Current Undergraduate Students

Students in Chemical Engineering and Materials Science will have a minimum of three advisors on their record: 

1. your CSE College Advisor
2. the CEMS Undergraduate Programs Coordinator
3. your faculty advisor
    

What do I talk to my CSE College Advisor about? 

You can talk to your CSE College Advisor about college and University policies and procedures, general academic planning, Liberal Education requirements, and getting connected to resources and opportunities that support your success. You will meet with your CSE College Advisor if you are on academic warning. 

What should I talk to my faculty advisor about?

You should plan to talk with your advisor about: how courses are going, future plans - either industry or graduate school, and ideas for technical elective courses. Your faculty advisor will not know about things like liberal education requirements, or your APAS report. 

When will I meet with my faculty advisor? 

Chemical Engineering students meet with their faculty advisor in the fall semester of their junior year. Chemical Engineering students are encouraged, but not required to meet with their faculty advisor in their senior year. 

Materials Science & Engineering students meet with their faculty advisor in the spring semester. 

You will have a Department Stamp hold on your account until you meet with your faculty advisor. Check the semester / year in MyU! (Example: If it says Fall 2027, it will not prevent your registration until you are registering for Fall 2027.) 

To schedule an appointment with your faculty advisor, please email them directly. 

What do I talk to the Undergraduate Programs Coordinator (Kacey) about? 

You should talk to the CEMS Undergraduate Programs Coordinator about issues with your APAS report, questions about technical elective requirements, and other degree requirements, including curriculum planning for dual degrees. You can also talk to me about general resources at the University. To get in touch with Kacey, you can email: [email protected] or schedule an appointment.  

What if I’m in Honors? 

You are encouraged to continue to work with your Honors Advisor about your Honors requirements. You can also check with the Honors Faculty Representatives in the Department. 

Honors Faculty Representatives

• Chemical Engineering: Prof. Ben Hackel
• Materials Science & Engineering: Prof. Turan Birol

You should use your APAS (Academic Progress Audit System) report and your Four-Year Plan to monitor your academic progress.  The Four-Year Plans provide a great roadmap for degree completion. Review your Four Year Plan every semester: 

Chemical Engineering Four-Year Plan

Materials Science & Engineering Four-Year Plan

Learn about your APAS report

See an error on your APAS report, contact the CEMS Undergraduate Programs Coordinator! 

The Undergraduate Curriculum Guides provide a broad overview of the majors, information about technical elective options, and other major-specific information. 

Chemical Engineering Curriculum Guide

Materials Science Curriculum Guide

The University Catalog page outlines all of the requirements for your degree. The Requirements tab will have the most up-to-date options to meet the technical elective requirements for your major. 

Chemical Engineering

Materials Science & Engineering

Both Chemical engineering and Materials Science & Engineering are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. Learn more about our Program Educational Objectives.

Chemical Engineering

Materials Science & Engineering 

If you are unable to register for courses on your own, please use this form to request a permission number for ChEn or MatS courses. 

If you need a permission number for non-ChEn or MatS courses, more information is available on the CSE advising page. 

CEMS Ambassadors

The CEMS Ambassadors are a group of undergraduate students admitted to the majors who serve as representatives of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science. This can include: 

• Recruiting events (such as major exploration fairs)
• Serving as panelists at information sessions
• Meeting with prospective students
• Community building by planning department-wide events

Students are recruited for this program in the summer and can serve in the role for two years. These students receive a modest stipend for the integral role they play in the Department. 

AIChE

AIChE (American Institute of Chemical Engineers) is the primary professional organization for chemical engineers. Prof. Azarin serves as the faculty advisor. 

The student chapter sponsors informational, educational, and social meetings, including visits from corporate representatives and recruiters. 

Material Advantage

Material Advantage is the primary professional organization for materials scientists and engineers. Prof. Poerschke is the faculty advisor. 

Material Advantage is dedicated to promoting and advancing materials science and engineering through competitive events such as the materials bowl and bladesmithing team, as well as networking and professional development opportunities. 

The Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science encourages undergraduate students to participate in research. Why participate in research? 

• Assist in the advancement of science and engineering - and participate in the scientific process
• Directly apply what you learn in the classroom
• Develop relationships with CEMS faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates

Undergraduate research can also lead to enrolling in directed research (ChEn 4594 and MatS 4594 in the Department). Learn more about the process of enrolling in directed research on the Undergraduate Research page. 

Remember, research is a collaborative effort between you and the research group. 

Related Links:   

• Openings for undergraduate research within CEMS Faculty Labs.
• CEMS Research Areas
• University of Minnesota Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program
• Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSEC) Research Experience for Undergraduate Students

The Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science is proud to be able to provide over $400,000 annually in scholarship awards to undergraduate students admitted to chemical engineering and materials science and engineering. 

The scholarship application is sent in January (after students are admitted to the major), with notifications typically sent in March or April. Please note, there is only one application for all of the CEMS scholarship awards, and this application must be filled out every year to be considered for scholarships. 

CSE Career Services coordinates two career and internship fairs during the academic year - one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. Internship and/or research experiences offer excellent opportunities to gain experience without interfering with your studies. Positions are posted on Handshake, as well as through the Weekly Round-up for students admitted to their major. 

Additionally, CSE Career Services provides information on co-op opportunities for undergraduate students. The Department supports and encourages these opportunities for students to gain valuable industry experience. Plan to work with the Undergraduate Programs Coordinator to discuss the timing for these experiences.

Learning abroad provides unique opportunities for studying in a different country. Students are encouraged to work with either the CSE Abroad or the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Office.

Undergraduate students admitted to the chemical engineering or materials science and engineering majors have access to the H. Ted Davis Undergraduate Lounge (first floor of Amundson Hall). Please note: admission to the major is typically in the spring semester of sophomore year; access is not granted for pre-major students.