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Dec 06, 2025
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2025-2026 University Catalog
Chemical Engineering, PHD
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 Return to: College of Engineering (Graduate)
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About the Program
The Chemical Engineering Ph.D. program is designed to prepare each student to take an active part in the development and growth of the field of chemical engineering at all levels in academia, industry, and various research organizations. Because of the world-class training and the paradigm-shifting results that occur during their educational experiences, Ph.D. alumni from the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering have the skills and creative thinking abilities that allow them to be leaders in industry, academia, national laboratories, government and policy roles and private consulting corporations. In this way, our graduates continue to shape the future of chemical engineering and its related fields. Because of this fact, we are consistently placed among the top chemical engineering programs in the nation, ranking in the top 10 programs at public universities in the United States, as determined by US News & World Reports. Moreover, we are always looking to recruit the next class of brilliant, enthusiastic, and dedicated postdoctoral researchers and students to lead the chemical engineering field for the upcoming decades. Program Website Program Requirements
90 Credits RequiredRequired Courses (18 credits)
Students must take the following required courses during their first year in the program. They are also required to take a Seminar (CHE 69000, a non-credit course) every semester. Electives (18 credits)
All students must take six additional courses as electives. The electives are typically a mixture of courses from chemical engineering and other disciplines chosen in consultation student’s advisor and sometimes the advisory committee. All electives should be at 500 or 600 level. Research (60 credits)
All first-year students must sign up for CHE 698 (M.S. Research). A graduate student will sign up for CHE 699 (Ph.D. Research) only after they pass the Qualifier and only if the advisory committee does not require the student to do a M.S. thesis. If the student must do a M.S. thesis before entering the Ph.D. program, then the student will continue to sign up for CHE 698 (M.S. Research) until the student has completed the M.S. thesis and thesis defense. At that point, the student is then allowed to sign up for ChE 699 (Ph.D. Research). Concentrations
Departmental concentrations: Interdisciplinary concentrations: GPA Requirements
All graduate students in the School of Chemical Engineering are required to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, and they are expected to get “S” (Satisfactory”) grades in CHE 698 (M.S. Research) and CHE 699 (Ph.D. Research). Transfer Credit Policy
If a student has a M.S. in Chemical Engineering from another university, they may talk to the Director of Graduate Studies and the Graduate Program Administrator about the
process for applying for transfer credit. In most cases, the School of Chemical Engineering can accept four classes from the previous institution and count them toward the student’s 30 credits of required coursework for the Purdue Ph.D. in ChE. Only two of the four classes may be used to fulfill the core class requirements. So, essentially, a transfer student can transfer in only two core classes and only two electives to count toward their degree. All core courses will need to be approved by the instructor of that course. Electives are approved by the DGS. The syllabus from the M.S. institution will need to be provided by the student. Graduate Programs Disclaimer
- The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Students should consult with their advisor/department for more information.
- Not all graduate programs may be actively recruiting students and course modality availability may vary.
- Please refer to the Explore Graduate Programs website for a list of currently available graduate programs.
- Transfer credit policy: Credits earned for graduate study at other universities (both domestic and international) may be applied toward an advanced degree. Only credit hours associated with graduate courses for which grades of B- or better were obtained will be eligible for transfer. Any additional conditions under which credit transfers may be made are determined by the various departments.
- Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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Return to: College of Engineering (Graduate)
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