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M.S. in Chemical Engineering

The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering program prepares you for non-academic research roles and can be a pathway to a Ph.D. It is typically completed in two years and emphasizes research leading to peer-reviewed publications, fostering initiative, originality, and creativity.

Important information

Format

In-Person

Page Contents

Note: This page provides a general overview. For complete and accurate information, please consult with your advisor. For current course offerings and information, refer to the Cornell University Registrar: Courses of Study.

Program Overview

The M.S. program is a research-based degree with flexible coursework that is tailored to match your interests and career goals. The M.S. program is targeted to students who are interested in original research and may want to pursue a doctoral degree in the future. In the fall of your first year, students will join a research group and begin conducting original research. The M.S. degree typically takes two years to complete.

The requirements for successful degree completion are flexible. Students have the freedom to adjust their coursework and research to match their interests. Students will be required to take graduate-level chemical engineering courses (in consultation with their advisor and special committee), work on original research, and complete a thesis project before graduation.

Degree Requirements

The requirements for successful degree completion are flexible and you’ll be able to adjust your coursework and research to match your interest. You will be required to take graduate-level chemical engineering courses, work on original research, and complete a thesis or special project before you are eligible for graduation.

Some of the areas in which you can concentrate your studies and research are:

  • advanced materials processing
  • applied math and computational methods
  • biochemical engineering
  • chemical reaction engineering
  • classical and statistical thermodynamics
  • fluid dynamics, rheology, and biorheology
  • heat and mass transfer
  • kinetics and catalysis
  • polymers
  • surface science

Research Areas

  • Biomolecular Engineering

    The advent of molecular biology, genomics, proteomics, and related technology has spawned a revolution in biology and offers numerous opportunities for new commercial developments.

  • Complex Fluids and Polymers

    Understanding the structure, rheology, interfacial and transport behaviors of complex fluids and polymers is among the foremost challenges of chemical engineering science.

  • Computational Science and Engineering

    Applications include computational and systems biology, energy materials, energy transformations and energy systems engineering, complex fluid modeling of colloids and gels, nanoparticle flows, electrospinning fibers, electronic materials design and properties.

  • Nanoscale Electronics, Photonics, and Materials Processing

    Chemical engineers adopted an approach to problem solving, applying their specialized knowledge in chemistry, kinetics, transport phenomena, reactor design and thermodynamics.

  • Sustainable Energy Systems

    Growth in world population and continual improvements in living standards in developing countries will increase demands for energy in the next 40 years, posing tremendous challenges for providing affordable energy.

  • Engineering Education

    Engineering education combines engineering contexts and education research to create new knowledge to understand and improve the development of engineers from P-12 through professional engineers.