This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
The department offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering, and includes a chemical engineering concentration and a life science engineering concentration. Each student must choose the desired concentration upon initial registration.
As part of the B.S. degree in chemical and life science engineering, all students complete an approved internship or cooperative education experience.
Student learning outcomes
Upon completing this program, students will have the following knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or attitudes:
- An ability to identify, formulate and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science and mathematics
- An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental and economic factors
- An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
- An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental and societal contexts
- An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks and meet objectives
- An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
- An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies
- An understanding of the hazards associated with physical, chemical and/or biological processes
Special requirements
Students must receive a grade of C in all engineering courses in order to graduate. Minimum grades of C in CLSE 115, CLSE 201 and CLSE 202 are required before students may take additional CLSE courses. After passing CLSE 202 with a minimum grade of C, students are allowed to continue with one D grade in any CLSE course. They must retake that course in order to graduate, but may continue taking other CLSE courses. Students are not allowed to continue with two grades of D in CLSE courses and must successfully retake at least one of those courses with a minimum grade of C to take additional 300- and 400-level CLSE courses.
Degree requirements for Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| CLSE 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 115 | Introduction to Programming for Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 4 |
| CLSE 201 | Chemical Engineering Fundamentals I: Material Balances | 4 |
| CLSE 202 | Chemical Engineering Fundamentals II: Energy Balances and Engineering Thermodynamics | 4 |
| CLSE 301 | Transport Phenomena I | 3 |
| CLSE 302 | Transport Phenomena II | 4 |
| CLSE 305 | Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions | 3 |
| CLSE 312 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 320 | Instrumentation Laboratory | 3 |
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 395 | Professional Development | 1 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| Approved internship or cooperative education experience | 0 | |
| Part-time Internship Experience | ||
or ENGR 396 | Internship Experience | |
or ENGR 398 | Cooperative Education Experience | |
| Review of internship or cooperative education experience | 0 | |
| Internship Review | ||
or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| • Major electives | ||
| Select engineering electives as described below. | 6 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 |
| CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
| CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
| MATH 201 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| MATH 301 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| MATH 307 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| PHYS 207 | University Physics I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 5 |
| PHYS 208 | University Physics II | 5 |
| STAT 441 | Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | 3 |
| Technical electives (Select 300+-level science, math, business or management courses as described below.) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 126 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 126.
Technical electives
Technical electives are satisfied by completing courses that meet all of the following criteria:
- 300 level or greater
- Offered in BIOC, BIOL, BIOZ, BNFO, BUSN, CHEM, CHEZ, ENVS, ENVZ, FRSC, FRSZ, INNO, LFSC, MATH, MEDC, MGMT, OPER, PHIS, or STAT
- Three or more credit hours
- Not otherwise required for the major by the effective Bulletin
Other courses may be used to satisfy the technical elective requirements with prior written approval from the department chair.
Engineering electives
Engineering electives are satisfied by completing courses that meet all of the following criteria:
- 300-level or greater
- Offered in the College of Engineering (CLSE, CMSC, EGMN, EGRB, EGRC, EGRE, EGRM, EGRN or ENGR)
- Offered for three or more credit hours
- Not otherwise required for the major by the effective Bulletin
Note: A minimum of four credits of ENGR 497 must be completed to use the course to satisfy an engineering elective requirement. Other courses may be used to satisfy the engineering elective requirements with prior written approval from the department chair.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| CHEM 101 | General Chemistry I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 3 |
| CHEZ 101 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CLSE 101 | Introduction to Engineering | 3 |
| MATH 200 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (satisfies general education quantitative foundations) | 4 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CHEM 102 & CHEZ 102 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II | 4 |
| CLSE 115 | Introduction to Programming for Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 4 |
| ENGR 395 | Professional Development | 1 |
| MATH 201 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CHEM 301 & CHEZ 301 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 5 |
| CLSE 201 | Chemical Engineering Fundamentals I: Material Balances | 4 |
| MATH 301 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 207 | University Physics I (satisfies general education BOK for natural sciences and AOI for scientific and logical reasoning) | 5 |
| Term Hours: | 17 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CHEM 302 & CHEZ 302 | Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 5 |
| CLSE 202 | Chemical Engineering Fundamentals II: Energy Balances and Engineering Thermodynamics | 4 |
| MATH 307 | Multivariate Calculus | 4 |
| PHYS 208 | University Physics II | 5 |
| Term Hours: | 18 | |
| Summer semester | ||
| ENGR 396 or ENGR 398 | Internship Experience or Cooperative Education Experience | 0 |
| Term Hours: | 0 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
| CLSE 301 | Transport Phenomena I | 3 |
| CLSE 305 | Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Engineering elective (300+ level) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 302 | Transport Phenomena II | 4 |
| CLSE 312 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 320 | Instrumentation Laboratory | 3 |
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets (satisfies general education BOK for social/behavioral sciences and AOI for global perspectives) | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 or ENGR 498 | Internship Review or Review of Cooperative Education Experience | 0 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics (satisfies general education BOK for humanities/fine arts and AOI for diversities in the human experience) | 3 |
| Technical elective (300+ level science, math, business or management course) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Technical electives (300+ level science, math, business or management course) | 6 | |
| Engineering elective (300+ level) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Total Hours: | 126 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 126.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering and the M.S. in Biomedical Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to twelve hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 credits rather than the 156 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in an academic setting. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include an overall GPA of 3.0. Additionally, for students pursuing the thesis option of the master’s program, a letter of endorsement from a prospective thesis adviser from the biomedical engineering faculty must accompany the application. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the biomedical engineering graduate program. Successful applicants would enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the CLSE undergraduate program director and the BME graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. One reference letter from a chemical and life science engineering faculty member must accompany the application.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 126 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits of 500-level graduate courses may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will be utilized to fulfill engineering electives course requirements for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Recommended plan of study for thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Approved technical electives (Consider BME courses for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Approved technical electives (Consider BME courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRB 601 | Numerical Methods and Modeling in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 3 |
| Open elective 1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 10 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRB 602 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EGRB 690 | Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar | 1 |
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
EGRB, EGMN, ENGR, PHYS, MATH, CMSC, BIOL, PHIS or BIOC at 500-level or above.
Recommended plan of study for non-thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Approved technical electives (Consider BME courses for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Approved technical electives (Consider BME courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGRB 601 | Numerical Methods and Modeling in Biomedical Engineering | 4 |
| EGRB technical elective (500-level or above) | 3 | |
| Open elective 1 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGRB 602 | Biomedical Engineering Systems Physiology | 4 |
| EGRB 690 | Biomedical Engineering Research Seminar | 1 |
| Open elective 1 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 11 | |
EGRB, EGMN, ENGR, PHYS, MATH, CMSC, BIOL, PHIS or BIOC at 500-level or above.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering and the M.S. in Computer Science in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to twelve hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 credits rather than the 156 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in an academic setting. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible (sophomore year is recommended) to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to any accelerated program include a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. For acceptance into this accelerated pathway, students must have completed CMSC 257, CMSC 311, CMSC 355, and CMSC 401 courses with a GPA of at least 3.4. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the graduate program. Successful applicants would enter the program in the following semester after graduation with the bachelor's degree.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate graduate program adviser and the graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. One reference letter from a chemical and life science engineering faculty member must accompany the application. The GRE is waived for admission to the program.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 126 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
For students entering the non-thesis option, a maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken prior to the completion of the baccalaureate degree. For students entering the thesis option, a maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken. These graduate credits will count as open or technical elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study for students pursuing a thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Technical electives (consider CS courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CMSC 697 | Directed Research | 3 |
| M.S. foundational area courses (theory and systems) 1 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CMSC 697 | Directed Research | 6 |
| M.S. foundational area course (applied) 1 | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
See the Graduate Bulletin for the list of theory, systems and applied foundational courses.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study for students pursuing a non-thesis master’s
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Technical elective (consider CS course for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Technical electives (consider CS courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| M.S. foundational area courses (theory and systems) 1 | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| M.S. foundational area course (applied) 1 | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
See the Graduate Bulletin for the list of theory, systems, and applied foundational area courses.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S.-to-M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering and the M.S. in Engineering, concentration in aerospace engineering; chemical and life science engineering; electrical and computer engineering; engineering management; environmental and sustainable engineering; rehabilitation engineering; systems engineering; or tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to six hours (non-thesis option) or 12 hours (thesis option) of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in academia. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to any accelerated program include completion of 95 undergraduate credit hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the faculty adviser to the graduate program before they have completed 95 credits. Successful applicants would enter the program in the following semester after graduation with the bachelor's degree.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the undergraduate graduate program adviser and the graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. The GRE and application fee is waived for admission to the program for all students. Additionally, for students pursuing the thesis option of the master’s program, a letter of endorsement from a prospective thesis adviser from a faculty member in the relevant department may accompany the application.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering will be awarded upon completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
For students entering the non-thesis option, a maximum of six graduate credits may be taken prior to the completion of the baccalaureate degree. For students entering the thesis option, a maximum of 12 graduate credits may be taken. These graduate credits will count as open or technical elective credits for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Curriculum requirements
Concentration in aerospace engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGMN 604 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | 3 |
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 607 | Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGMN 697 | Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGMN 604 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | 3 |
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 607 | Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | 3 |
| EGMN 661 | Computational Fluid Dynamics | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in chemical and life science engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 6 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE, PESC) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 9 | |
| Concentration component - CLSE course work | ||
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 654 | Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 656 | Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | 3 | |
| Directed research | ||
| Select six credit hours from the following: | 6 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE, PESC) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component - CLSE course work | ||
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 654 | Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 656 | Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in electrical and computer engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the advisory committee): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline. | 12 | |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGRE 697 | Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the adviser): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline. | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in engineering management
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser. This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGMN 507 | Law and Engineering | 3 |
| ENGR 601 | Engineering Project Management | 3 |
| ENGR 602 | Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | 3 |
| ENGR 696 | Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| CLSE 545 | Water Essentials | 3 |
| CLSE 580 | Sustainable Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| CLSE 697 | Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| CLSE 545 | Water Essentials | 3 |
| CLSE 580 | Sustainable Chemical Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 650 | Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 655 | Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in rehabilitation engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 6 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 8 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRB 520 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EGRB 521 | Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 523 | Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | 3 |
| EGRB 603 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| ANAT 610 | Systems Neuroscience | 4 |
| Directed research | ||
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 14 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRB 520 | Assistive Technology | 3 |
| EGRB 521 | Human Factors Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 523 | Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | 3 |
| EGRB 603 | Biomedical Signal Processing | 3 |
| ANAT 610 | Systems Neuroscience | 4 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in systems engineering
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE 510 | Introduction to Internet of Things | 3 |
| EGRE 512 | Intelligent Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 615 | Systems Modeling | 3 |
| Directed research component | ||
| This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee. | ||
| EGRE 697 | Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 18 | |
| Concentration component | ||
| EGRE 510 | Introduction to Internet of Things | 3 |
| EGRE 512 | Intelligent Autonomous Systems | 3 |
| EGRE 513 | Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | 3 |
| EGRE 615 | Systems Modeling | 3 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Concentration in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
Thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the advisory committee: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 12 | |
| Concentration component - TERM course work | ||
| EGRB 512 | Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | 3 |
| EGRB 613 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| EGRB 614 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 616 | Cell Engineering | 3 |
| Directed research | ||
| EGRB 697 | Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | 6 |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required graduate-level coursework | ||
| Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser. | 15 | |
| Concentration component - TERM course work | ||
| EGRB 512 | Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | 3 |
| EGRB 613 | Biomaterials | 3 |
| EGRB 614 | Tissue Engineering | 3 |
| EGRB 616 | Cell Engineering | 3 |
| Choose additional course work at the 500 level or higher | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the junior/senior year prior to admission to the accelerated program in the senior year.
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| BIOL 151 | Introduction to Biological Sciences I | 3 |
| CLSE 301 | Transport Phenomena I | 3 |
| CLSE 305 | Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication | 3 |
| Engineering elective (300+) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 302 | Transport Phenomena II | 4 |
| CLSE 312 | Chemical Reaction Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 320 | Instrumentation Laboratory | 3 |
| ECON 205 | The Economics of Product Development and Markets | 3 |
| STAT 441 | Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Engineering elective - CLSE 5xx | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ECON 101 | Introduction to Political Economy | 3 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| Engineering elective (300+ level) | 3 | |
| Engineering elective - CLSE 5xx | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR at 500-level or above
Concentration in aerospace engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Materials | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | ||
| Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Theory and Applications | ||
| Computational Fluid Dynamics | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in chemical and life science engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
Choose additional CLSE course work at the 500 level or higher | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Research Seminar in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Equilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Biological Systems | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in electrical and computer engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses 2 | 6 | |
| Directed research 3 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Directed research 3 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses 2 | 6 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
EGRE course work (EGRE 500-level or higher or courses approved by the advisory committee): This component allows the student to pursue a series of courses that focus on a specific field of engineering and serve as the student’s primary engineering discipline.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in engineering management
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses | 6 | |
| Law and Engineering | ||
| Engineering Project Management | ||
| Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | ||
| Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Law and Engineering | ||
| Engineering Project Management | ||
| Engineering Contracts and Effective Negotiations | ||
| Engineering Products and Economic Considerations | ||
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
Concentration in environmental and sustainable engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Water Essentials | ||
| Sustainable Chemical Engineering | ||
| Quantitative Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Nonequilibrium Analysis in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in rehabilitation engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specifc courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Assistive Technology | ||
| Human Factors Engineering | ||
| Rehabilitation Engineering and Prostheses | ||
| Biomedical Signal Processing | ||
| Systems Neuroscience | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in systems engineering
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Directed research | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Electrical and Computer Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Introduction to Internet of Things | ||
| Intelligent Autonomous Systems | ||
| Fundamentals of Modern Systems Engineering | ||
| Systems Modeling | ||
| Term Hours | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Concentration in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Fifth year | ||
| Thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses 1 | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Directed research 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Research in Biomedical Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 12 | |
| Non-thesis option | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| Required graduate-level courses | 3 | |
| Concentration specific courses | 6 | |
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Required graduate-level courses | ||
| Concentration specific courses | ||
| Regenerative Engineering and Medicine | ||
| Biomaterials | ||
| Tissue Engineering | ||
| Cell Engineering | ||
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
Engineering or other relevant graduate course work (including a minimum of 9 credit hours from 500-level or higher courses in EGRE, ENGR, EGRB, EGMN, CMSC, CLSE) approved by the adviser: This component allows the student to take courses in either engineering or science with approval of the student’s adviser.
This component emphasizes research directed toward completion of degree requirements under the direction of an adviser and advisory committee.
Accelerated B.S. and M.S.
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering and the M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Students in the program may count up to twelve hours of graduate courses toward both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Thus, the two degrees may be earned with a minimum of 144 credits rather than the 156 credits necessary if the two degrees are pursued separately.
Students holding these degrees will have a head start for pursuing careers in industry or continuing in an academic setting. The M.S. degree provides formal research experience and can lead to expanded job opportunities, greater potential for job advancement and higher starting salaries.
Entrance to the accelerated program
Interested undergraduate students should consult with their adviser as early as possible to receive specific information about the accelerated program, determine academic eligibility and submit (no later than two semesters prior to graduating with a baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the spring semester of their junior year) an Accelerated Program Declaration Form to be approved by the graduate program director. Limited spaces may be available in the accelerated program. Academically qualified students may not receive approval if capacity has been reached.
Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students who are interested in the accelerated program should consult with the graduate program director. Successful applicants will enter the program in the fall semester of their senior year.
Once enrolled in the accelerated program, students must meet the standards of performance applicable to graduate students as described in the “Satisfactory academic progress” section of the Graduate Bulletin, including maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Guidance to students admitted to the accelerated program is provided by both the CLSE undergraduate program director and the CLSE graduate program director.
Admission to the graduate program
Entrance to the accelerated program enables the student to take the approved shared courses that will apply to the undergraduate and graduate degrees. However, entry into an accelerated program via an approved Accelerated Program Declaration Form does not constitute application or admission into the graduate program. Admission to the graduate program requires a separate step that occurs through a formal application to the master’s program, which is submitted through Graduate Admissions no later than a semester prior to graduation with the baccalaureate degree, that is, before the end of the fall semester of the senior year. In order to continue pursuing the master’s degree after the baccalaureate degree is conferred, accelerated students must follow the admission to graduate study requirements outlined in the VCU Bulletin. One reference letter from a chemical and life science engineering faculty member must accompany the application. The GRE is waived for admission to the program.
Degree requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Life Science Engineering degree will be awarded upon completion of a minimum of 126 credits and the satisfactory completion of all undergraduate degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
A maximum of 12 graduate credits of 500-level graduate courses may be taken prior to completion of the baccalaureate degree. These graduate credits will be utilized to fulfill engineering electives course requirements for the undergraduate degree. These courses are shared credits with the graduate program, meaning that they will be applied to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.
The graduate courses that may be taken as an undergraduate, once a student is admitted to the program, must be approved by the adviser or graduate program director and include 500-level courses from the following subject areas: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC, INNO and OVPR.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
What follows is the recommended plan of graduate study for students interested in the accelerated program beginning in the fall of the senior year.
For students pursuing the thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Approved technical electives (Consider MNE courses for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Approved technical electives (Consider MNE courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 610 | Topics in Nuclear Engineering | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGMN 697 | Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | 6 |
| Technical electives (Select 600-level courses from: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR.)) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
For students pursuing the non-thesis option
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| CLSE 402 | Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| CLSE 409 | Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering | 3 |
| CLSE 440 | Unit Operations Laboratory | 3 |
| ENGR 402 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| ENGR 496 | Internship Review | 0 |
| or ENGR 498 | Review of Cooperative Education Experience | |
| PHIL 201 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Approved technical electives (Consider MNE courses for accelerated pathway) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| CLSE 403 | Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) | 2 |
| ENGR 403 | Senior Design Studio (Seminar) | 1 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Approved technical electives (Consider MNE courses for accelerated pathway) | 9 | |
| Term Hours: | 15 | |
| Fifth year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| EGMN 605 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| EGMN 606 | Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Continuum Mechanics | 3 |
| EGMN 610 | Topics in Nuclear Engineering | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| EGMN 697 | Directed Research in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering | 6 |
| Technical electives (Select 600-level courses from: EGMN, EGRM, ENGR, EGRN, EGRB, EGRE, CLSE, CMSC, PHYS, MATH, NANO, CHEM, BIOL, GRAD, LFSC and OVPR.)) | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 9 | |