Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science is one of the premier departments of its kind, with chemical engineering ranked among the top three in the nation. Our undergraduate and graduate degree programs in both chemical engineering and materials science prepare students for a wide range of careers that span many industries including energy, biotechnology, medicine, microelectronics, pharmaceuticals, polymer science, and many others.

Tradition of excellence

With its roots going back to the late part of the 19th century, our department has a long history as a nationwide leader. Our prominent alumni include the inventor of the Post-it Note, the inventor of Gore-Tex, the inventor of gluebond sandpaper, many executives at 3M, the former director of the Global Climate and Energy Project, and professors who helped build chemical engineering programs at other leading universities.

World-class academics

The combination of chemical engineering and materials science in one department provides our students with unique educational opportunities for collaborations across disciplines. The curriculum for both programs incorporates a strong emphasis on advanced mathematics. In addition to rigorous courses and hands-on lab experiences, a large percentage of students conduct on-campus research or get experience in industry through internships or co-ops. Our current faculty includes more members of the National Academy of Engineering than any other department at the University of Minnesota.

Cutting-edge research

Our faculty and student researchers are on the leading edge of breakthroughs in renewable energy sources, biomaterials, nanotechnology, eco-friendly materials, drug delivery systems for minimizing patient side effects, and much more.

Our research is focused in the following areas:

• Biotechnology and bioengineering
• Ceramics and metals
• Coating processes and interfacial engineering
• Crystal growth and design
• Electronic, photonic, and magnetic materials
• Polymers
• Reaction engineering and chemical process synthesis
• Theory and computation

Business and industry connections

Our department has long-standing ties to many major corporations such as 3M, General Mills, Cargill, and the Dow Chemical Company. Our researchers also receive significant funding from government organizations such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

National rankings

• Our chemical engineering graduate program ranked within the top five in the nation in the most recent National Research Council rankings. The materials science program also ranked within the top 10 in the nation.
• U.S. News and World Report also ranked our chemical engineering graduate program among the top in the nation.