Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
Lancaster Campus    
2016-2017 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Mar 28, 2024
 
2016-2017 USC Lancaster Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Chemical Engineering, B.S.E.


Return to Programs A-Z Return to: Programs A-Z


Learning Outcomes

  • Students will apply knowledge of mathematics and chemistry to typical problems encountered in chemical engineering practice.
  • Students will apply knowledge of engineering to typical problems encountered in chemical engineering practice.
  • Students will demonstrate the use of chemical engineering science fundamentals in developing  solutions of problems typical of those encountered in chemical engineering practice. 
  • Students will be able to design and conduct laboratory experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data using factorial design methods.
  • Students will be able to use chemical process simulators and other techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for chemical engineering practice.
  • Students will be able to design a chemical engineering system, unit, or chemical process to meet desired needs.
  • Students will be able to present technical material through oral presentations with visual aids.
  • Students will be able to present technical material including analysis and conclusions through technical reports.
  • Students will be able to work in multi-functional teams.
  • Students will be able to find information and to learn independently.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of and  adherence to professional and ethical responsibility. 
  • Students will be able to describe how economic, political, and social issues affect and are affected by the chemical engineering profession. 
  • Students will comprehend the topics and ideas of familiar subjects in a foreign language. 

Program Educational Objectives

Within six years of graduation, our graduates are expected to achieve one or more of the following milestones:

  • Advance professionally in the chemical process industries or in their chosen career field.
  • Earn advanced degrees in chemical engineering (or a related technical discipline), medicine, law, or business.
  • Attain leadership positions in today’s rapidly changing, increasingly technological, global society.

Degree Requirements (131-143 hours)

See College of Engineering and Computing  for entrance requirements, progression requirements, and special academic opportunities.

  1. Carolina Core (34-46 Hours)
  2. Other General Requirements (28 Hours)
  3. Lower Division Engineering (14 Hours)
  4. Chemical Engineering Major (30 Hours)
  5. Electives (25 Hours)

1. Carolina Core Requirements (34-46 Hours)


CMW: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Writing Component (6 Hours)


ARP: Analytical Reasoning and Problem-Solving (8 Hours)


AIU: Aesthetic and Interpretive Understanding (3 Hours)


  • Any approved Carolina Core course for AIU

GFL: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Foreign Language (0-6 Hours)


  • Score two or better on foreign language placement test; or complete the 109 and 110 courses in FREN, GERM, LATN or SPAN; or complete the 121 course in another foreign language.

GHS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding: Historical Thinking (3 Hours)


  • Any approved Carolina Core course for GHS

GSS: Global Citizenship and Multicultural Understanding - Social Sciences (3 Hours)


  • Any approved Carolina Core course for GSS

CMS: Effective, Engaged, and Persuasive Communication: Spoken Component (3 Hours)


Choose from:

    VSR: Values, Ethics and Social Responsibility (0-3 Hours)


    Choose from:

      INF: Information Literacy (0-3 Hours)


      • USC ENGL 102  or any approved overlay or stand-alone Carolina Core INF course

      2. Other General Requirements (28 Hours)


      3. Lower Division Engineering (14 Hours)


      4. Chemical Engineering Major (30 Hours)


        5. Electives (25 Hours)


        Professional Development Elective (1 Hour)


        • A list of acceptable Professional Development Elective courses is maintained in the department office and on its website. The list includes: ECHE 202; BMEN 202

        Engineering Electives (6 Hours)


        A list of acceptable Engineering Elective courses is maintained in the department office and on its website. The list includes:

        Technical Electives (12 Hours)


        A list of acceptable Technical Elective courses is maintained in the department office and on its website. The list includes

        Liberal Arts Electives (6 Hours)


        A list of acceptable Liberal Arts Elective courses is maintained in the department office and on its website. The list includes all Carolina Core Liberal Arts courses (AIU, CMS, GFL, GHS, GSS, and VSR), and other department-approved courses. At least one of the six courses used to satisfy a Carolina Core Liberal Arts requirement or a Chemical Engineering Liberal Arts Elective requirement must be at the 300-level or above and in the same field of study as one of the other five courses.

        Optional Concentrations


        Students may pursue any of the following concentrations by choosing specified engineering, technical, and chemistry elective courses to fulfill degree requirements:

        • Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering
        • Concentration in Energy
        • Concentration in Interdisciplinary Engineering
        • Concentration in Materials
        • Concentration in Environmental Engineering
        • Concentration in Numerical Methods and Computing

        To fulfill the requirements for any concentration, a student must complete five courses (15 credit hours) in one area and which must be approved by the student’s advisor and by the department. Consult the department website or advising handbook for a list of approved concentration courses and for the Chemical Engineering Concentration approval form.

        B.S.E. with Distinction


        The B.S.E. with Distinction is available to students majoring in chemical engineering who wish to participate in significant research and/or design activities in chemical engineering with a faculty mentor.

        A minimum GPA of 3.50 in major courses, 3.50 in all engineering courses, and 3.50 overall at the time the student applies to enter the departmental undergraduate research track.

        The student should apply to enter the departmental undergraduate research track and choose the members of the thesis committee as early as possible but in all cases at least one year before submitting and defending the thesis. The thesis committee will consist of a thesis advisor, who must be a tenure-track faculty member in chemical engineering, and two other tenure-track or research faculty members in chemical engineering or in any other department.

        By the end of the semester in which the student is admitted into the research track, a short description of the research must be agreed upon by the thesis committee and the student, and filed in the college office. Projects involving research and/or design are acceptable. The design projects or research projects for ECHE 465 , 466 , 567  , or other courses are not acceptable as the thesis. The student must also choose three credit hours of engineering or technical elective courses related to the thesis topic. The course(s) must be approved by the thesis committee and completed by the student at least one semester before the thesis is submitted and defended.

        Before submitting and defending the thesis, the student must have completed three credit hours of ECHE 499 - Special Problems  under the thesis advisor, preferably one credit hour per semester. During the semester in which the thesis is submitted and defended the student must also complete three credit hours of ECHE 497 - Thesis Preparation , one credit hour under each of the three members of the thesis committee. At least two months before submitting and defending the thesis, the student must present a progress report to the thesis committee orally and in writing.

        By the end of his/her last semester, the student must have presented the research at a national meeting of a professional society (such as AIChE, ACS, ECS, etc.), at Discovery Day at USC, or at a comparable venue. The student must also submit a written thesis describing the research and defend it orally before the thesis committee. The defense must be announced at least one week in advance and be open to the general public.

        Students who successfully fulfill all of these requirements with a GPA of at least 3.50 in the three hours of ECHE 497, 3.50 in all major courses, 3.50 in all engineering courses, and 3.50 overall, will be awarded their degree with “Distinction in Chemical Engineering” upon graduation.

        Academic Standards


        Minimum Course Grades

        The Chemical Engineering B.S.E. program requires that a grade of “C” or better be earned in each of the following courses: ECHE 101  or ENCP 101 , ENGL 101 , ENGL 102 , MATH 141 , MATH 142 , CHEM 111 , CHEM 111L , PHYS 211 , and PHYS 211L .

        Progression Requirements

        Progression requirement policies are described in the College of Engineering and Computing  section of this bulletin. For the purpose of these policies, Lower Division Courses for the Chemical Engineering B.S.E. program consist of: ENGL 101 , ENGL 102 , MATH 141 , MATH 142 , MATH 241 , CHEM 111 , CHEM 111L , CHEM 112 , CHEM 112L , PHYS 211 , PHYS 211L , PHYS 212 , PHYS 212L , and all Lower Division Engineering courses.  Upper Division Courses for the Chemical Engineering B.S.E. program consist of all ECHE courses numbered 321 and above.

        Major GPA

        Major GPA requirement policies are described in the College of Engineering and Computing  section of this bulletin. For the purpose of these policies, the following courses are used to  determine the Major GPA for the Chemical Engineering B.S.E. program: all Lower Division Engineering courses, all Chemical Engineering Major courses, and all Engineering Electives.

        Return to Programs A-Z Return to: Programs A-Z