MS Chemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of South Carolina

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina is a research-focused graduate program designed for students who want to advance their expertise in chemical engineering while working on emerging challenges in sustainability, energy, electrification, carbon capture and advanced materials. It suits students interested in careers in research and industry, with opportunities to explore areas such as catalysis, electrochemical systems, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and energy while developing strong analytical, research and professional skills.

Curriculum Structure:

The program requires 30 credit hours, beginning with a strong foundation in advanced chemical engineering. Students study ECHE 700 Chemical Process Analysis, ECHE 710 Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, ECHE 720 Advanced Fluid Flow Analysis and ECHE 722 Advanced Mass Transfer, developing expertise in chemical processes, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and mass-transfer systems.

Students then complete four additional lecture courses, with at least two from Chemical Engineering and the remaining courses available from areas such as chemistry, engineering or mathematics. The program culminates in ECHE 799 Thesis Preparation, where students work with a research advisor, conduct original research, complete a comprehensive examination and prepare their findings for publication in a peer-reviewed technical journal.

Focus Areas:

Catalysis, electrochemical systems, energy generation and storage, electrification, carbon capture, decarbonization, sustainable engineering, advanced materials and specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food processing, environmental health and safety, and chemical process research.

Learning Outcomes:

Advanced expertise in chemical process analysis, thermodynamics, fluid flow and mass transfer; working knowledge across chemical science, engineering, business, science and mathematics; ability to identify research problems, develop and execute research plans, analyze original results, and communicate findings through presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The M.S. is a research-oriented graduate degree within the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, with a strong industrial focus and opportunities for professional development and industrial mentorship. The department's M.S. emphasizes independent research, thesis preparation and publication rather than a separate professional accreditation pathway.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings):

The University of South Carolina's Department of Chemical Engineering reports that its graduate program is ranked among the Top 50 nationally by U.S. News & World Report and Top 30 nationally by the National Research Council. The department also reports that it ranks 14th nationally in federally funded chemical R&D, according to the National Science Foundation, while listing an average starting salary of $72,000 for chemical engineers. These figures are department/field-level statistics rather than M.S.-specific employment outcomes.

Potential career areas include: energy and chemicals, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and microelectronics, transportation, paper and packaging, and consumer goods, with potential roles such as energy expert, biochemicals researcher, petrochemicals researcher, pharmaceuticals researcher and recycling expert.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina gives students substantial hands-on research experience through its thesis-based structure. Students work with faculty advisors on independent research and can develop practical skills in areas such as catalysis, electrochemical systems, energy storage, advanced materials, environmental solutions and process engineering. The department also provides an industrial focus through its graduate industrial mentorship program, while students can present their research at conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

Students can build this practical and research experience through:

Independent research and thesis: The M.S. includes ECHE 799 – Thesis Preparation, allowing students to conduct research under the guidance of a thesis advisor. The department's graduate curriculum emphasizes independent research and publication of results in peer-reviewed technical journals.
Catalysis for Renewable Fuels SmartState Center: Students can engage with research involving heterogeneous catalyst synthesis, biomass conversion, catalyst characterization and evaluation, using techniques such as X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy.
Center for Electrochemical Engineering: Research facilities support work in advanced batteries, electric vehicles, fuel cells, electrolyzers, electroplating, corrosion, hydrogen embrittlement and electrochemical systems.
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Center: Students can explore hydrogen, fuel cells, electrolysis cells, batteries, electrochemical modeling, transport phenomena and renewable energy, including computational fluid dynamics and multiscale modeling.
SAGE research facilities: The Strategic Approaches to the Generation of Electricity (SAGE) group works on catalysis, machine learning, artificial intelligence, CO₂ utilization, ammonia synthesis, biomass utilization and waste-plastic conversion. Its research includes spectroscopy, electron microscopy, nanomaterials synthesis and high-throughput screening.
Laboratory for Structured Soft Matter Engineering: Research opportunities cover polymers, colloids, liquid crystals, rheology, 3D printing, directed self-assembly, solid polymer electrolytes and architected metamaterials, providing exposure to advanced materials research.
Advanced characterization facilities: University research cores available to chemical engineering researchers include Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Mass Spectrometry, Powder X-ray Diffraction, Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction and Electron Microscopy facilities.
Computational and data-driven research: USC's Chemical Engineering research directory includes work involving machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, computational catalysis and multiscale modeling, giving students opportunities to apply computational approaches to chemical engineering research.
Industrial mentorship: The M.S. specifically highlights an industrial mentorship program for graduate students, helping students connect their graduate research and professional development with industry.
Leadership and collaboration: Graduate students can gain leadership experience by supervising undergraduate researchers at the department's research centers and interacting with industrial leaders.
Research presentations and professional communication: Students are encouraged to gain visibility by publishing research papers and presenting their work at conferences, strengthening scientific writing and presentation skills.
Research facilities: The Chemical Engineering Department occupies dedicated laboratory and research space in the Swearingen Engineering Center, with additional research activity in the Horizon Building.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina prepares graduates for research and technical careers across energy and chemicals, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and microelectronics, transportation, consumer goods, and other industries. The program develops advanced expertise in chemical process analysis, thermodynamics, fluid flow, mass transfer and independent research, while its industrial mentorship and professional-development opportunities help students connect graduate study with professional environments.

Potential career roles include: Chemical Engineering Researcher, Energy Expert, Petrochemicals Researcher, Pharmaceuticals Researcher.

The program and university provide several pathways to support students' transition into professional opportunities:

Career support: The Molinaroli College Career Center supports students with internships, co-ops, externships, employer information, on-campus interviews, job fairs, resume writing, interview preparation and career workshops. Students can also use Handshake to schedule appointments and access employment opportunities.
Employment and salary information: The Chemical Engineering Department reports an average starting salary of $72,000 for chemical engineers. This is a chemical-engineering field/department figure rather than an M.S.-specific salary outcome. The Molinaroli College also reports $75,000+ starting salary for its 2025 graduates overall, which is a college-wide figure rather than specific to this M.S.
Industry connections: The M.S. includes an industrial mentorship program specifically for graduate students, and students can interact with industrial leaders through the department's research centers.
Employer engagement: The College works directly with employers through job postings, on-campus interviews, career fairs, career conversations, and internship/co-op recruitment. The Spring 2023 STEM Career Fair included 170 employers and 860 students.
Research-to-career preparation: Students can publish research and present their work at conferences, while developing analytical reasoning, system design, data analysis, scientific writing, presentation and leadership skills.
Long-term professional value: The M.S. is a research-oriented graduate degree that develops advanced technical and research capabilities rather than being a separately licensed professional qualification. Its thesis and publication experience can be particularly relevant to technical R&D and research-oriented career paths.
Graduate outcomes: The Molinaroli College reports 100% graduate career placement across its graduate programs, although this is a college-wide statistic and is not specific to the M.S. in Chemical Engineering.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S., students interested in advanced research can continue into a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at the University of South Carolina or pursue doctoral study in a related engineering, materials, energy, chemical science or interdisciplinary field. The USC Chemical Engineering Ph.D. is research-focused and covers areas including energy/chemicals, semiconductors and microelectronics, batteries, fuel cells and pharmaceuticals.