Chemical Engineering (B.S.)
ABOUT
If you find it fascinating how tiny fibers in a bulletproof vest can stop a speeding bullet, or wonder how biofuels are produced, or you simply have a love of science and math, chemical engineering at Clemson combines your two avenues of interest into one exciting course of study. Chemical engineering uses science, math and engineering principles to solve technical problems that face the world today. This major also offers unique research and study abroad opportunities that give you hands-on experience. Working with chemical and biological systems provides the building blocks of advanced materials, a sustainable environment, nanotechnology, biomedical devices and much more. With a degree in chemical engineering you will be making contributions to the development of mankind.
FAST FACTS
- More than 20 percent of our undergraduate students participate in some type of research during the school year.
- About half of our undergraduate students co-op at companies such as BASF, Dow Chemical, Kimberly-Clark, Michelin, Milliken, Eastman Chemical and General Electric.
- You can elect to take your senior-level laboratory course in Vienna, Austria, in the summer.
- This degree is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).
- We have a student-to-faculty ratio of 15-to-1.
- The average starting salary for chemical engineering Bachelor of Science graduates is $66,000.
WHAT YOU'LL STUDY
Freshmen who major in engineering at Clemson are initially admitted into our general engineering program, where you'll have a year to explore many different engineering disciplines, meet faculty from each of our engineering departments and discover which major fits your personal interests and talents. On the admissions application, you will apply as a general engineering major.
Chemical engineering courses include a blend of physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics. Combined classroom and laboratory activities provide hands-on learning and small class sizes. To help you further specialize your training, we offer both a concentration in biomolecular engineering and a broad scope of emphasis areas:
- Environmental Engineering and Science
- Polymeric Materials
- Energy Studies
- Business Management
- Applied Engineering, Mathematics and Science
- Biomolecular Science and Engineering
Students also have the flexibility to take a minor (with limited exceptions) instead of an emphasis area.
Biomolecular Engineering Concentration: This concentration addresses the purposeful manipulation of biological molecules and processes applied to problems and issues in the life sciences, biotechnology and medicine. Learn about various biomolecules, biochemical pathway engineering and cell growth.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Plan: Get a jump-start on either your Master of Science in chemical engineering or your Master of Science in environmental engineering and science while completing your bachelor's. In our dual-degree program, you can apply graduate credits to both degrees.
Curriculum
Popular Minors
- Business Administration
- Mathematical Sciences
EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
As a chemical engineering major you'll have numerous outlets for hands-on learning, applying what you've already learned to real-world situations and networking with professionals already practicing in the field.
CONNECT WITH OTHER STUDENTS
AFTER GRADUATION
Your college decision isn't really about the next four years. We get it. It's about what doors are opened by your degree and whether those opportunities are what you had envisioned for yourself. Here's a snapshot of what life after graduation looks like for some of our most recent students.
WHERE OUR RECENT GRADUATES HAVE GONE
KEY
- 41-100%
- 21-40%
- 11-20%
- 0-10%
RECENT EMPLOYERS
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Manufacturing Supervisor
Baxter Healthcare
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Nuclear Engineering Officer
U.S. Navy
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Process Engineer
Jacobs Engineering Group
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Research Engineer
Tetramer Technologies
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Production Engineer
The Dow Chemical Co.
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Solid State Polymerization Process Engineer
DAK Americas
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Engineer
Knight Consulting
RECENT POSTGRADUATE STUDIES
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Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
University of Houston
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Ph.D. Engineering
University of Florida
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Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
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M.S. Mathematical Sciences
Clemson University
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Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
Georgia Tech
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Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
University of Alabama
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Ph.D. Chemical Engineering
University of Washington
COMMON CAREER AREAS
- Administration
- Design and Construction
- Project Engineering
- Control Systems
- Field Engineering
- Process Engineering
- Operations and Production
- Environmental and Waste Management
- Development
- Design
- Production
- Sales and Marketing
- Management
- Consulting
- Research and Development
- Teaching
- Law
Used with permission from the University of Tennessee.
FIND OUT MORE
Have more questions or want more information? Fill out the form below, which goes directly to the following department contact. If you’d also like to receive general University information from Clemson’s admissions office, please follow the link to the right and sign up to join our mailing list.
Christopher Porter
CECAS Undergraduate Recruitment Director
864-656-7870
cporter@clemson.edu