The mission of the Chemical Engineering program reflects the mission of Maine’s Land Grant University, specifically to provide teaching, research and public service in the discipline of chemical engineering. The goals of the program are to provide a high quality educational program at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, to conduct research projects that further fundamental understanding and address practically relevant problems, to act as a center of technical expertise and service to industry and to government agencies that may require assistance in the general area of chemical engineering, and to sustain our established strength as a center of excellence for teaching, research and service in areas related to the pulp and paper industry. The program educational objectives are to provide graduates with:
- a sound foundation in the principles of chemical engineering and an understanding of the scientific principles on which chemical engineering is based.
- engineering problem solving skills enabling them to pursue careers in industry, government agencies, consulting firms, educational institutions, business, law, and medicine.
- a broad understanding of the chemical engineering profession provided by practical training and cooperative education opportunities.
- an awareness of their moral, ethical, legal, and professional obligations to hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.
- the ability to function effectively in the workplace through teamwork and effective communication of technical and professional information.
- the ability to use modern computer tools, including advanced process simulation programs, and apply them to solve chemical engineering problems.
- an appreciation of the necessity for and the ability to engage in lifelong learning.
Chemical Engineers design, operate and manage processes that transform raw materials into valuable products. In the design and operation of such facilities the two competing concerns are maximizing profits while minimizing environmental impact. Since chemical engineers are employed in many different industries, the basic training is general and not industry-specific.
Program Description
The program follows the “process engineering” approach. During the first five terms the Chemical Engineering (CHE) and Biological Engineering (BLE) programs are essentially the same. The required courses cover both the scientific foundations of the subject and the relevant engineering sciences such as thermodynamics, kinetics, fluid mechanics and unit operations. Economics, process design and more specialized technical electives are studied in the senior year. The CHE and BLE programs diverge for the last three terms during which the courses are more discipline specific. A major advantage of this arrangement is that students can transfer freely between BLE and CHE until the second term of the junior year. Additional information about the program is available on the Web at http://www.umche.maine.edu/chb/
The program provides a broad base of knowledge for engineering practice in today’s society. The curriculum includes core courses in engineering, mathematics and science combined with electives in engineering, humanities, and social sciences. Degrees are awarded upon satisfactory completion of 130 credits with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.0 in Chemical Engineering courses, including technical electives. The program in Chemical Engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012 - telephone: (410) 347-7700.
The undergraduate program prepares students for immediate employment as well as graduate studies. The degrees of Master of Science (Chemical Engineering) and Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical Engineering) are also offered in the Department. Several assistantships are available. The program is described in the University of Maine Graduate School online Catalog and on the Web at: http://www2.umaine.edu/graduate/
Cooperative Work Experience Program Option in Chemical Engineering
Students with satisfactory academic standing at the end of their fourth semester may elect to participate in the “Co-Op” program. This fifteen month program involves two fourteen-week sessions of paid, supervised professional experience as a junior engineer. The Co-Op sessions are typically scheduled during alternating semesters of the third year with a semester of coursework between the sessions. Students are able to participate in the Co-Op experience and still graduate in four years by scheduling one of the third-year semesters of coursework during a summer term. Participating students must register for six credits but, in general, these cannot be substituted for the courses required for the BS degree. Students who do their Co-Op work experience within the Pulp and Paper sector are strongly advised to take the introductory course PPA 264 prior to their first Co-Op term. This 200-level course is allowed to satisfy a technical elective requirement for those students.
Employment Opportunities
Chemical Engineering graduates find employment in all the major process industries: petroleum refining, petrochemicals, commodity chemicals, pharmaceuticals, extractive metallurgy, production of semiconductors and the pulp and paper industry. Job functions cover a wide range of activities including research and development, process design, control, operation and management of production facilities and technical sales.
Scholarships
Many Chemical Engineering undergraduates enjoy some degree of scholarship support. The following scholarships are offered on a competitive basis:
Charles A. Brautlecht Scholarship
Eileen M. Byrnes Scholarship
Louis Calder Foundation Scholarship
Richard E. Durst Scholarship
S.T. Han Memorial Scholarship
Thomas G. Mangan and John W. Mangan Scholarship
Omar F. and Lenora L. Tarr Memorial Scholarship
Les Trois Amis Scholarshop
In addition, the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation supports 70 upper class students per year with full tuition scholarships and also provides approximately 25 first year students with full tuition scholarships. Entry scholarships are offered to competitive first-year students based on their high school records. For more information about the opportunities, contact the University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation or call 207-581-2297.
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