About the Program
Build the Foundation to Engineer a Better Future
The Chemical Engineering degree at the University of St. Thomas prepares students for careers in industry and advanced graduate study.
UST’s BS in Chemical Engineering combines a strong foundation in general engineering and STEM subjects with specialized chemical engineering courses in material and energy balances, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, chemical processes, kinetics, reactor design, and process control.
Students begin by developing essential engineering skills, including complex problem-solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and self-directed learning. Advanced courses and specialized electives allow students to tailor the chemical engineering curriculum to their interests and career goals.
Houston Advantage
Study Chemical Engineering in Houston
Located in the heart of one of the country’s leading centers for energy, petrochemical manufacturing, healthcare, biotechnology, and industrial innovation, UST offers students the opportunity to earn a chemical engineering degree in Houston.
Students benefit from proximity to companies and organizations working in energy, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, food production, environmental engineering, and advanced materials. Houston’s strong industrial presence can also provide valuable possibilities for professional connections, practical experience, and chemical engineering internships.
UST identifies Texas, particularly the Houston area, as a major employment market for chemical engineers.
Hands-On Learning
Gain Hands-On Chemical Engineering Experience
UST’s Chemical Engineering program moves beyond classroom instruction through laboratory work, engineering research, process simulation, design projects, and internship opportunities.
In chemical engineering laboratory courses, students work with processes involving separation, filtration, heat exchange, distillation, absorption, process control, and reactor design. Students also learn to consider safety, reliability, sustainability, and economic factors when designing chemical processes.
The senior Chemical Engineering capstone brings these skills together as students analyze and design processes modeled after real-world engineering challenges.
Careers
What Can You Do with a Chemical Engineering Degree?
Chemical engineers use scientific and engineering principles to design, operate, and improve the processes that transform raw materials into valuable products.
Graduates with a BS in Chemical Engineering may pursue careers in energy, petrochemicals, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, food production, environmental protection, advanced materials, and technical consulting.
Potential chemical engineering careers include:
- Chemical engineer
- Process engineer
- Production engineer
- Manufacturing engineer
- Environmental engineer
- Energy engineer
- Process safety engineer
- Quality or validation engineer
- Research and development engineer
- Technical consultant
Graduates may also pursue master’s or doctoral study in chemical engineering and related STEM disciplines.
Performing Study
Engineering Leadership
Vahid Taghikhani
The UST Physics and Engineering departments operate under the leadership of Vahid Taghikhani. His leadership reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary learning, academic excellence, and the development of students as thoughtful, ethical, and engaged individuals.