CHEMICAL Engineering

Designing processes, delivering everyday impact

Design, analyze, and manage processes that transform raw materials into everyday products like fuels, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. With hands-on projects, state-of-the-art techniques, and personalized mentoring, students gain the skills to solve real-world challenges and make a meaningful impact.

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wearable sensors that stretch and repair themselves

Evan K. Wujcik

Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering

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Chemical Engineering Overview

The University of Maine’s Chemical Engineering program prepares students for dynamic careers by combining a strong foundation in mathematics, physics, and chemistry with advanced studies in engineering principles. Students learn to design, operate, and manage chemical processing systems to produce essential products such as fuels, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals that improve everyday life.

The program emphasizes real-world problem-solving through laboratory work, design projects, and collaborative research opportunities. With small class sizes, personalized academic advising, and access to cutting-edge technology, students receive individual attention and hands-on experience. Through UMaine’s cooperative work experience program, students gain paid, practical training with industry leaders.

Graduates are equipped to succeed in diverse fields including engineering, business, and healthcare. The program also meets prerequisites for professional pathways such as medical and veterinary school. With opportunities to work on groundbreaking projects like biofuel development, cancer imaging technologies, and molecular biosensors, UMaine chemical engineering students are empowered to drive innovation and transform industries..

Program Offerings

Undergraduate Level

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Chemical Engineering
Concentration:
Pulp & Paper Management Certificate Concentration

Graduate Degrees

Graduate Level:
Masters of Science in Chemical Engineering
PhD in Chemical Engineering
Paper Surface Science Graduate Program

Program Information

Program Objectives

Our objectives are that in the time frame of three to five years after graduation our students will:

Hold positions that utilize their engineering training and have advanced in their job responsibilities, or be pursuing postgraduate education
Be working as engineering professionals, act ethically by adhering to standards and being committed to the health and safety of employees and the general population
Be pursuing innovative solutions to current societal challenges and continue to improve themselves through a variety of learning opportunities
Contribute to their employer and society by working effectively in the global economy, contribute to professional, civic, or governmental organizations, be leading or working collaboratively in teams, and be communicating with diverse group

Student Outcomes

An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
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.
An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
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.
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.
An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The program requires successful completion of 120 credits* of course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in Chemical Engineering courses, including technical electives credits. The program can be completed in four academic years of full time study.

*Students matriculated in Fall 2020 or later require a minimum of 120 credits. Students matriculated before Fall 2020 require a minimum of 130 credits.

The UMaine Office of Institutional Research annually compiles statistical data for all programs across campus. Enrollment and graduation data for all Engineering programs can be found at:

ACC 201 – Principles of Financial Accounting Credits: 3
GEE 230 – Introduction to Engineering Leadership and Management Credits: 1
CHE 493 – Chemical Engineering Seminar Credits: 1
CHE 494 – Chemical Engineering Practice Credits: 2
MET 440 – Lean Six Sigma Credits: 3 *
PPA 264 – Introduction to the Pulp and Paper Industry Credits: 3 *
PPA 466 – Paper Technology Credits: 3 *

Notes
These three courses (marked by *) count as pre-approved technical electives for BS in CHE.
The 16 credit-hour concentration requirement can double count 9 credits of technical electives.

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Pulp & Paper Foundation

The University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation supports aspiring engineers studying at the University of Maine who are interested in pursuing careers in the paper industry.

Through financial assistance, networking opportunities, and expert guidance and support throughout their academic careers, each student graduates with a competitive advantage—and a job.
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Chemical Engineering

Graduate Programs

Explore graduate programs in Chemical Engineering, where innovation meets real-world impact. Gain advanced knowledge and hands-on experience to tackle global challenges in energy, healthcare, and sustainability. Join a community of forward-thinking engineers shaping the future.

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Biomedical & CHEMICAL Engineering Research

The Biomedical & Chemical Engineering Department provides opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students for research in a wide variety of areas. Explore each area and associated faculty members.

Biomedical Optics/Biophotonics

The study of light-tissue interaction for medical imaging, diagnostics, and therapeutic applications.
Faculty: Mason, Tilbury

Biomedical Engineering

Combining engineering principles with medical sciences to design healthcare technologies and devices.
Faculty: Bowie, Howell, Khalil, Mason, Tilbury, Wujcik

Biomass Processing & Biorefining

Conversion of biological materials into energy, chemicals, and materials for sustainable solutions.
Faculty: Schwartz, van Walsum, Wheeler

Engineering Education

Development and innovation in teaching methods to enhance engineering learning outcomes.
Faculty: Tilbury, Walton, Weeks

Environmental Science & Engineering

Application of engineering to solve environmental challenges and promote sustainability.
Faculty: DeSisto, Schwartz, van Walsum, Wujcik

Materials Science & Engineering

Research on the properties and applications of materials for advanced engineering solutions.
Faculty: Bousfield, DeSisto, Howell, Mason, Schwartz, van Walsum, Wujcik

Composites & Interfacial Science

Study of composite materials and their interface properties to improve performance.
Faculty: DeSisto, Howell, Mason, Neivandt, Schwartz, Wujcik

Computational Modeling & Radiomics

Using advanced computation to model physical phenomena and analyze medical imaging data.
Faculty: Bousfield, Khalil

Catalysis & Reaction Engineering

Design and study of catalysts to enhance chemical reactions for industrial processes.
Faculty: Schwartz, van Walsum, Wheeler

Molecular Bio-Physics

Investigation of biological molecules’ physical principles and their interactions.
Faculty: Khalil, Mason, Neivandt, Tilbury

Polymer Science & Engineering

Study and engineering of polymers for industrial and biomedical applications.
Faculty: Bousfield, Mason, Neivandt, Wujcik

Process Simulation, Economics, and Life Cycle Analysis

Modeling processes to optimize design, cost, and environmental impact.
Faculty: van Walsum, Wheeler

Pulp & Paper

Engineering solutions for the production and sustainability of paper and related products.
Faculty: Bousfield, Howell, Schwartz

Sensors

Design and development of devices that detect and measure physical, chemical, or biological changes.
Faculty: DeSisto, Howell, Mason, Pendse, Wujcik

Spectroscopy

Study of the interaction between light and matter to analyze chemical and physical properties.
Faculty: Howell, Mason, Neivandt, Schwartz, Tilbury

Tissue Microenvironments

The study of cellular interactions with their surrounding environment, crucial for understanding tissue function, development, and disease progression.
Faculty: Khalil, Tilbury

Transport Phenomena & Separation

The analysis of mass, energy, and momentum transfer in systems, focusing on separation techniques and fluid behavior in engineering processes.
Faculty: Bousfield, Mason, van Walsum, Wujcik

Our Faculty and Staff

At MCEC, our faculty is the heartbeat of our academic community. Dedicated, inspiring, and deeply knowledgeable, our professors go beyond the traditional classroom experience to foster real-world skills and a passion for learning. Whether mentoring, leading innovative research, or providing personalized support, our faculty members are committed to empowering students to achieve their highest potential