DRAFT - Chemical Engineering Major - Standard - SO

Chemical Engineering Major

Chemical Engineering

Major

The Chemical Engineering major at West Point prepares cadets to design, optimize, and safeguard mission-critical systems through advanced knowledge of chemical processes, energy systems, and materials science. Combining rigorous engineering coursework with leadership development, this program equips you to solve complex challenges in defense, sustainability, and technology with precision and purpose.

Offered by the Department of Chemical & Biological Science & Engineering

Chemical Engineering: Powering Innovation, Protecting the Mission

The Chemical Engineering major is the backbone of modern technology and defense systems, driving advancements in energy, materials, and environmental security. Mastering chemical processes equips you to solve complex challenges - from developing safer fuels to creating life-saving materials - while honing analytical and leadership skills that translate into operational success.

The West Point Advantage

At the United States Military Academy, Chemical Engineering is more than a degree. It’s a strategic asset. You’ll gain technical expertise while cultivating critical thinking and ethical decision-making. The program blends rigorous academics with hands-on application and integrates leadership development into every experience, preparing you to thrive in high-stakes environments.

Integrated military focus

  • Apply chemical engineering principles to mission-critical challenges in energy, logistics, and defense.
  • Develop solutions that enhance operational effectiveness and soldier safety in diverse environments.

Hands-on research

  • Engage in cutting-edge lab and field projects that turn theory into action.
  • Innovate in areas like advanced materials, energy systems, and chemical defense technologies.

Ethics and innovation

  • Build a foundation of integrity while advancing technologies that impact global security.
  • Lead initiatives that balance bold innovation with accountability and sustainability.

Mentorship that matters

  • Learn from expert faculty and military leaders committed to your success.
  • Forge mentor relationships that guide your academic journey and career progression.
  • Benefit from a network dedicated to developing leaders of character who inspire trust and achieve results.

The Foundation to Solve Tomorrow’s Challenges

West Point’s approach ensures you graduate ready to innovate, lead, and succeed in:

Energy and power systems

  • Design and optimize fuels and energy solutions for military operations.
  • Develop sustainable technologies that reduce logistical burdens in deployed environments.

Chemical defense and environmental security

  • Create strategies to detect and neutralize chemical threats.
  • Manage environmental programs that safeguard water, air, and soil for mission readiness.

Advanced materials and manufacturing

  • Engineer high-performance materials for protective gear, weapons systems, and infrastructure.
  • Contribute to research in nanotechnology and polymers for defense applications.

Operational planning with technical expertise

  • Advise commanders on chemical hazards and mitigation strategies during missions.
  • Integrate engineering data into operational plans for disaster relief and humanitarian efforts.

Information for Future Cadets

Resources for Current Cadets

Chemical Engineering: Innovate, Protect, and Lead

Chemical Engineering at West Point is more than a degree. It’s a launchpad for future military leaders, operational technologists, and engineering innovators. 

What Makes This Major Unique? It’s the fusion of advanced engineering education with unmatched leadership development. You’ll be mentored by distinguished military and civilian faculty who bring real-world expertise and a passion for teaching. Every course is designed to build not only your technical mastery but also your ability to lead in complex, high-stakes environments.

Core Foundation

The major begins with a robust foundation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. These courses develop your ability to analyze and model systems while sharpening your ethical decision-making skills:

  • CH362 – Mass & Energy Balances
  • CH365 – Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
  • CH383 & CH384 – Organic Chemistry I & II
  • ME301 – Thermodynamics II
  • ME362 – Fluid Mechanics
  • MA364 – Engineering Mathematics (Differential Equations)

Complementary support courses in calculus, physics, and general chemistry ensure you’re equipped with the mathematical and scientific tools needed to excel.

Advanced and Applied Courses

West Point’s chemical engineering curriculum emphasizes innovation and application. You’ll explore process design, control systems, and advanced materials that prepare you for the future of military engineering and technology:

  • CH363 – Separation Processes
  • CH364 – Chemical Reaction Engineering
  • CH367 – Introduction to Automatic Process Control
  • CH402 – Chemical Engineering Process Design
  • CH459 – Chemical Engineering Laboratory
  • CH400 – Professional Practice in Chemical Engineering

These courses reflect West Point’s nationally ranked programs in engineering and science - designed to prepare cadets for leadership in a rapidly evolving world.

Hands-On Learning

At USMA, learning is active and immersive. You’ll conduct research, collaborate in labs, and apply your knowledge to real-world challenges. Honors students can pursue:

  • CH489 & CH490 – Individual Research I & II
  • Capstone Design Projects – Solve Army-relevant engineering problems using simulation and real-world data

Faculty are accessible, invested in your success, and committed to your growth as a scholar and leader.

Electives and Specialization

Customize your academic journey with electives that align with your interests and career goals. Choose from topics such as:

  • CH450 – Bioengineering Modeling & Analysis
  • CH350 – Bioprocess Engineering
  • NE350 – Radiological Engineering Design
  • ME472 – Energy Conversion Systems
  • MC380 – Engineering Materials

These options allow you to specialize in areas critical to military readiness, energy systems, and technological advancement.

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Chemical Engineering: Beyond the Classroom

At West Point, the Chemical Engineering major is more than a rigorous academic program. It’s a gateway to real-world impact, leadership development, and national recognition. You’ll engage in hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and prestigious enrichment programs that prepare you to lead in engineering, technology, and military service.

Internships

Gain practical experience through internships with Army research labs, energy facilities, and defense technology centers. These opportunities connect classroom knowledge to mission-critical applications, from chemical defense to energy sustainability.

Experiential and Hands-On Learning

Chemical Engineering brings classroom concepts to life through immersive labs, design projects, and simulations. Whether you’re studying thermodynamics, process control, or advanced materials, you’ll gain practical experience that builds confidence and competence.

  • Apply chemical engineering principles to real-world Army challenges in energy, logistics, and environmental security.
  • Use high-tech equipment and advanced labs for reactor design, separations, and process optimization.
  • Present your research and network with professionals at national and international engineering and defense conferences.

Research and Facilities

While completing your undergraduate studies, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in lab work with the Center for Molecular Science and collaborate with Army research centers. Conduct original research alongside faculty mentors in areas like energy systems, chemical defense, and advanced materials.

  • CH489 & CH490 – Individual Research I & II
  • Work on projects that contribute to Army readiness and technological innovation.
  • Access specialized facilities for chemical analysis, process simulation, and material characterization.

Scholarships, Honors, and Recognition

Chemical Engineering majors are eligible to participate in the West Point Scholars Program, which provides personalized support for competitive national scholarships, such as:

  • Rhodes Scholarship
  • Marshall Scholarship
  • Fulbright Fellowship
  • Barry Goldwater Scholarship
  • Gates Cambridge Scholarship

The Technical Scholars Program (TSP) mentors and guides cadets in pursuit of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, helping them earn national and international honors for academic excellence.

Graduates have gone on to conduct graduate-level studies at renowned universities such as Stanford University, the University of Cambridge, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

West Point also celebrates achievement through:

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The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemical Engineering at the United States Military Academy is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the commission's General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical Engineering and similarly named engineering programs.

Current ABET Chemical Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Student Outcomes

Student outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. 

Cadets who qualify for graduation with a Chemical Engineering major from USMA will demonstrate:

  • 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 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.

ABET Chemical Engineering program educational objectives

Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe the career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve.

The Chemical Engineering program seeks to prepare future Army officers for productive and rewarding careers in engineering or related professions for service to the nation.

Five to seven years after graduation, cadets who majored in Chemical Engineering will have been successful Army officers who:

  • demonstrate effective leadership by leveraging chemical engineering expertise and precise technical communication.
  • contribute to the solution of complex problems in a dynamic environment.
  • apply disciplined technical expertise to succeed in advanced study programs.

For the current and recent enrollment and graduate statistics, click the link for “View by Major” under the section "Enrollment for Select Majors."