An MS in chemical engineering prepares the student for a wide variety of employment experiences in industry ranging from plant operation to plant design. Employment opportunities in research may also be available to qualified MS graduates. Typically starting salaries are slightly higher than those for BS graduates. The MS degree is designed to give the student a solid foundation in chemical engineering principles and a strong research experience. For students desiring design experience rather than research experience, the MS degree with design emphasis is available. See the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook for details: chemicalengineering.byu.edu/Grad_Handbook_2012.pdf.
 

Requirements for Degree.

• Credit hours: minimum 30 hours including 6 thesis hours (Ch En 699R). No more than 9 hours of 300–499 level course work will apply toward the master’s degree.  All courses taken to satisfy degree requirements must be approved by the student's advisory committee.
• Required courses: Ch En 531, 533, 535, 601, 691R (every semester) and electives (12 or more hours). For requirements of special programs, see the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook (see web address above).
• Non-Ch En background: students without a previous chemical engineering degree are required to complete the following undergraduate courses in addition to the above requirements:  Ch En 273, 373, 374, 376, 386; Math 302, 303; Chem 351.  In addition, students without adequate exposure to the topics in Ch En 451, 476, and 477 are required to complete 2 hours of Ch En 493R during Spring Term to address these topics.  Specific classes in this list may be waived by the department based on the student's prior coursework.  This requirement is based on two principles:  (1) each student should have a sufficient foundational preparation in the chemical engineering discipline prior to taking the graduate core classes (Ch En 531, 533, and 535), and (2) each graduating student should be competent in a basic set of undergraduate chemical engineering skills as part of their preparation for professional practice.
• English proficiency:  international students whose English language skills are judged by the department to be inadequate for completion of the degree may be required to take one or two ESL courses as specified in the admission letter.
• Residency requirement: residency is required for the major part of the work toward the master of science thesis. This work must be completed under the specific direction of a graduate faculty member while the student is in residence at BYU (at least two consecutive full-time semesters). “In residence” is defined as (1) being registered for credit as a graduate student and (2) living and conducting research in the general vicinity of the university, where the student has ready access to research facilities and consultation with the faculty. Further, all work applying toward any master’s project or thesis must be completely open for university review and publication. Any exceptions to the above must be supported by written approval from the department and college and obtained in advance of any work being performed.
• Prospectus: each student must submit and obtain approval for a written prospectus on his or her proposed thesis topic.
• Periodic reviews: The department evaluates each student’s progress twice a year. Continuance as a candidate requires satisfactory ratings in these reviews.
• Examinations: a comprehensive qualifying examination on graduate engineering skills must be taken and passed as described in the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Handbook. The examination is offered once a year.
• Thesis:  a written thesis on a significant engineering problem must be completed and defended orally to the satisfaction of the department.
• Cumulative GPA: 3.0 or above in all MS degree classes.