MS Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Maine

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine is a research-focused graduate program designed for students who want to deepen their expertise in chemical engineering while preparing for careers in research or education. The 30-credit program combines advanced coursework with thesis research, allowing students to specialize in areas such as advanced materials, nanotechnology, soft materials, surface chemistry, molecular biophysics, rheology, and heterogeneous catalysis.

Curriculum Structure:

Graduate Study: Students build advanced chemical engineering knowledge through the program’s required core courses, including CHE 510 Advanced Transport Phenomena, CHE 540 Advanced Thermodynamics, CHE 561 Advanced Kinetics, and CHE 580 Numerical Methods. Alongside these courses, students complete graduate seminars and select research-focused coursework that supports their chosen specialization.

Thesis & Research: The program requires 30 semester hours, including two seminars, 18 credits of graduate term courses, and a thesis. Students can pursue research across areas such as biomass conversion, advanced materials, coating flows, porous media, rheology, surface chemistry, nanotechnology, soft materials, and heterogeneous catalysis, with opportunities to work closely with industrial sponsors.

Focus Areas:

Advanced materials, nanotechnology, soft materials, surface chemistry, molecular biophysics, rheology, heterogeneous catalysis, biomass conversion, fuels and chemicals, pulping and bleaching processes, coating flows, flow in porous media, advanced imaging and spectroscopy.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced chemical engineering knowledge, apply transport, thermodynamics, kinetics and numerical methods to complex engineering problems, conduct independent research, specialize in a focused chemical engineering area, develop research and analytical skills, and prepare for careers in research or education.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering itself is not listed as an ABET-accredited program. The University of Maine’s B.S. in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, so the ABET accreditation applies to the undergraduate program rather than this master's degree.

Reputation (Employability / Research):

The University of Maine was classified as an R1 research university in the 2025 Carnegie Classification, placing it among the highest category of U.S. research institutions. The Chemical Engineering graduate program also emphasizes interaction with industrial sponsors, including the Paper Surface Science Program, while research receives support from organizations including the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and Environmental Protection Agency.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine is strongly research-oriented, with students completing a thesis and working closely with faculty on fundamental and applied chemical engineering projects. Students gain practical research experience through department laboratories, industry-supported projects, and interdisciplinary facilities focused on sustainable energy, advanced materials, biomass conversion, catalysis, membranes, rheology, and surface science. The program also benefits from UMaine’s industry connections, including the Paper Surface Science Program, where graduate research is reviewed by participating companies.

Key experiential opportunities include:

Thesis research: The M.S. requires a thesis as part of its 30-credit structure, giving students the opportunity to conduct independent research under faculty supervision.
Paper Surface Science Program (PSSP): Graduate students conduct industry-driven research in collaboration with companies in the paper industry, gaining exposure to applied research and real industrial problems.
Applied Electrolysis Laboratory: Students can work on electrolysis applications including hydrogen and chlorine production, electrolysis reactor prototypes, mass and energy balances, techno-economic analysis, and process control.
Materials Engineering and Nanosensor (MEAN) Laboratory: Chemical engineering research at UMaine includes advanced materials and nanosensor research, supporting the program's materials and nanotechnology focus.
Catalysis research: UMaine is developing a new 2,000-square-foot Catalysis Laboratory for research into catalytic surfaces, biomass conversion, plastics upcycling, PFAS destruction, and decarbonized chemical production.
Research areas and facilities: Graduate research spans sustainable energy, advanced materials, biomass conversion, fuels and chemicals, coating processes, porous media, rheology, surface chemistry, membrane synthesis, adsorption materials, and catalysis.
Computational and numerical methods: Faculty research includes numerical methods, mathematical modeling, process modeling, and simulation, giving students opportunities to combine computational analysis with experimental research.
Chemical engineering software: The department integrates software packages into teaching and active learning; Mathcad Prime Student Edition is specifically identified among the recommended software tools for Chemical Engineering students.
Industry collaboration: Research projects receive direct support and input from industrial representatives, while the department also receives funding from agencies including NSF, DOE, USDA, and EPA.
Interdisciplinary research: Students work within a broader research community involving Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Sustainable Materials, Physics, Mechanical Engineering and other fields, particularly through research such as catalysis and advanced materials.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine prepares students for advanced technical and research-oriented careers by combining graduate coursework with substantial thesis research. Graduates can apply their expertise across chemical processing, advanced materials, sustainable energy, catalysis, and research environments, while the program also provides a strong foundation for doctoral study. Typical roles include Chemical Process Engineer, Process Development Engineer, R&D Engineer, Materials Engineer. The program’s research links and industry-supported projects can help students connect graduate-level skills with real engineering applications:

Career support: The University of Maine Career Center provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, career fairs, networking opportunities, and access to job and internship resources through Black Bear CareerLink.
Industry-connected research: The Chemical Engineering program's Paper Surface Science Program (PSSP) works with participating companies on industry-relevant research, giving graduate students exposure to industrial research problems and collaboration.
Research and employment preparation: Students complete a master's thesis, developing independent research, technical analysis, problem-solving, and communication skills that are directly relevant to research and engineering positions.
Research partnerships: Chemical Engineering research is supported by organizations including the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Employment and salary context: UMaine does not publish a program-specific employment rate or starting-salary figure for the M.S. Chemical Engineering. For broader context, the university reports career outcomes through its graduate and career services rather than presenting a separate salary statistic for this specific master's program.
Accreditation value: The M.S. itself is not separately ABET-accredited. However, UMaine's B.S. Chemical Engineering is ABET-accredited, providing an established professionally recognized undergraduate engineering foundation; the master's adds advanced research and specialization beyond that foundation.
Graduation outcomes: The program is designed to prepare graduates for research and education careers, as well as advanced technical work in areas such as sustainable energy, advanced materials, biomass conversion, catalysis, surface chemistry, and other chemical engineering fields.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students can progress to a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maine or pursue doctoral study in a related engineering or scientific discipline. UMaine's Ph.D. research opportunities extend into areas such as sustainable energy, advanced materials, catalysis, biomass conversion, surface science, and chemical engineering processes, allowing M.S. graduates to build directly on their thesis research.