Chemical Engineering Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2024

Bold: only offered in indicated semester 
Italic: course prerequisites and corequisites (designated by &)   
UD: must be admitted to the major prior to enrollment
◊: courses required for admission to this major
+: MatS 3011 is recommended in Sophomore Fall, but can be taken later if needed to lighten the technical courseload. MatS 3011 is not a prerequisite for any ChEn courses until Senior Spring. However, students considering Material Science as a major must take MatS 3011 in their sophomore fall to stay on track with sequencing in that major. 
±: This plan is for students admitted in Fall 2023 and later. Students admitted earlier may use Chem 3121 towards the chemistry elective requirement and CSCI1103/1113/1133 towards technical electives. Students with questions about their requirements should connect with their advisor. 
*: Chem 3101 is only offered in the summer and fall. 

Note: This is a sample plan that shows the department's recommended course plan for completing this degree in four years. Alternative course options can be seen on the APAS or Catalog page.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1071 CSE Chem Principles I (&1065) [3cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1071) [1cr]
  • ◊ Writ 1301 University Writing [4cr]
  • ChEn/MatS 1001 Advances in ChEn and MatS (optional) [1cr]
  • CSE 1001 First Year Experience [1cr]

Spring Semester

  • ◊ Math 1372 Calculus II (1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1302W Intro Physics II (1301W, &Math 1372) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1072 CSE Chem Principles II (1071, &1066) [3cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1072) [1cr]
  • Liberal Education course or Writ 1301 [3 or 4cr]

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 2374 Multivariable Calculus (1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 2301 Organic Chem I (1062/66) [3cr]
  • ◊ ChEn 2001 Material & Energy Balances (Chem 1061/65, &Math 2374, &Phys 1302W) [4cr]
  • + MatS 3011 Intro to Materials Science (Chem 1071/65, Math 1372, Phys 1302W) [3cr] or Liberal Education Course [3 or 4cr]
  • Chem 4501 Intro to Thermodynamics (1062/66, Phys 1302W, &Math 2374) [3cr]

Spring Semester

  • Math 2373 Linear Algebra & Differential Equations (1372) [4cr]
  • Chem 2302 Organic Chem II (2301) [3cr]
  • CSCI 1133 [4cr] (required for those admitted Fall 23 and after)
  • ChEn 3101 ChEn Thermodynamics (2001, Chem 1072/66, &Chem 4501, Math 2374, &Math 2373) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Junior Year

Fall Semester

  • Chem 2311 Organic Chem Lab (&2302) [4cr]
  • ChEn 3102 Reaction Kinetics (UD, 3101) [4cr]
  • ChEn 3005 Transport Phenomena (UD, 2001, Math 2373) [4cr]
  • ChEn 3201 Numerical Methods (UD, 3101, &3005) [3cr]

Spring Semester

  • ChEn 3401W Jr ChEn Lab (UD, 3005) [3cr]
  • ChEn 3701 Biomolecular Engineering (3201, Chem 2301, &Math 2373) [3cr]
  • ChEn 3006 Mass Transfer (UD 3005, 3101) [4cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Senior Year

Fall Semester

  • ChEn 4401W Sr ChEn Lab (UD, 3401W, 3006) [4cr] (3cr beginning Fall 24)
  • ChEn 4601 Process Control (UD, 3102) [3cr]
  • Technical Elective I [3 or 4cr]
  • + MatS 3011 Intro to Materials Science (Chem 1071/65, Math 1372, Phys 1302W) [3cr] or Liberal Education Course [3 or 4cr]

Spring Semester

  • ChEn 4501W ChEn Design (UD, 3102, &3006, 3401W, Chem 2301) [4cr]
  • Technical Elective II [3 or 4cr]
  • Technical Elective III [3 or 4cr]
  • Chemistry Elective+ (choose one):
    • Chem/ChEn/MatS 4214 (UD, MatS 3011, ChEn 3101 or MatS 3001) (recommended) [3cr]
    • *Chem 3101 (1072/66) [3cr]
    • Chem 4502 (1072/66, &Math 2374 or &Math 2373, Phys 1302W) [3cr]
  • Liberal Education course [3 or 4cr]

Total Credits Needed for Degree: 122

Additional Information

The APAS is the official method for tracking completion of your specific degree requirements. This plan is not a contract and curriculum can change.

Applying to a major: z.umn.edu/csemajorapp

Courses required for admission to this major: Phys 1301W, Phys 1302W, Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2374, Chem 1071/65, Chem 1072/66, ChEn 2001, Writ 1301

All prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.

Department Contact Information

Website: cse.umn.edu/cems/cems-undergraduate-programs
Main Phone: 612-625-1313 | Main Office: Amundson Hall 151
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Professor Samira Azarin; azarin@umn.edu
Departmental Advisor: Kacey Gregerson; kgregers@umn.edu
Course Access: z.umn.edu/cemspermissions
Major Catalog Page: https://umtc.catalog.prod.coursedog.com/programs/016021407 

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University Degree Requirements

All students must complete the following requirements. Requirements with an (*) will be fulfilled by taking courses at UM-TC required for this major.

Writing Requirements

University Writing:

  • Writ 1301/1401 or equivalent

Writing Intensive (WI):

  • One: Any level*
  • One: Any level*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (in major)*
  • One: 3/4/5xxx level (any dept.*

Liberal Education

Cores:

  • Biological Sciences w/Lab
  • Physical Sciences w/Lab*
  • Historical Perspectives
  • Social Sciences
  • Arts/Humanities
  • Literature
  • Mathematical Thinking*

Themes (choose 4 of 5):

  • Race, Power, and Justice in the US (required)
  • Civic Life and Ethics
  • The Environment
  • Global Perspectives
  • Technology and Society