MEng Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of New Hampshire

Program Overview

The Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is a professional, 30-credit graduate degree designed for chemical engineers seeking advanced expertise in areas such as bioengineering, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, reaction and energy engineering, and environmental engineering. With an emphasis on practical engineering applications, the program combines advanced coursework with an engineering project that may be completed with an industrial sponsor, preparing students for emerging technical fields and leadership opportunities.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build advanced technical expertise through core subjects such as CHBE 823: Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHBE 832: Advanced Chemical Engineering Kinetics, and CHBE 840: Advanced Transport Phenomena. They also begin CHBE 900: Seminar, while selecting electives that allow them to develop a more focused specialization within chemical engineering.

Year 2:

Students can deepen their specialization through the remaining elective coursework and complete CHBE 898: Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering Project, a 3–6 credit capstone experience that can involve an industrial sponsor. Students who do not take CHBE 898 instead complete additional scholarly work, such as a report, paper, or essay, to fulfill the master's capstone requirement.

Focus Areas:

Bioengineering, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, reaction engineering, energy engineering, environmental engineering, biomaterials, biomedical engineering, biophysics, catalysis, chemical and biosensors, energy storage, modeling and simulation, synthetic biology, and tissue engineering.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop the ability to use appropriate chemical engineering techniques, tools, and methods to solve broadly defined engineering problems and demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

UNH's undergraduate Chemical Engineering B.S. is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The university does not identify the Chemical Engineering M.Eng. as separately ABET-accredited, so ABET accreditation should not be claimed for the master's degree itself.

Reputation (Employability):

UNH's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences reports that 95% of its 2023 graduates were employed or enrolled in a graduate program within six months, while 94% of employed graduates who reported employment were working in a field closely related to their major. The college also maintains relationships with 400+ employers, many of which recruit students for internships and full-time positions.

For graduate-level outcomes, UNH's 2023 First Destination Survey reports a $71,029 average full-time salary and a 98% success rate for master's degree recipients across the university; these figures are university-wide and are not specific to Chemical Engineering M.Eng. graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Chemical Engineering M.Eng. at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is strongly practice-oriented, with the degree concluding in an engineering project that may be completed with an industrial sponsor. Students can work with faculty in advanced research facilities and develop practical expertise across bioengineering, electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, reaction and energy engineering, environmental engineering, modeling, and simulation.

Students can build hands-on and industry-relevant experience through:

Industry-sponsored engineering project: The M.Eng. concludes with CHBE 898: Chemical Engineering Project, a 3-credit concluding experience that can involve an industrial sponsor and can be repeated for up to 6 credits.
Advanced research laboratories: UNH provides state-of-the-art facilities supporting work in biomaterials, biomedical engineering, chemical and biosensors, catalysis, electrochemical engineering, fluid dynamics, microfluidics, modeling and simulation, synthetic biology, and tissue engineering.
Modeling and simulation: Students can engage with research involving multiscale modeling, computational biophysics, molecular simulations, fluid dynamics, and microfluidic systems, providing opportunities to develop computational engineering skills.
Energy and electrochemical research: Research facilities support projects involving energy storage, electrochemical charge-storage materials, fuel cells, catalysis, carbon capture and utilization, and sustainable energy applications.
Biomaterials and biomedical applications: Research includes hydrogels, drug delivery, medical implants, bioadhesives, tissue engineering, biomolecular detection, and biosensors, giving students exposure to chemical engineering applications in healthcare.
Microfluidics and particle engineering: Faculty research includes nanoparticle synthesis in microfluidic reactors and particle-laden fluid systems, providing experience with advanced chemical engineering research problems.
Department computing facilities: UNH's Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering department provides departmental computer clusters and computing facilities alongside its laboratories and advanced classroom spaces.
Research and technical resources: UNH's wider research infrastructure includes specialized facilities such as the CIBBR Molecular & Cellular Phenotyping Core and Data Science Core, which provide advanced instrumentation, data-science resources, technical expertise, and research support.
Graduate research environment: Graduate students have opportunities to work with faculty in areas including advanced materials, energy storage, biochemical engineering, catalysis, electrochemical engineering, and synthetic biology, connecting classroom learning with active research

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemical Engineering M.Eng. at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is designed as a professional graduate degree that can prepare students for advanced technical and industry-focused roles in chemical engineering, bioengineering, energy, materials, and environmental applications. Its industry-oriented project component can help students connect advanced engineering knowledge with practical problems and professional environments.

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

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

Career support: UNH’s Career and Professional Success (CaPS) provides career advising, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, job and internship search support, career fairs, and employer connections.
Employment outcomes: UNH's College of Engineering and Physical Sciences reports that 95% of its 2023 graduates were employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months, and 94% of employed graduates who reported employment were working in a field closely related to their major. These figures are college-wide, not specific to the Chemical Engineering M.Eng.
Salary outcomes: UNH's 2023 First Destination Survey reports an average full-time salary of $71,029 for master's graduates university-wide. This is not a Chemical Engineering M.Eng.-specific salary figure.
Employer connections: CEPS reports relationships with 400+ employers, creating opportunities for students to engage with organizations recruiting for internships and full-time positions.
Industry-sponsored experience: The M.Eng. includes CHBE 898: Chemical Engineering Project, which can involve an industrial sponsor, giving students an opportunity to apply graduate-level engineering knowledge to a practical industry problem.
Industry and research environment: UNH's Chemical Engineering & Bioengineering department works across areas including energy, advanced materials, biotechnology, electrochemical engineering, catalysis, and environmental engineering, providing exposure to fields with strong industrial applications.
Accreditation value: UNH's undergraduate Chemical Engineering B.S. is ABET-accredited; the university does not list the M.Eng. itself as separately ABET-accredited. Therefore, the M.Eng. should not be marketed as an ABET-accredited master's degree.
Graduation outcomes: The program's professional focus, applied project work, and advanced technical training can support progression into industry positions or further graduate study.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.Eng., students interested in advanced research can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering/scientific discipline. Students can also use their M.Eng. specialization to pursue further research in areas such as electrochemical engineering, advanced materials, energy, bioengineering, catalysis, and environmental engineering.