Chemical engineers are needed in Utah’s rapidly growing sectors, including biotechnology, clean energy, food production, advanced materials, and environmental technologies. This modern program emphasizes three transformative focus areas: upcycling, sustainability, and AI-driven chemical process modeling. Students will gain a strong foundation in core chemical engineering principles while developing specialized skills in green chemistry, waste valorization, and digital process optimization.

Housed within the Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, the program leverages USU’s existing strengths in biological engineering and interdisciplinary research. Through a rigorous 120-credit curriculum, hands-on laboratory experiences, and industry-partnered capstone projects, graduates will be equipped to lead innovation in sustainable chemical manufacturing and contribute to Utah’s circular economy. The program is designed to prepare students for high-demand careers and future graduate studies in chemical and related engineering fields.

How to Prepare for this Degree

Students planning to pursue Chemical Engineering at USU are encouraged to strengthen their preparation with relevant high-school or preparatory coursework, such as:

  • AP Calculus AB/BC or advanced mathematics
  • AP Statistics or Probability & Statistics
  • AP Chemistry
  • Computer programing fundamentals (Python, C++, or equivalent)
  • AP Physics or engineering sciences

For additional guidance on specific course planning and requirements, students are encouraged to contact an academic advisor in the College of Engineering.

Student Experience

  • Hands-on laboratory courses
  • Team-based design projects
  • Undergraduate research opportunities

Areas of Application

Chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, and data analytics to develop innovative products and processes across a wide range of industries, including:

  • Sustainable manufacturing and circular economy technologies
  • Clean energy, renewable fuels, and hydrogen production
  • Food and agricultural processing
  • Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products
  • Water treatment and environmental remediation
  • Advanced materials and specialty chemicals
  • Waste valorization, upcycling, and resource recovery
  • AI-driven chemical processing

Internships and Careers

  • WesTech
  • Idaho National Laboratory
  • Northrop Grumman
  • Idaho Forest Group
  • Frontier Specialty Chemicals
  • Frulact
  • Schreiber Foods
  • CleanJoule
  • Teva Pharmaceuticals
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific

Program Resources