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Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Faculty
Undergraduate Program Overview
Program Objectives and Outcomes
Undergraduate Laboratory and Computational Facilities
Areas of Study (Majors)
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites
Requirements for a BS Degree in Chemical Engineering
Requirements for the Three Major Options
Undergraduate Research Program (URP)
Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Faculty

Rufina Alamo, Professor; Ph.D. Madrid, 1981. Polymer crystallization and characterization; structure - property relations; morphology of semi-crystalline polymers.
Ravindran Chella, Associate Professor; Ph.D. U. Massachusetts, 1984. Biomolecular transport in microchannels and nano-channels; morphogen transport in tissue constructs.
John R. Collier, Professor; Ph.D. Case Institute, 1966. Rheology; processing of polymers; biomass conversion ; whiskey processing.
Wright C. Finney, Research Associate; M.S. Florida State, 1978. Environmental science and engineering; aerosol dynamics and characterization.
Samuel C. Grant, Assistant Professor; Ph.D. U. Illinois-Chicago, 2001. Magnetic resonance microscopy; neurodegenerative diseases; bioengineered constructs & materials; high field MRI contrast; single cell diffusion analysis; spectroscopy and osmoregulation.
Jingjiao Guan, Assistant Professor; Ph.D. Ohio State, 2005. Micro and nano-devices for drug delivery.
Egwu E. Kalu, Associate Professor; Ph.D. Texas A&M, 1991. Electrochemical engineering; electrophysiological processes.
Milen K. Kostov, Assistant Professor; Ph.D. Penn State, 2003. Nanoscience for clean energy technologies; chemical reactions in nano-porous media; multi-scale modeling; simulation and theory of nanoscale materials; physical adsorption of gases in nanomaterials and applications.
Bruce R. Locke, Distinguished Research Professor and Chair; Ph.D. North Carolina State, 1989, P.E. Transport/reaction in tissues and complex media; transport process using NMR/MRI; reaction kinetics in non-thermal plasmas.
Teng Ma, Professor; Ph.D. Ohio State, 1999. Cell and tissue engineering; biomaterials.
Anant K. Paravastu, Assistant Professor; PhD. U. California – Berkeley, 2004. Protein self-assembly, amyloid diseases; regenerative medicine; solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Subramanian Ramakrishnan, Assistant Professor; Ph.D. U. Illinois Champaign-Urbana, 2001. Colloidal and interfacial science; nanoparticle self assembly; structure-property relationships in soft condensed matter.
Loren B. Schreiber, Professor; Ph.D. California Institute of Technology, 1975. Engineering education; batch reaction and batch distillation; physical properties of fine organic chemicals.
Theo Siegrist, Professor; Ph.D. ETH Switzerland, 1982. Organic semiconductors; structural analysis of organic nanoscale materials.
John C. Telotte, Associate Professor; Ph.D. U. Florida, 1985. Chemical thermodynamics; radon transport; semiconductor processing, fuel cell development.

Affiliate Faculty
Ching-Jen Chen, Affiliate Professor of the College of Engineering; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve, 1967. Heat transfer, fluid mechanics, numerical simulation, biomagnetics.
Mandip Sachdeva, Professor of Pharmacy (FAMU); Ph.D., Dalhouise University, 1994. Drug delivery systems, pharmaceutics.
Sachin Shanbhag, Assistant Professor, Department of Scientific Computing (FSU); Ph.D., Michigan, 2004. Computer modeling of polymer rheology; modeling of biological cell morphology and interactions.

Undergraduate Program Overview

The vision of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering as an educational unit is to be recognized as a place of excellence in fundamental and applied chemical and biomedical engineering education and life-long learning, and to maintain a national research leadership in modern areas of engineering challenge. To attain this vision, the Department realizes that it has to continually satisfy its major stakeholders: students, industrial employers, alumni, departmental faculty, the college, the universities, the community, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and other professional societies. The departmental undergraduate committee is responsible for planning, maintaining, and reviewing its curricular content in accordance with the perceived demands of its stakeholders. The Department Chair and the degree program coordinators implement the curricula as developed by the department curriculum committees, which are composed of the faculty.

Chemical engineering encompasses the development, application, and operation of processes in which chemical, biological, and/or physical changes of material are involved. The work of the chemical engineer is to analyze, develop, design, control, construct, and/or supervise chemical processes in research and development, pilot-scale operations, and industrial production. The chemical engineer is employed in the manufacture of inorganic chemicals (e.g., acids, alkalis, pigments, fertilizers), organic chemicals (e.g., petrochemicals, polymers, fuels, propellants, pharmaceuticals, specialty chemicals), biological products (e.g., enzymes, vaccines, biochemicals, biofuels), and materials (e.g., ceramics, polymeric materials, paper, biomaterials).

The Department has recently made a commitment to emphasize a biological component in its curriculum. The increasing importance of biological and medical subjects within the field of engineering cannot be underestimated. Many of the remarkable breakthroughs in medical science can be directly attributed to advances in chemicals, materials, and devices spearheaded by biochemical and biomedical engineers. Currently, biomedical engineering represents the fastest growing engineering discipline in the U.S., and it is likely to continue as such. The biomedical/biotechnology industries are also the fastest growing of all current industries that employ engineers. Training in biological and biomedical engineering provides an excellent background for graduate and/or medical school, especially in light of the increasing technological complexity of medical education.

The undergraduate curriculum emphasizes the application of computer analysis in chemical engineering, as well as laboratory instruction in modern, state-of-the-art facilities in the transport phenomena and unit operations laboratories. In order to meet newly developed interests in chemical engineering and related fields, elective courses are available in bioengineering, polymer engineering, materials engineering, molecular engineering, electrochemical engineering, environmental engineering, and biomedical engineering, with additional courses under development.

The graduate in chemical engineering is particularly versatile. Industrial work may involve production, operation, research, and development. Graduate education in medicine, dentistry, and law, as well as chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, and other engineering and scientific disciplines are viable alternatives for the more accomplished graduate.

Program Objectives and Outcomes

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). As part of the accreditation process, the Department has developed program educational objectives and program outcomes to reflect the educational goals of the Department. These objectives and outcomes are continually assessed and modified to meet the changing demands of the departmental stakeholders.

Program Educational Objectives

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering shall prepare its students for academic and professional work through the creation and dissemination of knowledge related to the field, as well as through the advancement of those practices, methods, and technologies that form the basis of the chemical engineering profession. Accordingly, the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering has identified the following three departmental educational objectives for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering:
  1. To produce graduates with a rigorous foundation in chemical engineering principles and strong communication skills that will enable them to pursue successful careers in a wide range of industrial, professional and academic settings.
  2. To produce graduates with the ability to adapt and innovate to meet future technological challenges and evolving regulatory issues, while addressing the ethical and societal implications of their work at both the local and global level.
  3. To prepare graduates to function on interdisciplinary teams, assume participatory and leadership roles in professional societies, and interact with educational, community, state, and federal institutions.

Program Outcomes

These objectives are further expanded and detailed through eleven program student outcomes:

Program Outcome A: Scientific Knowledge. Students graduating from the program will have the ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and chemical engineering to analyze chemical engineering processes (c3.a).
Program Outcome B: Chemical Engineering Process Experimentation. Students graduating from the program will be able to design and conduct chemical engineering experiments and analyze and interpret fundamental data of importance to the design and operation of chemical processes (c3.b).
Program Outcome C: Design Skills. Students graduating from the program will have the ability to design and analyze new and existing chemical systems and processes to meet desired needs (c3.c).
Program Outcome D: Multidisciplinary Teams. Students graduating from the program will have the ability to function on multidisciplinary teams (c3.d).
Program Outcome E: Problem Solving. Students graduating from the program will have the ability to identify, formulate and solve chemical engineering problems (c3.e).
Program Outcome F: Professional and Ethical Responsibility. Students graduating from the program will have an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility (c3.f).
Program Outcome G: Effective Communications and Team Participation. Students graduating from the program will have the ability to communicate effectively (c3.g).
Program Outcome H: Global and Societal Impact of Chemical Engineering. Students graduating from this program will have an understanding of the global and societal impact of chemical engineering practice (c3.h).
Program Outcome I: Lifelong Learning. Students graduating from the program will be able to assess the need for, and engage in, lifelong learning (c3.i).
Program Outcome J: Contemporary Issues in Chemical Engineering. Students graduating from this program will have an understanding of contemporary issues in chemical engineering (c3.j).
Program Outcome K: Modern Engineering Skills and Tools. Students graduating from the program will be able to use the modern engineering skills and tools necessary for chemical engineering practice either in industry or in pursuit of advanced education (c3.k).

Note: Identifiers beginning with c3, such as c3.a above, refer to specific outcomes in Criterion 3 of the ABET Engineering Criteria 2000. They indicate the ABET outcome that the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering outcome addresses.

The Department sees ABET Engineering Criteria 2000 as encouraging each engineering department to pursue its own unique BS degree program objectives in accordance with its own environment and stakeholder demands. ABET EC 2000 also stipulates that the outcomes of program implementation must be assessed and evaluated regularly, and the results of such assessments and evaluations must be utilized as needed in future program objectives and implementation.

Undergraduate Laboratory and Computational Faciltities

Undergraduate teaching laboratories in measurements and transport phenomena, unit operations, and process control are designed to augment classroom instruction. The undergraduate chemical engineering laboratory experiments feature a 20 stage distillation column for the study of organic chemical separations, several reactor vessels for the design and analysis of batch and continuous reactor configurations, and a liquid/liquid continuous extraction process system, among others. All experiments include computer data control and computer data acquisition systems in order to provide a “real world” experience for our students.

The Department has extensive computational and laboratory facilities in a number of areas. In addition to the University computing center facilities accessible by remote terminals, students have access to College of Engineering computer labs that have either remote terminals or workstations connected to college-wide servers. Within the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, undergraduate students working on research projects utilizing laboratory computer terminals connected to the college servers and workstations dedicated to research use. The Department requires the use of computers for data acquisition, process control, experimental design and analysis, report writing, and homework problem calculations in the chemical engineering curriculum.

Areas of Study (Majors)

Although the department offers one Bachelor of Science degree (BS) in Chemical Engineering, students may choose from among three diverse areas of study that reflect new directions in the broader field of chemical engineering. These major options include chemical engineering, chemical-materials engineering, and biomedical engineering.

Chemical Engineering
The most common major, it prepares students for employment or further study in traditional areas of chemical engineering (described above).

Chemical-Materials Engineering
Chemical engineers have extensively developed and studied the molecular structures and dynamics of materials—including solids, liquids, and gases—in order to develop macroscopic descriptions of the behavior of such materials. In turn, these macroscopic descriptions have allowed the construction and analysis of unit processes that facilitate desired chemical and physical changes. This constant interplay between molecular scale understanding and macroscopic descriptions is unique and central to the field of chemical engineering.

Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering concerns the application of chemical engineering principles and practices to large scale living organisms, most specifically human beings. As one of the newest subdisciplines of chemical engineering, the field is a rapidly evolving one involving chemical engineers, biochemists, physicians, and other health care professionals. Biomedical research and development is carried out at universities, teaching hospitals, and private companies, and it focuses on conceiving new materials and products designed to improve or restore bodily form or function. Biomedical engineers are employed in diverse areas such as artificial limb and organ development, genetic engineering research, development of drug delivery systems, and cellular and tissue engineering. Many chemical engineering professionals are engaged in medical research to model living organisms (pharmacokinetic models), and to make biomedical devices (e.g., drug delivery capsules, synthetic materials, and prosthetic devices). Because of increasing interest in this field of study, the major in chemical–biomedical engineering also provides an avenue for students interested in pursuing a career in medicine, biotechnological patent law, or biomedical product sales and services.

 
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites

The State of Florida has identified common program prerequisites for this University degree program. Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites, but may not be admitted into the program.  Students are strongly encouraged to select required lower division electives that will enhance their general education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program.  Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.

The following lists the common program prerequisites or their substitutions necessary for admission into this upper-division degree program:
 
    1.    MAC X311 or MAC X281
    2.    MAC X312 or MAC X282
    3.    MAC X313 or MAC X283
    4.    MAP X302 or MAC X305
    5.    CHM X045/X045L or CHMX045C or CHS X440
    6.    CHMX046/X046L or CHMX046C
    7.    PHY X048/X048L or PHYX048C or PHYX043/X048L
    8.    PHY X049/X049L or PHYX049C or PHYX044/X049L

Note: The Department also requires CHM X1046/X1046L and EGN 1004L for acceptance into one of the Department's majors from the Pre-Engineering major. Courses marked with an asterisk (*) have at least one acceptable substitute. Contact the department for details.


A program of study encompassing at least one hundred thirty-one (131) semester hours is required for the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in chemical engineering. A candidate for the Bachelor’s degree is required to earn a “C” or higher in all engineering courses, and must achieve a 2.0 grade point average (GPA) in the forty-five semester hours of chemical engineering major courses. In addition, students must achieve a grade of “C–” or higher in all courses transferred into the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering. Students should contact the department for the most up-to-date information concerning the chemical engineering curriculum requirements.

CLAST Requirement: Effective July 1, 2011, CLAST scores nor CLAST alternative are required for graduation.

There are three majors within the chemical engineering Bachelor’s degree program. These include chemical engineering, chemical-materials engineering, and biomedical engineering. Most of the curriculum is common to all three majors, and includes topics in general education, mathematics, basic science, computer science, advanced chemistry, general engineering science, and chemical engineering science and design. History/social science and humanities/fine arts electives are to be selected to satisfy the Florida A&M University general education requirement. Students in all three majors should successfully complete the following courses in addition to the general education sequence, other University, and College of Engineering requirements:
 
Freshman Year Sem. Hrs.
Fall Semester  
*CHM 1045 General Chemistry I 3
*CHM 1045L General Chemistry I Lab 1
*MAC 2311 Calculus with Analytical Geometry I 4
ENC 1101 Freshman Communication Skills I 3
AMH 2091 African-American History 3
EGN 1004L
 1
 Total 15
   
   
Spring Semester  
*CHM 1046 General Chemistry II 3
*CHM 1046L General Chemistry II Lab 1
*MAC 2312 Calculus with Analytical Geometry II 4
ENC 1102 Freshman Communication Skills II 3
*BSC 1010 Biological  Science I
 3
 Total 14
 
Summer Semester Sem. Hrs
Humanities Elective II (Gordon Rule) 3
Humanities Elective III (Gordon Rule) 3
ECO 2023 Principles of Economics II (Micro)
 3
 Total 9
   
 
Sophomore Year Sem. Hrs.
Fall Semester  
ECH 3023 Mass and Energy Balances I 3
CHM 2210 Organic Chemistry I 3
*MAC 2313 Calculus with Analytical Geometry III 5
*PHY 2048C General Physics I w/Lab
 5
 Total 16
   
   
Spring Semester  Sem. Hrs.
ECH 3024 Mass and Energy Balances II 3
ECH 3301 Introduction to Process Analysis and Design 3
CHM 2211 Organic Chemistry II 3
*PHY 2049C General Physics II w/Lab 5
EGM 3512 Engineering Mechanics
 4
 Total 18
 
Junior Year Sem. Hrs.
Fall Semester  
ECH 3101 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 3
ECH 3266 Introductory Transport Phenomena 3
ECH 3854 Chemical Engineering Computations 4
CHM 4410 Physical Chemistry I 3
CHM 4410L Physical Chemistry I Lab
 1
 Total 14
   
   
Spring Semester Sem. Hrs.
ECH 3274L Measurements/Transport Phenomena Lab 3
ECH 3418 Separations Processes 3
ECH 4267 Advanced Transport Phenomena 3
CHM/BCH XXXX Advanced Chemistry Elective 3
EEL 3003 Introduction to Electrical Engineering 3
EEL 3003L Introduction to Electrical Engineering Lab
 1
 Total 16
   
 
Senior Year Sem. Hrs.
Fall Semester  
ECH 4404L Unit Operations Lab 3
ECH 4504 Kinetics and Reactor Design 3
ECH 4604 Chemical Engineering Process Design I 4
ECH 4XXX Chemical Engineering Elective I 3
Humanities Elective III (Gordon Rule)
 3
 Total 11
   
   
Spring Semester Sem. Hrs.
ECH 4323 Process Control 3
ECH 4323L Process Control Lab 1
ECH 4615 Chemical Engineering Process Design II 3
ECH 4XXX Chemical Engineering Elective II 3
Humanities Elective IV
 3
 Total 13
Total Semester Hours 131
 
*This is a state common prerequisite. Substitutes indicated in the State Common Prerequisite Manual at www.facts.org will be accepted.

Requirements for the Three Major Options

In addition to the courses listed above that are required for all majors, the following courses are specifically required for each of the three majors.

Major in Chemical Engineering

Advanced Chemistry Elective
The advanced chemistry elective is to be selected from the following courses offered in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, or selected other courses in either chemical engineering or biological sciences specifically approved by the Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
 
CHM 3120 Quantitative Analysis and 3
CHM 3120C Quantitative Analysis Laboratory or 1
CHM 4411 Physical Chemistry or 3
CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis  or 3
BCH 4053 General Biochemistry I 3

Chemical Engineering Electives
The two chemical engineering electives (three [3] semester hours each) are to be selected from the 4000-level elective courses offered in the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Major in Chemical-Materials Engineering
 
Advanced Chemistry Elective  
CHM 3120 Quantitative Analysis and 3
CHM 3120C Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1

Chemical Engineering Electives - Select One		  
ECH 4823 Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering or 3
ECH 4824 Chemical Engineering Materials or 3
ECH 4825 Polymer Process Engineering or 3
ECH 4937 Special Topics in Chemical Engineering [Molecular Engineering 3
   
 And Select One of the following:  
EML 3234 Materials Science and Engineering or  3
PHY 3101 Modern Intermediate Physics or 3
PHY 3221 Intermediate Mechanics or 3
* A second course from the choices above [ECH 4823, 4824 or 4937] or 3
ECH 4904 Undergraduate Research Project (1–3) [for a total of 6 credits]  
ECH 4906 Honors URP in Chemical Engineering (1–3) [for a total of 6 credits]  
   
 
 
Psychology Liberal Studies Course 
PSY 2012 General Psychology3
 
Chemical & Biomedical Engineering Science and Design 
BME 4403C, 4404C Quantitative Anatomy and Systems Physiology I and II [two course sequence]3, 3
 
Biomedical Engineering Elective (take one) 
BME 4007 Biomedical Engineering3
BME 4904 Undergraduate Research Project (1-3) [for a total of 6 credits]6
BME 4906 Honors Honors URP in Biomedical Engineering (1-3) [for a total of 6 credits]6
 
Pre-Med Electives (recommended) 
BCH 4033 General Biochemistry I and Lab3/1
BCH 4034 General Biochemistry II  and Lab3/1
BSC 2211 Biological Science II3
BSC 2011L Biological Science II Laboratory2
CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Lab1
CHM 2210L Organic Chemistry I Lab1
PCB 3063 General Genetics3
PCB 3743 Vertebrate Physiology3

Undergraduate Research Program (URP)

The Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering offers an Undergraduate Research Program (URP) in chemical and biomedical engineering to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. The program is two-tiered, with those students meeting a more stringent set of academic requirements being admitted to the Honors in the major (Chemical and Biomedical Engineering) program. For requirements and other information, contact the department, and see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.

Course Descriptions
Definition of Prefixes
BME—Biomedical Engineering
ECH—Engineering: Chemical
EGN—Engineering: General

Undergraduate Courses

BME 4007 Biomedical Engineering (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. This course offers an introduction to the field of biomedical engineering, with emphasis on the role of general engineering. Topics cover hemodynamics, human physiology, pharmacodynamics, artificial organs, biomaterials, biomechanics, and clinical engineering.

BME 4082 Biomedical Engineering Ethics (3) Prerequisite: Senior or graduate standing in biomedical engineering. This course is an introduction to the key theories, concepts, principles, and methodology relevant to the development of biomedical professional ethics. The student is facilitated in his/her development of a code of professional ethics through written work, class discussion, and case analysis.

BME 4403C Quantitative Anatomy and Systems Physiology I (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3023, ECH 3024, and ECH3301, all with a grade of “C” or higher, as well as CHM 2211, PHY 2049C, and BSC 2010. Corequisites: ECH 3101, ECH3266, ECH 3854, EGM 3512, and CHM 4410. This is course, the first of a two-semester sequence, introduces engineering students to principles of anatomy and physiology of the human body. The lecture portion of the course focuses on relating fundamental biomedical engineering concepts to the human physiological system. The laboratory portion of the course involves a practical, in-depth study of the physical and chemical interrelationships in the form and function of all human anatomical and physiological subsystems.

BME 4404C Quantitative Anatomy and Systems Physiology II (3) Prerequisites: BME 4403C, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, EGM 3512, and CHM4410. Corequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course, the second in a two-semester sequence, introduces engineering students to principles of anatomy and physiology of the human body. The lecture portion of the course focuses on relating fundamental biomedical engineering concepts to the human physiological system. The laboratory portion of the course involves a practical, in-depth study of the physical and chemical interrelationships in the form and function of all human anatomical and physiological subsystems.

BME 4801 Biomedical Engineering Process Design I (3) Prerequisites: BCH 4053, BME 4404C, and ECH 3821. Corequisite: Senior standing. This is the first course of a two-semester sequence on the design of biomedical engineering processes and products. The first semester consists of introducing students to the principles of engineering economics and cost estimation techniques relating to principles of biomedical engineering design. Included is an introduction to computer-aided design calculations.

BME 4802 Biomedical Engineering Process Design II (3) Prerequisites: BCH 4053, BME 4403C, and BME 4801. Corequisite: Senior standing. This is the second course of a two-semester sequence on the design of biomedical engineering processes and products. The second term focuses on the actual design of a biomedical engineering process or product using computer-aided design calculations. This is the capstone senior design course in biomedical engineering. An individual design project is completed by each student.

BME 4904r Undergraduate Research Project (1–3) Prerequisite: BME 4403C, CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, a 3.0 GPA, and instructor permission. Corequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course involves the completion of an Honors Undergraduate Research Program (URP) for six hours with a minimum grade of "C". This program requires independent student research on a topic relevant to biomedical engineering and may be used to satisfy the Chemical Engineering Elective requirement. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

BME 4905r Directed Individual Study (3) Prerequisite: department chair permission. This course offers a supervised program of study approved by the department chair. May be repeated within the same term to a maximum of twelve (12) credit hours.

BME 4906r Honors URP in Biomedical Engineering (1–3) Prerequisite: BME 4403 C, CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, a 3.2 GPA, and instructor permission. Corequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course involves the completion of an Honors Undergraduate Research Program (URP) for six hours with a minimum grade of "C". This program requires independent student research on a topic relevant to biomedical engineering and may be used to satisfy the Chemical Engineering Elective requirement. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

BME 4937r Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (3) Prerequisite: BME 4404C, ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisite: ECH 4504. Topics in this course emphasize recent developments in the field of biomedical engineering. Selected readings are assigned by the instructor. Structure of the course varies by instructor and topic, but generally involve lectures and a final project on a topic in biomedical engineering. May be repeated within the same term to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

ECH 2050 Engineering Communications (2) Prerequisite: ENC 1101. Corequisite: EGN 1004L. This course includes techniques for effective oral communication in settings most frequently encountered by the practicing engineer. Speaking skills are applied in informal presentations, formal presentations, and interviews.

ECH 3023 Mass and Energy Balances I (3) Prerequisites: BSC 2010, CHM 1046, and MAC 2312. Corequisites: CHM 2210, MAC 2313, and PHY 2048C. This course covers mass and energy balances related to chemical process systems and measurements, as well as to the development of problem-solving methodologies in mass and energy balances.

ECH 3024 Mass and Energy Balances II (3) Prerequisites: CHM 2210, ECH 3023, MAC 2313, and PHY 2048C. Corequisites: ECH 3301 and PHY 2049C. This course is the second in a two-part series introducing the general concepts of chemical engineering. Applications of mass and energy balances are extended to include reactive systems, systems undergoing phase changes, and transient processes. MATLAB is used to demonstrate the use of a structured programming language for material and energy balances.

ECH 3101 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3023, ECH 3024, and ECH 3301, all with a grade of “C” or higher, as well as PHY 2049C. Corequisites: CHM 4410, ECH 3854, ECH 3266, and EGM 3512. This course exposes students to the basics of classical and solution thermodynamics, forming a link between the mass and energy balance courses and separations.

ECH 3266 Transport Phenomena I (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3023, ECH 3024, and ECH 3301, all with a grade of “C” or higher, as well as PHY 2049C. Corequisites: CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3854, and EGM 3512. This course examines integral balance equations for conservation of momentum, energy, and mass. Topics include: application to chemical processes involving fluid flow and heat and mass transfer; estimation of friction factors and of heat and mass transfer coefficients; pump selection and sizing; piping network analysis; and design of heat exchangers.

ECH 3274L Transport Phenomena Lab (3) Prerequisites: CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, and ECH 3854. Corequisites: ECH 3418 and ECH 4267. This course enables students to design and conduct experiments on fluid mechanics and heat transfer; analyze and interpret data; apply spreadsheets, statistical methods, and process models; as well as gain proficiency in operating basic chemical-engineering equipment and instruments. Emphasis is placed on safety, professionalism, teamwork, and oral/written communication.

ECH 3301 Process Analysis and Design (3) Prerequisite: MAC 2312. Corequisites: ECH 3023 and MAC 2313. This course examines the development and analysis of process models for systems that arise in chemical-engineering applications.

ECH 3330 Statistical Approach to Process Improvement (3) Prerequisite: Completion of the academic requirements through the sophomore year in chemical engineering or in other engineering disciplines. This course covers ways to apply statistical process control and methods of planned experimentation to the design of products and processes, as well as to continuous quality improvement. Topics covered include control charts; process-capability studies; loss functions; acceptance sampling; design of experiments for screening studies and response-surface modeling; and analysis of variance. The course also introduces case studies in chemical processes, food engineering, and health care.

ECH 3418 Separations Processes (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, and CHM 4410. Corequisites: ECH 3274L and ECH 4267. This course examines the principles of equilibrium and transport-controlled separations. Topics include analysis and design of stagewise and continuous separation processes, including distillation, absorption, extraction, filtration, and membrane separations.

ECH 3854 Chemical Engineering Computations (4) Prerequisites: PHY 2040C and a grade of “C-” or better in ECH 3023, ECH 3024, and ECH 3301. Corequisites: ECH 3101, ECH 3266, EGM 3512, and CHM 4410. This course covers structured programming techniques, solutions of ordinary differential equations, as well as numerical techniques useful in the solution of chemical engineering processes, as follows: root-finding techniques, direct and iterative approaches for solving linear systems, linear and nonlinear regression, interpolation, numerical differentiation and integration, and statistical analysis of data.

ECH 3949r Cooperative Work Experience (0) (S/U grade only.)

ECH 4267 Transport Phenomena II (3) Prerequisites: CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, and ECH 3854. Corequisites: ECH 3274L and ECH 3418. This is the second in a two-semester sequence on transport phenomena. Emphasis is on critical analytical and mathematical skills for analyzing and applying fundamental concepts in transport phenomena (including fluid mechanics, heart transfer, and mass transfer), as well as on the analysis of similarities and differences among these three processes.

ECH 4323 Process Control (3) Prerequisites: ECH 4504 and ECH 4604. Corequisite: ECH 4615. A systematic introduction to dynamic behavior and automatic control of industrial processes. Synthesis of feedback control loops for linear systems and synthesis of control structures.

ECH 4323L Process Control Lab (1) Prerequisites: ECH 4504 and ECH 4604. Corequisite: ECH 4615. This lab is comprised of experiments designed to illustrate and apply control theory, measurement techniques, calibration, tuning of controls, characterization of sensors, and control circuits.

ECH 4404L Unit Operations Lab (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4504 and ECH 4604. This course involves preparing experimental plans and doing experimental work with unit operations equipment to meet specific objectives. Emphasis is on computer data analysis and on oral communication skills.

ECH 4504 Kinetics and Reactor Design (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course covers the following topics: homogeneous and heterogeneous reaction kinetics; analysis of batch, mixed, plug, and recycle reactors; analysis of multiple reactions and multiple reactors; reactor temperature control; and catalytic reactor design.

ECH 4604 Chemical Engineering Process Design I (4) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECO 2023. This is the first course in a two-semester sequence on the analysis, synthesis, and design of chemical processes, preparing students for engineering practice. Students integrate knowledge from prior courses with process economics, computer-aided design, engineering standards, and realistic constraints to solve open-ended process problems.

ECH 4615 Chemical Engineering Process Design II (3) Prerequisites: ECH 4504 and ECH 4604. Corequisites: ECH 4323 and ECH 4323L. The second in a two-semester sequence on the analysis, synthesis, and design of chemical processes, this course prepares students for engineering practice. Students integrate knowledge from prior courses with process economics, computer-aided design, engineering standards, and realistic constraints to the design of chemical-process facilities.

ECH 4743 Bioengineering (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. Introduction to the major principles of the life sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics) that are important for biotechnological applications. Extension of the chemical engineering principles of kinetics, reactor design, heat and mass transport, thermodynamics, process control, and separation processes to important problems in bioengineering.

ECH 4781 Chemical Engineering--Environmental (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. Introduction to applications of environmental engineering from a chemical engineering perspective. Thermodynamics, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, transport phenomena, and physical chemistry are utilized in addressing pollution control and prevention processes. Analysis of particle phenomena, including aerosols and colloids. Applications of fundamentals to analyze gas and liquid waste treatment processes.

ECH 4800C Distilled Spirits Processing and Properties (3) Prerequisites: Completion of sophomore-year academic requirements in chemical engineering, other engineering discipline, or in a related science; and instructor permission. This course involves the production of a distilled-spirit sample at a commercial facility, followed by an in-depth chemical analysis of the product through the use of sophisticated instrumentation located at a university chemistry laboratory in Scotland. This intensive course takes place over a two week period in which students are instructed in the operational procedure of the plant and given hands-on involvement in an actual production run. Lecture and laboratory sessions following the production run focus on a detailed chemical and physical analysis of the distilled spirit sample using spectroscopic, chromatographic, and NMR techniques.

ECH 4823 Polymer Science and Engineering (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. This course offers an introduction to different types of polymers and their physical properties. Topics include major synthetic paths and reaction kinetics, properties of macromolecules in solution, methods of molecular weight determination, and the role of phase transitions in amorphous and crystalline polymers.

ECH 4824 Chemical Engineering--Materials (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. Introduction to materials science and engineering from a chemical engineering perspective. Fundamentals of engineering materials, including polymers, metals, and ceramics are studied. Emphasis is placed on the strong interrelationship between materials structure and composition, synthesis and processing, and properties and performance.

ECH 4825 Polymer Process Engineering (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisites: ECH 4404L, ECH 4504, and ECH 4604. This course explores polymeric systems, interrelationships between material properties, processing conditions, and final properties with an emphasis on viscoelastic rheological behavior of polymer melts, concentrated solutions, and the relationship to the processing operations.

ECH 4904r Undergraduate Research Project in Chemical Engineering (1–3) Prerequisites: CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, a 3.0 GPA, and instructor permission. Corequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course involves the completion of an Honors Undergraduate Research Program (URP) for six hours with a minimum grade of "C". This program requires independent student research on a topic relevant to chemical engineering and may be used to satisfy the Chemical Engineering Elective requirement. May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

ECH 4905r Directed Individual Study (1–3) Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. This is a supervised program of study. May be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

ECH 4906r Honors--URP in Chemical Engineering (1–3) Prerequisites: BME 4403C, CHM 4410, ECH 3101, ECH 3266, ECH 3854, a 3.2 GPA, and instructor permission. Corequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. This course involves the completion of an Honors Undergraduate Research Program (URP) for six hours with a minimum grade of "C". This program requires independent student research on a topic relevant to chemical engineering and may be used to satisfy the Chemical Engineering Elective requirement.

ECH 4937r Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (3) Prerequisites: ECH 3274L, ECH 3418, and ECH 4267. Corequisite: ECH 4504. This course covers selected topics in chemical engineering with emphasis on contemporary developments in the field. May be repeated within the same term to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours.

EGN 3032 Engineering Ethics (3) Prerequisite: EGN 1004L. This course introduces the key theories, concepts, principles, and methodology relevant to the development of professional engineering ethics. Students are guided in their development of a code of professional ethics through written work, class discussion, and case analysis.

Graduate Courses

BME 5086. Biomedical Engineering Ethics (3).
BME 5620. Biophysical Chemistry and Biothermodynamics (3).
BME 5905r. Directed Individual Study (1–3).
BME 5910. Supervised Research (3). (S/U grade only.)
BME 5935r. Biomedical Engineering Seminar (0). (S/U grade only.)
BME 5937r. Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (3).
BME 6530. NMR and MRI Methods in Biology and Medicine (3).
BME 6938r. Special Topics in Biomedical Engineering (3).
ECH 5052. Research Methods in Chemical Engineering (3).
ECH 5126. Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics I (3).
ECH 5261. Advanced Transport Phenomena I (3).
ECH 5262. Advanced Transport Phenomena II (3).
ECH 5526. Advanced Reactor Design (3).
ECH 5740. Fundamentals of Biomolecular Engineering (3).
ECH 5828. Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering (3).
ECH 5840. Advanced Chemical Engineering Mathematics I (3).
ECH 5841. Advanced Chemical Engineering Mathematics II (3).
ECH 5852. Advanced Chemical Engineering Computations (3).
ECH 5905r. Directed Individual Study (1–3).
ECH 5910. Supervised Research (3). (S/U grade only.)
ECH 5934r. Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (3).
ECH 5935r. Chemical Engineering Seminar (0). (S/U grade only.)
ECH 6272. Molecular Transport Phenomena (3).
 
For listings relating to graduate course work for thesis, dissertation, and master’s and doctoral examinations and defense, consult the Graduate portion of this catalog.