College: College of Engineering
Designation: Department
Major: Chemical Engineering
Degrees Offered: M.S., Ph.D.
Other: Ph.D. Minor
Faculty: Professors Kuech (chair), Abbott, de Pablo, Dumesic, Graham, Hill, Murphy, Nealey, Rawlings, Yin; Associate Professors Klingenberg, Mavrikakis, Root, Swaney; Assistant Professors Lynn, Maravelias, Palecek, Shusta
Graduate study in the department may be directed toward the master of science or the doctor of philosophy in chemical engineering. The graduate courses are planned to train capable students for advanced work in research and development.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has a tradition of excellence dating back to 1905. For a century, the program has consistently ranked as one of the best in the world. The department offers research opportunities in both traditional and emerging areas of research in chemical and biological engineering. These areas include nanotechnology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, complex fluids, colloid and interfacial phenomena, atomic, molecular, and multiscale modeling, polymers (synthesis and processing), micro- and nano-electronics, environmental engineering, process control and design, reactor design and atomic-scale design of surface reactivity. These areas of research are advanced by leveraging tools from the fields of applied mathematics, statistical mechanics, kinetics and catalysis, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
Research in the department is highly interdisciplinary, capitalizing on programs of national prominence such as the NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), the NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center (NSEC), the nation's largest NIH-funded biotechnology training program, and the Computation and Informatics in Biology and Medicine training program. Interdisciplinary research opportunities are also available through the Materials Science Program, the Center for Nanotechnology, and the Rheology Research Center. Researchers in the department have access to state-of-the-art facilities for research, including facilities for nanofabrication and the life sciences.
Interests and activities of faculty members, along with a list of selected publications for each, are described at www.engr.wisc.edu/che/faculty.
A Ph.D. candidate in another department who wishes to minor in chemical engineering should consult the minor professor. The minor consists of 12 credits of courses numbered 300 and above with an average grade of B or better.
Financial support for qualified graduate students is available in the form of research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships.
Students with a strong background in chemical engineering and a serious interest in research are encouraged to apply for admission. Most applicants accepted into the program have grade-point averages well above the Graduate School minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. All applicants are required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) general test. Applications are evaluated on the basis of previous academic record, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statement. Admission is very competitive. The M.S. degree is not normally a prerequisite for the Ph.D. degree.
Applicants with degrees in the physical or life sciences or other engineering fields are encouraged to apply for admission into the Ph.D. graduate program. These students should contact the chair of the graduate admissions committee to discuss their preparation for the graduate program.
For more information: Graduate Program Office, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706; 608/263-3138; gradoffice@che.wisc.edu; www.engr.wisc.edu/che.