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This archived information is dated to the 2008-09 academic year only and may no longer be current.

For currently applicable policies and information, see the current Stanford Bulletin.

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

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Undergraduate Programs in Chemical Engineering

The Chemical Engineering B.S. program requires basic courses in biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, and physics. The depth sequence of courses required for the major in chemical engineering provides training in applied chemical kinetics, biochemical engineering, electronic materials, engineering thermodynamics, plant design, polymers, process analysis and control, separation processes, and transport phenomena. Undergraduates who wish to major in Chemical Engineering (CHEMENG) should consult the curriculum outlined in the "School of Engineering" section of this bulletin. Courses taken to fulfill requirements (math; science, technology and society; engineering fundamentals; and engineering depth) must be taken for a letter grade if this option is offered.

There are several sample 4-year sequences of courses leading to a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. While each sequence starts at a different level, based on the student's prior preparation, all complete the major at the same level. Sample programs are available from the department's student services and faculty advisers for undergraduates, the Office of Student Affairs in the School of Engineering, and in the Handbook for Undergraduate Engineering Programs, available at http://ughb.stanford.edu. It is recommended that students discuss their prospective programs with chemical engineering advisers, especially if transferring from biology, chemistry, physics, or another engineering major. With advance planning, students can usually arrange to attend one of the overseas campuses.

For information about the requirements for a Chemical Engineering minor, see the "School of Engineering" section of this bulletin.

HONORS PROGRAM

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers a program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with honors. Qualified undergraduate majors conduct independent study and research at an advanced level with a faculty mentor, graduate students, and fellow undergraduates. This three-quarter sequential program involves research study in an area proposed to and agreed to by a Department of Chemical Engineering faculty adviser; concurrent participation each quarter in the CHEMENG 191H seminar; completion of a faculty-approved thesis; and participation in the Chemical Engineering Honors Symposium held annually during Spring Quarter. The last requirement may also be fulfilled through an alternative, public, oral presentation with the approval of the department chair. Work should begin at least four quarters prior to graduation.

Admission to the honors program is by application. Declared Chemical Engineering students with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.5 or higher are encouraged to apply. Students should submit their applications by Winter Quarter of their junior year; applications must be submitted no later than the end of the first week of Autumn Quarter of the senior year. An application includes a research proposal, approved by a research thesis adviser and a second faculty reader. The faculty adviser or, alternatively, a faculty sponsor must be a member of the Department of Chemical Engineering. Students should start their research in their junior year and are encouraged to consider incorporating research opportunities such as those sponsored by Undergraduate Advising and Research (see http://urp.stanford.edu/StudentGrants) into their honors research proposal. See departmental student services (Keck room189) for more information about the application process, a proposal template, and other assistance.

In order to receive departmental honors, students admitted to the honors program should:

  1. Maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.5 as calculated on the unofficial transcript.
  2. Complete at least three quarters of research with a minimum total of 9 units of CHEMENG 190H for a letter grade. All quarters must focus on the same topic. The same faculty adviser and faculty reader should be maintained throughout if feasible.
  3. Enroll in CHEMENG 191H "Undergraduate Honors Seminar" concurrently with each quarter of CHEMENG 190H.
  4. Participate with a poster and oral presentation of thesis work at the Chemical Engineering Honors Poster Session held during Spring Quarter or, at the faculty's discretion, at a comparable public event.
  5. Submit final drafts of a thesis simultaneously to the adviser and reader and, if appropriate, to the Chemical Engineering faculty sponsor, no later than May 1, or the first day of the second month of the quarter in which the degree is to be conferred.
  6. Complete all work and thesis revisions and obtain indicated faculty approvals on the Certificate of Final Reading of Thesis forms by the end of the third week of May, or the second month of the graduation quarter.
  7. Submit five (5) final copies of the honors thesis as approved by the appropriate faculty. Include in each copy an original, completed, faculty signature sheet. The deadline is May 18, 2009, or the Monday at the beginning of the fourth week of the second month of the graduation quarter.
  8. Submit one copy of thesis in electronic format to student services.

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