MS Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Case Western Reserve University

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University prepares students to develop advanced solutions in areas including energy, materials, the environment, and human health, with flexible thesis-focused, project-focused, and accelerated course-focused pathways. Designed for students from chemical engineering as well as related backgrounds such as chemistry and physics, the program combines advanced technical coursework with research or real-world project experience to support a wide range of engineering careers.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build their advanced chemical engineering foundation through graduate-level coursework covering the core areas of transport, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions, while also completing ECHE 401 – Chemical Engineering Communications and ECHE 402 – Chemical Engineering Communications II. Depending on their interests, students can explore advanced subjects such as ECHE 460 – Thermodynamics of Chemical Systems, ECHE 461 – Transport Phenomena, and ECHE 462 – Chemical Reaction Engineering, developing the analytical skills needed to understand and design complex chemical processes.

Year 2 / Final Stage:

Students pursuing the thesis-focused pathway devote substantial credit toward ECHE 651 – Thesis M.S., while project-focused students can complete ECHE 695 – Project M.S. or ECHE 660 – Special Problems alongside graduate coursework. Specialized options such as ECHE 466 – Colloids and Interfacial Science, ECHE 472 – Electrochemical Energy Storage, and ECHE 474 – Biotransport Processes allow students to connect chemical engineering fundamentals with advanced materials, energy storage, biomedical systems, and emerging technologies.

Accelerated Course-Focused Option:

Students seeking a faster professional route can complete the 30-credit course-focused M.S. in approximately 11 months, with approved graduate-level coursework and a culminating course-focused experience. This pathway is particularly suited to students who want to strengthen their technical expertise quickly without completing a thesis.

Focus Areas:

Chemical engineering transport, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process analysis and design, electrochemical engineering, energy storage, advanced materials, colloids and interfaces, biotechnology, biotransport, biomedical engineering, environmental applications, energy, nanotechnology, chemical process development.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced capabilities in chemical engineering analysis, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process design, technical communication, research, project development, electrochemical systems, advanced materials, energy technologies, and applications of chemical engineering to environmental and human-health challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Case Western Reserve University’s B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and similarly named engineering programs. The M.S. in Chemical Engineering is a graduate degree and is not separately listed as ABET-accredited, so the ABET accreditation should not be presented as accreditation of the M.S. itself.

Reputation (Employability/Rankings):

Case Western Reserve University reports that its graduate Chemical Engineering program is ranked No. 34 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The university also reports a graduate Chemical Engineering alumni network with graduates working at organizations including Merck, Intel, Lam Research, Applied Materials, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, and Avery Dennison, demonstrating the range of industries connected with the degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University offers practical exposure through advanced coursework, research opportunities, and project-based pathways. Students can work in a collaborative environment where chemical engineering research spans electrochemical engineering, energy storage, advanced materials, separations, sustainable manufacturing, and biomolecular engineering. The program’s research ecosystem also gives students access to specialized instrumentation and shared engineering facilities, while the project-focused track can involve a real-world engineering effort.

Experiential Learning opportunities include:

Research-focused and project-focused tracks: In addition to the professional course-focused option, the M.S. can be completed through research-focused or project-focused pathways in appropriate cases. The project-focused route allows students to work on a real-world effort, while research activities connect students with faculty-led chemical and biomolecular engineering projects.
Chemical Engineering Instrumentation Core (CHiC): Students involved in eligible research can access a centralized facility providing specialized instruments, technologies, and technical services. CHiC uses the Agilent iLab Portal for instrument reservations, service requests, training, and consultations.
Energy Lab: This research facility investigates electrochemical processes in ionic liquids and develops nonflammable electrolytes for energy storage and energy conversion.
Electrochemical Materials Fabrication Laboratory: Students working in relevant research areas can engage with research focused on electrochemical processes for depositing, fabricating, and manipulating materials used in energy storage, nanoelectronics, and electrometallurgy.
Swagelok Center for Surface Analysis of Materials: This multi-user analytical facility provides instrumentation for material imaging, chemical analysis, and structure/property measurements, with access available to CWRU students and researchers.
Interdisciplinary research: Department research extends across electrochemical engineering, biomaterials and biomedical engineering, sustainable materials, separations, green manufacturing, energy, and related areas, encouraging collaboration across research groups rather than working within isolated disciplines.
Biotransport and bioprocessing facilities and collaborations: Relevant research connects chemical engineering with biomedical engineering and the School of Medicine, including work in drug delivery, disease detection, tissue engineering, and biochemical sensors.
Real-world engineering research: Department projects have included developing new battery chemistries, improving air filtration, nuclear forensics, carbon capture, energy storage, and advanced materials—giving graduate researchers opportunities to work on applied engineering challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering provides a strong foundation for careers spanning advanced chemical processes, materials, energy, manufacturing, and research. CWRU specifically identifies industry, national laboratories, government organizations, and academia as destinations for its chemical engineering graduates, with alumni working at major employers such as Merck, Intel, Lam Research, Applied Materials, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, and Avery Dennison.

Career and graduate outcomes:

Career support: CWRU’s Center for Career Success provides graduate students with career consulting, résumé/CV reviews, interview preparation, career fairs and events, Handshake, and online job resources through MyCareer. Graduate students can also access employer information sessions, on-campus interviewing, and career-focused workshops.
Industry connections: The Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering department states that it has close partnerships with local industries, giving students opportunities to work on real-world problems and deliver practical solutions. CWRU’s career fairs also attract more than 300 businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations seeking interns and full-time hires.
Employer network: Chemical engineering alumni have built careers with Merck, Intel, Lam Research, Applied Materials, Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, and Avery Dennison. The department also identifies national-laboratory destinations including Argonne National Laboratory and the National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Employment outcomes: CWRU reports that 96% of its graduates are working full-time, enrolled in graduate or professional school, or otherwise pursuing their career goals within six months of graduation. This is a university-wide graduate outcome rather than an M.S. Chemical Engineering-specific placement rate.
Salary information: CWRU’s Chemical Engineering M.S. page does not publish a program-specific average starting salary, so a specific salary figure should not be attributed to this degree. The university does report that CWRU ranks #1 in Ohio for graduate earnings according to Business Insider.
Professional standing: CWRU currently lists its graduate Chemical Engineering program at #34 in the U.S. News & World Report graduate rankings. This recognition can provide an additional long-term credential when pursuing technical, research, or industry opportunities.
Accreditation value: ABET accreditation applies to CWRU’s undergraduate engineering programs, including its B.S.E. Chemical Engineering program; the M.S. itself is not presented by CWRU as a separately ABET-accredited degree. The value of the master’s therefore comes from its advanced graduate-level chemical engineering training, specialized coursework, research/project options, and CWRU’s engineering reputation rather than separate M.S. ABET accreditation.
Professional networking: Graduate students can use CWRU Connect, powered by Wisr, to connect with alumni who volunteer to provide career advice and professional networking.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students interested in advanced research can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Case Western Reserve University or pursue doctoral study at another institution. CWRU’s Chemical Engineering Ph.D. focuses on research areas including energy, materials, environment, and human health, providing a natural pathway for students who want to move from advanced professional training into independent research and academic or R&D careers.