Engineering (M.E.) – Chemical Engineering Specialization

The M.E. in Chemical Engineering is a coursework-only program, but students can build practical and technical expertise through advanced chemical engineering coursework, computational modeling, and access to Colorado State University’s research environment. Courses such as CBE 502 Advanced Reactor Design address complex kinetics, reactions, diffusion, reactor stability and nonideal flow, while CBE 503 Transport Phenomena Fundamentals includes analytical and numerical solutions and coupled transport. The program also connects students with CSU’s broader Chemical and Biological Engineering research infrastructure, including laboratories working in microfluidics, biomolecular engineering, computational biology, materials, and biomanufacturing.

Students can gain program-relevant practical and technical exposure through:

• Advanced computational work: CBE 521 Mathematical Modeling for Chemical Engineers develops mathematical modeling skills, while CSU’s Chemical and Biological Engineering research includes high-performance scientific computing, machine learning, optimization, and computational modeling.
• Research laboratories: CSU lists dedicated Chemical and Biological Engineering research groups and facilities including the Dandy Research Group Bioanalytical Microfluidics Program, Henry Group, Munsky Group, Peccoud Lab, Prasad Lab, Reardon Group, Quantitative and Computational Toxicology Research Group, Snow Laboratory, and Rocky Mountain Magnetic Resonance (RMMR).
• Microfluidics and diagnostic technology: The Dandy Research Group develops micro-total analytical systems for applications including water-quality monitoring, portable pathogen detection, airborne sampling, and biomarker analysis, giving students exposure to chemical engineering applications that intersect with biomedical and environmental engineering.
• Computational and digital tools: CSU's Munsky research environment uses Python, MATLAB, R, C/C++, Fortran and Java, alongside machine-learning and computational modeling approaches. These tools are associated with the research environment rather than listed as mandatory software for every M.E. student.
• Experimental–computational collaboration: The Munsky Group combines computational analysis with single-cell experiments and develops predictive models of biological systems, providing an example of the interdisciplinary research environment available within CSU's Chemical and Biological Engineering community.
• Industry-connected project experience: CSU's Chemical and Biological Engineering program has documented projects conducted with industry partners; for example, a student design project sponsored by Broadcom focused on reclaiming wastewater from semiconductor fabrication processes and returning it to ultrapure-water standards. This project is an undergraduate example rather than a stated requirement of the M.E. program.
• Laboratory and research facilities: The Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering maintains a dedicated directory of research laboratories and facilities, with Chemical and Biological Engineering facilities supporting work in areas such as bioanalytical microfluidics, computational biology, biomolecular engineering, and chemical/biological research.

The M.E. in Chemical Engineering at Colorado State University is designed to strengthen advanced engineering knowledge for careers across chemical, biological, energy, materials, pharmaceutical, environmental, and related industries. Graduates can apply their training to roles such as Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, and Process Design Engineer, while the university’s industry-connected engineering environment also supports continued professional development.

Career development and progression are supported through:

• Career services: CSU Engineering supports students with career exploration, resume development, mock interviews, networking opportunities, and connections to internships and employment.
• Employment outcomes: Across CSU Engineering, 84% of graduates go on to a job or graduate degree in their field within six months, with 180+ unique employers hiring CSU Engineering graduates. The reported average starting salary for CSU Engineering graduates is $70,802; these figures are college-wide and are not specific to the Chemical Engineering M.E.
• University–industry connections: CSU states that its engineering programs work with industry and government agencies on research projects, including areas such as environmental issues and biofuels. Chemical and Biological Engineering also has documented industry-connected projects involving organizations such as Broadcom, Tolmar, Anheuser-Busch, Medtronic, Terumo BCT, and UCHealth.
• Professional and accreditation value: CSU's Chemical and Biological Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under chemical, biological, and biomedical engineering criteria. The M.E. is a graduate program, so the master's degree itself should not be described as separately ABET-accredited.
• Graduation and professional development: CSU's School of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering identifies professional practice, postgraduate education, lifelong learning, teamwork, communication, and continued professional growth among its educational objectives.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.E., students can continue into advanced graduate study, including CSU's Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, particularly if they want to move toward research, university teaching, advanced technical development, or specialized engineering careers. CSU's Chemical Engineering graduate research spans areas including biochemical engineering, biofuels and biorefining, biosensors, advanced materials, environmental biotechnology, molecular simulation, nanostructured materials, protein engineering, and synthetic and systems biology.