Chemical Engineering (MS)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Louisville

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville is designed for students seeking advanced expertise in chemical engineering, with opportunities to explore chemicals manufacturing, advanced materials, biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy conversion, and food processing. The program combines advanced coursework with technical electives and either a research-based thesis or a non-thesis pathway, making it suitable for students interested in professional engineering careers as well as further research.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build an advanced foundation in chemical engineering through courses such as CHE 610 Advanced Thermodynamics, CHE 620 Transport Phenomena I, and CHE 641 Advanced Reactor Design. They also develop analytical and problem-solving skills through CHE 686 Chemical Engineering Analysis, while beginning to explore specialized technical electives based on their interests.

Year 2:

Students deepen their specialization through approved technical electives, with at least half of the non-thesis coursework credits at the 600 level and at least 15 credit hours in Chemical Engineering. Students choosing the research pathway complete CHE 690 Master of Science Thesis in Chemical Engineering, involving experimental and/or theoretical research, while the non-thesis option allows students to complete additional technical electives.

Focus Areas:

Chemicals manufacturing, advanced materials manufacturing, biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy conversion, food processing, additive manufacturing, polymeric molecules, biomimetic membranes and structures, chemical microsystems, renewable energy and materials, water treatment and conservation, complex fluids.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, quantitative and analytical problem-solving abilities, expertise in thermodynamics, transport and reactor design, research skills, independent technical analysis, and the ability to apply chemical engineering principles to complex industrial and research problems. The thesis pathway additionally develops experience in experimental or theoretical research and technical communication.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering is not separately listed as ABET-accredited. The University of Louisville's B.S. 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 university itself is institutionally accredited by SACSCOC.

Reputation & Employability:

The University of Louisville's J.B. Speed School of Engineering reports a 97% job-acceptance rate within 90 days of graduation across Speed School graduates and a $62,567 median salary reported by recent graduates; these figures are Speed School-wide rather than specific to the Chemical Engineering M.S. The Chemical Engineering department also highlights career pathways spanning petrochemical, aerospace, food processing, energy, environmental science, and research, while its graduate program provides opportunities for interdisciplinary research in areas such as renewable energy, materials, water treatment, additive manufacturing, and biomedical engineering.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville gives students opportunities to develop practical research and engineering skills through thesis research, specialized laboratories, and access to facilities supporting energy, materials, biotechnology, water treatment, and advanced manufacturing. The Chemical Engineering Department is based in Ernst Hall, which provides approximately 48,000 square feet of laboratory and classroom space, while students can also work with university-wide research facilities such as the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research and the Micro/Nano Technology Center.

Students can also use engineering software and collaborative spaces to support technical projects, modeling, experimentation, and research. The program's research environment connects directly with areas such as additive manufacturing, biomimetic membranes, polymeric materials, renewable energy, chemical microsystems, and water treatment, giving graduate students opportunities to apply advanced chemical engineering concepts to real research problems.

Key experiential resources include:

Chemical Engineering Research Facilities: Students have access to research facilities in Ernst Hall, supporting work across energy, materials, and bio-related areas.
Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research: Provides a full-scale R&D environment with laboratories, testing facilities, and manufacturing capabilities focused on renewable energy research.
Micro/Nano Technology Center: The Shumaker Research Building houses a 10,000-square-foot advanced cleanroom with SEM imaging, characterization, and packaging capabilities, supporting micro/nanotechnology research.
Additive Manufacturing Institute of Science and Technology (AMIST): Provides access to advanced manufacturing research and technology relevant to the department's additive-manufacturing research area.
Engineering Software Bundle: Graduate students can access engineering software including ANSYS, MATLAB, Microsoft Visio and Microsoft Project, along with other licensed engineering tools.
Chemical Engineering Computer Lab: The department maintains a dedicated computer laboratory in Ernst Hall 206B, providing graduate students with departmental computing resources.
Research Areas: Graduate research opportunities include bioenergy, biomaterials, bioprocessing, biofuels and bioproducts, adsorption and catalysis, computational fluid dynamics, fuel cells, membranes, microreactors, molecular simulations, nanomaterials, photovoltaic materials, polymers, and sensors.
Engineering Student Success & Research Building: The 114,000-square-foot ESSRB provides state-of-the-art classrooms, research laboratories, conference spaces, and the Speed Center for Innovation makerspace, supporting collaboration and hands-on engineering projects.
Speed Center for Innovation: This hands-on makerspace provides industry equipment, specialized tools, and machinery where students can collaborate on projects and conduct experiments.
Co-op and Industry Experience: UofL Speed School emphasizes hands-on experience through its co-op model, while the Chemical Engineering Department specifically highlights co-op opportunities with national employers

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville prepares graduates for advanced roles across chemicals manufacturing, advanced materials, biomedical engineering, pharmaceuticals, energy conversion, food processing, renewable energy, and water treatment. The program’s research opportunities can also provide a strong foundation for students who want to continue into doctoral-level study.

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

Key career-development opportunities include:

Career Services: UofL Speed School’s Office of Cooperative Education and Career Services connects students and alumni with employers, co-op and internship opportunities, career workshops, interviewing support, networking, and professional development.
Employment outcomes: Speed School reports that 97% of graduates accepted a job within 90 days of graduation, with a $62,567 median salary reported by recent graduates. These figures are Speed School-wide rather than specific to the Chemical Engineering M.S.
Chemical Engineering employment record: The department reports a 97% permanent-position placement rate within 90 days of graduation and notes that more than 100 companies hired Chemical Engineering co-op students over a five-year period.
Industry connections: Chemical Engineering students have historically worked with employers including Ashland Chemicals, Brown-Forman, Clariant, Dow, ExxonMobil, Marathon, Michelin, SABIC, Toyota, Louisville Gas & Electric, and Louisville Water Company.
Professional experience: Speed School's co-op and internship infrastructure connects engineering students with 200+ participating employers, although the mandatory three-semester co-op requirement applies to the B.S. rather than the M.S.
Accreditation value: The university states that its Chemical Engineering undergraduate program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The M.S. itself is not separately identified as ABET-accredited in the university's program information.
Graduate outcomes: The M.S. offers both professional and research-oriented preparation, with research spanning advanced materials, renewable energy, additive manufacturing, water treatment, biomedical applications, and other areas relevant to industry and advanced study.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students can continue into the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Louisville. The doctoral program accepts students with an accredited master's and/or bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, and an M.S. in Chemical Engineering can allow some master's credits to count toward the Ph.D.'s 54-credit requirement beyond the bachelor's degree.