Chemical Engineering undergraduate program
Source: https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/programs/cheme.html Parent: https://engineering.cmu.edu/education/undergraduate-studies/curriculum/index.html
Creating a better future
The Department of Chemical Engineering’s (ChemE) undergraduate program integrates expertise in molecular properties and process design, focusing on energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes. Graduates of the program possess the skills to tackle intricate challenges, enhance existing chemical products, and innovate new ones. Students may choose to pursue additional majors or minors to enhance the experiences gained in Chemical Engineering.
Graduates go on to work at companies like Deloitte, ExxonMobil, Merck, and Procter and Gamble and pursue graduate degrees at academic institutions such as CMU, Columbia University, the University of California Berkeley, the University of Michigan, and Stanford University.
Degree programs
- *Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering*Students in the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program gain a deep understanding of molecular properties and process design to develop energy-efficient and sustainable manufacturing processes. Graduates possess the expertise to tackle intricate challenges, enhancing existing chemical products and fostering the creation of innovative ones.
- Integrated Master’s/Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering\ The Integrated Master’s/Bachelor’s (IMB) program allows students who excel academically to achieve both a bachelor’s and master’s degree without needing to apply separately. Designed to provide extensive knowledge and technical proficiency, this program enhances students’ preparedness for careers in the industry. Typically completed in eight to 10 full academic semesters at CMU, this comprehensive experience ensures graduates are well-equipped for their professional endeavors.
Student experience
Carve your own path at the intersection of technology, creativity, and innovation. With 400+ student-run organizations, industry connections with the world’s most innovative companies, and unprecedented access to cutting-edge technology and workspaces, CMU’s boundless combinations of academic pursuits and experiential opportunities will surpass your expectations.
Related organizations
- American Institute of Chemical Engineers
- ChemE Car
- ChemE Cube
- Society of Women Engineers
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
News
[Mar 17
News & Events
Polymers, prototypes, and Penguins
In season nine of Rethink the Rink, students solve issues associated with goalie chest protectors, including impact absorption, mobility, and functionality.](https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2026/03/17-rethink-the-rink.html)
[Olivia LaFond, a Carnegie Mellon University senior majoring in biomedical and chemical engineering, created a 3D-printed device that one day could reduce the need for invasive procedures or help deliver medication directly inside the body over time.
Tapeworms inspire medical device created during summer undergraduate research fellowship](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2026/03/06-tapeworms-inspire-medical-device.html)
[Feb 17
News & Events
AI in the catalysis labs of the future
In Nature Catalysis, Chemical Engineering professor John Kitchin and his co-authors propose a roadmap for integrating AI into catalysis in order to accelerate the design, discovery, and optimization of new catalytic materials and processes.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2026/02/17-ai-in-catalysis-labs.html)
[Feb 3
Health & Biomedicine
Hijacking red blood cells allows parasite to escape
Researchers discovered that the parasite Babesia microti uses red blood cells to migrate. It may be a way to evade the immune system and find new space to multiply.](https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2026/02/03-hijacking-red-blood-cells.html)
[Jan 29
Artificial Intelligence
Accelerating materials innovation through AI and data science
By leveraging expertise in materials and artificial intelligence from across departments, researchers from Carnegie Mellon are exploring solutions to the challenges facing materials discovery.](https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2026/01/29-accelerating-materials-innovation.html)
[Jan 27
Artificial Intelligence
Alum spotlight: Trevor Hadick
A healthcare marketing consultant and a national match official for US Soccer, Trevor Hadick (‘17) goes from one pitch to another.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2026/01/27-alum-spotlight-hadick.html)
[Jan 15
Artificial Intelligence
Teaching tomorrow’s innovators with living materials
The Bugs as Materials summer internship program creates pathways to research and higher education by training high school students and graduate students side-by-side.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2026/01/15-bugs-as-materials-bandage.html)
[Coty Jen and her students tested their prototype instruments on the coast of Maine. Their measurements will help identify the role that emissions from seaweed play in atmospheric processes.
Ocean winds and tides bring new data for climate models](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2026/01/05-jen-maine.html)
[Dec 18
Artificial Intelligence
A more efficient training workflow for hybrid modeling
Researchers apply long-standing optimization methods to new technology, creating a workflow that effectively and efficiently trains scientific machine learning models.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/12/18-laird-biegler-training-hybrid-models.html)
[Dec 15
Artificial Intelligence
Training students to bring fundamentals to AI frontiers
Chemical engineering students learn to fuse domain knowledge with machine learning and data science, a combination of skills that puts them at the forefront of changes in industry.](https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2025/12/15-ai-education.html)
[Dec 3
Artificial Intelligence
Gellman to receive American Chemical Society award
ACS recognizes Andrew Gellman for distinguished services in the advancement of surface chemistry.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/12/03-gellman-acs-award.html)
[Dec 2
Artificial Intelligence
Recent alums advance AI for science at startups
Adeesh Kolluru, Yuri Sanspeur, Brook Wander, and Xiaoxiao (Lory) Wang apply their chemical engineering training at the intersection of AI, computational chemistry, and materials science.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/12/02-alums-ai-science.html)
[In the lecture honoring his mentor John Anderson, Darrell Velegol (‘97) discusses his current study of innovation processes and budgeting.
Alum Darrell Velegol gives Anderson Lecture](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/11/26-anderson-lecture-velegol.html)
[Nov 25
Artificial Intelligence
Industry collaboration yields top Optimization and Engineering paper
Ignacio Grossmann, Dev Kakkad (‘22), and their co-authors receive the Howard Rosenbrock Prize for an algorithm that makes optimization models more explainable.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/11/25-grossmann-rosenbrock-prize.html)
[Nov 19
Health & Biomedicine
A tiny lens into the vast world of soil microbes
Microorganisms behave differently in the lab, so researchers designed nanocultures to cultivate them in their natural environment. Magnetic shells provide an efficient way to retrieve them.](https://engineering.cmu.edu/news-events/news/2025/11/19-magnetic-nanocultures.html)
[Nov 18
Health & Biomedicine
Livengood honored with Alumni Achievement Award
Joanna M. Livengood’s accomplishments as a civil service leader at the U.S. Department of Energy are celebrated at Carnegie Mellon’s 75th annual Alumni Awards.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/11/18-alumni-award-livengood.html)
[Nov 14
Health & Biomedicine
Student spotlight: Vishwa Maharajan
To understand biological systems and technology more deeply, Vishwa Maharajan chose a master’s degree program that intersects chemical engineering with biotechnology applications.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/11/14-student-spotlight-vishwa.html)
[Nov 13
Health & Biomedicine
NSF center creates opportunities for computer-assisted discovery
Gabe Gomes and other computational chemistry and computer science experts in the National Science Foundation Center for Computer Assisted Synthesis are collaborating to speed up materials discovery.](https://www.cheme.engineering.cmu.edu/news/2025/11/13-gomes-nsf-ccas.html)