Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemical Engineering

University of California - Santa Barbara

The undergraduate chemical engineering program at UCSB balances fundamental principles of science and engineering with the practical skills necessary to apply them. We offer technical electives that provide considerable flexibility and allow students to pursue special interests including biotechnology, materials science, or technology management. The chemical engineering curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of a rapidly changing technological society. The quality of undergraduate teaching is superb. Chemical engineering courses are taught by accessible faculty, rather than teaching assistants. Our professors are recognized leaders in their research fields and we take great pride in the outstanding contributions of our alumni in industry, government, and academia.

Research areas: Materials and interfaces; Polymers; Complex fluids; Bioengineering; Nanomedicine; Systems biology; Energy efficiency and sustainability, Materials chemistry; Modeling, theory and simulation; Molecular thermodynamics.

SUBJECTS & CAREERS

Chemical engineers develop chemical processes and products that transform raw materials into useful technologies. Graduates are employed in a wide variety of industries that include: chemical manufacturing, energy conversion, plastics, consumer products and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and semiconductor processing. They are engaged in research, development, design, manufacturing and technical management. Most Chemical Engineering alumni are employed in industry or government agencies; about 20 percent pursue graduate degrees. Some enroll in business school, medical school, or law school.

As a chemical engineer, you might:

• Create new catalysts for alternative energy sources
• Develop improved security techniques for detecting dangerous substances
• Design pharmaceutical processes to manufacture life-saving drugs
• Develop improved manufacturing processes that address sustainability