MSc Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Arizona

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arizona combines advanced chemical engineering fundamentals with research and hands-on learning, allowing students to explore areas ranging from nanotechnology and advanced materials to biotechnology, energy, water, and environmental applications. The program suits students seeking either a research-focused thesis pathway or a non-thesis option that can incorporate an industrial internship and specialized graduate coursework.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build their advanced chemical engineering foundation through the required courses CHEE 502 – Advanced Engineering Analysis, CHEE 505 – Advanced Chemical Engineering Transport Phenomena, CHEE 506 – Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, and CHEE 530 – Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering. Together, these courses strengthen students’ abilities in engineering analysis, transport processes, thermodynamics, and reaction engineering while establishing the technical foundation for research or professional specialization.

Year 2:

Students can deepen their specialization through approved electives and complete the requirements associated with their chosen pathway. Thesis students undertake CHEE 910 – Thesis and research leading to an oral defense, while non-thesis students complete CHEE 900 – Research and either a Master’s Report or an industrial internship with a written report; the program can also be completed in one year on the non-thesis route.

Focus Areas:

Air quality and climate, environmental biotechnology and remediation, materials and semiconductors, renewable energy and sustainability, resource recovery, water reuse, desalination and chemistry, nanotechnology, drug delivery, surface science, electrochemical engineering, bioremediation, polymeric materials, advanced chemical processing.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced capabilities in engineering analysis, transport phenomena, thermodynamics, chemical reaction engineering, research methodology, technical problem-solving, scientific communication, and the application of chemical engineering principles to areas such as sustainable energy, advanced materials, biotechnology, environmental engineering, water treatment, and nanotechnology.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Arizona's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The M.S. is a graduate degree and is not separately listed as an ABET-accredited program, so the undergraduate ABET accreditation should not be presented as accreditation of the M.S. itself.

Reputation (Employability/Rankings):

The University of Arizona's Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering reports that its Chemical Engineering graduate program is ranked No. 20 among public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The department also reports $4.8 million in annual research expenditures for 2025, more than eight research centers and labs, and that its graduate students are highly sought after in academia, industry, and government.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Arizona, experiential learning is closely connected to the department’s research-driven environment. The M.S. can be completed through a thesis or non-thesis pathway, with students working with CHEE faculty on areas such as water treatment and reuse, nanotechnology, materials and semiconductors, renewable energy, environmental biotechnology, and resource recovery. The department reports $4.8 million in annual research expenditures and more than eight research centers and labs, giving graduate students opportunities to engage with active research and advanced engineering applications.

Practical learning and research opportunities include:

Research projects: Thesis-track students conduct original research under faculty supervision, while the non-thesis pathway can include research through CHEE 900 – Research and an M.S. research report.
Laboratory research: CHEE students can work within research areas covering water and wastewater, aerosols and climate, bioproducts, alternative energy, materials, semiconductors, and environmental biotechnology.
Research centers and institutes: Department faculty are involved with the BIO5 Institute, Institute for Energy Solutions, Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center, Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Center, Center for Environmentally Sustainable Mining, and Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Benign Semiconductor Manufacturing, among others.
Advanced water research: The Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center provides a particularly relevant environment for research connected to water treatment, reuse, sustainability, and resource recovery.
Semiconductor research: The Engineering Research Center for Environmentally Benign Semiconductor Manufacturing provides exposure to research connected to sustainable semiconductor manufacturing and advanced materials.
Computational tools: Chemical engineering coursework and laboratory activities at Arizona use tools including MATLAB and LabVIEW for engineering modeling, data acquisition, analysis, and process control. These tools are documented in CHEE course materials; their use should not be interpreted as a requirement across every M.S. course.
Process-control experience: CHEE laboratory coursework includes acquiring data from instruments, working with sensors, converting analog signals to digital data, and using computer-based programs to analyze and control processes.
Interdisciplinary research: CHEE describes its research as multidisciplinary, with faculty and students working across chemical and environmental engineering and collaborating through university research centers.
Industry-oriented experience: The department specifically highlights on-the-job learning, industry connections, and research addressing semiconductor manufacturing, renewable energy, water reuse, resource recovery, and environmental technologies.
Graduate research support: Master's students without assistantships may pursue employment in research laboratories or work as graders, while CHEE also provides information on research and teaching assistantships and fellowships.
Departmental learning environment: Graduate students work with faculty researchers on subjects ranging from water treatment and reuse to nanotechnology, with dedicated graduate advising and research supervision.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The University of Arizona’s M.S. in Chemical Engineering can prepare graduates for careers spanning advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, energy, biotechnology, environmental engineering, and research. The department specifically notes that its graduate alumni are represented in industry, national laboratories, government, academia, and consulting, including organizations such as Intel, GlobalFoundries, Micron, Pfizer, NXP Semiconductors, TSMC, NASA, SpaceX, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Typical Career Roles: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Process Development Engineer, R&D Engineer.

Key career and progression opportunities include:

Graduate career development: The University of Arizona Graduate Center provides professional-development programming, career workshops, writing support, research-communication programs, and tools such as Grad Path for tracking graduate-degree progress. The Graduate College also emphasizes preparing students to be career-ready.
Mentoring: Graduate students are expected to have a faculty mentor, providing guidance on disciplinary development, professional skills, research opportunities, and career development.
Employment and industry outcomes: CHEE reports graduate alumni working with organizations including Intel, GlobalFoundries, Micron, Pfizer, Cabot Microelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, SpaceX, NASA, and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Salary context: The department reports that its chemical engineering undergraduate graduates typically earn a starting salary of about $75,000. This is a department-reported undergraduate figure, so it should not be interpreted as the salary of M.S. graduates.
Research-to-industry exposure: CHEE's graduate research spans water treatment, environmentally benign semiconductor manufacturing, hazardous-waste remediation, and biofuels, creating pathways into industries working on sustainability, advanced manufacturing, environmental technologies, and energy.
Industry-connected ecosystem: The department's graduate alumni network includes major semiconductor and technology employers such as Intel, GlobalFoundries, Micron, NXP Semiconductors, and TSMC, as well as energy, pharmaceutical, aerospace, and government organizations.
Research and professional development: The department reports $4.8 million in annual research expenditures and 8+ research centers and labs, supporting an environment where graduate students can develop research experience relevant to industry and advanced technical careers.
Accreditation value: The B.S. in Chemical Engineering at Arizona is ABET-accredited, while the M.S. is a graduate degree and is not separately listed as ABET-accredited. Therefore, ABET accreditation should not be represented as accreditation of the M.S. itself.
Graduation outcomes: CHEE states that its graduate programs prepare students for leadership roles in industry, academia, national laboratories, and consulting, while the M.S. thesis pathway provides direct experience conducting research with a faculty member.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students interested in advanced research can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related doctoral field. At Arizona, the Ph.D. pathway emphasizes independent and original research, with opportunities connected to the department's broad areas of chemical and environmental engineering.