Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering

The objectives of the graduate studies in the Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering programs are as follows.

  1. To prepare students for successful careers and major contributions to the petroleum and chemical process industries by instilling in them fundamental concepts as well as practical knowledge of modern engineering to overcome current as well as future challenges of the industries.
  2. To prepare students for doctoral study in petroleum/chemical or related disciplines.
  3. To instill in students a sense of responsibility to their profession and to society in general.

The Wayne H. King Department of Chemical Engineering and Natural Gas Engineering offers programs in developing interdisciplinary specialties, as well as in the more traditional areas of Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering.

Several modern engineering buildings contain laboratories, including unit operations, process control, gas measurement and drilling facilities. Excellent computer facilities also are available.

Degrees Offered

  • The Ph.D. degree is available in Sustainable Energy Systems Engineering.
  • The Master of Science degree is available in Chemical and Natural Gas Engineering

Chemical Engineering (CHEN)

CHEN 5303  Adv Topics in Chemical Engng  1-3 SCH  (1-3)  

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated for a maximum of six SCH when topic changes.

CHEN 5305  Graduate Research Project  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for project option students. Requires successful completion of an assigned research project topic. May be repeated for a maximum of six SCH. Project advisor approval and enrollment in final 3 SCH of required course work, or completion of all required course work. Minimum GPA of 3.0.

CHEN 5306  Graduate Thesis Research  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for thesis option students. Requires successful completion of a thesis research proposal and final thesis. May be repeated for maximum of 6 semester hours. Thesis advisor approval and completion of 24 SCH of course work with a minimum GPA of 3.5.

CHEN 5308  Transport Phenomena  3 SCH  (3-0)  

An advanced and unified treatment of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and mass transfer based upon the fundamental equations of mass, momentum, energy and species transport with applications in chemical engineering and related fields.

CHEN 5309  Separation Process  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Advanced treatment of the theory and methods associated with the solution, behavior and computation of both staged and continuous separation processes. Prerequisite: CHEN 4389 or equivalent. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5309 and NGEN 5309.)

CHEN 5331  Simulation & Analy of Chem Eng  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Analytical and numerical techniques for the simulation and analysis of processes and equipment employed in the chemical, biochemical, environmental and petroleum refining industries. Prerequisite: CHEN 4317 or equivalent.

CHEN 5333  Chem & Catalytic Reaction Eng  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Analysis of various interactions between reaction kinetics and transport effects in chemical reactors and their influences on design, scale-up and analysis of performance. Prerequisite: CHEN 4373 or equivalent and CHEN 5308.

CHEN 5334  Biochemical Reaction Engng  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Kinetics of microbial growth and enzyme-catalyzed reactions and the analysis of kinetic-transport interactions in biochemical reactors, including their influence on the design, scale-up and performance of biochemical reactor systems.

CHEN 5336  Polymer Rheology  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The study of non-Newtonian fluid flow behavior, including both theoretical and practical aspects of non-Newtonian fluid flows and their applications. Prerequisite: CHEN 5308. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5336 and NGEN 5336.)

CHEN 5360  Adv Chem & Natural Gas Proc  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Study of key processes that are utilized in the chemical & natural gas industry, including analysis, design methods and optimization with a consideration of process economics, environmental and safety aspects. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5360 and NGEN 5360.)

CHEN 5361  Adv Proc Dynamics & Control  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Fundamentals of modern process control theory with applications in the chemical, biochemical and petroleum refining industries. Prerequisite: CHEN 4392 or equivalent.

CHEN 5371  Adv Chem Eng Thermodynamics  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Advanced treatment of the thermodynamics of multicomponent and multiphase fluid systems, with application to phase equilibria and chemical reaction equilibria. Prerequisite: CHEN 3371 or equivalent.

CHEN 5401  Advance Probs in Chem Eng  1-4 SCH  (1-4)  

Individual or group research on advanced problems in chemical engineering conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum of 8 SCH allowed. Completion of 15 SCH of the required core courses and 6 SCH of electives with a minimum GPA of 3.25.

Natural Gas Engineering (NGEN)

NGEN 5303  Advncd Topics in Nat Gas Engin  1-3 SCH  (1-3-0)  

One or more advanced topics. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours when topic changes.

NGEN 5305  Graduate Research Project  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for project option students and requires completion of research project. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 semester hours.

NGEN 5306  Thesis  3 SCH  (3)  

Designed for thesis option students. The course requires completion of thesis research. Prerequisite: departmental approval. May be repeated for maximum of 6 semester hours.

NGEN 5309  Separation Process  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Advanced treatment of the theory and methods associated with the solution, behavior and computation of both staged and continuous separation processes. Prerequisite: CHEN 4389 or equivalent. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5309 and NGEN 5309.)

NGEN 5312  Pressure Transient Analysis  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Methods of analysis of pressure transient data obtained from well testing for the purpose of determining in situ reservoir characteristics and conditions.

NGEN 5325  Nat Gas Prod and Distribution  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory, design and methods of gas well testing and production. Distribution topics include pipeline and compressor design and flow measurement. Prerequisite: NGEN 4375.

NGEN 5327  Nat Gas Drilling Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Drilling equipment and methods, drilling fluids, completion of wells including casing and cementing design. Prerequisite: NGEN 3393.

NGEN 5336  Polymer Rheology  3 SCH  (3-0)  

The study of non-Newtonian fluid flow behavior, including both theoretical and practical aspects of non-Newtonian fluid flows and their applications. Prerequisite: CHEN 5308. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5336 and NGEN 5336.)

NGEN 5360  Adv Chem & Natural Gas Proc  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Study of key processes that are utilized in the chemical & natural gas industry, including analysis, design methods and optimization with a consideration of process economics, environmental and safety aspects. (Credit may not be obtained in both CHEN 5360 and NGEN 5360.)

NGEN 5363  Advanced Reservoir Engineering  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Phase relations of hydrocarbon systems, material balance methods, flow in reservoirs and displacement of gas. The application of computers to reservoir engineering.

NGEN 5387  Quantitative Well Log Analysis  3 SCH  (3-0)  

Theory of special well-logging techniques and applications.

NGEN 5401  Advanced Probs in Nat Gas Engi  1-4 SCH  (1-4)  

Individual or group research on advanced problems conducted under the supervision of a faculty member. Maximum credit of 8 semester hours.

Master's Programs in Chemical Engineering

Master's Program in Chemical Engineering- Thesis Option I

Core Requirements15
Adv Topics in Chemical Engng
Transport Phenomena
Separation Process
Chem & Catalytic Reaction Eng
Adv Chem Eng Thermodynamics
In addition to the above, the course below must be taken twice for a total of six (6) semester credit hours6
Graduate Thesis Research
Elective Courses9
TOTAL30 Credits

Master's Program in Chemical Engineering- Project Option II

Core Requirements15
Adv Topics in Chemical Engng
Transport Phenomena
Separation Process
Chem & Catalytic Reaction Eng
Adv Chem Eng Thermodynamics
Graduate Research Program
CHEN 5305Graduate Research Project3
Elective Courses18
TOTAL36 Credits

Chemical Engineering Electives

CHEN 5331Simulation & Analy of Chem Eng3
CHEN 5334Biochemical Reaction Engng3
CHEN 5401Advance Probs in Chem Eng1-4
CHEN 5336Polymer Rheology3
CHEN 5360Adv Chem & Natural Gas Proc3
CHEN 5361Adv Proc Dynamics & Control3

Master's Programs in Natural Gas Engineering

Master's Program in Natural Gas Engineering - Thesis Option I

Core Requirements15
Nat Gas Prod and Distribution
Nat Gas Drilling Engineering
Polymer Rheology
Adv Chem & Natural Gas Proc
Advanced Reservoir Engineering
In addition to the above, the course below must be taken twice for a total of six (6) semester credit hours
Thesis
Elective Courses9
TOTAL30 Credits

Master's Program in Natural Gas Engineering - Project Option II

Core Requirements15
Nat Gas Prod and Distribution
Nat Gas Drilling Engineering
Polymer Rheology
Adv Chem & Natural Gas Proc
Advanced Reservoir Engineering
In addition to the above
NGEN 5305Graduate Research Project3
Elective Courses18
TOTAL36 Credits

Natural Gas Engineering Electives

NGEN 5303Advncd Topics in Nat Gas Engin1-3
NGEN 5309Separation Process3
NGEN 5312Pressure Transient Analysis3
NGEN 5387Quantitative Well Log Analysis3
NGEN 5401Advanced Probs in Nat Gas Engi1-4