MS in Chemical & Biological Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Brigham Young University Provo

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU) is a research-focused graduate program designed for students who want to strengthen their engineering knowledge while developing advanced research and problem-solving skills. It is well suited to graduates with a background in chemical engineering who are interested in specialized technical careers, industrial research, or further academic study, with a curriculum combining advanced coursework and supervised thesis research.

Curriculum Structure:

The M.S. program is structured around graduate coursework, electives, and thesis research rather than a fixed year-by-year sequence. Students build advanced knowledge in core chemical engineering subjects such as Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena, and Chemical Reaction Engineering, applying these concepts to complex engineering systems and research problems.

As students progress, they select graduate electives that align with their research interests and complete supervised thesis work. The program requires at least 30 credit hours, including 6 thesis credits, allowing students to investigate a focused chemical engineering topic, conduct research, analyze results, and present their findings.

Focus Areas:

Chemical engineering principles, plant operation, plant design, engineering research, chemical process development, advanced engineering science, design-focused chemical engineering, industrial applications, chemical engineering research.

Learning Outcomes:

Demonstrate advanced understanding of chemical engineering sub-disciplines and engineering science, conduct supervised research and make original contributions, develop and communicate research findings verbally and in writing, publish contributions to the field, collaborate effectively as a team member or leader, demonstrate professional integrity, and apply engineering knowledge to develop innovative and technically sound solutions.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at BYU is designed to prepare students for professional roles in industrial operations, plant design, and engineering research. The program emphasizes advanced chemical engineering principles and substantial research experience. The graduate degree is not separately identified as ABET-accredited in the program catalog; students should distinguish its graduate-level training from the accreditation status of undergraduate engineering programs.

Reputation (Employability and Rankings):

BYU’s Chemical Engineering M.S. is structured to develop research capability and prepare graduates for a range of industrial and research opportunities. The university’s program catalog notes that graduates may pursue work in plant operation, plant design, and research, and that starting salaries are typically slightly higher than those of bachelor’s graduates. This is a general statement in the catalog, not a program-specific salary figure or verified employment statistic. No current chemical-engineering-specific ranking is stated on the program page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU) emphasizes hands-on research and the practical application of advanced chemical engineering principles. Students complete supervised thesis research, giving them the opportunity to investigate specialized engineering problems, work with faculty, analyze research findings, and communicate technical results. BYU’s Department of Chemical Engineering provides research opportunities in areas such as catalysis, materials, biochemical engineering, energy, and process systems.

Key research and practical learning opportunities include:

Thesis Research: Students complete six thesis credits as part of the M.S. program, conducting supervised research on a specialized chemical engineering topic. This helps develop skills in experimental planning, technical analysis, research writing, and presenting findings.
Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC): BYU’s research center focuses on combustion engineering, including combustion technology development and research related to energy and industrial applications. Its laboratories provide a research environment for students working in relevant areas.
Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories: BYU’s Engineering Building and Engineering Research Laboratory include research labs, project spaces, team rooms, and experiential learning areas. Access to specific spaces depends on the student’s research area and faculty supervision.
Research areas: Faculty research spans catalysis, combustion, electrochemical systems, molecular modeling, fluid mechanics, biomedical engineering, and sustainable energy. Students can pursue thesis projects aligned with available faculty research.
Computational and engineering resources: The department provides computer lab access and computing support for chemical engineering students. Specific software packages required for M.S. research are not listed as universal program requirements.
Industry-related research: BYU’s engineering research has a history of collaboration with industry and government-supported projects. Students may encounter applied engineering problems through faculty research, although a mandatory internship or industry placement is not specified for the M.S.
Team and project spaces: The Engineering Building includes project bays and team rooms that support collaborative engineering work. The M.S. catalog does not specify a compulsory group project sequence.
Research publications and theses: BYU’s ScholarsArchive provides access to chemical engineering faculty publications and graduate theses, helping students explore previous research and academic work in the discipline.
Field trips and internships: The M.S. program catalog does not identify required field trips or internships. Such opportunities may depend on a student’s research topic, faculty connections, or separately arranged professional experiences.

Facilities and research resources: BYU’s Chemical Engineering students can draw on the department’s research laboratories, the Engineering Building, the Engineering Research Laboratory, computing resources, and relevant research centers such as ACERC. Access and participation depend on the student’s research focus and available supervision.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU) prepares graduates for advanced technical and research-focused careers by combining graduate coursework with supervised thesis research. Students develop skills in engineering analysis, research methods, and problem-solving that can support opportunities in chemical manufacturing, energy, process design, and industrial research.

Potential career paths include: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, Plant Design Engineer.

Graduates can build on their degree through opportunities such as:

Career services: BYU’s Career Services offers career advising, resume and cover letter support, interview preparation, job-search resources, career fairs, and employer connections. Engineering students can also access college-specific career support and recruiting opportunities.
Employment and salary information: BYU’s Chemical Engineering program catalog states that M.S. graduates typically earn starting salaries slightly higher than bachelor’s graduates. However, it does not provide a current, verified average salary or employment rate specifically for M.S. Chemical Engineering graduates.
University–industry and research partnerships: BYU’s Advanced Combustion Engineering Research Center (ACERC) conducts research in combustion technology and energy-related engineering. BYU engineering research also engages with industrial and government-supported projects, giving students potential exposure to applied engineering challenges. Specific placements or partnerships are not guaranteed for every M.S. student.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation is generally associated with qualifying undergraduate engineering programs. The M.S. in Chemical Engineering is not separately identified as ABET-accredited in the program catalog. Its value lies in advanced technical training, thesis research, and the development of specialized engineering expertise.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates may pursue roles in plant operation, plant design, chemical process development, industrial research, and related engineering fields. The program catalog identifies these as possible career directions but does not provide a detailed breakdown of graduate employment or placement outcomes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students interested in academic research, advanced technical specialization, or university teaching can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related doctoral program. Other possible areas include materials science, biochemical engineering, energy systems, catalysis, and environmental engineering, depending on their research background and future goals. The thesis research completed during the M.S. can provide a useful foundation for doctoral-level study.