MEng Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Idaho

Program Overview

The Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering at the University of Idaho is a 30-credit graduate program designed for students with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering who want to strengthen their advanced engineering and research capabilities. Students work with faculty across areas such as chemical reaction engineering, process design, hazardous-waste management and bioremediation, nanoscience, and mass transfer while gaining access to advanced laboratory equipment.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: Students build their advanced chemical engineering foundation through graduate-level study in areas such as Chemical Engineering Analysis, Transport Phenomena, and Chemical Engineering Kinetics, developing the mathematical, analytical, and engineering tools needed for complex process problems. The program also allows electives to be selected with an advisor according to the student's interests and professional goals.

Year 2: Students use their remaining credits to deepen their technical specialization and apply chemical engineering knowledge to professional or research-oriented problems. Depending on their study plan, students can focus their work around areas such as process design, hazardous-waste and bioremediation, nanoscience, reaction engineering, or mass transfer, supported by faculty expertise and advanced laboratory resources.

Focus Areas:

Chemical reaction engineering, process design, pulp and paper processes, hazardous waste and bioremediation, nanoscience, mass transfer, sustainable engineering, pollution reduction, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and advanced chemical processing.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, research and investigative methods, analytical problem-solving skills, and the ability to apply engineering principles to industrial and research environments. The program also develops practical experience with advanced laboratory instrumentation and faculty-led research areas.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.Engr. in Chemical Engineering is not separately listed as ABET-accredited. The University of Idaho's B.S.Ch.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.

Reputation & Employability:

The University of Idaho reports 1,383 current job openings across Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Montana, and Hawaii for the career categories associated with the program. Its current career data, provided by Lightcast, lists a $124,948 mid-career salary for Chemical Engineers, while related careers include Biomedical Engineers at $124,454 and Architectural and Engineering Managers at $177,591; these are career-market figures rather than M.Engr.-specific graduate salary outcomes.

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering also highlights its industry connections, paid internship opportunities, research opportunities, and alumni network as ways students can build professional experience and connections.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.Engr. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Idaho gives students practical exposure through advanced laboratory equipment, faculty-led research, and engineering facilities focused on chemical reaction engineering, process design, hazardous-waste management, nanoscience, and mass transfer. The department specifically highlights access to an atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning Raman spectroscopy, and gas chromatographs, while its research environment also supports work in sustainable energy, biotechnology, environmental protection, and materials science.

Students can also gain industry exposure through paid internships with industry leaders and national laboratories, while the College of Engineering provides student organizations and hands-on spaces for developing technical and professional skills. Recent departmental upgrades include a Maker Hub with 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters and a tabletop lathe, as well as an upgraded Instrumentation and Controls Teaching Lab.

Specific experiential resources include:

Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories: Faculty research covers chemical reaction engineering, pulp and paper process design, hazardous waste and bioremediation, nanoscience and mass transfer, giving M.Engr. students opportunities to engage with applied research.
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM): Used for nanoscale characterization and materials research within the department's advanced laboratory environment.
Scanning Raman Spectroscopy: Provides laser-based spectroscopic analysis for investigating material and chemical properties.
Gas Chromatographs: Support chemical analysis and research involving gaseous and volatile compounds.
X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): U of I's Chemical and Biological Engineering department has state-of-the-art XPS instrumentation supporting research in catalysis, microelectronics, adhesion and composite materials.
Electron Microscopy Center: Provides access to scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, visible/polarized-light microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction for materials characterization.
Mass Spectrometry Core Facility: Includes GC-MS, Q-TOF MS, triple-quadrupole MS and ion-trap mass spectrometry, paired with gas or liquid chromatographs for analytical research.
NMR & EPR Facilities: The university provides three Bruker NMR spectrometers and a Bruker EPR spectrometer for advanced chemical and materials analysis.
Maker Hub: The Chemical and Biological Engineering department recently added a space equipped with 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, a tabletop lathe and other engineering tools, supporting prototyping and fabrication.
Instrumentation and Controls Teaching Lab: Recently upgraded with new computers, tables and modern instrumentation for developing practical measurement and control skills.
Internships: The department highlights paid internship opportunities with industry leaders and national laboratories, providing a route to practical industry experience alongside graduate study.
Engineering clubs and professional organizations: Students can participate in organizations including AIChE, Material Advantage, National Organization for Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and Society of Women Engineers.
Integrated Research and Innovation Center (IRIC): Provides an interdisciplinary research environment where students, faculty and external partners collaborate on complex engineering challenges; Chemical and Biological Engineering projects at IRIC include advanced XPS instrumentation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.Engr. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Idaho prepares graduates for advanced engineering careers by combining chemical engineering expertise with applied research and practical problem-solving. The program's emphasis on areas such as process design, reaction engineering, nanoscience, environmental engineering, and sustainable energy also gives graduates flexibility to pursue opportunities across different industries.

Typical job roles: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, R&D Engineer, Process Development Engineer.

Key opportunities for career development include:

Career services: The University of Idaho's Career Services provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, employer events, job and internship resources, and access to Handshake.
Employment opportunities: The Chemical and Biological Engineering department highlights paid internships with industry leaders and national laboratories, giving students opportunities to build professional experience before graduation.
Salary information: University of Idaho's program page reports a $124,948 mid-career salary for Chemical Engineers, based on Lightcast career-market data. This is a career-level figure and not an M.Engr.-specific graduate salary.
Industry connections: The department highlights relationships with industry leaders and national laboratories through internships and applied research. Students can also engage with professional organizations such as AIChE, creating additional opportunities for industry networking.
Research-to-industry experience: Students can work in research areas including chemical reaction engineering, process design, hazardous waste and bioremediation, nanoscience, mass transfer, renewable energy, and advanced materials, connecting graduate study with industrial applications.
Accreditation value: The University of Idaho's B.S. in Chemical Engineering is ABET-accredited. The M.Engr. itself is not separately identified as ABET-accredited, so the ABET accreditation should be viewed as applying to the undergraduate program rather than the master's degree.
Graduation outcomes: The M.Engr. develops advanced engineering, research, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities that can support professional chemical engineering careers or further graduate study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.Engr., students can pursue doctoral-level study in Chemical Engineering or related engineering fields, depending on their research interests and the admission requirements of the institution. The University of Idaho's College of Engineering offers doctoral study opportunities in engineering disciplines, allowing students interested in research and academia to continue developing their expertise.