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Office of the University Registrar

2005-06 Undergraduate Catalog

Majors

Chemical Engineering
College: Engineering
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Hours for the Degree: 134
Minor: No
Combined-Degree Program: Yes
Website: www.che.ufl.edu

Although chemical engineering has existed for only 100 years, its name is no longer completely descriptive of this dynamic profession. The work of the chemical engineer is not restricted to the chemical industry, chemical changes or chemistry. Instead, modern chemical engineers are concerned with all the physical, chemical and biological changes of matter that can produce an economic product or result that is useful to mankind.

The education of the chemical engineer is based on the fundamental sciences of physics, chemistry and biology, on mathematical and computer techniques, and on basic engineering principles. This background makes the chemical engineer extremely versatile and capable of working in a variety of industries: chemical, petroleum, materials, microelectronics, environmental and food processing. It is also a good preparation for law and medical schools.

The chemical industry alone provides an opportunity for the chemical engineer to participate in the research, development, design or operation of plants for the production of new synthetic fibers, plastics, chemical fertilizers, vitamins, antibiotics, rocket fuels, nuclear fuels, paper pulp, photographic products, paints, fuel cells, transistors and the thousands of chemicals that are used as intermediates in the manufacture of these products.

Mission

To offer high-quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs in chemical engineering and to conduct research that helps educate graduate students and serves the needs of Florida and the nation.

Goal

To prepare students for life-long careers in chemical engineering.

Educational Objectives
  • To instill technical competence in mathematics, science and engineering
  • To develop problem-solving skills
  • To develop an ability to apply knowledge to practice
  • To instill an ability to design a component, unit or process that meets performance specifications
  • To develop an ability to design and to conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret the data
  • To instill an ability to use the techniques, skills and modern engineering tools necessary for chemical engineering practice
  • To develop communication skills
  • To instill an ability to work well with others, including coworkers of different disciplines and coworkers of different nationalities or cultural backgrounds
  • To instill professional ethics
  • To provide opportunities to obtain the broad background, including contemporary issues, necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context
  • To instill an ability to engage in life-long learning.

Department Requirements

Successful applicants must have earned a 2.5 grade point average or higher in the eight preprofessional courses and have earned a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in each of the preprofessional course sequences (calculus, chemistry and physics).

For the purposes of determining admission to or retention in the department, grade point averages will be based on the last of no more than two attempts for each course. Students must maintain satisfactory progress (GPA of 2.0 or higher) in chemical engineering courses and in their overall record.

To proceed to succeeding courses, C grades or better are required in ECH 3023, 3101, 3203, 3223, 3264 and COT 3502 within two enrollments (including withdrawals) for each course.

Any course taken to satisfy a degree requirement (General Education, required course or technical elective) with the exception of ECH 4948 and 4949, cannot be taken with the S-U grade option.

Critical Tracking Requirements

Semester 1:

  • 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
  • 2.5 GPA on all critical-tracking course work for semesters 1-5
  • Complete 1 of 8 tracking courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts (CHM 2045, CHM 2046, MAC 2311, MAC 2312, MAC 2313, MAP 2302, PHY 2048, PHY 2049)

Semester 2:

  • Complete 1 additional course with minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 3:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 4:

  • Complete 2 additional courses with a minimum grade of C within two attempts

Semester 5:

  • Complete all 8 critical-tracking courses with a minimum grade of C in each course within two attempts

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which will be bold.

Suggested semester-by-semester plan

Semester 1Credits
If you do not place out of ENC 1101, take it in the fall.
MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE–M)4
CHM 2045 General Chemistry 1(GE–P)3
CHM 2045L General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (GE–P)1
ABE 2062 Biology for Engineers 13
Humanities (GE–H)3
Total 14
Semester 2Credits
MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE–M)4
CHM 2046 General Chemistry 2(GE–P)3
CHM 2046L General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (GE–P)1
PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (GE–P)3
PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory (GE–P)1
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE–S)3
Total 15
Semester 3Credits
ECH 3023 Material and Energy Balances5
MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE–M)4
MAP 2302 Elementary Differential Equations (GE–M)3
PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (GE–P)3
PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory (GE–P)1
Total 16
Semester 4Credits
CHM 3120 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry3
ENC 2210 Technical Writing (GE–C) or
ENC 3254 Professional Writing in the Discipline (GE–C)
3
ECH 3264 Elementary Transport Phenomena3
COT 3502 Computer Model Formulation4
STA 3032 Engineering Statistics3
Total 16
Semester 5Credits
CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory1
CHM 4411 Physical Chemistry4
Humanities (GE–H)3
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE–S)3
Total 11
Semester 6Credits
CHM 3217 One Semester Organic Chemistry24
ECH 3101 Process Thermodynamics 3
ECH 3203 Fluid and Solids Operations3
ECH 3223 Energy Transfer Operations 3
Humanities (GE–H) or Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE–S)3
Total 16
Semester 7Credits
ECH 4123 Phase and Chemical Equilibria3
ECH 4224L Fluid and Energy Transfer Operations Laboratory2
ECH 4714L Safety and Experimental Evaluation1
ECH 4934 Professional Seminar1
Advanced chemistry elective 33
CGN 3710 Experimentation and Instrumentation in Civil Engineering 43
Area specialization technical elective 53
Total 16
Semester 8Credits
ECH 4403 Separation and Mass Transfer Operations3
ECH 4504 Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design4
ECH 4604 Process Economics3
ECH 4824 Materials of Chemical Engineering2
Area specialization technical elective 53
Total 15
Semester 9Credits
ECH 4644 Process Design 63
ECH 4323 Process Control Theory3
ECH 4323L Chemical Engineering Laboratory 5 1
ECH 4404L Separation and Mass Transfer Operations Laboratory2
Area specialization technical elective 53
Chemical engineering technical elective 53
Total 15

1 Or take BSC 2011, Integrated Principles of Biology 2

2 Or take CHM 2210 and CHM 2211, Organic Chemistry 1 and 2.

3 Visit undergraduate.che.ufl.edu for an approved list of advanced courses.

4 Or take EEL 3003, Elements of Electrical Engineering.

5 An area specialization consists of technical electives with a coherent theme. Technical electives are defined as department-approved, upper-division courses with significant science and/or math content. Provision is made to receive up to three credits of approved co-op and internship experience. Military courses cannot be used for technical electives. Pre-approved options and technical electives are listed on undergraduate.che.ufl.edu.

6 The Integrated Product and Process Design program (ECH 4912 and ECH 4913) requires six hours of course work and is offered as a sequence of two three-credit courses during fall and spring of the senior year. These two courses are pre-approved substitutes for three credits of technical electives and for ECH 4644, Process Design.