting salary for Chemical Engineering graduate respondents. These figures are for Chemical Engineering graduates and are not identified as MS-only outcomes.
Industry connections: Auburn Engineering works with employers through career fairs, interviews, co-op and internship recruitment, employer-in-residence events, and other campus engagement activities. Chemical Engineering recruiting organizations listed by Auburn include BASF, Eastman Chemical, ExxonMobil, Georgia-Pacific, Michelin, Olin Corporation, Procter & Gamble, Chevron, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Southern Company.
Career outcomes: Auburn's Chemical Engineering First Destination data includes roles such as Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, R&D Engineer, Sales Engineer, Systems Engineer, and Water Reclamation Engineer, demonstrating the breadth of career directions available to Chemical Engineering graduates.
Professional development: Graduate students can work with Engineering Career Coaches for résumé and application-material reviews, interview preparation, networking, and targeted job-search strategies. Auburn also provides access to professional-development resources through the Graduate School and engineering career programs.
Accreditation value: Auburn's undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is ABET-accredited, providing a professionally recognized foundation in chemical engineering. The MS itself should not be described as separately ABET-accredited.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MS, students interested in advanced research can progress to Auburn University's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. The doctoral program focuses on developing the ability to define, formulate, and solve novel problems and requires substantial dissertation research, making it a natural pathway for students targeting research-intensive or academic careers.