Chemical Engineering, Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland is a thesis-based graduate program, so students gain practical experience primarily through independent research, advanced laboratory work, computational modeling, and specialized experimentation. The department has a broad graduate research environment spanning aerosol science, biochemical engineering, fluid mechanics, molecular modeling, nanotechnology, polymer engineering, process control, thermodynamics, and energy technologies, supported by dedicated laboratories, computing resources, and major characterization facilities.

Students can build hands-on and research expertise through:

• Independent thesis research: The M.S. requires a written thesis and oral examination, giving students the opportunity to carry out substantial independent research with faculty guidance.
• Polymer Reaction Engineering Laboratory: Students can work with polymer processing equipment, polymerization reactors, polymer characterization instrumentation, and research involving polymerization kinetics, reactor/process modeling, control, and optimization.
• Chemical Process Systems Laboratory: Graduate research facilities include advanced process-control computers, supporting work in chemical process systems and control.
• Laboratory for Mixing Studies: Research includes turbulent mixing, multiphase flow, particle-size distribution, and velocity-field measurement in stirred vessels, high-shear mixers, and other process equipment.
• Biochemical Engineering Laboratory: Students can gain research experience in bioprocess engineering, protein and enzyme immobilization, process monitoring, and biosensor design, including monitoring using NIR, fluorescence, and light scattering.
• Biochemical Reactor Scale-Up Facility: The department specifically identifies this facility as part of its graduate research infrastructure, supporting work involving biochemical reactor systems and scale-up.
• Environmental Aerosol Research Laboratory: Students can investigate the formation, composition, and fate of atmospheric aerosols, connecting chemical engineering research with climate and health applications.
• Battery and electrochemical research: The Albertus Research Group conducts experiments on electrochemical cells and components, while the Wang Group researches Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, alkaline fuel cells, materials synthesis, and electroanalytical techniques.
• Computational modeling: The department maintains a distributed computing network and PC laboratory for graduate research. Research groups use computational approaches including molecular simulations, thermodynamic modeling, numerical analysis, and computational methods for fluid and biological systems.
• Advanced characterization facilities: Graduate researchers can access major facilities including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) through coordinated university laboratories.
• Nanoscale Assembly and Electron Microscopy Lab: Research focuses on micro- and nanoscale assembly, colloids, nanomaterials, biomolecules, and out-of-equilibrium assembly processes.
• Sustainable Separation Laboratory: Students can explore membrane-based separations and energy-efficient separation technologies, with research focused on reducing the energy and carbon impact of industrial separations.
• Thin Film Processing Group: Research involves simulation-based design, optimization, and experimental evaluation of advanced materials manufacturing processes, including thin-film deposition for semiconductor and solar-energy applications.
• Internship opportunities near Washington, D.C.: UMD highlights its proximity to federal research organizations including NIH, FDA, NIST, and NRC, noting that CHBE students have completed internships or worked with co-advisors at these institutions.
• STEM Library: The STEM Library in William E. Kirwan Hall provides research resources and support specifically for students in engineering, computer science, mathematics, and natural sciences.
• Research collaborations: CHBE faculty frequently partner with Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and national laboratories, particularly on energy-related research.

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland combines advanced chemical engineering knowledge with thesis-based research, preparing graduates for technical and research-oriented careers across energy, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, process engineering, and related industries. UMD’s location near Washington, D.C., extensive employer network, and strong engineering research environment can also support students who want to move into industry, government research, or doctoral study.

Typical career roles: Chemical Process Engineer, Process Development Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Energy/Materials Engineer.

• Engineering Career Services: UMD’s Engineering Career Services provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter reviews, interview preparation and mock interviews, salary-negotiation guidance, job-search support, career fairs, employer information sessions, networking receptions, and Recruiter-in-Residence opportunities. Students also have access to Handshake, a 24/7 engineering job and internship platform.
• Employment and salary information: UMD reports that more than 78% of the 2025 Clark School graduating class had at least one internship or co-op experience. For Chemical Engineering specifically, the 2025–26 reported mean engineering co-op/intern hourly wage was $29.50; this figure is for engineering internships/co-ops rather than M.S.-specific graduate salaries.
• Chemical Engineering employers: UMD's Chemical Engineering employer network includes organizations such as Pfizer, Amgen, Amazon, ExxonMobil, DuPont, Eli Lilly, Merck, Intel, NASA, NIST, NIH, FDA, Johnson & Johnson, Tesla, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, and The Dow Chemical Company.
• Industry connections: The Clark School's Corporate Partners Program provides companies opportunities to engage with research programs and faculty, recruit students and alumni, and participate in special events. UMD also hosts a Chemical, Materials Science & Bioengineering Career Fair for students seeking internships and full-time employment.
• Washington, D.C.-area opportunities: The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department specifically highlights proximity to NIH, FDA, USDA, and NRC, noting that many students have completed internships at these organizations and that graduates have pursued postdoctoral positions and careers there.
• Graduation outcomes: UMD's 2025 Chemical Engineering employment-outcomes page lists employers including ERG, Amazon, Pfizer, Amgen, IKO, WH Power, PepsiCo, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, and Procter & Gamble. These figures are reported for the undergraduate Chemical Engineering cohort, so they should not be interpreted as M.S.-specific placement statistics.
• Long-term professional value: The M.S. itself is a graduate academic degree rather than a separately ABET-accredited professional engineering program. Its long-term value is therefore centered on advanced chemical engineering knowledge, research experience, thesis work, and preparation for technical or research careers; UMD's undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is ABET-accredited.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students interested in advanced research can pursue the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at UMD or a related doctoral program. UMD's Chemical Engineering Ph.D. requires at least 45 credits beyond the B.S., including advanced coursework and substantial dissertation research, and culminates in an original doctoral dissertation and defense.