Chemical engineers manipulate chemical processes to solve problems and improve the well-being of humanity, through innovations in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, clean energy, advanced materials and more.

At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BS

Get Started

What courses will you take?

Chemical Engineering student working in lab.

The B.S. in Chemical Engineering program offers courses across four degree options, which lead to a wide range of career opportunities:

  • General Option — Gain a broad foundation in chemical engineering, and customize your curriculum by selecting advanced course electives that match your interests and career goals. You'll prepare for careers that address diverse problems in either traditional or emerging fields of chemical engineering. Courses for General Option

  • Nuclear Engineering Option— Build a strong foundation in nuclear science, engineering and technology to pursue careers in the nuclear energy and technology field. Courses for Nuclear Engineering Option

  • Bioengineering Option — Gain skills and knowledge to work in the bio-pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry. Courses for Bioengineering Option

  • Advanced Materials Option — Courses for Advanced Materials Option

All students take courses in the humanities and social sciences to broaden perspectives, improve communication skills, and explore concepts of values and ethics.

The Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical Engineering. The Chemical Engineering: Nuclear Engineering Option program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical Engineering and Nuclear Engineering.

Visit the Academic Catalog for:

Find all degree pathways, including those from prior enrollment years.

The Chemical Engineering faculty seek to prepare men and women to be successful as Chemical Engineers. They are strongly committed to provide a high quality education relevant to the needs of society and industry. The program educational objectives are clearly consistent with the mission of the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the Francis College of Engineering.
  • Graduates pursue rewarding professional careers by skillfully leveraging chemical engineering principles.
  • Graduates effectively bridge engineering and non-engineering fields through a commitment to lifelong professional development.
  • Graduates engage in service activities highlighting the societal benefits of engineering principles.

The Chemical Engineering Program has adopted the ABET Criterion 3 student outcomes so that at graduation, students are expected to have:

  1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics. 
  2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors. 
  3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences. 
  4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts. 
  5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives. 
  6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions. 
  7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Why study chemical engineering at UMass Lowell?

Two chemical engineering students pouring liquid in a UMass Lowell lab

Research Opportunities

Combine classroom theories with laboratory experiments by working in one of several UMass Lowell research and teaching laboratories specializing in: 

  • Biotechnology, biomanufacturing and bioengineering
  • Nuclear engineering
  • Advanced materials
  • Modeling and simulation
  • Renewables and sustainability
Group of students work with equipment and a laptop in a chemical engineering lab at UMass Lowell

Experiential Learning

Build career-ready skills through experiences outside the classroom, including:

  • Research in a faculty laboratory 
  • Co-ops and internships 
  • Paid work on campus 
  • Service learning 
  • Study abroad
American Nuclear Society (ANS) UMass Lowell Chapter working on building a foam reactor model.

Fun Outside the Classroom

Put your learning into practice. Check out some of the fun ways UML students come together.

A UMass Lowell chemical engineering student working on equipment

Bachelor’s-to-Master's Program

Get on the fast track to an advanced degree with our combined B.S./M.S. program.

  • Available to juniors and seniors with a grade point average of 3.000 or better
  • Offers a continuous, coordinated sequence of courses
  • Reduced credit-hour requirements can save you time and money

What can you do with a degree in chemical engineering?

Graduates from UMass Lowell's B.S. in Chemical Engineering program are prepared for diverse positions as practicing chemical engineers or for graduate studies in chemical and other forms of engineering.

Chemical engineering student bending over equipment in a UMass Lowell lab

Alumni of our program have worked in emerging areas of chemical engineering, including:

  • Advanced engineering materials
  • Alternative energy sources
  • Biotechnology, biomanufacturing and bioengineering
Where our graduates work:
  • Abbott Laboratories
  • Amgen
  • Boston Scientific
  • General Electric
  • Genzyme
  • NextEra Seabrook Station
  • Pfizer
  • 3M
  • Teradyne
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Meet Our Students

Chemical engineering student Nicholas Langberg presenting on stage
Nicholas Langberg '20
Chemical Engineering

By working with the Office of International Experiences & Study Abroad, chemical engineering major Nicholas Langberg was able to add a two-month internship to his summer school program in Germany.

It ended up being one of the best experiences of my life. Not only was I able to have this great experience abroad, but I was able to gain real-world experience in my field of study.
Read More About Nicholas Langberg 
Mina Le sits at the front desk in front of a computer at the Student Employment Office at University Crossing
Mina Le '18
Chemical Engineering

Senior chemical engineering major Mina Le chose a work-study job at the front desk of the Student Employment Office because she wanted to improve her communication skills. She’s done that and more, being named the university’s Student Employee of the Year.

I was surprised just to be nominated for the Student Employee of the Year award. When I won, it made my entire year.
Read More About Mina Le 
Alyssa Puglisi stands on an agricultural field with a blue sky above her
Alyssa Puglisi ’25
Chemical Engineering

Alyssa Puglisi was awarded a three-year, $75,000 scholarship by Entegris, the second UML student to receive this support from the company.

UMass Lowell believes in its students.
Read More About Alyssa Puglisi 
Aaron Stella
Michael Doane '19
Chemical Engineering, Biology

Honors student Michael Doane has won several prestigious fellowships and scholarships for his cancer-related and biofuel research. He says UMass Lowell does a great job of structuring both classes and learning experiences that build on one another.

There are so many different programs and entities that all build on each other and combine to give you anything you’re willing to get out of your undergraduate experience.
Read More About Michael Doane 

Contact Us

For more information, please contact: 

Zhiyong Gu
Department Chair
Zhiyong_Gu@uml.edu