Chemical Engineering M.S.

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Rhode Island

Program Overview

The Chemical Engineering M.S. at the University of Rhode Island (URI) is designed for students who want to deepen their chemical engineering expertise through advanced coursework and research, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as biochemical engineering, energy, materials, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and process simulation. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and sophisticated research with real-world applications, making it suitable for students preparing for advanced engineering careers or further research.

Curriculum Structure:

The 30-credit program combines advanced engineering coursework with either thesis research or a non-thesis special project. Core study includes CHE 513: Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I, CHE 541: Transport Phenomena I, and EGR 503: Mathematical Methods for Advanced Engineering Problems, building advanced skills in thermodynamics, transport, and mathematical analysis.

Students choosing the thesis pathway complete 18 credits of coursework and 12 credits of research through CHE 599: Master’s Thesis Research, culminating in a formal written thesis and defense. Students choosing the non-thesis pathway can study part-time or full-time and complete an approved special project such as a major paper, technical report, or review article under faculty guidance.

Focus Areas:

Biochemical engineering, bionanotechnology, energy engineering, materials engineering, pharmaceutical engineering, polymer engineering, process simulation, surface/interfacial and colloidal phenomena, energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, drug delivery, nanocomposites, process design and optimization, process control, and molecular modeling.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop advanced knowledge of chemical engineering fundamentals, conduct research using chemical engineering principles, perform technically rigorous engineering analyses, defend research methodology and results, prepare research manuscripts for journals or patents, and apply chemical engineering knowledge beyond traditional core fields.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

URI states that eight of its nine undergraduate engineering programs are accredited by ABET. The university does not identify the Chemical Engineering M.S. itself as separately ABET-accredited, so ABET accreditation should not be claimed for this master's program.

Reputation (Employability & University Recognition):

URI's College of Engineering reports that 97% of its engineering graduates are employed in their field or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation, supported by career advising, résumé reviews, mock interviews, job-search guidance, and career exploration resources. URI also holds Carnegie R1 research university status, while the university reports that the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse ranked URI #1 among public universities in New England and #34 among U.S. public universities in 2026. These figures are university/college-wide rather than specific to the Chemical Engineering M.S.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Chemical Engineering M.S. at the University of Rhode Island places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning and research with real-world applications. Students can work directly on advanced research in areas such as energy storage, drug delivery, materials, process simulation, molecular modeling, and environmental sensing, with thesis students completing substantial faculty-guided research and defending a formal thesis.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Faculty-led research: M.S. students can conduct research using Chemical Engineering principles, with projects connected to areas such as lithium-ion batteries, advanced drug delivery, nanocomposites, polymer processing, and environmental pollutant detection.
Specialized research laboratories: The department lists the Bionanotechnology Laboratory, Laboratory for Soft Matter Research, NanoBio Engineering Laboratory, Particle Engineering Laboratory, and Rhode Island Consortium for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology as Chemical, Biomolecular, and Materials Engineering research labs.
Computational research: Students can work on process simulation, process design, optimization, process control, numerical methods, molecular modeling, and simulation of polymers, fluids, and bioprocesses.
Energy and materials research: Research opportunities include energy storage and lithium-ion batteries, electronic and ceramic materials processing, conducting polymers, thin films, sensors, corrosion and erosion, and nanocomposites.
Biomedical and pharmaceutical applications: Students can engage with research involving drug delivery, therapeutic particles, biomaterial scaffolds, tissue engineering, sensors, and medical devices.
Thesis research: The thesis pathway includes 12 credits of M.S. Thesis Research, followed by a formal written thesis and thesis defense, providing substantial experience in independent research and technical communication.
Non-thesis project: Students choosing the non-thesis pathway complete an approved special project such as a major paper, written technical report, or review article, under the guidance of a faculty advisor and the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program Director.
Graduate seminars: CHE 501: Graduate Seminar and CHE 502: Graduate Seminar provide structured exposure to graduate-level research and technical topics; attendance is required each semester for on-campus students.
Research communication: Program outcomes specifically expect students to defend research methodology and results at a level suitable for peer-reviewed publications and produce manuscripts for technical journals and/or patents.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemical Engineering M.S. at the University of Rhode Island (URI) prepares graduates for advanced engineering and research-oriented careers across areas such as energy, materials, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, process engineering, and chemical manufacturing. The program’s thesis and non-thesis pathways can support students seeking professional advancement as well as those planning to continue into research or doctoral study.

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

Students can build their career prospects through:

Career support: URI’s College of Engineering provides career resources including career advising, résumé and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, job-search assistance, and career exploration support. The college also connects students with employers through career fairs and recruitment activities.
Employment outcomes: URI College of Engineering reports that 97% of engineering graduates are employed in their field or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduation. This is a college-wide figure and is not specific to the Chemical Engineering M.S.
Salary information: URI does not publish a Chemical Engineering M.S.-specific salary figure on the program page, so a master's-specific salary should not be inferred from broader university data.
Industry connections: URI's College of Engineering supports industry engagement through employer recruitment, internships, research collaborations, and partnerships, giving engineering students opportunities to connect their academic work with professional settings.
Research-to-industry preparation: Students can develop advanced expertise in areas such as energy storage, lithium-ion batteries, drug delivery, nanocomposites, process simulation, molecular modeling, and environmental applications, creating pathways into specialized engineering and R&D positions.
Accreditation value: URI does not identify the Chemical Engineering M.S. itself as separately ABET-accredited. Therefore, ABET accreditation should not be presented as a specific accreditation benefit of this master's degree.
Graduation outcomes: URI reports that engineering graduates have strong progression into employment or further education, while the M.S. specifically prepares students for industrial positions requiring advanced technical knowledge and for further research study.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the M.S., students can pursue doctoral-level study (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering or a related engineering/scientific discipline, particularly if they choose the thesis pathway and want to develop their research profile. The M.S. can also provide preparation for advanced research and specialized technical careers in areas such as energy, materials, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and process engineering.