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Chemical Engineering, BSChE

Chemical engineering combines chemistry with biology, mathematics, physics and economics to solve problems and to find safe, efficient and environmentally benign development of such useful industrial processes and products as petroleum refining, materials processing, materials recycling, plastics, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, paints, electronic components and biotechnology.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

With a degree in Chemical Engineering, you can pursue employment in many high-tech areas — including materials, energy and pharmaceuticals — or go on to graduate school and professional programs, such as law, dentistry and medicine.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Accelerated Program

    Chemical Engineering offers the option to earn a bachelor's and master's degree in an accelerated time frame.

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: for first- and second-year students and for third- and fourth-year students.

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Students use the AVESTAR Center, a virtual chemical plant, to learn what chemical plants look like and how they are operated.
  • Our undergraduate program is recognized for its design curriculum.
  • "Analysis, synthesis and design of chemical processes" (a nationally-used textbook) was written by WVU faculty who team-teach the course at WVU.
  • The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

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Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Students are encouraged to participate in research from the freshman year on. Any student who wishes to work with a faculty member is able to do so. These students present posters on their research findings at the annual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol in Charleston, West Virginia.

Academic resources include:

  • Complete, up-to-date reference library with classic and modern texts covering all aspects of chemical engineering.
  • Modern, newly renovated undergraduate laboratory housing experiments in all areas of the common unit operations found in chemical engineering. Recently, new experiments have been added in the thermal/fluids area for the junior year.

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills. Projects in WVU's Chemical Engineering major have included:

  • Feasibility of Producing Value-Added Fuels and Chemicals from Heavy Cuts of Petroleum.
  • Feasible Routes for Producing Value-Added Chemicals from Ethane.
  • Market and Process Technology for Marcellus Shale Gas.
  • Techno-Economic Analysis of the Production of Liquid Fuels and Ethanol from Lignocellulosic Biomass.
  • Techno-Economic Evaluation of the Feasibility of Producing Diesel, Gasoline, Jet Fuel, and Electricity from Coal.
  • Utilization of Shale Gas for Higher-value Chemical Production.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Our undergraduate students can participate in both summer internships and full co-op programs, which allow you to gain professional work experience while earning a paycheck.

Visit for more about co-op programs and the STEM Career and Internship Fair.

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Materials Engineers

Evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for use in products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. Develop new uses for known materials. Includes those engineers working with composite materials or specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Includes metallurgists and metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $104,100

Possible job titles include: Materials Engineer, Materials Research Engineer, Metallurgist, Process Engineer.

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Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

Median Salary: $116,970

Possible job titles include: Lead Operator, Operations Manager, Plant Manager, Production Manager.

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Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $100,730

Possible job titles include: Biomedical Electronics Technician, Biomedical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research Engineer.

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Chemical Engineers

Design chemical plant equipment and devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products, such as gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, and pulp, by applying principles and technology of chemistry, physics, and engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $112,100

Possible job titles include: Chemical Engineer, Engineer, Process Engineer, Scientist.

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Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors

Plan, implement, and coordinate safety programs, requiring application of engineering principles and technology, to prevent or correct unsafe environmental working conditions.

Median Salary: $103,690

Possible job titles include: Chief Security and Safety Officer (CSO), Corporate Health, Safety, and Occupational Toxicology Director, Safety and Health Consultant, Safety, Health, and Environment Vice President.

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Sales Engineers

Sell business goods or services, the selling of which requires a technical background equivalent to a baccalaureate degree in engineering.

Has a Bright Outlook

Median Salary: $116,950

Possible job titles include: Account Executive, Account Manager, Customer Engagement Manager, Technical Sales Engineer.

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Where Graduates are Working

  • Heavy chemicals industry
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Polymers industry
  • Food industry

Areas of Graduate Study

Chemical Engineering graduates have been admitted to graduate programs, as well as professional schools in medicine, law and dentistry.

WVU programs to consider:

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Chemical Engineering major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's . They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the .

Tuition and Aid

How much does Chemical Engineering at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Chemical Engineering major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the to see if your institution is listed.

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Want to know more about Chemical Engineering at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

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​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit WVU

Your first step to becoming a 51ÔÚÏß is applying for admission using our convenient online application.