Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Master of Science Degree

Admissions Requirements

The applicant must meet the School of Graduate Studies’ current minimum general admission requirements as published in the graduate catalog.

  1. B.S. degree in chemical engineering from an ABET accredited program. Students applying for the combined BSChE/MS degree should see the “Chemical Engineering Combined Degree” section for additional details. Students holding a B.S. degree in a science or other engineering field may be admitted to Qualified Status with an obligation to acquire a background in chemical engineering.
  2. An overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 or a GPA of at least 3.00 for the last two years. (An overall GPA of at least 3.3 for the combined BSChE/MS degree is required).
  3. Graduate Record Examination General Test for those with undergraduate degrees from non-ABET accredited programs.
  4. Satisfy the School of Graduate Studies’ English Language Proficiency requirements as published in the Graduate catalog.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the Master of Science degree at the University of North Dakota must satisfy all general requirements set forth by the School of Graduate Studies as well as particular requirements set forth by the Chemical Engineering Department.

Thesis Option:

  • A minimum of 30 semester credits, including the credits granted for the thesis and the research leading to the thesis.
  • At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  • A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.
  • A thesis documenting research on a topic related to chemical engineering.
Required Courses
CHE 562Seminar in Chemical Engineering2
CHE 591Research3
CHE 998Thesis4
At least 21 credits of coursework from chemical engineering and related fields, which may include a minor or cognate.21
Total Credits30

Non-Thesis Option:

  • A minimum of 32 credits, including credits granted for independent study.
  • At least one-half of the credits must be at or above the 500-level.
  • A maximum of nine semester credits may be transferred from another institution.
  • Preparation of a written independent study report approved by the faculty advisor.
  • Comprehensive final examination.
Required Courses
CHE 562Seminar in Chemical Engineering2
CHE 591Research4
CHE 997Independent Study2
At least 24 credits of coursework from chemical engineering and related fields.24
Total Credits32

Combined Bachelor and Master's in Chemical Engineering

Combined Bachelor’s/Master's Program Admission Requirements

The intent of the combined BS/MS Chemical Engineering program is to allow qualified students to complete the requirements for both degrees in one year beyond that required to receive the baccalaureate degree.  All requirements for both degrees must be met, and up to six credits of prior-approved graduate chemical engineering coursework, preferably at the 500-level, may be double-counted toward each of the two degrees.

UND students currently completing their junior year (90 credits) towards a Chemical Engineering undergraduate degree may apply to the MS Chemical Engineering under combined admission.  The following are minimum eligibility requirements:  

  1. Students must have completed a minimum of 90 credits, including credits earned from advanced placement and dual credit.  Students must apply before completion of the undergraduate degree.
  2. Transfer students with a minimum of 90 credits-whether from the transfer institution alone or in combination with UND credits-must have both an overall grade point average of 2.75 (based on a 4.00 scale) and 3.00 GPA average for all courses with an engineering prefix completed at the date of application and admission
  3. Students must have a both an overall grade point average of 2.75 (based on a 4.00 scale) and 3.00 GPA average for all courses with an engineering prefix completed at the date of application and admission
  4. Combined program applicants must submit the standard application to the School of Graduate Studies, the application fee, a personal statement, and transcripts.
  5. Additionally, combined program applicants must submit a detailed Program of Study that describes the 6 credits of double counted courses, the courses that will be taken after being accepted into the combined program, the courses that will be taken before graduation from the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering program, and the expected graduation date for each degree.  The submitted program of study must be signed by the student, the student's undergraduate advisor, the student’s graduate advisor, and the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements:
Degree requirements for the M.S. degree are those listed by the School of Graduate Studies as found in the graduate school catalog.

Accelerated Bachelor and Master's (ABM) in Chemical Engineering

Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master's (ABM) 5 Year Degree Program Admission Requirements

The ABM degree program allows exceptional undergraduate students at UND an opportunity to complete the requirements for both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees at an accelerated pace.  All requirements for both degrees must be met, and these students may double count up to 12 graduate-level credits towards the requirements for both their Bachelor in Chemical Engineering and their Master of Science in Chemical Engineering degree requirements.  ABM students must obtain their Master of Science degree in Chemical Engineering within 12 months of completing the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree, provided that the degree requirements can be completed in that timeframe.

High achieving high school students (GPA of at least 3.5/4.0 and an ACT score of 25 or higher) will initially be considered for “identified” status and become eligible for formal admission when they meet the same criteria that undergraduates must meet for admission into the ABM program.  Admission is a competitive process.  The following are minimum eligibility requirements:  

  1. Students must have completed a minimum of 60 credits, including credits earned from advanced placement and dual credit.  Students must apply before completion of the undergraduate degree.
  2. Transfer students with a minimum of 60 credits-whether from the transfer institution alone or in combination with UND credits-must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 at the time of admission to the ABM program.
  3. Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 at UND at the time of admission into the ABM program.
  4. ABM program applicants must submit the standard application to the School of Graduate Studies, the application fee, a personal statement, and transcripts.
  5. Additionally, ABM program applicants must submit a detailed Program of Study that describes the 12 credits of double counted courses, the courses that will be taken after being accepted into the ABM program, the courses that will be taken before graduation from the Bachelor of Chemical Engineering program, and the expected graduation date for each degree.  The submitted program of study must be signed by the student, the student's undergraduate advisor, the student’s graduate advisor, and the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program Director.

Degree Requirements:
Degree requirements for the M.S. degree are those listed by the School of Graduate Studies as found in the graduate school catalog.