M.S. in Criminal Justice
The M.S. in Criminal Justice at UTC is structured to provide students with advanced kno...
M.S. in Engineering: Chemical
Chattanooga, Tennessee
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at UTC is designed to deepen students' knowledge beyond their undergraduate studies. It emphasizes applying theoretical knowledge to practical problems, thereby preparing graduates for impactful careers. The curriculum is structured to include coursework in the first year and significant research or project work in the second year. Students have the option of a thesis track, which requires 33 credit hours, including 12 hours of thesis research and a successful thesis defense, or a non-thesis option, typically 30 credit hours, culminating in a comprehensive exam. This flexibility allows students to align their graduate studies with their career aspirations, whether that involves further academic research or direct entry into industry.
STEM-Designated: While the search results do not explicitly state "STEM-designated" for the M.S. in Chemical Engineering at UTC, it is overwhelmingly likely that it is a STEM-designated program. Chemical Engineering, as a core engineering discipline, falls squarely within the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Universities like UTC that offer M.S. degrees in engineering typically have these programs classified as STEM. This designation is highly beneficial for international students, as it allows for an extended Optional Practical Training (OPT) period in the U.S. after graduation, providing more time for work experience.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the M.S. in Chemical Engineering is divided into four key areas. Area I focuses on mathematics, requiring 3 credit hours. Area II allows for electives, providing flexibility for students to choose courses that align with their interests. Area III comprises 12 credit hours of chemical engineering core courses, covering essential advanced topics such as Advanced Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena, Mass Transfer Operations, and Chemical Engineering Kinetics and Reactor Design. Area IV is dedicated to project and research work, with thesis students completing 12 hours of thesis research. The program also integrates concepts from modern innovations like nanotechnology, bioengineering, sustainability, and environmental engineering, ensuring a comprehensive and current education.
Research Focus: UTC's Chemical Engineering program has a strong research focus, emphasizing both fundamental and applied research. Faculty expertise spans traditional areas like reactors, thermodynamics, control systems, and separation, as well as emerging fields. Key research areas include materials innovation (e.g., transparent insulating materials, lightweight additives, graphene), sustainable energy (e.g., solar thermal energy conversion, energy-efficient building, water harvesting from air, biofuels, advanced battery design), and biomolecular engineering (e.g., deciphering bacterial disease pathogenesis, constructing microbial cell factories, therapeutic production). The program offers significant opportunities for multidisciplinary approaches to engineering problems, encouraging students to contribute new knowledge to the field through experiments and publications.
Industry Engagement: The M.S. in Chemical Engineering program at UTC is committed to preparing graduates for the demands of industry. It incorporates real-life problem-solving opportunities through applied research and practical experience. The program's blend of traditional and modern chemical engineering concepts, coupled with its strong research capabilities, aims to bridge the gap between university training and industrial demands. Graduates are highly sought after by employers in various sectors, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and environmental engineering. The faculty's engagement in high-impact research, often with funding from national and government organizations, further enhances the program's relevance to current industrial needs and trends.
Global Perspective: The M.S. in Chemical Engineering at UTC inherently possesses a global perspective due to the universal applicability of chemical engineering principles and the global nature of the industries it serves. Chemical engineers address global challenges such as sustainable energy, environmental remediation, and the development of new materials and pharmaceuticals, which have worldwide impact. The program's engagement in research areas like renewable energy and sustainable processing directly contributes to global efforts in addressing pressing environmental and resource issues. By equipping students with the capabilities to innovate and solve emerging problems facing the world today, the program prepares them for careers that can have international reach and significance.
Location
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 26852
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 100.
Standardized Test Requirements
- GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Minimum score of 300 required.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students pursuing their education in the United States. These scholarships aim to recognize academic excellence, leadership qualities, and contributions to the campus community, helping to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: UTC provides merit-based scholarships that international students can apply for, typically based on their academic achievements, standardized test scores, and overall potential. These scholarships often cover partial to full tuition and are renewable based on maintaining satisfactory academic performance.
International Student Scholarships: Special scholarships are available exclusively for international students, helping offset tuition fees and living expenses. These awards may vary annually and are competitive, encouraging students to demonstrate strong academic records and involvement in extracurricular activities.
Departmental Scholarships: Many academic departments at UTC offer scholarships targeted at students within specific fields of study. International students enrolled in areas such as Business, Engineering, Health Sciences, or Arts and Sciences can explore scholarship options through their respective colleges or departments.
Graduates with an M.S. in Engineering with a Chemical concentration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) possess a highly specialized and in-depth understanding of chemical processes, material transformations, and system optimization. This advanced degree, coupled with the program's emphasis on research and practical application, positions them for leadership and innovation in a wide array of industries. The job outlook for chemical engineers is positive, with projected growth and strong earning potential, especially for those with master's degrees.
Process Engineer (Senior/Lead): This is a core role for chemical engineers. With an M.S., graduates can lead the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of chemical processes in manufacturing plants across industries like chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, and petrochemicals. They ensure efficiency, safety, and product quality.
Research and Development (R&D) Engineer/Scientist: Graduates can work in corporate or academic research labs, developing new products, improving existing processes, and exploring innovative technologies. This could involve creating novel materials, designing sustainable energy solutions, or advancing biotechnological applications.
Environmental Engineer: Chemical engineers are crucial in addressing environmental challenges. Graduates can work on pollution control, waste management, sustainable process design, air and water quality, and developing cleaner technologies for various industries and government agencies.
Biopharmaceutical Engineer: In the rapidly growing pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, graduates apply chemical engineering principles to the development and production of drugs, vaccines, and other biological products. This involves process design for fermentation, purification, and sterile manufacturing.
Materials Engineer/Scientist: Chemical engineers often specialize in materials science, focusing on the design, synthesis, and characterization of new materials with specific properties. This can range from advanced polymers and composites to nanomaterials for electronics, aerospace, or medical devices.
Quality Control/Assurance Engineer: Ensuring product quality and consistency is vital in many industries. Graduates can develop and implement quality control systems, perform statistical process control, and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations in manufacturing environments.
Consulting Engineer (Process/Environmental): Graduates can work for engineering consulting firms, providing expert advice to clients on process optimization, environmental compliance, safety regulations, and new plant design. This often involves working on diverse projects across multiple industries.
Project Engineer: In manufacturing or construction, a Project Engineer with a chemical engineering background manages technical projects from conception to completion. This involves planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordinating various engineering disciplines to ensure successful project delivery.
Safety Engineer/Loss Prevention Specialist: Ensuring the safety of chemical processes and industrial operations is paramount. Graduates can specialize in identifying hazards, conducting risk assessments, developing safety protocols, and ensuring compliance with occupational health and safety regulations.
Product Development Engineer: These engineers focus on creating new chemical products or improving existing ones. They bridge the gap between research and commercialization, considering factors like cost, functionality, manufacturability, and market demand. This role is common in industries like consumer goods, specialty chemicals, and advanced materials.
