Chemical Engineering, M.S.Ch.E.

Curriculum in Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

A candidate for the M.S. degree in chemical engineering must comply with the rules and regulations as outlined in the WVU Graduate Catalog and the specific requirements of the Statler College and the Chemical Engineering Department.

Program Requirements

All M.S. degree candidates are required to perform research and follow a planned program of study. The student’s research advisor, in conjunction with the student’s Advising and Examining Committee (AEC) will be responsible for determining the plan of study appropriate to the student’s needs. The underlying principle of the planned program is to provide the students with the necessary support to complete their degree and prepare them for their career.

Curriculum Requirements

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in all courses
Course Requirements *
A minimum of 60% of courses must be from 500 level or above
A grade of C or higher must be earned in all required courses
CHE 615	Transport Phenomena	3
CHE 620	Thermodynamics	3
CHE 625	Chemical Reaction Engineering	3
Full-time Students are required to take a Seminar course each semester		4-10
CHE 796	Graduate Seminar
Select courses from the following based on degree path:		15
Any BIOM, CE, CHE, CHEM, CPE, CS, EE, IENG, IH&S, MAE, MATH, MINE, PHGE, PHYS, SAFM, SENG, or STAT courses 400-799
Complete 1 of the following options:		6-9
Thesis Option - 6 hours
CHE 697	Research (6 hours)
Written Proposal/Oral Presentation
Oral Defense
Thesis
Final Oral or Written Examination
Problem Report Option - 9 hours
Complete 6 additional hours of coursework
CHE 697	Research (3 hours)
Written Proposal/Oral Presentation
Oral Defense
Formal written report or professional report/paper
Final Oral or Written Examination
Total Hours		34-43

*

Students who do not hold a baccalaureate degree in chemical engineering are required to take a set of undergraduate chemical engineering courses above and beyond the minimum coursework requirements. For students without a B.S.Ch.E., the junior level courses may include: CHE 310, CHE 311, CHE 312, CHE 315, CHE 320, and CHE 325. M.S.E. students take only CHE 315, CHE 320, and CHE 325.

Examination

M.S. students following the thesis or problem report option must prepare a written research proposal and oral presentation. The proposal must be approved by the student's AEC at least one semester prior to the final oral examination. This oral defense is administered by the student’s AEC and must be completed by the end of the second semester after the student begins his/her research. 

All students, regardless of option, are required to pass a final oral or written examination, administered by their AEC, covering the thesis or problem report and/or related course material.

Suggested Plan of Study

The plan below illustrates the Thesis Option. For students with a B.S.Ch.E., twenty-four months are typically required to complete the M.S.Ch.E. degree work.  For students without a B.S.Ch.E., the time to complete the M.S.Ch.E. is typically thirty-six months, while the time to complete the M.S.E. is typically thirty months.

It is important for students to take courses in the order specified as much as possible; all prerequisites and concurrent requirements must be observed.  A typical M.S.Ch.E degree program that completes degree requirements in two years is as follows.  

First Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
CHE 796	1	CHE 796	1
CHE 615	3	CHE 625	3
CHE 620	3	Additional Course	3
Additional Course	3	CHE 697	3
	10		10
Second Year
Fall	Hours	Spring	Hours
CHE 796	1	CHE 796	1
CHE 697	3	CHE 697	6
Additional Course	3	Additional Course	3
Additional Course	3
	10		10
Total credit hours: 40