Area of Specialization Options

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Area Specialization Options

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers area specialization options within the BSChE curriculum which are designed to help a student develop greater competence in a particular area and encourage students to develop background knowledge in areas outside the major.

Requirements

Each area of specialization includes an elective course list as well as designated advanced chemistry elective courses (See Advanced Chemistry Option) and a designated chemical engineering elective courses.  The area specialization option plan must be approved by the department before a student enrolls in the courses. 

Areas of Specialization

Option programs for the following areas of specialization are offered or are currently under development:

• Biochemical
• Biomedical
• Chemical Engineering Sciences
• Chemistry
• Colloids and Particles
• Computer-Aided Engineering
• Electrochemical
• Electronic Materials
• Energy
• Environmental
• Physics
• Polymers and Polymer Processing
• Process Control
• Professional Licensure
• Process Engineering
• Safety
• Statistics

In many cases, students elect a specialization option in an area that they intend to pursue as a professional career or continue their education in graduate school. These area specialization options are particularly appropriate for students who plan to work in interdisciplinary areas where the creation of new technology through research and development is very important.

New Areas of Specialization

New specialization options will be created in response to technological advances and the changing needs of society.  And, any student who demonstrates an intense interest in an area not covered by the pre-designed area specialization options may design an option which meets the needs and fits the background of the student.  The student should work with his/her faculty counselor in selecting technical courses while formulating the area of specialization.  A written petition specifying what constitutes the option program of study must be submitted to and approved by the Department Faculty before the student begins taking courses towards completion of the option.

Research Opportunities

Extensive opportunities for independent research are also available. Undergraduate research projects that fit many of these options are available by arrangement with the faculty responsible for the area and/or a faculty counselor.

Certificate of Completion

The Chemical Engineering Department has approved a Certificate of Completion for each area of specialization. All Certificates of Completion will be awarded at the exit interview of the graduation term.

Note: An area of specialization completion certificate is not required to receive the BSChE degree.  And, some areas of specialization may include more course credits in the completion certificate requirements than are necessary to satisfy the BSChE curriculum technical elective  requirements.  

Wording of Certificate
The Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Florida confers upon Student Name this certificate in recognition of satisfactory achievement in completing the "Area of Specialization" consisting of coursework and independent studies in the fundamentals and applications of this area, in conjunction with satisfactory achievement in completing a program of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering.

Additional Information

Each area of specialization is under the direct supervision of a faculty member who can be consulted for details. Comments as to potential improvements of the options are welcomed.