BS in Chemical Engineering
The undergraduate experience includes course work, independent research experience and a host of departmental activities.
The undergraduate program provides a chemical engineering degree that is a passport to many careers in directly related industries as diverse as biochemical engineering, environmental management, and pharmaceuticals. The degree is also used by many students as a springboard from which to launch careers in medicine, law, management, banking and finance, politics, and other pursuits. For those interested in the fundamentals, a career of research and teaching is a natural continuation of their undergraduate studies. Whichever path the student may choose after graduation, the program offers a deep understanding of the physical and chemical nature of things and provides an insight into an exploding variety of new technologies that are rapidly reshaping the society we live in.
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University is to provide an outstanding academic and research experience to students to prepare them to meet the needs and challenges of the 21st century.
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Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Chemical Engineering Program achieve success in one or more of the following within a few years of graduation:
- Careers in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
- Leadership positions in industries that require technical expertise in chemical engineering.
- Graduate-level studies in chemical engineering and related technical or scientific fields (e.g. biomedical or environmental engineering, materials science).
- Careers outside of engineering that take advantage of an engineering education, such as business, management, finance, law, medicine, or education.
- A commitment to life-long learning and service within their chosen profession.
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Important Links
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- Bulletin
- Old Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
- New Chemical Engineering Study Plan*
- Chemical Engineering Registration Form
- "Old" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
- "New" Chemical Engineering Technical Electives List
- Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Concentrations
- Course Equivalency Form for Combined Plan Students
- Course Equivalency Form for Transfer Students
- SEAS Outside/Summer Credit Approval Form
- Chemical Engineering Senior Thesis Guidelines
*Note: students in the Classes of 2026 & 2027 may choose to use either the "new" or "old" study plan. Students in the Class of 2028 and later are required to use the "New" study plan.
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Student Outcomes
Upon graduation, we expect our students to have:
- An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
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Enrollment and Graduation Statistics
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Sophomores 19 15 11 13 19 25 Juniors 38 30 23 19 17 22 Seniors 31 37 29 22 19 16 Total 88 82 63 54 55 63 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 Graduates 31 39 29 21 20 14
Undergraduate Financial Aid
What matters most to us is your ability to thrive at Columbia.
We offer plenty of financial options to support you through your journey with us. Learn more about the types of aid that are available.
Entrepreneurship
Considering launching a startup during your studies or after you graduate? Columbia Engineering Innovation, Design & Entrepreneurship team can help you develop the business acumen to successfully launch your venture.
The team offers specialist entrepreneurship courses, bootcamps, networking opportunities and spaces for prototyping and testing. They also organize competitions with opportunities to win seed funding. This community of talented professors, students and alumni will give you the network of support needed to achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
Entrepreneurship Opportunities