Overview
Welcome to the School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering!
Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering (ChEBE) is:
To deliver academic programs in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering that advance the boundaries of knowledge, educate competent engineering professionals, and contribute to the needs of society. Faculty, staff, and students engage in discovery, teaching, application, and integration, along with periodic review of achievement, to develop practitioners and scholars prepared to make meaningful and responsible contributions to society.
Program Educational Objectives
The Program Educational Objectives for baccalaureate degree programs in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering define achievements of which these graduates are capable. Graduates of these programs will be able to:
- engage successfully in graduate or professional education or entry-level employment
- perform responsibly and professionally in their chosen career paths
- communicate and collaborate effectively
- demonstrate competent, innovative problem solving skills
- continue learning and accept increasing levels of responsibility over time
These long-term educational objectives will be achieved through development of our program outcomes in a culture of integration and engagement. Program outcomes lay a solid, well-rounded foundation from which to build longer-term capabilities. Systematic integration of theory and practice deepens students' understanding and builds confidence they will need for bold innovation and lifelong learning. Frequent engagement of students with peers, faculty, and external constituencies builds their interpersonal skills, refines their understanding, and leads them to opportunities for advanced study or employment. Dedicated faculty who effectively teach, mentor, refer, and model professional behaviors prepare our graduates for the professional world.
Degrees Offered
The school offers courses of study leading to the degrees of:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical Engineering)
- Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering
The Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Bioengineering will be available in the near future. The graduate program in Bioengineering (BE) will be a university-wide program, initiated primarily by the School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering (ChEBE) in the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy (COP), and the Department of Veterinary and Comparative Anatomy, Pharmacology and Physiology (VCAPP) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM), all located on the Pullman campus. We envision that faculty of many other departments may participate in the BE graduate program by teaching core or elective courses and mentoring graduate students. Our goal for the students attaining a graduate degree in BE is for them to be able to perform research that integrates biology and quantitative engineering approaches in interdisciplinary environments. Potential employers of program graduates include academic, industrial, federal and private institutions including universities, biomedical industries, and governmental regulatory agencies. Placing graduates in positions where they are able to flourish and apply the skills which they learned at WSU would greatly further the university’s reputation.
For further information on Objectives and Outcomes set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); go to www.abet.org.
Chemical Engineering
WSU's chemical engineering program provides a thorough knowledge of basic science and engineering. This includes material and energy balances, chemical and physical equilibria, rate processes, and economic balances. With such training, graduates may participate in the design and production of chemically based products or they may engage in research leading to new or improved chemical processes, products, and uses. Graduates also find rewarding work in plant operation, plant management, university teaching, sales/service, and other functions requiring chemical engineering training. Many students also use their educations in chemical engineering as preparation for other professional degrees such as medicine or law. The curriculum in chemical engineering in the College of Engineering is accredited by ABET.
The total number of majors in chemical engineering is restricted at the junior level.
Chemical Engineering Certification
Specific requirements for certification in chemical engineering can be obtained from the school although eligibility usually occurs at the middle of the sophomore year. Criteria for certification include: overall gpa, grades earned in mathematics and physical science courses, and performance in Ch E 201 course. A certified student earning a gpa of less than 2.0 for any two semesters is subject to decertification.
Bioengineering
The Bachelor of Science degree in Bioengineering was approved in spring of 2003 and is an official degree program at WSU. The BS Bioengineering degree is in the process of being accredited by ABET.
What is Bioengineering?
"Bioengineering integrates physical, chemical, mathematical, and computational sciences and engineering principles to study biology, medicine, behavior, and health. It advances fundamental concepts; creates knowledge from the molecular to the organ systems levels; and develops innovative biologics, materials, processes, implants, devices, and informatics approaches for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, for patient rehabilitation, and for improving health."
— Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) of the National Institutes of Health.
Bioengineering is an engineering discipline that integrates engineering and life sciences to address issues important to human and animal well-being and to society at large. As such, the educational objective of the BS Bioengineering degree is to prepare graduates for productive employment, advanced study, or professional programs where they apply principles and methods of both engineering and life sciences to solve problems affecting human and animal health and well-being. Graduates may apply their expertise in human and animal medicine, biotechnology, or related biology-based engineering fields.
Bioengineering is one of the fastest growing disciplines in the nation. Graduates are prepared to apply engineering methods to fields of biology and medicine and to utilize biological understanding in engineering problem solving and design. With these integrated science and engineering skills, bioengineering graduates are able to make valuable contributions to human and animal health care and environments, bio-based product development, and biotechnology. At Washington State University, bioengineering cooperates with and finds applications in numerous disciplines of engineering, veterinary medicine, medical sciences, and the Spokane medical community. The bioengineering curriculum easily accommodates pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary requirements for those students wishing to apply to professional schools in health care fields.
The total number of majors in bioengineering is restricted at the junior level.
Bioengineering Certification
Specific requirements for certification in bioengineering can be obtained from the school although eligibility usually occurs during the junior year. Criteria for certification include: overall gpa, grades earned in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physical science courses, and performance in Ch E 201 and BE 210 courses. A certified student earning a gpa of less than 2.7 for any two semesters is subject to decertification.
Transfer Students
Students who are planning to transfer to chemical engineering and bioengineering at Washington State University from other institutions should coordinate their programs with the school to establish a schedule of studies leading to the bachelor's degree. This is desirable because of sophomore professional requirements and course sequences. A strong preparation in chemistry, mathematics and physics is necessary prior to transfer to minimize the time required at Washington State University to complete bachelor's degree requirements. Inquiries concerning specific questions are welcomed. Since there is a restriction on the total number of majors in the school; transfer students should make application for admission as soon as possible. Transfer students can also check their course work and how the courses compare to WSU courses at the Transfer Center.
Graduate Study
As preparation for work toward an advanced degree, a student should have completed the equivalent of a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from an institution accredited by ABET.
Special programs are also available for students with bachelor's degrees in chemistry or other areas of science who wish to obtain the Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering.
Bioengineering does not currently have a graduate program available although there are alternatives for those individuals that are interested in attending WSU. We are currently working on establishing a Masters of Science and Doctor of Philosophy for Bioengineering.