Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department
Program Description
Chemical Engineering is part of a rapidly expanding field that requires interdisciplinary engineers educated in both the molecular and medical sciences. For every discovery made in the health and industrial sectors, a chemical engineer finds a way to develop and implement it on a large scale.
The PhD in Chemical Engineering program at the Tandon School of Engineering prepares students to fulfill that role. Our curriculum offers an advanced course of study to refine students' research skills, and we teach students the problem-solving skills to surmount any problem along the way.
Our PhD program in Chemical Engineering is designed to outfit students with expert knowledge of the field’s core fundamentals as well as the latest research in its subtopics. By doing so, we further students' specialization beyond a master’s degree, helping students achieve superior competence in a minor topic within Chemical Engineering.
Urban Science Doctoral Track
The optional Urban Science Doctoral Track is specifically designed for students who want to focus on urban science through a cohesive array of in-class and experiential learning activities, while pursuing their PhD at NYU Tandon. Doctoral track students will engage with CUSP’s urban science faculty, experts in methodological aspects pertaining to complexity (dynamical systems, multi-agent systems, network science, and risk engineering), informatics (AI, machine learning, and robotics), and sensing (Internet of Things, smart infrastructure, wireless).
Admissions
To apply for admission to any Tandon graduate program, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.
Program Requirements
The program requires the completion of 75 credits, comprised of the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CBE-GY 6153 | Applied Mathematics in Engineering | 3 |
| CBE-GY 6333 | Transport Phenomena | 3 |
| CBE-GY 6733 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CBE-GY 6813 | Chemical Reactor Analysis and Design | 3 |
| |
| CBE-GY 9910 | Seminar in Chemical & Biology Engineering | 0 |
| CBE-GY 9920 | Seminar in Chemical & Biological Engineering | 0 |
| 9 |
| 1 | 9 |
| 1 | 9 |
| |
| RE-GY 9990 | PHD QUALIFYING EXAM | 0 |
| 2 | 36 |
| PhD Dissertation in Chemical and Biological Engineering | |
| Total Credits | 75 |
Additional Program Requirements
Comprehensive Qualifying Examination and Dissertation
Students must pass a comprehensive qualifying examination in chemical engineering and present a doctoral dissertation. The qualifying exam is given once a year. Additional details on the qualifying examination will be provided by the graduate adviser.
GPA Requirement
To meet graduation requirements, students must have an overall GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 or higher, and must not obtain a grade of C or lower in more than two required core courses.
Transfer Credits
A student who has earned graduate level credits and/or been awarded an MS degree should consult with the graduate adviser for course registration and possible credit transfer.
Required Safety Training
All PhD students in Chemical Engineering must complete a three-hour training session offered by the NYU Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Office during their first semester, prior to beginning any work in the lab. Students will enroll in the training session on BioRaft. The sessions cover: Lab Safety, Hazardous Waste, Bloodborne Pathogens and International Air Transport Association (IATA) shipping. Students must show proof (e.g. certificate) that they have completed this training to their advisers. Each subsequent fall, students must take the above mentioned online refreshers (excluding IATA) until they graduate.
Internship for Chemical Engineering Students
Students can register for an internship course (CP-GY 9941, CP-GY 9951, 1.5 credits each) to do an internship. It is strongly recommended that the internship courses are taken during the summer. Up to 3 credits of approved internships can be applied as general (non-CBE) electives towards the PhD degree. Students cannot do an internship for credit after they have completed degree requirements. For an internship to be approved for credit, the internship must provide industry and/or research experience relevant to the Chemical Engineering PhD degree program. A PhD dissertation adviser serves as a faculty adviser. All internships must be approved by the faculty adviser. An internship supervisor (that is a person supervising a student’s work at the internship site) will be requested to supervise the project and submit a midterm and a final term evaluation report to the faculty adviser. The student must submit a project report to the faculty adviser upon completion of the internship for evaluation and grading. During the internship, students are responsible for covering expenses such as fees, tuition, or living costs. International students willing to do an internship should consult with the Office of Global Services (OGS) to ensure compliance with immigration regulations; this most often involves getting approval for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:
- Develop an expert knowledge of the field’s core fundamentals as well as the latest CBE research.
- Enhance problem-solving skills and refine research skills for advanced scientific and engineering problems.
- Effectively convey scientific concepts and/or research findings in both written and oral formats.
Policies
NYU Policies
University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.
Tandon Policies
Additional academic policies can be found on the Tandon academic policy page.