M.S. and Ph.D. Programs

Master o​​f Science

The M.S. degree is obtained through coursework only. This program focuses on advanced engineering fundamentals. Students with a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering or related field must obtain 30 credit hours (10 courses) of core and elective courses to obtain a course-based M.S. degree. Recipients of the M.S. are broadly qualified for continued studies towards the Doctor of Philosophy degree.  No financial aid is offered for M.S. students.

• Full-Time M.S.
  This course based program is intended for students with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent). This program focuses on advanced engineering fundamentals. Thirty semester hours of coursework are required, consisting of five core courses indicated plus five elective courses. No financial aid is offered for M.S. students. Candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering can complete all requirements in 12 to 18 months.
   
• Part-Time M.S.
  This program is intended for students with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering who are working in the industry. Thirty semester hours of coursework are required, consisting of the five core courses indicated plus five elective courses. The part time M.S. program has the entrance requirements as listed for the fulltime MS/PhD programs.

Doctor of Philosophy

Candidates for the Ph.D. degree are given intensive exposure to a specific field of engineering research as well as continued study of a broad range of engineering fundamentals. The main focus is individual research, and students are expected to expand the frontiers of knowledge in their area of endeavor. Moreover, candidates learn, absorb, and otherwise experience the general philosophy, methods, and concepts of research and scholarly inquiry so that after graduation they can approach significant problems that may or may not be related to their doctoral research. Acceptance into the full-time Ph.D. program is generally accompanied by departmental financial support.

Ph.D. candidates must complete a total of 30 credit hours of coursework. This includes the 4 core courses. Of the remaining 6 courses, at least two must be Chemical Engineering graduate courses. Graduate level courses from other departments may be approved on a case-by-case basis. A research project and doctoral dissertation must be completed, providing additional credit hours towards the doctoral degree. The dissertation is presented and defended in a public oral examination and should contain a significant new contribution to knowledge in Chemical Engineering.

Graduate Courses

A distinctive and significant feature of the graduate program in chemical engineering at the University of Houston is the regular availability of a large number of graduate courses.

As can be seen from the list below, these courses span a wide spectrum of subjects in Chemical Engineering fundamentals and in special topics. The department views these courses as an integral part of the graduate program as well as a necessary educational complement to students’ experiences in their research studies.