SJSU Catalog

Chemical and Materials Engineering Department

Introduction

The Chemical and Materials Engineering Department is the home of the Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering undergraduate and graduate degree programs, as well as a Biochemical Engineering emphasis (which combines components from programs in chemical engineering, biology and chemistry).

The Chemical Engineering and Materials Engineering disciplines are similar in that each combine significant components of chemistry, physics, and engineering. The CHE programs offer emphases in biotechnology, materials science, environmental, or microelectronics processing. The MATE programs provide emphases on structural materials, electronic materials, bio and nanomaterials. Chemical Engineers generally work in manufacturing environments dealing with the processing of gas and liquid phase products, while Materials Engineers typically work in development of solid phase processes. Graduates of both programs find employment in Silicon Valley in the electronics, semiconductor equipment and processing, data storage, nanotechnology and biotechnology industries.

Chemical and Materials Engineering Mission Statement

The mission of the department is to provide the best possible academic preparation for the wide range of professional opportunities available to Chemical and Materials Engineers with an emphasis on technologies that are centered in the Bay Area.

BS Chemical Engineering Program

The BSCHE curriculum provides broad training in the chemical and engineering principles fundamental to the manufacture of products as diverse as chemicals, plastics, pharmaceuticals, foods, textiles, petroleum derivatives and semiconductors. Courses revolve around the application of mathematics, chemistry, physics and engineering principles to the design, construction, operation, control and improvement of equipment for the implementation of chemical processes on an industrial scale, economically and with minimum adverse impact on the environment. Program emphases are available in biotechnology, environmental engineering and semiconductor processing, and can be developed in other specialized areas to meet student requests. Students in the BS program are prepared to enter directly into engineering practice or to go on to graduate school. The undergraduate curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The BS Chemical Engineering Program Educational Objectives are designed to produce graduates who will be able to:

• Apply fundamental knowledge of engineering and science to characterize and analyze engineering systems.
• Identify and solve engineering problems.
• Participate effectively in engineering teams, utilizing leadership skills, respect for contributions of other team members and appropriate communication skills.
• Communicate engineering problems and solutions effectively in both oral and written formats.
• Conduct themselves as ethical and responsible professionals as well as articulate the environmental, safety and economic impacts of their work on society.
• Engage in lifelong self-directed learning to maintain and enhance professional skills.
• Achieve success in engineering or other chosen career path, or in graduate studies.

BS Materials Engineering Program

Materials rank with energy and information as basic resources of mankind. Materials engineers work in every field of industry, including semiconductor equipment and processing, biotechnology, failure analysis and development of metallurgical processes. They design materials and processes for recreational equipment, biomedical devices, and communication devices.

The undergraduate curriculum is designed to give specialized professional training with a broad engineering and scientific background. The major area of study is engineering materials with emphasis on the relationship of structure, properties and processing of materials to their performance. Various classes of materials are studied, including metals, semiconductors, polymers, ceramics and composites. The program emphasizes the functions of design, development and production, and also prepares the exceptional student for research and graduate study. The undergraduate curriculum is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

The BS Materials Engineering Program Educational Objectives are designed to produce graduates who will be prepared to:

• Apply fundamentals of materials science and engineering to characterize process, structure, property and performance relationships in materials systems, using appropriate techniques and tools.
• Contribute to process design or materials selection to solve engineering problems.
• Participate effectively in engineering teams, utilizing leadership skills, respect for contributions of other team members and appropriate communication skills.
• Communicate engineering problems and solutions effectively in both oral and written formats.
• Conduct themselves as ethical and responsible professionals as well as articulate the environmental, safety and economic impacts of their work on society.
• Engage in lifelong self-directed learning to maintain and enhance professional skills.
• Achieve success in engineering or other chosen career path, or in graduate studies.

In addition to the baccalaureate degree major in Materials Engineering, the department offers a Minor in Materials Science and Engineering, available to any engineering or science major.

Advisement

All Chemical and Materials Engineering students are required to have an academic advisor. Every semester all students must see a program advisor for official approval of their proposed academic program. More information can be found on the departmental website at www.engr.sjsu.edu/cme.

See Engineering Preparation and Common Area Requirements section for details common to all engineering curricula.