University of Utah Graduate Handbook-2022-2023v2

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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION 1
GRADUATE PROGRAM PERSONNEL 2
GRADUATE PROGRAM APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS 3
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 5
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 13
DUAL MBA AND MS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 21
UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL POLICIES 23
GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT EMPLOYMENT 25
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE 26
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 28
REQUIRED FORMS 31
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I NTRODUCTION
Welcome to the Department of Chemical Engineering! This handbook provides students with all necessary
information to successfully navigate their graduate studies, including application procedures, coursework,
research, publications, presentations, writing and defending a thesis or dissertation and day-to-day
professional conduct. Current graduate students are responsible for understanding the information provided
in this handbook as well as policies and procedures of both the department and the University of Utah Graduate
School.
The Department of Chemical Engineering offers the following graduate degrees:
• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering
• Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering
• Dual degree of Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering and Master of Business Administration
(MBA), in coordination with the School of Business
Details of the requirements and procedures for these degrees are presented in the chapters that follow. If you
have any questions regarding the content of this handbook or the Department of Chemical Engineering
Graduate Program, please do not hesitate to contact any of the graduate program personnel listed on the
following page.
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G RADUATE P ROGRAM P ERSONNEL
Prof. Michael Hoepfner, Director of Graduate Studies
Merrill Engineering Building (MEB) Room 3226
(801) 581-3504 – michael.hoepfner@utah.edu
The Director of Graduate Studies oversees policies and procedures for all graduate degrees offered through the
Department of Chemical Engineering and is chair of the department’s Graduate Committee. He is available to
answer general questions about the graduate program and to provide recommendations regarding
coursework. The Director of Graduate Studies also serves as the default advisor for new students that have not
yet established a research advisor.
Wanda Brown, Graduate Academic Advisor

Merrill Engineering Building (MEB) Room 3290F
(801) 585-1181 – wanda.brown@chemeng.utah.edu
The Graduate Academic Advisor assists students in all aspects relating to Chemical Engineering graduate
degrees, including applications, admissions, policies and procedures, graduation, tuition benefit and student
health insurance. All graduate students in the Department of Chemical Engineering are required to meet with
Graduate Academic Advisor during their second semester of coursework (excluding summer) to review
academic plans. In addition, students are expected to meet regularly with the Academic Advisor as they
progress towards their degree to ensure that procedures and forms are properly completed and submitted.
Tracey Farnsworth, Administrative Officer

Merrill Engineering Building (MEB) Room 3290B
(801) 587-3610 – tracey.farsnworth@chemeng.utah.edu
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G RADUATE P ROGRAM A PPLICATION AND A DMISSIONS
The Department of Chemical Engineering welcomes applications for graduate studies from qualified
individuals. Minimum requirements and application procedures are explained below.
EXPECTED PROFICIENCY AND PREREQUISITE COURSES

D OCTORAL AND MASTER’S DEGREES IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
Applicants whose bachelor’s degree is in a related field—chemistry, physics, mathematics, or another branch
of engineering—may seek an advanced degree in chemical engineering provided that they demonstrate
equivalent knowledge in the following subjects. CH EN course codes indicate the course number for the
University of Utah’s Department of Chemical Engineering.
• Physical and Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)

• Calculus, Ordinary Differential Equations
• Computer Language
• Material and Energy Balances (CH EN 2800)
• Fluid Mechanics (CH EN 3353)
• Engineering and Equilibrium Thermodynamics (CH EN 2300 and 3853)
• Reaction Engineering (CH EN 3553)
• Heat Transfer (CH EN 3453)
• Mass Transfer and Separations (CH EN 3603)
Students lacking background in these areas may need to take appropriate courses to prepare for entry into the
graduate core curriculum in chemical engineering. The student must initially consult with the Director of
Graduate Studies and instructors of each of the core graduate courses to determine what remedial preparation
will be required prior to enrolling in those courses.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Applications for graduate study in the Department of Chemical Engineering are submitted online. Details
regarding the application procedure and a link to the online application are available on the Chemical
Engineering Graduate Program web site (http://che.utah.edu/graduate). The following information will be
required for the application.
GPA: The University of Utah Graduate School requires that all applicants for graduate degrees have a minimum
3.0 GPA (of maximum 4.0) to be considered for admission. Applications of students with a GPA below 3.0 will
not be evaluated. The minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA for the Chemical Engineering PhD program is
3.25. The minimum acceptable undergraduate GPA to be admitted into any Department of Chemical
Engineering Master’s program is 3.0. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into
the graduate program.
GRE Scores: Students must have their official GRE scores sent to the University of Utah Testing Center by
Educational Testing Service (ETS). The department code is 1001. GRE scores are required from all applicants,
regardless of background or previous degrees. The minimum GRE score for consideration for graduate studies
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in the Department of Chemical Engineering is 155 for master’s applicants and 160 for PhD applicants, based on
a test taken within the past 24 months; older GRE scores will not be taken into consideration.
TOEFL or IELTS Language Test for International Students: International applicants are required to take
the TOEFL or IELTS test. The University of Utah requires a minimum TOEFL score of 80 iBT (550 pBT), or a
minimum IELTS band score of 6.5, for an application to be evaluated. The Department of Chemical Engineering
looks favorably upon applicants with a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 96 (590 pBt; 7 IELTS). International
students that have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution in the United States,
Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand are not required to take the
TOEFL exam. More information regarding language proficiency requirements is available at the University’s
Office of International Admissions (http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/international/graduate.php).
Transcripts: Transcripts from all universities attended must be sent directly to the University’s Office of
Admissions (http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/graduate). For the graduate school application, unofficial
transcripts are acceptable. If a student is accepted into the graduate program, they will then be notified to send
official transcripts.
Letters of Recommendation: As part of the application, students are required to submit at least three letters
of recommendation. These letters are to be submitted electronically through the online graduate application.
Paper copies (hardcopies) of recommendation letters sent to the department risk not being included with the
application, which would result in an incomplete file which would not be evaluated.
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D OCTOR OF P HILOSOPHY IN C HEMICAL E NGINEERING
The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering represents scholarly achievement
demonstrated by independent research. A Ph.D. candidate must be able to demonstrate competence in the
subject matter of his or her field. Of major importance to the Ph.D. degree is the student's research, publication
in peer-reviewed journals, and dissertation, which must provide new and significant contribution to knowledge
in the student's field. The intellectual and creative matter presented in the dissertation must meet the
standards of the department and university. Typically, successful completion of a PhD degree requires five
years for students entering the program with a bachelor’s degree. The maximum allowable time for completion
of the PhD degree is seven years.
TRACKS & COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Tracks and course requirements depend on the background of the student, as described below:
Track A (Students Whose BS/BA Degree is in Chemical Engineering):

Core Courses: Students must take the following core courses and earn an average GPA of 3.3.
• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

• CH EN 6603 – Multicomponent Mass Transfer (3 credits)
Electives: Students must take 21 elective credit hours, of which at least 9 must be chemical engineering
electives. 2 hours of Intro to Research and 1.0 hour of Grad Seminar will round out the total required 30 credit
hours of coursework. Grades below C will not count towards the student’s graduate program.
Track B (Students Whose BS/BA Degree is NOT in Chemical Engineering):

Core Courses: Students whose bachelor’s degree is not in Chemical Engineering must take the following four
core courses and earn an average GPA of 3.3, with no grade below a C.

• CH EN 6553 – Chemical Reaction Engineering (3 credits)
• CH EN 6853 – Thermodynamics (3 credits)
hours of coursework. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
Track C (Students Entering with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering):
Core Courses: Students who already have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering must take the following
two core courses and earn an average GPA of 3.3.

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hours of coursework. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
Track D (Students Entering with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the U of U):
Students who already have a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Utah are not
required to take core courses. Students must take 2.0 hours of Intro to Research and 1.0 hour of Grad Seminar.
Electives, if any, will be determined by the faculty advisor. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the
student’s graduate program.
Track E (Students Entering with a Master’s Degree NOT in Chemical Engineering):

Students who already have a Master’s degree but in a discipline other than Chemical Engineering are required
to take the core courses according to their Bachelor’s degree and 2 hours of Intro to Research and 1.0 hour of
Grad Seminar.
Bachelors in Chemical Engineering:

Bachelors NOT in Chemical Engineering:

Electives: Total hours and course requirements are to be determined by the student’s Faculty Advisor. Grades
below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
I N T R OD U CT I ON TO R E SE A R C H AND G R A D U A T E S E M I N A R S E QU E N CE :
Introduction to Research (CH EN 7753 and 7755) must be taken the first two semesters (fall and spring) of a
student’s PhD program. Graduate Seminar (CH EN 7857 and 7859) is required every subsequent fall and spring
semester until graduation, or student is no longer eligible for Tuition Benefit. The seminars expose graduate
students to topics outside their normal area of research and provide an excellent opportunity to broaden their
scientific awareness and understanding.
CH EN 7973: T HE SI S R E SE A R C H – P H D:
Once the student has selected a research topic and faculty advisor, she/he will be expected to register each
semester for CH EN 7973 (research). A minimum of 14 credit hours of Thesis Research is required for the PhD
degree. Students typically register for enough Thesis Research credits to bring their total number of credit
hours to 9 hours for Fall and Spring semesters and 3 for Summer Term. The Thesis Research course is graded
on a credit/no-credit basis. Students must request the class number and permission code from the Graduate
Academic Advisor. If a student does not yet have a faculty advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies serves as
the instructor for the Thesis Research course.
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DEGREE MILESTONES
P RELIMINARY E VALUATION
A student’s performance in the 2-4 graduate core courses serves as the preliminary examination for the
department. Doctoral students must attain a minimum average GPA of 3.3 in these courses to continue towards
a graduate degree. Note that Chemical Engineering graduate students cannot take these courses using a CR/NC
option. In addition, any grade less than a C will be unacceptable for credit in a Chemical Engineering course.
Students who do not meet these minimum requirements must develop a plan, in consultation with their Faculty
Advisor, and then petition the Graduate Committee for the required action. The Department of Chemical
Engineering may dismiss students that do not meet these minimum standards.
Although a specific timeframe for completion of the core courses is not mandated, it is in the best interest of
the student to complete the core courses as soon as possible. Note that there is a limit on the number of tuition
benefits a student may receive in the Tuition Benefit Program (10 semesters for Bachelors-to-PhD students; 8
semesters for Masters-to-PhD students). Therefore, timely completion of all graduate coursework should be a
priority.
Q UALIFYING E XAM
PhD students are required to take the Qualifying Examination, students are eligible to take the exam only after
core coursework has been completed with a minimum average GPA of 3.3.
The Qualifying Examination consists of a critical review of a scientific paper, presented in both written and oral,
and is used as a means for determining potential for doctoral-level graduate research. The examination
provides an opportunity for the faculty to (1) evaluate the student’s critical thinking ability and creativity
through their independent evaluation of someone else’s work, and (2) evaluate the student’s understanding of
basic chemical engineering principles as covered by the Chemical Engineering graduate core courses.
Students will be assigned a journal article. They will be given one week in which to perform their critical review
and to submit a written synopsis of no more than five, double-spaced pages. The written critiques will be based
on guidelines provided below. Students are not allowed to seek help from other students or faculty
members once they have received the journal article.
All faculty members are encouraged to evaluate the students taking the Qualifying Examination. Each faculty
member will be given a profile of each student that is taking the exam; the profile will contain a summary of
their Preliminary Examination (core courses and grades) and any other relevant information. Each faculty
member will also be given a copy of the student’s written critique and should read and evaluate the written
critique before the oral component of the exam. Small groups of faculty, four to five, will be scheduled for 1
hour per student to evaluate the student’s performance. The students will present their critical review,
uninterrupted, for no more than 15 minutes to the small faculty group. Faculty will have 25 to 30 minutes to
question the student. Faculty may question the student on the written critique, the oral presentation, the article,
or basic chemical engineering principles as defined by the core curriculum. Students will rotate through at least
two of these small groups; they will have a 15-minute break between presentations while the faculty members
evaluate student performance. A minimum of 8 faculty members must evaluate each student.
At the end of the 45-minute presentation and question-and-answer period, the student will be excused, and
each faculty member will write an evaluation of the student on a standardized evaluation that will provided to
the faculty before the exams begin. Students will be able to see a blank copy of the evaluation to help prepare
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for the qualifying exam. The evaluation must contain constructive feedback to aid the student in case he/she
does not pass the Qualifying Examination. The feedback will be collected and given to the Graduate Committee.
Every faculty member will have one vote of a ‘pass’ or ‘fail’ for each student. The faculty will vote on their
evaluation sheets and the vote will be confidential and anonymous. The votes will be counted at the end of the
Qualifying Examination. Students who have been voted ‘pass’ by 75% or more of the faculty will pass the
Qualifying Examination without discussion. Students who are voted ‘fail’ by more than 50% of the faculty will
fail the Qualifying Examination without discussion. Students who receive at least 50% but less than 75% ‘pass’
will be discussed by members participating in that student’s exam as soon as possible after the exam period.
The student’s research advisor will attend the discussion, and all faculty will be invited to attend. Students will
be notified by letter of the outcome of their examination. Students who did not pass will be given feedback on
how to improve their performance.
Students who fail the Qualifying Examination may petition the Graduate Committee to retake the examination
at a later date. University guidelines specify that the Qualifying Examination can only be repeated once
(Graduate Handbook, the Graduate School of the University of Utah). Students who fail the Qualifying Exam a
second time will be excused from the PhD program. A student who fails the Qualifying Exam a second time but
has not yet received his/her Master’s degree may petition the Graduate Committee to change to a Masters
(thesis) program, provided that they have support of a research advisor. The Qualifying Examination will be
offered at least twice yearly. Students are encouraged to take this examination as soon as possible. Students
must have completed the required graduate core courses and passed the preliminary exam before requesting
a Qualifying Examination.
W R I T T E N C R I T I Q U E G U I D E LI N E S
Students shall write a five-page, double-spaced critical review of a journal article provided by the Graduate
Committee. The critical review should be more than a summary of the work and should address the following
points.
• The originality of the work

• The quality of the technical approach
• The appropriateness of conclusions in light of the technical work performed
• The clarity of the presentation
• The importance of the work to the field
The specific details of this review will depend on the nature of the article selected. Examples of the types of
questions that a review should address include: Are the assumptions made in the theory or models sufficiently
general to allow broad application? Is the experimental design adequate to address the questions? Are the
conclusions adequately supported by the data presented? Are there alternative explanations of the results
which the authors did not consider? Are the literature references appropriate, and correct? How does this work
compare and contrast to other published works in this area?
O R A L E X A M I N A T I O N G U I D E LI N E S
In the first half of this oral exam, the student will present an uninterrupted oral summary of the technical paper,
including highlights of the student’s critique. The length of this oral presentation must not exceed 15 minutes,
with no more than 7 minutes spent discussing the background of the research topic. A question-and-answer
period of approximately 30 minutes will follow the oral summary, in which the student will answer questions
about the technical paper, the written critique, and concepts in the core Chemical Engineering graduate
courses. The student should be prepared to answer questions about the following:
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• The technical assumptions of all the models and equations appearing in the technical paper, and the
validity of these assumptions.
• The basic Chemical Engineering principles involved in this paper and how they are applied.
• Comparison between the technical paper and other important published papers on the same or similar
research topic.
• The validity of the conclusions of the technical paper.
• Suggestions for future work on the same research topic covered by the technical paper.
• Basic chemical engineering principles from all of the core courses, whether or not they are involved in
the paper.
R ESEARCH P ROPOSAL
Students are not eligible to submit a Research Proposal until they have successfully passed the Qualifying
Examination and established their Supervisory Committee. Ph.D. students are strongly encouraged to
complete their Research Proposal within one year of passing the Qualifying Examination.
The Research Proposal involves the creation of a written proposal and an oral defense of that proposal to a
student’s Supervisory Committee. The proposal should be completed once a student has made significant
progress towards a doctoral degree, typically after completion of their second year of graduate work. The
Research Proposal provides an opportunity for the student to formulate a plan for completion of his/her degree
when the student is at a stage where they are intimately familiar with their research area and will have
completed a significant fraction of their research. The proposal presentation provides a forum where the
student and the Supervisory Committee can determine what will be required of the student to complete his/her
dissertation. It is recommended that the student meet informally with individual members of the Supervisory
Committee during preparation of the proposal.
The written proposal should not be longer than 20 double-spaced, typewritten pages of text, excluding
nomenclature, references tables, figures, and appendices. It is recommended that the document be organized
in the format presented below. This written document must be reviewed by the student’s faculty advisor before
submitting it to the Supervisory Committee. Final approval of the proposal will come after review by the entire
Supervisory Committee and the oral presentation.
The oral presentation should closely reflect the contents of the written proposal and should be no longer than
30 minutes, assuming that there are no interruptions. The student is encouraged to limit discussion of
background information to 5 minutes and dedicate the remainder of the presentation to a detailed description
of the proposed research program. The originality and potential significance of the proposed research should
be emphasized.
The outcome of this proposal will be Pass, Pass with Qualification, or Fail. The Pass with Qualification may
require that the student rewrite all or part of the research proposal and/or make a second oral presentation.
The rewritten proposal must be resubmitted to the Supervisory Committee for approval.
The student should not write the research proposal assuming that the readers will be experts in the area of
research of the proposal. The proposal should be written at a level that is understandable to a reader with only
a general knowledge of chemical engineering.
The student should bring a copy of the Research Proposal Form (available in the Graduate section of the
Chemical Engineering web site) to the oral presentation and obtain required signatures from the Supervisory
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Committee. The completed form, including indication of Pass, Pass with Qualification or Fail, should be
submitted to the Graduate Academic Advisor of the Department of Chemical Engineering.
R E C OM M E N D E D O U T LI N E F OR R E SE A R CH P R OP O SA L
1. Cover page
2. Summary (one page)
a. Research objectives
b. Significance of the proposed research
3. Literature Review (~5 pages)
a. The general literature in the field
b. Previous and current work conducted in the research advisor’s lab
4. Proposed Research Program (~8 pages, not including figures)
a. Research objectives
b. Expected significance
c. Broad description of experiments and/or modeling to be undertaken
d. Adequate description of proposed experimental and/or numerical methods
e. Relation of the proposed program to the research cited in the literature survey
5. A Clear and Concise Statement of the Student’s Original Contributions
6. Nomenclature
7. References
M ILESTONE M ASTER ’ S D EGREE (O PTIONAL )

Upon completion of the Qualifying Examination, all coursework (with cumulative GPA above 3.3), submission
of the Supervisory Committee and Program of Study forms, successful defense of the student’s research
proposal, and submission of at least one first-author manuscript based on the student’s research to a peer-
reviewed journal, a PhD candidate may submit an application for a Milestone Master’s degree to the Graduate
Academic Advisor. A Master of Science program will be added to the student’s PhD program, and the two
degrees will be conferred upon completion of the PhD.
P H D D ISSERTATION
All doctoral students are required to write an original dissertation based on their research. Details regarding
content and format can be found in the Handbook for Theses and Dissertations.
D ISSERTATION D EFENSE
PhD Candidates must defend their dissertation 8 weeks prior to the end of the semester of graduation in order
to allow sufficient time for corrections to the dissertation before it is sent to the Thesis Office for Format
Approval. (See the Thesis Office web page for deadlines for format approval.) A student must also have a time
period of 6 months, at a minimum, between the proposal defense and dissertation defense. This defense will
suffice as the final oral examination and will be administered by the student’s Supervisory Committee. A
defense can take up to 3 hours.
R E C OM M E N D E D O U T LI N E F OR T HE SI S D E FE N SE
• 35-40 minute presentation focusing on results and contributions to scientific understanding
• Question and Answer session with the public
• Excuse the public and continue with a Question and Answer session with your supervisory committee
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R E QU I R E D F O R M S ( ON H A N D T HE D A Y OF T HE D E F E N SE ):
• PhD Final Exam Form (found at www.che.utah.edu/graduate/forms)

• Doctoral Supervisory Committee Approval and Final Reading Approval (Thesis Office)
• Doctoral Statement of Approval (Thesis Office)
The supervisory committee may approve and sign the required forms, or they may conditionally approve in
which the student will be required to make specific corrections before their committee will sign the required
forms. A committee may also not approve at which point the supervisory committee will determine if
corrections can be made and/or a new defense will be required, or if a student will be dismissed from the
program. Students are encouraged to maintain notice of Thesis Office submission deadlines to ensure their
graduation date. Students are not officially graduated until their thesis has been published.
R ESEARCH P ROJECT AND F ACULTY A DVISOR

PhD students enter the graduate program either (a) already assigned a faculty advisor and research project,
arranged through previous correspondence, or (b) under a Departmental Fellowship with no faculty advisor
or research project yet established. Students entering the PhD program under a Departmental Fellowship will
participate in a standardized assignment procedure facilitated by the department. This includes presentations
by hiring faculty during the Intro to Research course. Students are then expected to meet with 6-8 faculty
individually to learn additional details about their research and group culture. Students are also encouraged to
attend research group meetings and/or to perform experiments on a short-term basis during this period. On a
determined date students will list their top choices of faculty to work with for their PhD research. Faculty will
have the final authority on whether to accept a student into their research group.
R EQUEST FOR S UPERVISORY C OMMITTEE

The student’s Supervisory Committee is responsible for approving the student’s program of study, research
proposal defense, and dissertation defense. PhD Supervisory Committees consist of five members: three
Department of Chemical Engineering tenured or tenure-track faculty, one external member, and one member
with optional affiliation. The student’s research advisor is the chair of the Supervisory Committee, which fills
one of the three Chemical Engineering faculty membership requirement. If a student requests to have a member
that is a non-tenure-track professor or is not affiliated with the University, it must be approved by the
department’s Graduate Academic Advisor and the Graduate School. The Supervisory Committee Form can be
found on the Chemical Engineering website, che.utah.edu; the form must be signed by the committee members
and submitted to the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor. The Supervisory Committee is required to be
formed no later than six months after a student successfully passes the Qualifying Exam.
P ROGRAM OF S TUDY
PhD candidates are required to complete no fewer than three full years of approved graduate work and a
dissertation; more time may be required. A student’s Program of Study must follow the outline of their specific
track in conjunction with recommendations from their advisor and approved by the Supervisory Committee.
Students must complete the online Program of Study Form and submit to the department’s Graduate
Academic Advisor. This is due by the end of the student’s second year of the program.
P RESENTATIONS AND P UBLICATIONS

PhD candidates are expected to demonstrate intellectual contributions to their area of research as evidenced
by the publication of at least two, and preferably three or more peer-reviewed papers in archival journals,
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transactions, or proceedings. They are also encouraged to give technical presentations at meetings, conferences
and seminars.
T EACHING A SSISTANT E XPERIENCE

PhD students are required to complete two TA experiences during their program. Students can serve as a TA
at any time during their program. In general, graduate students will have successfully completed the core
chemical engineering course work before requesting a TA assignment. Detailed information about the
responsibilities and expectations of teaching assistants can be found on page 25 of this guide.
T IME R ESTRICTIONS
PhD students in the Department of Chemical Engineering must complete their PhD degrees, including final
publication of their dissertation, within seven years. Students entering the program with a BS degree should
strive to complete their PhD degree in no more than 5 years, in part because that corresponds to the duration
of tuition benefit. Students entering the PhD program with Master’s degrees should expect to complete their
degree within 4 years, again corresponding to tuition benefit restrictions. Please see section on the Tuition
Benefit Program on page 26 for more information.
REQUIRED FORMS AND FILING PROCEDURES

Several forms must be completed and submitted throughout the progress of the degree. It is a student’s
responsibility to ensure that all forms are submitted by the due date. Please see page 31 of this handbook for a
summary of required forms and deadlines.
Students are encouraged to read the Thesis Office’s “Handbook for Theses and Dissertations,” and note
submission deadlines to avoid any complications with their anticipated graduation.
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M ASTER OF S CIENCE IN C HEMICAL E NGINEERING
(THESIS/NON-THESIS)
The Master of Science degree allows students an opportunity to earn an advanced degree in chemical
engineering in less time and with lower research intensity than the PhD degree. Students will develop a deeper
understanding of core principles of chemical engineering and will learn the art of independent research. The
Master of Science in Chemical Engineering degree can be a good springboard for a PhD, since the course
requirements for the two degrees are similar.
The University of Utah Department of Chemical Engineering offers several options for students to earn a Master
of Science in Chemical Engineering degree:
• Coursework-Based track*: This option provides an opportunity for students to deepen their
knowledge of chemical engineering subjects through coursework. Students must complete 30 credit
hours of core and elective engineering courses with an average GPA of 3.3 to receive their degree. This
track can usually be completed in 16 to 24 months. Students on this track are responsible for covering
all costs for the degree.
• Project-Based track*: Under this track, students perform an independent, self-directed project
chosen either through consultation with their supervisory committee or through their employer. The
project is worth six credit hours and students take 24 additional core and elective credit hours.
Completing the degree involves an oral defense of the project before the supervisory committee. This
track can usually be completed in 16 to 24 months. Students on this track are responsible for covering
all costs for the degree.
• Thesis-Based track: For the thesis-based Master of Science degree, students must complete 30 credit
hours of core and elective courses and perform independent research under the direction of a faculty
advisor. It is expected that at least one peer-reviewed article related to the research project will be
published. Students must write and successfully orally defend a Master’s thesis in order to receive the
degree. This track typically takes 24 to 36 months to complete and is coordinated under special
circumstances through special arrangement with a supporting faculty member.
• Dual MBA and Master of Science in Chemical Engineering Program: This program, which is
coordinated in conjunction with the David Eccles School of Business, offers students an opportunity to
earn two impressive Master’s degrees in less than three years. Details about this option are provided
on page 21 of this handbook.
• Chemical Engineering BS/MS Program: This program allows current chemical engineering
Bachelor’s students to acquire an MS with just one more year of study. Interested students should
contact the undergraduate academic advisor.
* Students can switch between the coursework- and project-based non-thesis tracks at any time
during their degree.
Details regarding coursework and degree procedures for the first three options are provided on the following
pages.
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MS DEGREE – COURSEWORK-BASED TRACK
C OURSEWORK
A total of 30 credit hours of coursework is required for a Master’s degree.
Core Courses. Students pursuing a coursework-only degree must take the following four core courses and
earn an average GPA of 3.3 between the four, with no grade below a C+.

Elective Courses. Students must take 18 elective credit hours, at least 9 of which must be chemical engineering
electives. A minimum C+ is required for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
R EQUIREMENTS , P ROCEDURES AND A SSOCIATED F ORMS

ADVISORS
The Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Academic Advisor oversee students pursuing a non-thesis,
coursework-based degree. A supervisory committee is not required for these students.
P R E LI M I N A R Y E V A LU A T I ON
A student’s performance in the four graduate core courses serves as the preliminary examination for the
department. Masters students on the non-thesis, coursework-based track must attain a minimum GPA of 3.3 in
these courses, with no grade below a C+, to continue towards a graduate degree. (Courses for the degree cannot
be taken using a CR/NC option.) Students who do not meet these minimum requirements must arrange a
meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies. The Department of Chemical Engineering may dismiss students
that do not meet these minimum standards.
P R OG R A M OF STUDY
For students pursuing a non-thesis, coursework-based Master of Science degree, the Program of Study is
constructed with course recommendations from the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must complete the
online Program of Study Form and submit it to the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor. It is
recommended that the Program of Study be established during the second year of studies. It is due no later
than one semester before the anticipated semester of graduation.
F I N A L E X A M I N A T I ON
The final exam (required by the University Graduate School) for the non-thesis, coursework-based Masters is
simply the GPA based on the graduate-level courses taken for the degree. Students achieving a minimum 3.3
GPA pass the final exam. In addition, students must have at least a C+ in all courses.
14
C HA N G E TO P R O JE C T -B A SE D M A ST E R ’ S D E G R E E
Students in the non-thesis, coursework-based Master’s degree may change to a non-thesis, project-based
degree at any time by informing the Graduate Academic Advisor. Note that the student must establish a
Supervisory Committee for a project-based degree if one does not already exist.
T I M E R E ST R I C T I ON S
Typically, a student in the non-thesis, coursework-based Master’s program can complete the degree in two
years. The University requires that all M.S. students complete their degree within 4 years.
R E QU I R E D F O R M S
15
MS DEGREE – PROJECT-BASED TRACK
C OURSEWORK
A total of 30 credit hours of coursework is required for a Master’s degree.
Core Courses: Students must take the following four core courses and earn an average GPA of 3.0 between the
four, with no grade below a C.

Elective Courses: Students must take 12 elective credit hours, at least 6 of which must be chemical engineering
electives. At least a C grade is required for credit towards the student’s graduate degree.
CH EN 6253 – Advanced Design Project (6 credit hours): This course is required for students pursuing the
project-based MS degree. This is a capstone project with a topic approved by student’s Supervisory Committee.
Students register for this course in the semester they anticipate graduation. Work on this project may and
should be spread over a student’s entire program. The grade is based on the written and oral reports and is
administered by the student’s Supervisory Committee.

department. Masters students on the non-thesis, project-based track must attain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in these
courses, with no grade below a C, to continue towards a graduate degree. (Courses for the degree cannot be
taken using a CR/NC option.) Students who do not meet these minimum requirements must arrange a meeting
with the Director of Graduate Studies. The Department of Chemical Engineering may dismiss students that do
not meet these minimum standards.
S U P E R V I S OR Y C OM M I T T E E
Students pursuing a non-thesis, project-based Masters must establish a Supervisory Committee by the end of
the second semester of the student’s program. The student’s Supervisory Committee is responsible for
approving the student’s Program of Study and project defense. The student, in consultation with his/her
Program Advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies, selects potential members of the Supervisory Committee.
The M.S. Supervisory Committees consist of three members: a chair (the student’s program advisor) and
two additional members. Committee members are typically tenured or tenure track faculty in Department of
Chemical Engineering, although one member external to the department may be allowed. If a student requests
to have a member that is a non-tenure-track professor or is not affiliated with the University, it must be
approved by the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor and the Graduate School. The Supervisory
Committee Form, which is available on the Chemical Engineering graduate program website must be signed
by the committee members and submitted to the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor.
16
For students pursuing a non-thesis, project-based Master of Science degree, the Program of Study is
constructed with course recommendations from the student’s Program Advisor and Supervisory Committee.
Students must complete the online Program of Study Form and submit it to the department’s Graduate
Academic Advisor. It is recommended that the Program of Study be established during the second year of
studies. It is due no later than one semester before the anticipated semester of graduation.
F I N A L E X A M I N A T I ON (P R OJE CT D E FE N SE )
An oral defense of the Special Project, administered by the Supervisory Committee, serves as the final
examination for the candidate’s program. The final exam must be scheduled following the completion and
approval of the Special Project by their committee chair. Request for Supervisory Committee and Program of
Study forms must be filed and approved by the Graduate School before the defense. Student must be registered
in the semester the oral defense takes place.
C HA N G E TO C OU R SE WO R K -B A SE D M A ST E R ’ S D E G R E E
Students in the non-thesis, project-based Master’s program may change to a non-thesis, coursework-based
Master’s degree by informing the Graduate Academic Advisor. If a Supervisory Committee has already been
established for the student, the student should also inform the committee of the change in track. Students
changing to a coursework-based degree will retain the Supervisory Committee.
Typically, a student in the non-thesis, project-based Master’s program can complete the degree in two years.
The University requires that all M.S. students complete their degree within 4 years.
17
MS DEGREE – THESIS-BASED TRACK
C OURSEWORK
A total of 30 credit hours of coursework is required for a Master’s degree. Course requirements for this track
depend on whether the student has a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering.
Students with a BS/BA Degree in Chemical Engineering
Core Courses: Students with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering must take the following two core
courses and earn an average GPA of 3.3 between the two.
• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics

• CH EN 6603 – Multicomponent Mass Transfer
electives. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
Students Whose BS/BA Degree is NOT in Chemical Engineering
Core Courses: Students whose Bachelor’s degree is not in Chemical Engineering must take the following four
core courses and earn an average GPA of 3.3 between the four, with no grade below a C.
• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics

• CH EN 6553 – Chemical Reaction Engineering
• CH EN 6603 – Multicomponent Mass Transfer
• CH EN 6853 – Thermodynamics
electives. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate program.
Introduction to Research and Graduate Seminar Sequence: All students on the thesis-based track must
take Introduction to Research (CH EN 7753 and 7755) the first two semesters (fall and spring) of the program.
Graduate Seminar (CH EN 7857 and 7859) is required every subsequent fall and spring semester until
graduation, or until student is no longer eligible for Tuition Benefit. The seminars expose graduate students to
topics outside their normal area of research and provide an excellent opportunity to broaden their scientific
awareness and understanding.
CH EN 6973: Thesis Research – Masters: Once the student has selected a research topic and faculty advisor,
she/he will be expected to register each semester for CH EN 6973 (research). A minimum of 9 credit hours of
Thesis Research is required for the thesis-based Master’s degree. Students typically register for enough Thesis
Research credits to bring their total number of credit hours to 11 hours for Fall and Spring semesters and 3 for
Summer Term. The Thesis Research course is graded on a credit/no-credit basis. Students must request the
class number and permission code from the Graduate Academic Advisor. If a student does not yet have a faculty
advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies serves as the instructor for the Thesis Research course.
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A student’s performance in the 2-4 graduate core courses serves as the preliminary examination for the
department. Masters students on the thesis-based track must attain a minimum GPA of 3.0 in these courses,
with no grade below a C, to continue towards a graduate degree. (Courses for the degree cannot be taken using
a CR/NC option.) Students who do not meet these minimum requirements must develop a plan in consultation
with their research advisor or Supervisory Committee and petition the Graduate Committee for the required
action. The Department of Chemical Engineering may dismiss students that do not meet these minimum
standards.
Although a specific timeframe for completion of the core courses is not mandated, it is in the best interest of
the student to complete the core courses as soon as possible. Note that there is a limit on the number of tuition
benefits a student may receive in the Tuition Benefit Program (four semesters for MS Thesis students).
Therefore, timely completion of all graduate coursework should be a priority.
S U P E R V I S OR Y C OM M I T T E E
Students pursuing a thesis-based masters must establish a Supervisory Committee by the end of the second
semester of the student’s program. The student’s Supervisory Committee is responsible for approving the
student’s Program of Study and thesis defense. The student, in consultation with his/her Program Advisor or
the Director of Graduate Studies, selects potential members of the Supervisory Committee. The M.S.
Supervisory Committees consist of three members: a chair (the student’s program advisor) and two additional
members. Committee members are typically tenured or tenure track faculty in Department of Chemical
Engineering, although one member external to the department may be allowed. If a student requests to have a
member that is a non-tenure-track professor or is not affiliated with the University, it must be approved by the
department’s Graduate Academic Advisor and the Graduate School. The Supervisory Committee Form, which
is available on the Chemical Engineering graduate program website must be signed by the committee members
and submitted to the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor.
A student’s program of study is constructed with course recommendations from their advisor and approved by
the Supervisory Committee. Students must complete the online form and submit to the department’s Graduate
Academic Advisor. This is due no later than one semester before the anticipated semester of graduation, and
before the student’s thesis defense.
P U B LI CA T I O N S AND PRESENTATIONS
Thesis-based master’s candidates are expected to demonstrate intellectual contributions to the selected area
of research as evidenced by the publication of at least one peer-reviewed paper in an archival journal,
transaction, or proceeding. They are also encouraged to give technical presentations at meetings, conferences,
and seminars.
T E A CH I N G A SS I ST A N T E X P E R I E N CE
Thesis-based Master’s candidates are required to complete one TA experience during their program. Students
can serve as a TA at any time during their program. In general, graduate students will have successfully
19
completed the core chemical engineering course work before requesting a TA assignment. Detailed information
about the responsibilities and expectations of teaching assistants can be found on page 25 of this guide.
MS T HE SI S
All Master’s students are required to write an original thesis based on their research. Details regarding content
and format can be found in the Handbook for Theses and Dissertations.
T HE S I S D E FE N SE
Master’s Thesis Candidates must defend their thesis 8 weeks prior to the end of the semester of graduation in
order to allow sufficient time for corrections to the thesis before it is sent to the Thesis Office for Format
Approval. (See the Thesis Office web page for deadlines for format approval.) This defense will suffice as the
final oral examination and will be administered by the student’s Supervisory Committee. A defense can take up
to 3 hours.
Recommended Outline for Thesis Defense

• 35-40 minute presentation focusing on results and contributions to scientific understanding
• Question and Answer session with the public
• Excuse the public and continue with a Question and Answer session with your supervisory committee
Required Forms (on hand the day of the defense):

• MS Final Exam Form (found at www.che.utah.edu/graduate/forms)
• Masters Supervisory Committee Approval and Final Reading Approval (Thesis Office)
• Masters Statement of Approval (Thesis Office)
The supervisory committee may approve and sign the required forms, or they may conditionally approve in
which the student will be required to make specific corrections before their committee will sign the required
forms. A committee may also not approve at which point the supervisory committee will determine if
corrections can be made and/or a new defense will be required, or if a student will be dismissed from the
program. Students are encouraged to maintain notice of Thesis Office submission deadlines to ensure their
graduation date. Students are not officially graduated until their thesis has been published.
The length of time required for the M.S. program depends primarily on the diligence with which the student
pursues his or her research/project. Students should strive to complete their M.S. degree in no more than 2
years, in part because that corresponds to the duration of tuition benefit for MS thesis students. The University
requires that all M.S. students complete their degree within 4 years.
20
D UAL M ASTER OF B USINESS A DMINISTRATION (MBA) AND
M ASTER OF S CIENCE IN C HEMICAL E NGINEERING
The dual MBA and MS Chemical Engineering program offers students an opportunity to earn both degrees in
as little as two years. The University of Utah a worldwide hub of innovation and technology commercialization,
and our MBA/MS Engineering graduate students bridge the gap between techno-types and entrepreneurs. The
MBA/MS Engineering dual-degree program combines students' applied interests and training in Engineering
with the comprehensive business skills developed in a full-time MBA program. Graduates develop the skills
needed to move between complex technical issues and the commercial issues of leading and managing
businesses. Our graduates are valuable assets to companies who rely on technological innovation to stay
competitive in the business world. Graduates of the MBA/MS program earn two distinct degrees in one
integrated educational experience. More information is available through the School of Business Full Time
MBA program website http://mba.business.utah.edu/page/mbams-engineering-program.
C OURSE R EQUIREMENTS
A student enrolled in the joint degree program earns both degrees in 24 to 30 months of full-time study. In
general, students take 21 credit hours in the College of Engineering and 47 hours in the College of Business. In
addition, students perform a 6-credit hour capstone project taught across both colleges. For the chemical
engineering MS component of the program, students must take the following four core courses and earn an
average GPA of 3.0, with no grade below a C.

• CH EN 6960 – MS/MBA Capstone (3 credits)
To round out the 21 required credits, students must take 6 elective credit hours, of which at least 3 must be
chemical engineering electives. Grades below C will not count for credit towards the student’s graduate
program.
If the MBA degree is dropped the student must meet with the Director of Graduate Studies to determine the
course of study required to receive the MS degree in Chemical Engineering.

ADVISORS
The Director of Graduate Studies and Graduate Academic Advisor supervise students in the MBA/MS program.
A default supervisory committee is assigned.
department. Students must attain a minimum GPA of 3.3 in these courses, with no grade below a C+, to continue
21
towards a graduate degree. (Courses for the degree cannot be taken using a CR/NC option.) Students who do
not meet these minimum requirements must arrange a meeting with the Director of Graduate Studies. The
Department of Chemical Engineering may dismiss students that do not meet these minimum standards.
The Program of Study for the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering degree of the dual MBA/MS program
is constructed with course recommendations from the Director of Graduate Studies. Students must complete
the online Program of Study Form and submit it to the department’s Graduate Academic Advisor. It is
recommended that the Program of Study be established during the second year of studies. It is due no later
than one semester before the anticipated semester of graduation.
C A P ST O N E P R O JE C T
The Chemical Engineering Capstone project is under the supervision of the Director of Graduate Studies. It is
offered all semesters.
F I N A L E X A M I N A T I ON
The final exam (required by the University Graduate School) for the non-thesis, coursework-based master’s is
simply the GPA based on the graduate-level courses taken for the degree. Students achieving a minimum 3.3
GPA pass the final exam. In addition, students must have at least a C+ in all courses.
In general, completing the two degrees under the MBS / MS ChE program takes 24 to 36 months. The University
requires that all M.S. students complete their degree within 4 calendar years.
22
U NIVERSITY G RADUATE S CHOOL P OLICIES
T RANSFER C REDIT AND C OURSE W AIVERS
Students may petition to have transfer credit substituted for electives. However, the core courses will not be
waived, and transfer credit will not be accepted in place of them. A maximum of 6 semester hours of credit from
another institution, if not already applied towards a previous degree, may be applied toward U of U graduate
degree requirements. Up to 9 credit hours of (6000 level and above) non-matriculated student course work
may be applied to a graduate program. Requests for course waivers must be approved by the Graduate
Committee. The student must submit a formal written petition of no more than 1 page expressing why he/she
feels the waiver is appropriate to the Graduate Advisor. The petition will be discussed at the following Graduate
Committee meeting.
R ESIDENCY R EQUIREMENT
For PhD students, the University of Utah Graduate School requires that at least one year (i.e., two consecutive
semesters) of the doctoral program be spent in full-time academic work in order to fulfill the residency
enrollment requirement. For Master’s students, the Graduate School requires at least 24 credit hours of
resident study at the University of Utah to fulfill the residency enrollment requirement for the MS degree.
A full-time academic load is defined a 9 or more coursework credit hours per semester, including research
credits. Once a student has met the residency requirement, 3 credit hours of thesis research are considered
full-time. As noted in the Financial Assistance section, students who receive a tuition waiver through the
Tuition Benefit program are requested to sign up for 11 credits (courses + research) each spring and fall.
C ONTINUOUS R EGISTRATION P OLICY

All graduate students must be registered for at least one course from the time of formal admission through
completion of all requirements for the degree they are seeking, unless granted an official leave of absence.
Students not on campus and not using University facilities are not expected to register for summer term.
Students must, however, be registered during summer term if they are taking examinations or defending
theses/dissertations during that semester. If students do not comply with this continuous registration policy
and do not obtain an official leave of absence, they will be automatically discontinued from graduate study. In
this case, students will be required to reapply for admission to the University through Graduate Admissions
upon approval of the home department. Students should be registered for graduate level courses (5000-6000
level for masters; 6000-7000 level for doctoral) until they have completed all requirements for the degree
including the defense of the project, thesis, or dissertation.
GPA R EQUIREMENTS / A CADEMIC P ROBATION

All candidates for graduate degrees in Chemical Engineering must maintain an average GPA of 3.0 or better in
the overall course of study in accordance with Graduate School requirements. In addition, they are required to
obtain an average GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) or better in the Chemical Engineering 6000-, and 7000-level courses,
which are used to satisfy degree requirements. Grades below C are not acceptable for credit in any graduate
level course. Students who do not meet these minimum requirements will be placed on Academic Probation at
which point a plan must developed. The course of action and consequences will be at the discretion of the
Faculty Advisor and Supervisory Committee (if applicable). Tuition Benefit will be suspended, and the student
will be required to pay for subsequent semesters until the GPA is restored. The Department of Chemical
Engineering may dismiss students who do not meet these minimum standards.
23
L EAVES OF A BSENCE
Students who wish to discontinue their studies for one or more semesters (other than summer term) must
complete a Leave of Absence Form, available through the university’s Office of the Registrar. The form must be
approved and signed by the supervisory committee chair and department chair or Director of Graduate Studies
and then forwarded to the dean of The Graduate School for approval.
Requests for leaves of absence may be granted for up to one year for circumstances related to:
• A serious health condition of the student or family member,

• Parental leave to care for a newborn or newly adopted child,
• A call to serve in military service, or
• Other compelling reasons that the student’s department believes is in the best interests of both the
student and the University.
The form requesting a leave of absence for a current semester must be completed and received in The Office of
the Registrar by the last day of classes of that semester. Leaves of absence are not granted retroactively.
Students must officially withdraw from classes in any semester for which a leave is granted; failure to formally
withdraw results in the reporting of E or EU grades for all classes.
The period during which a leave of absence is granted does not count toward the period allowed to complete
the degree. Leaves are granted for a maximum of one year at a time and may be renewed by submitting a new
form to The Office of the Registrar. The leave of absence is void if a student registers for classes in a semester
for which a leave was granted.
M AXIMUM H OURS PER S EMESTER

No candidate for a graduate degree is permitted to register for more than 16 credit hours in any single semester.
A schedule of nine hours is considered a full load for masters and doctoral degree candidates. Requests for
exceptions to this policy should be submitted in writing to the dean of The Graduate School by the student’s
supervisory committee chair. Students in the Tuition Benefit Program (TBP) are advised to refer to the TBP
information website to review policies related to maximum hours.
I NTERNATIONAL S TUDENTS
The Department of Chemical Engineering is proud to accept international students into its graduate program.
International students must attend an international student orientation soon after their arrival in the United
States and should report to the International Student & Scholar Services Center (Union Building, 4th floor; 801-
581-8876) as soon as they arrive in Salt Lake City. The International Student & Scholar Services Center is
responsible for approving international students’ leave of absence requests and must be notified of all vacation
semesters. International students are responsible for keeping their visas in status.
E NGLISH L ANGUAGE P ROFICIENCY

All graduate students are expected to have, or to develop, proficiency in both written and oral English. Students
whose first language is not English may be required to take one or more English as a Second Language classes;
more advanced students may be excused.
24
G RADUATE R ESEARCH A SSISTANT E MPLOYMENT
G RADUATE R ESEARCH A SSISTANT A PPOINTMENTS
Graduate students holding appointments as Graduate Research Assistants fill the dual roles of employee and
student. Each is a part-time employee of the University. Faculty advisors set compensation for “effort,” with
consideration of department guidelines and internal equity. The “effort” designated through the payroll system
reflects part-time employment status; it does not reflect the associated personal effort required for a student
to complete research and degree requirements. The graduate student is expected to treat his or her
responsibilities as student and employee synergistically, one complementing the other without division. It will
be a rare situation when a successful graduate student invests less personal effort than compensated effort.
Employment as a Graduate Research Assistant provides compensation and other key resources that meet
sponsored project and degree requirements simultaneously. Funding for experimental and computational
costs of research are provided in association with this appointment. Additionally, the appointments often
provide opportunities to participate in professional conferences (national and international). The professional
work experience adds academic and practical depth to students’ educational experiences.
E XPECTATIONS OF G RADUATE R ESEARCH A SSISTANTS

In return for the university degree and for monetary compensation, it is expected that the Graduate Research
Assistant will provide a work effort equivalent to a full-time professional engineer. As a professional, this
usually means more than 40 hours per week through both the school year and the summer. As a professional,
some flexibility in scheduling work time and place is granted to the Graduate Research Assistant. However, as
a professional, it is expected that the Graduate Research Assistant will be at his or her assigned workspace at
the university for much of the normal work week (8am-5pm), that he or she will make every possible effort to
attend all relevant research meetings, and to contribute to the efforts of the research group even if not directly
applicable to his or her thesis.
P OLICY FOR T ERMINATING A G RADUATE S TUDENT ’ S A SSISTANTSHIP

If a faculty advisor feels that a Graduate Research Assistant is not meeting performance or professional
expectations, he or she has the right to terminate the student’s assistantship. The faculty advisor must inform
the student in writing if there is a serious concern regarding research quality, productivity or professional
conduct. A copy of the letter will be placed in the student’s file, which is kept by the Graduate Academic Advisor.
The letter should include recommendations for corrective actions and desired improvements and should
indicate a date by which improvement is expected. A probationary period of at least four weeks should be
allowed for the student to improve his or her performance. During this period the student should meet with
their advisor at least once. The outcome of this meeting should be documented and placed in the student’s file.
If at the end of the probationary period the faculty advisor does not perceive an improvement, the faculty
advisor should inform the student in writing of the decision to terminate the student’s assistantship. The final
outcome of the process should be documented and placed in the student’s file.
Students whose Graduate Research Assistantship has been terminated are not discharged from the graduate
program. They may seek another faculty advisor and research project, or they may continue their studies
personally funded. Students not supported under a fellowship or research project may not be eligible for
tuition benefit.
25
F INANCIAL A SSISTANCE
Financial assistance is available to PhD students and some thesis master’s students through a number of
avenues, including sponsored-research assistantships, graduate fellowships, and teaching assistantships.
Students on a research assistantship are expected to work on the research project as instructed by the research
supervisor. The University of Utah Research Committee awards a few Graduate Research Fellowships to
graduate students in all colleges and departments of the University that offer advanced degrees. Students are
nominated by the department in early March; contact the Graduate Academic Advisor for more information.
National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellowships and Minority Graduate Fellowships are offered for
study or work leading to advanced degrees in Chemical Engineering. Graduate fellows are selected by the NSF
on the basis of ability, from among persons who are citizens or nationals of the United States. Applicants should
request application cards from the Graduate Fellowship Office in October, complete the cards, and send them
directly to the National Science Foundation. NSF will send each applicant an application to be completed and
returned to NSF by the first week in December (exact date set by NSF each year). The Graduate Record
Examination is required. No dependency allowances will be paid. Tuition and fees are covered.
The College of Engineering administers separate funds for small short-term loans. Student loans are approved
based on merit and need. Application is made through the college.
T UITION B ENEFIT P ROGRAM

Graduate students having assignments as Graduate Research Assistants, Graduate Fellows or Teaching
Assistants may qualify for Tuition Benefit. Full-time, matriculated graduate students whose salary or
fellowship meets minimum support requirements may have 50, 75, or 100 percent of graduate tuition covered.
Students should contact the department if additional information is needed. This benefit applies to graduate
courses in the student’s program of study only. The benefit does not cover special fees or differential tuition.
Students that qualify for the Tuition Benefit are required to adhere to the policy outlined by the Graduate
School, which can be found at http://gradschool.utah.edu/tbp. It is essential that students understand the
following specifics extracted from the policy:
• Students receiving the benefit must be registered for at least 9 semester hours during the fall and
spring semesters (all classes must be approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee) to be eligible
and can register up to a maximum of 11 hours. The Chemical Engineering Department requests that
students who are receiving the Tuition Benefit Program register for 11 hours (courses plus research
hours). Students only receive 3 semester hours of tuition benefit during the summer semester.
• Students in a PhD program who entered with a Bachelor’s degree are limited to 5 years (10 semesters)
of tuition benefit support.
• Students in a PhD program who also received a master’s degree at the University of Utah are limited
to 5 years of tuition benefit support (2 years for a Master’s and 3 additional years for a Doctorate).
• Students entering a PhD program with a Master’s degree from another university are eligible for four
years (8 semesters) of tuition benefit support.
• Students adding or dropping courses after the published university deadline are responsible for paying
all fees incurred.
26
After all course requirements are completed, students may retain their full-time status by registering for at
least 3 thesis research hours. If a graduate student (domestic and international) has used his or her eligible
tuition benefits but must register for thesis credit hours, the resident tuition rate will be charged. Students
must be registered for a minimum of three credit hours, or one credit hour if no longer eligible for tuition
benefit, for the semester in which the thesis/dissertation defense takes place.
Students should consult with the Graduate Academic Advisor to determine how many tuition benefits they
qualify for.
H EALTH I NSURANCE
The Department of Chemical Engineering takes part in the Graduate Student Health Insurance Benefit Plan
(HIBP). The University will provide an 80% subsidy on a single student basic insurance premium for full time
Graduate Research Assistants. More information about the HIBP can be found at http://gradschool.utah.edu/.
Students should consult with the Graduate Academic Advisor about these benefits.
27
O THER I MPORTANT I NFORMATION
SAFETY AND WELLNESS

Your safety is our top priority. In an emergency, dial 911 or seek a nearby emergency phone (throughout
campus). Report any crimes or suspicious people to 801-585-COPS; this number will get you to a dispatch
officer at the University of Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS; dps.utah.edu). If at any time, you would
like to be escorted by a security officer to or from areas on campus, DPS will help — just give a call.
The University of Utah seeks to provide a safe and healthy experience for students, employees, and others who
make use of campus facilities. In support of this goal, the University has established confidential resources and
support services to assist students who may have been affected by harassment, abusive relationships, or sexual
misconduct. A detailed listing of University Resources for campus safety can be found at
https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/campussafety.php
Your well-being is key to your personal safety. If you are in crisis, call 801-587-3000; help is close.
The university has additional excellent resources to promote emotional and physical wellness, including the
Counseling Center (https://counselingcenter.utah.edu), the Wellness Center (https://wellness.utah.edu), and
the Women’s Resource Center (https://womenscenter.utah.edu). Counselors and advocates in these
centers can help guide you to other resources to address a range of issues, including substance abuse and
addiction.
TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS
As part of their educational experience, PhD students are required to perform two (2) unpaid teaching
assistantships. Thesis-based master’s students funded through a research program are required to perform
one (1) unpaid research assistantship. Opportunities to perform additional, paid teaching assistantships may
be available.
R ESPONSIBILITIES AND E XPECTATIONS

• Teaching Assistants are expected to establish rapport with the course instructor(s) and identify the
instructor(s) specific expectations for the course.
• Teaching Assistants are expected to establish office hours and provide weekly help sessions to
students.
• Teaching Assistants will provide grading for assignments, as directed by the instructor.
• The instructor is encouraged to provide the TA with solutions for assignments to be graded to equalize
grading results.
• The instructor is encouraged to grade major exams personally.
• The instructor is encouraged to provide the TA with an opportunity to teach one or two classes to
provide a classroom teaching experience.
28
P ROCESS :
• Students will be notified each semester of TA opportunities.
• The department’s Graduate Academic Advisor will match course needs with student’s and make initial
assignments. Instructors will review and accept or reject the proposed assignments. The academic
advisor will seek to arrange for an alternative assignment for students that are unacceptable in a
course or to an instructor.
• The academic advisor will establish a contract for services with the TA that outlines the expectations
of the department and course instructor. If the assignment is to fulfill a graduation requirement, the
agreement will so state. If the assignment is a paid position, the compensation amount and expected
effort (FTE) will be included in the agreement. Compensation rates are adjusted yearly and are a set
amount regardless of credit hours or number of students in the course.
• The course instructor will complete an evaluation of the TA’s performance at the end of the semester
and submit the evaluation to the department chair. Input from the students of the course should be
solicited. TAs will be provided with a job performance summary from input from instructor and
students. Unsatisfactory performance by the TA may result in (1) the nullification of the assignment as
satisfactory completion of a graduate program requirement or (2) restriction on future participation
in paid TA assignments. The evaluation will become part of the students’ departmental academic files.
OFFICE SPACE, COMPUTERS, E-MAIL, PRINTERS

Office space: Office space and a desk will be provided for all PhD students. Students should speak with their
advisor or the Graduate Academic Advisor regarding location of the desk. Students are responsible for keeping
their desks and work areas clean. Students must clean their desk and office, move out and return office and/or
laboratory keys, within 30 days of defending their dissertation.
Computers: In general, the Department of Chemical Engineering does not provide computers for students. In
exceptional cases, a computer may be provided in association with a research project. Students are welcome to
use their own computers, which can be connected to the University’s network system.
Telephones: The Department of Chemical Engineering does not provide telephones for graduate students. If a
long distance or overseas call needs to be made, students should consult with their research advisor.
Email: All students are assigned a University of Utah email address upon enrollment with the University. The
default email address is e.g., u1234567@utah.edu. Students can make an alias email address, for example
firstname.lastname@utah.edu by visiting the Office of Information Technology University Network ID web site
at http://unid.utah.edu.
Printing and Copying: Availability of printers and copy machines varies by location. In general, printers and
copy machines are to be used for research purposes only. Students are expected to use their own printers for
coursework and personal matters.
29
GRADUATE STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (GSAC)
The Graduate Student Advisory Committee (GSAC) of the Department of Chemical Engineering is dedicated to
the development of graduate student relations and to facilitating meaningful communication among the
students, faculty, and staff. These goals are accomplished through student representation with faculty,
addressing student concerns and planning social activities.
The primary objective of the GSAC is to promote meaningful communication between the student body and the
faculty on a professional and technical as well as a social level. The following duties are illustrative of the ways
in which this can be accomplished:
• The GSAC Chair will attend faculty meetings at the invitation of the Department Chair and provide
student input for matters considered by the faculty.
• As required by university policy, the GSAC will provide recommendations on any faculty members
being considered for retention, tenure, or promotion (RPT).
• The GSAC is responsible for submitting a yearly request for funds to ASUU and is responsible and
accountable for expenditure of any funds appropriated by ASUU.
The Chemical Engineering GSAC represents all graduate students of the Department of Chemical Engineering
and all graduate students engaged in research within one of the departmental research groups. Any student
previously described has the right to participate in planned events and request representation by the Graduate
SAC. For additional information and to view the GSAC please refer to the GSAC website at
https://chegsac.utahclubs.org/.
30
R EQUIRED F ORMS
Required forms for the various graduate degrees are summarized in the table below. Forms must be completed
and submitted to the Graduate Academic Advisor by the specified deadline. Information from the forms is
entered electronically into the university’s graduate student tracking system. Students can check the status of
their forms through the audit link located in the Campus Information System. Forms are available under the
Graduate section of the Chemical Engineering web pages.
All required forms are available for download from the Department of Chemical Engineering web pages at
http://che.utah.edu/graduate/forms/.
MS Chem Eng (coursework)
MS Chem Eng (project)
MS Chem Eng (thesis)

PhD Chem Eng
Form Due
Request for MS Supervisory Committee End of second semester ★ ★
Request for PhD Supervisory Within 6 months of passing

★
Committee qualifying exam
Program of Study End of second year ★ ★ ★ ★
Research Proposal End of second year ★
Milestone Masters Application When milestones met, latest

★
(optional) semester before graduation
Application for Graduate Degree Semester before graduation ★ ★ ★ ★
After approval of thesis or

Final Exam ★ ★ ★ ★
dissertation
With Final Reading Approval
Student Exit ★ ★
form
Supervisory Committee Approval of After approval of thesis or
★
Thesis or Dissertation dissertation
Final Thesis or Dissertation Reading After approval of thesis or
★
Approval dissertation
The purpose of each form is briefly explained on the following page.
31
D ESCRIPTION OF F ORMS
• Supervisory Committee Form: This is a department form that is required to formally establish a
student’s Supervisory Committee. For Master’s students, this form is due by the end of the second
semester of study. For PhD students, the form needs to be submitted within six months of successful
passing of the qualifying exam.
• Program of Study Form: This is a department form that is required to set up a student’s Program of
Study (courses the student will take to meet the requirements of the degree). This form should be
completed in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies. This
form should be submitted by the end of the second year of study.
• Research Proposal Form: This department form, which is for PhD students only, is submitted after
a PhD candidate has successfully passed his or her research proposal. The form needs to be signed by
every member of the candidate’s Supervisory Committee. The research proposal and associated form
should be completed by the end of the second year of study.
• Milestone Masters Application Form: This department form is submitted after a PhD candidate has
fulfilled all requirements for a milestone master’s degree (see page 10) and must be submitted no later
than one semester before the student graduates.
• Application for Graduate Degree: This university form is due to the graduation office one semester
prior to graduation. Students must confer with their advisor regarding graduation date before
submitting this form. Visit http://gradschool.utah.edu/ for graduation application deadlines.
• Final Exam Form: This is a Graduate School form that is submitted to the Graduate Academic Advisor
after the final examination has been approved. The form of the final examination depends on the
degree. For PhD students the final examination is the dissertation defense. For a coursework-based
Masters, the final examination is successful completion of all coursework with a minimum average GPA
of 3.3. For project and thesis-based master’s degrees the final examination is the defense of the project
or thesis.
• Student Exit Form: This department form is required for students who have been performing
research and/or had an office or desk at the university. This form is due to the Graduate Academic
Advisor upon completion of the final exam, and after a student has fulfilled housekeeping obligations
as evidenced by signature of the advisor and Chemical Engineering staff. Failure to submit this form
will stop the graduation process.
• Supervisory Committee Approval of Thesis or Dissertation: This university form is signed by all
members of a student’s Supervisory Committee after the student successfully defends his/her thesis
or dissertation and makes all edits and changes required by the committee.
• Final Reading Approval Form: This university form is submitted after successful completion of the
final exam (thesis defense) and approval of the supervisory committee as evidenced by the
Supervisory Committee Approval Form. This form requires the signature of the Chemical Engineering
Department Chair. NOTE: The department Chair will not sign this form unless it is accompanied by the
completed Student Exit Form. The Final Reading Approval form is submitted to the Thesis Office of the
University Graduate School prior to submitting a thesis for Thesis Office approval.
32

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GRADUATE PROGRAM PERSONNEL 2

GRADUATE PROGRAM APPLICATION AND ADMISSIONS 3

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 5

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 13

DUAL MBA AND MS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 21

UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL POLICIES 23

GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT EMPLOYMENT 25

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION 28

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers the following graduate degrees:

• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in Chemical Engineering

• Master of Science (M.S.) in Chemical Engineering

Wanda Brown, Graduate Academic Advisor

Tracey Farnsworth, Administrative Officer

EXPECTED PROFICIENCY AND PREREQUISITE COURSES

• Physical and Organic Chemistry (2 semesters)

APPLICATION PROCEDURE AND MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TRACKS & COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Track A (Students Whose BS/BA Degree is in Chemical Engineering):

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

Track B (Students Whose BS/BA Degree is NOT in Chemical Engineering):

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

Track C (Students Entering with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering):

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

Track E (Students Entering with a Master’s Degree NOT in Chemical Engineering):

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

Bachelors NOT in Chemical Engineering:

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

• The originality of the work

M ILESTONE M ASTER ’ S D EGREE (O PTIONAL )

• PhD Final Exam Form (found at www.che.utah.edu/graduate/forms)

R ESEARCH P ROJECT AND F ACULTY A DVISOR

R EQUEST FOR S UPERVISORY C OMMITTEE

P RESENTATIONS AND P UBLICATIONS

T EACHING A SSISTANT E XPERIENCE

REQUIRED FORMS AND FILING PROCEDURES

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

R EQUIREMENTS , P ROCEDURES AND A SSOCIATED F ORMS

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

R EQUIREMENTS , P ROCEDURES AND A SSOCIATED F ORMS

Students with a BS/BA Degree in Chemical Engineering

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics

Students Whose BS/BA Degree is NOT in Chemical Engineering

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics

Recommended Outline for Thesis Defense

Required Forms (on hand the day of the defense):

• CH EN 6353 – Fluid Mechanics (3 credits)

R EQUIREMENTS , P ROCEDURES AND A SSOCIATED F ORMS

C ONTINUOUS R EGISTRATION P OLICY

GPA R EQUIREMENTS / A CADEMIC P ROBATION

• A serious health condition of the student or family member,

M AXIMUM H OURS PER S EMESTER

E NGLISH L ANGUAGE P ROFICIENCY

E XPECTATIONS OF G RADUATE R ESEARCH A SSISTANTS

P OLICY FOR T ERMINATING A G RADUATE S TUDENT ’ S A SSISTANTSHIP

T UITION B ENEFIT P ROGRAM

SAFETY AND WELLNESS

R ESPONSIBILITIES AND E XPECTATIONS