The School’s vision builds on two key premises. First, we recognize the changing role of engineering as a discipline within the university. So much of the excitement in research and teaching is at the interface between engineering and other disciplines, and technology is enabling other disciplines. Second, the faculty within the School have acknowledged a responsibility to respond to national and international needs in areas such as health, energy, environment, poverty, and security.
As an engineering school in service to society, our aim is to contribute to solving society’s challenges through the discovery of new knowledge and by educating students for leadership roles in a global society. We seek to attract students who have the talents and the desire to make a difference.
Why Consider Chemical Engineering?
Chemical engineering undergraduates at Washington University study the utilization of scientific discoveries to modern technologies and novel products that benefit society and minimize the impact to the environment. Laboratory work includes dealing with multi-scale aspects of generating clean energy, producing novel and superior materials, and utilizing the biological revolution in manufacturing new products and energy carriers.
The Washington University Advantage
In 2006, the department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering was created—the first of its kind in the world—to focus on environmental engineering science, energy systems, and chemical engineering. This department is a leader in the University's energy, environment, and sustainability initiative. Faculty and students are working to develop renewable energy sources, alleviate the shortage of clean water, and improve air quality.
Washington University is also home to the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES); for more information about I-CARES and related topics, visit http://ees.wustl.edu/.
Freshman Engineering Seminar
This weekly seminar, organized and run by upper-class students, will introduce you to engineering and will help you identify the specific area of engineering that will meet your long-term interests and aspirations. In addition, the seminar will cover the key areas of leadership, collaboration, and communication—all of which will help you succeed throughout your undergraduate education.
Undergraduate Research
Undergraduate students have numerous opportunities to participate with faculty on research projects ranging from cell and tissue engineering to developing biosensors to the synthesis of nanomaterials for use in energy and environmental technologies. Sixty-five percent of our current students participate in an undergraduate research or independent study project with faculty.
International Study Opportunities
Experiencing an academic program in another country and culture can be both career-enhancing and life-transforming. Students have the opportunity to study abroad through the College of Arts & Sciences Overseas Program, but there are also many opportunities available only to engineering students—including summer, semester- or year-long study programs, and other specialized programs. For a complete list of opportunities, visit our website.
Career Opportunities in Chemical Engineering
A degree in chemical engineering is highly interdisciplinary. Graduates can continue studies in another area of engineering or cross disciplines to study law, medicine or business. Chemical engineers can find industry careers in a wide variety of areas, including:
- planning new manufacturing plants and facilities as a design engineer
- troubleshooting technical issues as a technical liaison
- operating part of a complex chemical plant as a process engineer
- developing new processes to manufacture new materials as a research engineer
For additional information contact:
Washington University
Campus Box 1100
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130-4899
Phone: (314) 935-6166
Fax: (314) 935-7448
E-mail: engineering@seas.wustl.edu
Website: http://www.engineering.wustl.edu