Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineers are leading new developments in medicine, advanced materials, energy, consumer products, manufacturing and environmental solutions.

Applying their knowledge of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics, chemical engineers create processes and products that are safe, environmentally friendly, energy efficient and economical.

From developing more efficient fuel cells to creating innovations that advance space exploration, our chemical engineering students and faculty are at the forefront of research.

As a chemical engineering graduate, you can work in a variety of fields from manufacturing and healthcare to food processing and environmental health and safety.

The chemical engineering department awards degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in chemical engineering.

What will I study?

Energy Chemical engineers are used in the energy sector to explore for new reserves of oil and gas, process these raw materials into fuels and other useful chemicals, and developed new technologies like solar, wind, batteries and fuel cells that are sustainable and more environmentally sound.

Advanced Materials and Specialty Chemicals Chemical engineers design, construct and operate unique processes to produce a range of highly tailored chemicals like lubricants, elastomers, composites, fragrances, polymers, and surfactants for the automobile, aerospace, cosmetics, agriculture, paper, textile and construction industries

Pharmaceuticals Chemical engineers are involved in the conception, design, construction, and operation of research facilities and manufacturing plants that develop and produce valuable pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical therapies. They also have to implement FDA (Food and Drug Administration) regulations to ensure quality control over these products and processes.

Biotechnology Chemical engineers leverage molecular-level insight and fundamental biological understanding with engineering principles to develop processes for producing products from natural materials that can range from biofuels to synthetic tissue to organic semiconductors.

Food Processing Chemical engineers in the food and beverage industries handle, process, prepare, package, and preserve food and beverages. They formulate new flavors and preservatives, develop new processes that provide more consistent texture, flavor and appearance, and design aseptic packaging to ensure a longer shelf life.

Environmental Health and Safety Pick an industry and chemical engineers are working there to improve the environment, minimize waste, and protect the personal health and safety of employees and the surrounding community. Chemical engineers help minimize waste through process monitoring and control, and by designing new processes that are more efficient and take advantage of sustainable raw materials.

Microelectronics The microelectronics industry is not just for electrical engineers. Many steps in the production of microelectronics involved chemistry, from electroplating to etching. Chemical engineers are involved in material development and production, process control, and the manufacturing of microchips and intricate circuitry.

Chemical Engineering At A Glance

• Top 50
  • Nationally Ranked Graduate Program - US News and World Report
• Top 30
  • Nationally Ranked Graduate Program - National Research Council
• 14th
  • Nationally in Federally Funded Chemical R&D - National Science Foundation
• $72k
  • The average starting salary for a chemical engineer.

Cost & Fees

Founded in 1801, then-South Carolina College flourished pre-Civil War, overcame post-war struggles, was rechartered in 1906 as a university and transformed itself as a national institution in the 20th and 21st centuries.

The Palmetto State established South Carolina College — the precursor to the University of South Carolina — on Dec. 19, 1801, as part of an effort to unite South Carolinians in the wake of the American Revolution. South Carolina's leaders saw the new college as a way to promote "the good order and harmony" of the state.

The founding of South Carolina College was also a part of the Southern public college movement spurred by Thomas Jefferson. Within 20 years of one another, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia established state-supported colleges.