The degree program in chemical engineering was established in 1898 at the University of Michigan, one of four schools to introduce the profession in the United States during the last decade of the nineteenth century. The University of Michigan student chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers was the first established by that professional society.

Chemical engineering, among all branches of engineering, is the one most strongly and broadly based upon chemical and life sciences. It has been defined by the directors of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers as "the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and other natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop economical ways of using materials and energy for the benefit of mankind." Because of a broad and fundamental education, the chemical engineer can contribute to society in many functions: research, development, environmental protection, process design, product engineering, plant operation, marketing, sales, and corporate or government administration.

The work of the chemical engineer encompasses many industries, from the manufacture of chemicals and consumer products and the refining of petroleum, to biotechnology, food manufacturing, and the production of pharmaceuticals.  Because of this breadth, there are many fields in which chemical engineers may specialize. More information on careers for chemical engineers is available at the AIChE career page, http://www.aiche.org/Students/Careers/highschoolresources.aspx .

The program allows 9 hours of general electives, 10 hours of life science and technical electives, and 16 hours of humanities and social science electives. A student may use this elective freedom to develop individual abilities and interests, and to prepare for graduate studies or for other professional programs such as law, business administration, or medicine. The electives also provide the opportunity for combined degree programs or for preparation in fields within or related to chemical engineering such as polymers, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering, energy and fuels, and biotechnology. Students can choose to focus their elective courses by selecting a concentration within their ChE degree. Current optional concentration areas include: Electrical Engineering-Electronic Devices, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science Engineering, Life Sciences, and Environmental Engineering.

Facilities

The facilities located in the H.H. Dow and G.G. Brown Buildings include biochemical engineering, catalysis, chemical sensors, light scattering and spectroscopy, petroleum research, fuel cells, nanotechnology, rheology, polymer physics, process dynamics, and surface science laboratories, large-and pilot-scale heat transfer, mass transfer, kinetics, and separations processes teaching laboratories.

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, telephone (410) 347-7700.