Undergraduate Major

Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering (BS)

Take the inside track to a career in chemical engineering where you will use science, engineering, and mathematics to solve societal problems.

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Chemical engineering student with faculty

Program Overview

In our chemical engineering program, you'll apply knowledge of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to the development, design, and operation of industrial processes involving both chemical and physical changes in order to solve a wide range of problems to benefit society.

Chemical engineers are the key professionals involved in the discovery, development, and production of food, fuels, pharmaceuticals, clean water, and the modern materials used in electronics, apparel, and construction.

As a chemical engineering major at Widener, you'll implement unique approaches and disciplines of engineering to the fundamental sciences in a supportive environment that encourages analytical thinking, while being exposed to the industry through real-world application.

ABET with orange circle reading Engineering Accreditation Commission

The chemical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. See recent enrollment and graduation data.

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Program Options for Chemical Engineering Majors

In addition to the basic physical sciences underlying all engineering, the chemical engineering curriculum focuses on practical approaches to problem-solving, which will prepare you for a wide choice of careers in pharmaceutical, chemical, food, biochemical, and polymer industries, as well as government agencies.

Your coursework will begin with an emphasis on chemistry and mathematics. You'll began taking specific courses in engineering at the start of your sophomore year. During senior year, you'll take a two-semester process design course in which you will design a chemical engineering process to produce specified products and then analyze it for safety, operational stability, environmental impacts and economic benefits.

You'll also participate in a year-long project that simulates both the technical and business aspects of a professional engineering project, ranging from research to creative conception and design, to construction and evaluation.

For educational objectives, student outcomes, and curriculum sequence, view our Loading...

You can earn both a bachelor of science and a master of science in engineering degree in just 4 to 5 years through the Loading.... This is a great option to take advantage of if you are considering a master's degree.

You can apply for admission to the program any time after your second semester for freshmen or after the first semester for transfer students.

Learn how you can save on tuition during your 5thyear

As a chemical engineering student, you can pursue a Loading... and still graduate in 4 years, by carefully selecting your technical electives and taking a small number of additional courses to complete the program.

Interested students should contact the chairs of both departments to arrange their study program and schedule.

Minor Options for Chemical Engineering Majors

Customize your engineering degree by choosing to pursue a minor in the School of Engineering such as environmental engineering or mechanical engineering, or with other programs such as chemistry.

View All Undergraduate Minors & Certificates

Chemical Engineering Minor

If you are pursing another major or field of engineering, but are interested in careers in the pharmaceutical, chemical process, or petrochemical industries, consider a minor in chemical engineering. A Loading... includes important aspects of chemistry to provide significant exposure to the discipline. Contact the chemical engineering department for more information.

For an inside track into your career, the School of Engineering offers an optional cooperative education program where you can complete up to 1 year of professional work experience and graduate within 4 years, unlike other universities that extend the length of undergraduate programs.

As a co-op student, you'll spend your first year in the classroom, but in your sophomore year you'll spend 4 months working in the industry. Your third year can contain up to 8 months of work experience and you'll finish your final year on campus.

Our co-op program allows you to start your professional career 1 year earlier than a typical 5-year co-op program and earn an additional year of salary. You may also have the opportunity to receive full-time employment from your co-op or internship employers upon graduation.

Learn more about our co-op program and our Loading... for engineering students.

The engineering honors program is an exciting opportunity for academically talented students to enrich their engineering education with advanced honors courses, an honors seminar, collaboration with faculty on research, civic engagement, and professional and leadership development opportunities.

Students can complete their program of study in 4 years graduating with a certificate of honors in engineering.

Learn more about the engineering honors program

Admissions Information

In addition to the robust scholarship opportunities available to undergraduate students, students pursuing an accelerated master's through the 4+1 program can also apply for graduate-level scholarships and assistantships during for fifth year of study.

To apply, please speak with your program advisor during the spring semester of your senior year.

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Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering Program Highlights

From research projects to co-op experiences, your Widener education will prepare you for a career of innovative discovery in chemical engineering.

17:1 Student-Faculty Ratio

Small class sizes allow faculty to make you the priority.

Meet our faculty

1 Year Paid Co-op

Gain up to 1 full year of compensated work experience and still graduate within 4 years.

More about co-op program

School of Engineering Advisory Board

Industry leaders provide assistance and direction to support the school in its future growth and development.

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Chemical and Biomedical Engineering major works in lab

Cutting-Edge Research

Even as an undergraduate, you'll have the opportunity to partner with faculty on investigative research projects for exciting topics, publish papers with peer-mentors, and present your research at national and international conferences.

The research areas of chemical engineering faculty include water purification, gas separation and greenhouse gas capture, critical elements recovery, novel drug discovery and synthesis, cancer immunotherapy, and modeling and simulation.

These research areas are supported by National Science Foundation (NSF), American Chemical Society Sponsored Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Alzheimer’s Association, W.W. Smith Charitable Trust, Clinton Global Initiative and Ivanhoe Foundation.

Biomedical engineering major preparation student at CHOP

Career Preparation

Through the co-op program, you can complete professional work experience and graduate in 4 years. The benefit: you'll not only save educational costs but you'll also start your career earlier than most engineering graduates.

chemical engineering students in lab with faculty

Faculty Mentorship

From small class sizes to student and faculty research projects, faculty are invested in your success. Here, you'll learn from faculty, not graduate assistants, as you prepare for your career in engineering.

Living Learning Community (LLC)

The Engineering LLC provides freshmen engineering students a unique opportunity to live and learn together through a variety of co-curricular activities and social events that explore scholarly faculty work, personal development, academic skills, and success in the engineering profession.

To request housing in the Engineering LLC, look for an email from Admissions after you've made your deposit to complete the online housing application. 

Faculty

Engineering education at Widener is distinguished by close student-faculty interaction. Meet the faculty who will lead you to a powerful engineering career.

Dipendu Saha
Dipendu Saha
Chair of Chemical Engineering

"In dealing with the most complex and critical areas of the subjects, I always like to ask the students to adopt the process of independent thinking and analytical reasoning rather than just memorizing things, which, I believe, is the key approach to generating expertise within the students."

Sachin P. Patil
Sachin P. Patil
Professor

"At Widener, we are at the forefront of combining rigorous academics with experiential learning, and accordingly we train you in applying the unique chemical engineering knowledge to a wide variety of fields, ranging from chemicals and petrochemicals to more modern applications in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and pharmaceuticals."

Orkoulas_Headshot
Gerassimos Orkoulas
Associate Professor

"The multi-disciplinary field of chemical engineering utilizes knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and economics to design, operate and control large-scale industrial physico-chemical processes converting raw materials to useful chemical and pharmaceutical products and nanomaterials that improve the quality of our lives and protect the environment"

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Your Inside Track to Success

Your Inside Track to Success

Take the inside track to a career in chemical engineering.

Recent Employers & Industry Connections

  • Airgas
  • AstraZeneca
  • Dow Chemical
  • Exelon
  • Merck
  • Sunoco
  • W.L. Gore & Associates

Outlook & Outcomes

Potential Careers

  • Management 
  • Pharmaceutical processing 
  • Plant operations and supervision
  • Process development 
  • Research 
  • Sales and customer support 

Industry Insiders

You will have direct access to industry leaders, including many alumni of the program, through the School of Engineering's Board of Advisors.

Pride Perspectives

Hear from our students about their experience in the chemical engineering program.

Female student in a lab coat with goggles on conducting research

Widener helped me to gain a deeper appreciation for science, fall in love with the brain, and to learn what it was like to work in a high-powered, fast-moving academic setting.

Juliette DiFlumeri

Juliette's Story
Watch Video Aidan Looby, wearing a white lab coat and mask, works with equipment in a science lab

You make time for the things you love. I love chemistry and learning. I love being a leader on campus and learning how to be a better person every day.

Aidan Looby

Aidan's Story
All Pride Perspectives

Take the Next Steps

Join a leading university dedicated to your success.

Visit Us

To visit Widener is, more often than not, to fall in love with the place. To fit your timeline and schedule, we offer a variety of ways to get to know us.

View Tuition and Fees

When comparing costs, we encourage you to look beyond sticker price. Because Widener is a private institution, we’re able to offer financial assistance that brings our exceptional education within reach.

Financial Aid

Our financial aid team takes the guessing game out of applying for financial aid. To determine your financial aid package, including scholarships and grants, apply and complete the financial aid process. You might be surprised at how much we can offer in assistance.

Next steps to apply

Applying online has never been easier—and it’s free! We also accept the Common Application. Take the next step toward joining the Widener Pride.

Get in Touch

Have a question? Want to talk with us more about your options? Give us a call, or send an email today.