Program: Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering Emphasis, (BS) - University of Southern California

Apr 06, 2025

USC Catalogue 2018-2019

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering Degree

The Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Additionally, there are six possible areas of emphasis within this chemical engineering program major. These are: biochemical engineering (133 units); environmental engineering (136 units); nanotechnology (132 units); petroleum engineering (137 units); polymer/materials science (137 units); and sustainable energy (128 units). An area of emphasis appears in parentheses after the primary major name on the transcript.

Sample student schedules are located on the department Web page (chems.usc.edu).

Common Requirements for the BS Degree and All Areas of Emphasis (112 units)

Physics Courses

Chemical Engineering Courses

CHE 120 Introduction to Chemical Engineering Units: 4
CHE 205 Numerical Methods in Chemical Engineering Units: 3
CHE 330 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics Units: 3
CHE 350 Introduction to Separation Processes Units: 3
CHE 442 Chemical Reactor Analysis Units: 3
CHE 443 Viscous Flow Units: 3
CHE 444aL Chemical Engineering Laboratory Units: 3
CHE 444bL Chemical Engineering Laboratory Units: 3
CHE 445 Heat Transfer in Chemical Engineering Processes Units: 2
CHE 446 Mass Transfer in Chemical Engineering Processes Units: 2
CHE 460L Chemical Process Dynamics and Control Units: 3
CHE 480 Chemical Process and Plant Design Units: 3
CHE 485 Computer-Aided Chemical Process Design Units: 3

Additional Requirements for Individual Degrees

Emphasis in Biochemical Engineering

The requirement for the degree with an emphasis in biochemical engineering is 138 units.* A scholarship average of C (2.0) or higher is required for all upper division courses taken in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering and biological sciences. In addition to the previously listed common requirements, students must also take the following courses:

Biological Sciences Courses

BISC 300L Introduction to Microbiology Units: 4
BISC 320L Molecular Biology Units: 4
BISC 330L Biochemistry Units: 4

Bio-Electives

BISC 403 Advanced Molecular Biology Units: 4 or
Approved bio-engineering elective Units: 3-4 **
BME 410 Introduction to Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Units: 3
CHE 489 Biochemical Engineering Units: 3

Engineering Elective

CHE 405 Applications of Probability and Statistics for Chemical Engineers Units: 3 or
ISE 460 Engineering Economy Units: 3

Note:

*Students in the biochemical engineering option must take a minimum of 48 engineering units total to graduate.

**Student may combine a 3-unit approved bio-engineering elective with 1 unit of free elective.

Chemical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering Emphasis, (BS)