Chemical Engineering Four-Year Plan

Revised 04/2023

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
+: Chem 3121 credit can be used to complete the Chemistry Elective requirement
±: The Chemical Engineering department is updating their curriculum to the plan listed below. Students who have questions about any change in requirements or sequence should connect with their advisor.

Note: CSE prefers these math courses: Math 1371, Math 1372, Math 2373, Math 2374. However, these alternative courses will also fulfill the same requirements, respectively: Math 1271, Math 1272, Math 2243, Math 2263. 

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

  • ◊ Math 1371 Calculus I (placement or prereq) [4cr]
  • ◊ Phys 1301W Intro Physics I (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1065 Chem Principles I Lab (&1061) [1cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1061 Chem Principles I (placement or 1015, &1065) [3cr]
  • ◊ 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 1066 Chem Principles II Lab (&1062) [1cr]
  • ◊ Chem 1062 Chem Principles II (1061, &1066) [3cr]
  • 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 1061/65, Math 1372, Phys 1302W) [3cr]
  • 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]
  • Computer Programming (required for those admitted Fall 23 and after):
    • CSci 1103 [4cr]
    • CSci 1113 (Math 1371) [4cr]
    • CSci 1133 (&Math 1371) [4cr]
  • ChEn 3101 ChEn Thermodynamics (2001, Chem 1062/66, 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]
  • 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 3101 (1062/66) [3cr]
    • Chem 4502 (1062/66, &Math 2374 or &Math 2373, Phys 1302W) [3cr]
    • Chem/ChEn/MatS 4214 (UD, MatS 3011, ChEn 3101 or MatS 3001) [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 1061/65, Chem 1062/66, 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

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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