University of Tulsa

What you'll study

The programme centres on original research in electrochemical engineering supported by advanced coursework. Core research themes include electrochemical energy conversion and storage (batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers), electrochemical reactor design, corrosion science and protection, electrode and electrolyte materials, electrochemical modelling and diagnostics, and process integration for scalable technologies.

Typical coursework and study areas you can expect:

• Electrochemical Engineering and Technology — fundamentals of electrochemical cells, transport in porous electrodes, electrode kinetics and scale-up considerations.
• Advanced Transport Phenomena — momentum, heat and mass transfer at the level required to link reactor design with electrochemical performance.
• Electrochemistry and Materials — electrochemical thermodynamics, corrosion, electrode material characterisation and synthesis methods.
• Modelling and Diagnostics — continuum and atomistic modelling of electrochemical systems; in-situ and ex-situ diagnostic techniques (impedance spectroscopy, voltammetry, spectroscopy).
• Advanced Chemical Reactor Design — design principles for reactors that incorporate electrochemical processes, scale-up and process control.
• Research Seminars and Professional Development — presentation skills, science communication, research ethics and grant writing.

Research training is laboratory- and project-led: you will spend most of your time conducting experiments, developing models and publishing results under the supervision of a faculty advisor. Facilities and laboratories support electrode fabrication, battery and fuel cell testing, electrochemical characterisation, surface analysis and related materials processing and testing.

Entry requirements

Applicants should normally hold a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering or a closely related field; applicants with a master’s degree in a relevant discipline are also welcome. Admission is competitive and evaluated on the basis of academic record, research experience, statement of purpose and references.

• Strong foundational background in mathematics, transport phenomena, thermodynamics and physical chemistry is expected.
• Demonstrated laboratory or modelling experience in electrochemistry, materials or energy systems is highly desirable.
• International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements; additional documentation such as transcripts and course descriptions may be requested for credential evaluation.
• Standardised tests (for example GRE) are considered on a programme level; applicants should check current departmental guidance. A research statement outlining proposed interests and potential faculty mentors is especially important.
• Funding support is commonly provided through research assistantships, teaching assistantships or fellowships; applicants are encouraged to contact potential supervisors about research openings prior to applying.

Career prospects

Graduates with a PhD in Electrochemical Engineering from the University of Tulsa go on to careers across academia, government and industry. Typical pathways include:

• Academic research and teaching positions in chemical engineering, materials science and electrochemistry.
• Research scientist or engineer roles in energy storage and conversion companies (battery, fuel cell and electrolyser developers), and battery recycling firms.
• Positions in corrosion control, protective coatings and materials durability for oil & gas, infrastructure and transportation sectors.
• Roles at national labs and research institutes focused on clean energy, materials characterisation and large-scale testing.
• Consultancy, technology transfer, intellectual property and entrepreneurial roles supporting commercialisation of electrochemical technologies.

Why study at University of Tulsa

The University of Tulsa provides a research-intensive environment with small doctoral cohorts and close faculty mentorship, enabling personalised supervision and rapid progress on independent projects. The Department of Chemical Engineering maintains active research programmes in electrochemical systems and materials, with access to instrumentation for electrochemical characterisation, battery/fuel cell test stations and materials analysis.

Located in a region with a strong energy industry presence, the University offers opportunities for applied collaborations with industrial partners and national research facilities. Interdisciplinary links across engineering, chemistry and materials labs support projects that span fundamental electrochemistry to process integration and scale-up, preparing graduates for diverse professional roles.