Graduate Programs
The graduate program in the Department of Chemical Engineering at WPI is of extraordinary quality and is designed to balance depth and breadth. The department has 30 full-time graduate students, two-thirds of whom are pursuing their Ph.D., and a large number of full-time research faculty and staff. The focus of the graduate program is on cutting-edge research (depth) to help you prepare for rewarding careers in industry or in academia. Course-work is taken in support of the thesis research and to ensure breadth of exposure. The graduate students work one-on-one with top-notch faculty in state-of-the-art laboratories. You would have a wide choice of funded research projects, ranging from nanostructured materials, bioseparations, cellular adhesion, bioremediation, zeolite science, environmental catalysis, process control, computational fluid dynamics, hydrogen energy, to fuel cells.
The degrees offered at the graduate level in the Chemical Engineering are the M.S. (thesis option), M.S. (non-thesis option), and the Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. The basic requirement for admission to all of these degrees programs is a B.S. in chemical engineering or equivalent. Outstanding undergraduate students at WPI who wish to continue their studies toward a Master's Degree at WPI can join the combined B.S.-M.S. Program. For further details and degree requirements, please consult the WPI Graduate Catalog and the CHE Graduate Student Handbook (PDF).
Success in professional life depends on more than just technical knowledge, however. We seek to develop well-rounded graduates who have the necessary skills to succeed professionally. This includes excellent written and oral communication skills. These are developed by encouraging students to write scientific journal articles and to make scientific presentations at national and international society meetings. In addition, each graduate student is required to present an annual seminar on their research. The cooperative learning environment in the department is conducive to the development of well-rounded graduates.
Practically all of the Ph. D. students are supported by the department as a Research Assistant (RA), a Teaching Assistant (TA), or as a Fellow. Some of the M.S. (thesis option) students may also receive support, depending upon the funds available and academic performance. No financial support is provided to M.S. (non-thesis option). Continued support is contingent upon funding availability and the academic performance of the student.
Further descriptions of the graduate programs, including degree requirements and course descriptions can be found in the appropriate sections of the WPI Graduate Catalog.
To download an application for admission, or to apply for admission online, visit the Graduate Program Applications page, or contact the Graduate Admissions & Enrollment Office.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: April 24, 2008 10:14:28