Graduate Course Description

Descriptions of commonly offered chemical engineering graduate program courses are provided below. For additional information on chemical engineering courses please contact the graduate program secretary at 412-624-9630

ChE 2101 FUNDAMENTALS OF THERMODYNAMICS 3 CR.

In-depth development of basic thermodynamic relations for macroscopic systems is covered. Emphasis on mathematical foundation and application of free energy concepts to system analysis. Topics in solution theory are covered.

ChE 2201 FUNDAMENTALS OF REACTION PROCESSES 3 CR.

The basic principles for the analysis of reaction rates in heterogeneous reacting systems will be discussed with special emphasis on three-phase reaction systems. The fundamentals of multiphase reactor design will also be presented as time permits.

CHE 2220 CARDIOVASCULAR BIOMATERIALS 3 CR.

This course is designed to acquaint students with the fundamentals of biocompatibility while also presenting current issues and theories in cardiovascular biomaterial development.

ChE 2231 CARDIO ORGAN REPLACEMENT 3 CR.

A one semester course in which three organ replacement systems will be discussed- vascular prostheses, artificial hearts/ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal/intravenous oxygenators.

ChE 2250 CARDIO CLINICAL INTERNSHIPS 6 CR.

Professional application training in cardivovascular medicine and surgery. Students will spend three months each in bio-engineering practice training programs within cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and vascular surgery.

ChE 2301 FUNDAMENTALS OF TRANSPORT PROCESSES I 3 CR.

A systematic development of the basic concepts and equations for heat, mass, and momentum transfer. Extensive problem solving of both fundamental and practical nature.

ChE 2311 HEMODYNAMICS AND BIOTRANSPORT 3 CR.

This course covers the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics and mass transport as applicable to physiological and biological systems. The fluid mechanics coverage emphasizes blood flow in the cardiovascular system Topics include poiseuille flow and circulatory flow resistance, blood rheology and tube flow of blood, pulsatile blood flow in arteries, and microcirculatory blood flow. The mass transport coverage emphasizes steady and unsteady diffusion, mass transfer coefficients and correlations, controlled release, coupled diffusion and reactions in biological systems.

CHE 2350 Theory and Application of Detectors in Chemical, Physical, and Life Sciences

Methods of detection are of central importance to all fields of science. During the last half century numerous advances in detector science and technology have occurred. In the medical industry detectors acronyms such as CT, PET, and MRI are spoken by patients as well as doctors. In the chemical and physical sciences chromatographic, spectrometric, and spectroscopic techniques are both industrial work-horses and windows into the molecular and atomic world. This elective course will focus on understanding the theory and application of the most widely used techniques in chemical, physical, and life sciences. The course learning outcomes will be achieved by homework assignments, quizzes, in-class discussions and exercise, and a writing/presentation project.

ChE 2410 MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN CHEMICAL ENGRG 1 3 CR.

Application of mathematical techniques to chemical engineering problems requiring the solution of ordinary differential equations and partial differential equations. Series solutions, transform solutions, vector calculus, and quadrature are covered.

ChE 2471 ROBUST PROCESS CONTROL 3 CR.

This course addresses issues in the robust control of process systems. Topics covered include sensitivity and loop shaping in the frequency domain, single-input single-output and multivariable control systems, uncertainty characterization, robust stability and performance analysis, H-infinity controller synthesis, and structured singular value analysis and synthesis.

ChE 2500 INTRODUCTION TO CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 3 CR.

This course will cover the basic concepts of cell and molecular biology. Topics will include cell structure and function, the biology of DNA and gene expression, and the basics of molecular genetics.

ChE 2530 BIOCHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS 3 CR.

The basic principles of biochemical engineering are presented and discussed.

ChE 2531 FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING 3 CR.

The basic principles of biochemical engineering are presented and discussed. Prerequisite: ChE 2530.

ChE 2532 BIOSEPARATIONS 3 CR.

This course will focus on downstream bioprocessing steps such as filtration, extraction, and chromatography. It will particularly focus on protein separation and purification. The principals of chromatography will be emphasized. Ion exchange, and affinity-based separation will be discussed in detail. Application of recombinant DNA techniques in protein purification will be examined.

ChE 2610 ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION CONTROL 3 CR.

Industrial sources of air pollutants. Methods of sampling and measurement, control techniques. Dispersion models. Local and federal air pollution regulations.

ChE 2620 INDUSTRIAL WASTE TREATMENT 3 CR.

Current topics in industrial waste treatment are examined including pollution sources, treatment methods, energy conversion of waste, and legal requirements. Analysis and problem solving are part of the course.

ChE 2754 PRINCIPLES OF POLYMER ENGINEERING 3 CR.

This course deals with the elements of polymer science and engineering necessary for entry-level understanding of polymer technology. While the chemistry determines macromolecular microstructure, an understanding of polymer manufacture and processing requires the addition of physical chemistry and transport phenomena. The essential material covered in this class includes the elements of polymers thermodynamics, rheology, mechanical behavior and equipment design.

ChE 2830 WEB BASED INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL DESIGN 3 CR.

Tools and Techniques for developing interactive educational world-wide web pages will be presented. Topics may include HTML, PERL, GGI, JAVA and JAVASCRIPT. Emphasis is on developing working web pages that deliver technical content through interactive tutorials. Prerequisite: Working knowledge of one or more programming languages and permission of the instructor.

ChE 2910 SPECIAL PROJECTS (By Appointment) 1–12 CR.

Individual study programs at MS Level.

ChE 2980 MS RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (By Appointment) 1 CR.

This course involves the discussion and application of Research Methodology important for the successful completion of M.S. Thesis Research.

ChE 2982 ISSUES IN RESEARCH 2 CR.

This course will present to graduate students issues relating to safety, ethics in science, and research methods. Topics in scientific writing, data analysis and oral presentation skills will be discussed. Issues related to chemical laboratory health and safety will be presented. Tools and techniques to access the health and safety of experimental arrangements will be introduced. Using the methodology presented, the students will make an assessment of their laboratory. From the assessment, a "safe operating procedure" for their lab will be developed. For students who do not have a chemical lab activity, arrangements will be made to participate in a meaningful analysis of another lab setup. Prerequisite: Admission to the graduate program or permission from the instructor.

ChE 2999 M.S. THESIS (By Appointment) 1–15 CR.

ChE 3229 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN KINETICS 3 CR.

This seminar will focus on developing an advanced understanding of the fundamentals and concepts in the kinetics of complex processes in diverse fields. In addition to the instructor, each student participating will present a lecture relating to the measurement and interpretation of kinetics in some aspect of his particular research area and will pose a difficult problem, perhaps previously unsolved, for discussion. It is hoped that the students will use this course to advance their research since most theses involve kinetic measurements or the potential impact of kinetics on a final result.

ChE 3301 ADVANCED TRANSPORT PHENOMENA 3 CR.

This Ph.D. level required course explores advanced concepts of mass, heat, and momentum transport phenomena. Prerequisites: ChE 2410 and ChE 2301.

ChE 3349 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN TRANSPORT PHENOMENA 3 CR.

Current research topics in transport phenomena are presented and discussed. Prerequisite: ChE 2302.

CHE 3350 Theory and Application of Detectors in Chemical, Physical, and Life Sciences

ChE 3411 TRANSPORT PHENOMENA IN POLYMERS 3 CR.

Interactions between rheology, heat and mass transfer in flowing polymeric systems will be analyzed by methods rooted in continuum mechanics, emphasizing process design aspects. Application examples directed towards reaction injection molding and reactive extrusion will be included.

ChE 3531 ADVANCED TOPICS IN BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING 3 CR.

Topics include: Cell growth and metabolism, optimization of medium components, mammalian and insect cell cultures, scale-up, recombinant DNA techniques and related bioprocesses, commercial biotechnology products, enzymes in organic solvents, biosensors, and spectroscopic techniques and instrumentation. Prerequisite: ChE 2531 and 2530 or Instructor's permission.

ChE 3532 Bioseparations 3 CR.

This course will focus on downstream bioprocessing steps such as filtration, extraction, and chromatography. It will particularly focus on protein separation and purification. The principles of chromatography will be emphasized. Ion exchange, and affinity-based separation will be discussed in detail. Application of recombinant DNA techniques in protein purification will be examined.

ChE 3749 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN POLYMERS 3 CR.

Current research topics in polymers are presented and discussed.

ChE 3910 INDIVIDUAL STUDY (By Appointment) 1 to 3 CR.

Individual study program at PhD Level.

ChE 3980 PHD RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (By Appointment) 1 CR.

This course involves the discussion and application of Research Methodology important for the successful completion of Ph.D. Thesis Research.

ChE 3990 ADVANCED GRADUATE PROJECTS (By Appointment) 1–15 CR.

Preliminary work for PhD dissertation research.

ChE 3999 PHD DISSERTATION (By Appointment) 1–15 CR.

PhD Dissertation research. This course may only be taken after admission to candidacy.

Petroleum Courses

PETE 2202 PETROLEUM DRILLING AND PRODUCTION 3 CR.

Production techniques of petroleum wells, vertical lift, gaslift, valve and string design, casing string design, sucker rod pumping, well completions. PETE 1160.