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.

graduate coordinator

Thomas Schwartz

Associate Professor Associate Director, Forest Bioproducts Research Institute Graduate Program Coordinator

Key Admissions Deadlines

  • Rolling Admissions
  • No GRE/GMAT Requirements

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Program Offerings

Master of Science (M.S.)

  • Credits: 30 semester hours, including:
    • 18 credits of graduate-level coursework
    • Two graduate seminars
    • A research-based thesis
  • Students with a B.S. in another science or engineering discipline may be admitted but may need additional coursework.
  • Required core courses:
    • CHE 510 – Advanced Transport Phenomena
    • CHE 540 – Advanced Thermodynamics
    • CHE 561 – Advanced Kinetics
    • CHE 580 – Numerical Methods

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  • Credits: Minimum of 45 semester hours beyond the B.S., including:
    • 24 credits of graduate-level coursework
    • Four graduate seminars
    • A research-based dissertation
  • Additional requirements:
    • Passing a qualifying exam in chemical engineering fundamentals
    • Successful presentation and defense of a dissertation proposal
  • Students entering with an M.S. degree may transfer up to 30 credits with departmental approval.
  • Required core courses (same as M.S.):
    • CHE 510 – Advanced Transport Phenomena
    • CHE 540 – Advanced Thermodynamics
    • CHE 561 – Advanced Kinetics
    • CHE 580 – Numerical Methods

Research in the department spans a wide range of fundamental and applied topics, including:

  • Pulping and bleaching processes
  • Coating flows
  • Flow in porous media
  • Rheology
  • Advanced materials
  • Surface chemistry
  • Molecular biophysics
  • Advanced imaging and spectroscopic techniques
  • Nanotechnology
  • Soft materials
  • Heterogeneous catalysis

A unique aspect of the department is the strong relationship with industrial partners. This collaboration offers students real-world exposure and networking opportunities. The Paper Surface Science Program is a consortium of companies that regularly review student research. Additional projects receive direct input and support from industry representatives.

The department also receives significant funding from federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Agriculture, and the Environmental Protection Agency. Recent support has also come from foundations focused on biomass-based fuels and cellulose nanofiber packaging applications.’

Research Facilities

The department features well-equipped laboratories, including:

  • Two-photon and custom-built confocal microscopes
  • A full analytical chemistry suite
  • Pilot plants for paper production and biomass conversion

Students also have access to university-wide resources such as the Frontier Institute for Research in Sensor Technology and the Advanced Structures and Composites Center.

Contact Information

The Graduate School
5775 Stodder Hall, Room 42
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5755
207-581-3291
graduate@maine.edu

Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering
117 Jenness Hall
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5737
207-581-2277
thomas.schwartz@maine.edu

Paper Surface Science Graduate Program

The objective of the Paper Surface Science Program (PSSP) at the University of Maine is to train graduate students to perform scientific research on projects that provide value to sponsoring industries.

The program develops both fundamental and applied knowledge related to paper surface treatment processes—including sizing, coating, printing, and gluing—as well as the structure-performance relationships of paper-based products. Recent efforts have focused on replacing single-use packaging with sustainable, cellulose-based alternatives.

Research Program

Research is conducted by graduate students (M.S. and Ph.D.), postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scientists under faculty guidance. Some projects are conducted in collaboration with scientists from sponsoring companies.

The program focuses on paper surface treatment from process development to end-product performance, organized into two main research areas:

1. Fluid–Paper Interactions in Surface Treatments

Projects include:

  • Rheology of coating and cellulose nanofiber suspensions
  • Modeling of adhesive setting on paper
  • Interactions between coatings and basestock
  • Barrier properties of waterborne coatings

Research also incorporates the physics of coating processes, accounting for the porous nature of paper. Modeling these processes supports improved design and operation of industrial equipment. Coating penetration into paper is a critical factor in determining product quality and performance.

2. Physics and Chemistry of Paper Surfaces

Projects investigate:

  • Development of porous structures in pigmented coatings during drying
  • Relationships between structural characteristics and optical properties (e.g., gloss, light scattering)
  • Wetting and spreading behavior of latexes on pigment and cellulosic surfaces
  • Factors affecting adhesion and cohesion in coated papers
  • Influence of pigmentation and binder type on surface chemistry and surface energy

Upcoming projects will explore heat transfer in paper to better understand heat-sealability.

Advisory Board

Each sponsoring company appoints a representative to the Advisory Board, which meets annually to review the overall research program and help guide future project directions. A detailed annual report is distributed to all board members.

In addition, workshops held in the fall and spring allow board members, their colleagues, and graduate students to engage in in-depth discussions of current research.

Support of the Program

Participation in the Advisory Board gives companies several benefits:

  • Recruitment Opportunities – Connect with graduate students for potential employment
  • Research Influence – Help define priorities and specific research projects
  • Project Reviews – Receive semi-annual updates on all PSSP projects, often inspiring new ideas for company initiatives
  • Networking – Collaborate with scientists from other sponsoring companies
  • Pre-Publication Access – Preview all PSSP publications before journal or conference submission
  • Software and Methods – Receive free access to developed software and new testing methods
  • Co-Publication Opportunities – Collaborate on joint publications with students and faculty
  • Recognition – Acknowledgment in conference presentations
  • Priority Access – Use of research personnel, laboratories, and pilot plant equipment for proprietary projects at half the standard fee

Program Leadership

The Paper Surface Science Program is an academic initiative focused on paper coating, sizing, and printing. It is directed by Professor Doug Bousfield and includes collaboration with faculty and students across other academic disciplines at the University of Maine.

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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