North Carolina State University

What you'll study

The programme builds a foundation in core chemical engineering disciplines—material and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering and transport phenomena—then applies those principles to electrochemical systems. Typical modules include:

• Foundations: calculus-based physics, general and physical chemistry, calculus and differential equations supporting engineering analysis.
• Core ChE courses: material & energy balances, thermodynamics for chemical engineers, fluid mechanics, heat & mass transfer, chemical reaction engineering, separations and process dynamics and control.
• Electrochemical-focused courses: electrochemical engineering/electrochemistry, corrosion science, electrode kinetics, transport in porous electrodes, energy storage devices (battery and fuel cell fundamentals), and electrochemical materials.
• Laboratory and practical work: hands-on lab courses in unit operations and electrochemical measurement techniques (potentiostats, impedance spectroscopy), materials characterisation and process-scale experiments.
• Design and capstone: a team-based senior design project that typically involves system-level design, modelling, scale-up considerations and safety/regulatory issues; projects often address real industrial or research problems in electrochemical systems.
• Electives and special topics: advanced materials, polymer electrolytes, solid-state ionics, renewable energy systems, and semiconductor process engineering, allowing students to tailor studies to interests in energy, materials or manufacturing.

Undergraduates are encouraged to undertake research projects with faculty, internships with industry partners in the Research Triangle, and use shared facilities for materials characterisation and electrochemical testing.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have a strong high-school background in mathematics (including calculus where available), chemistry and physics. Successful candidates typically demonstrate:

• Solid academic performance in maths and science courses;
• Preparation in algebra, geometry, trigonometry and introductory calculus;
• Laboratory experience or coursework in chemistry and physics where possible;
• Relevant extracurriculars, internships or project work that show motivation for engineering and problem solving.

North Carolina State assesses applications holistically; applicants may strengthen their submission with AP/IB/college-level STEM credits, letters of recommendation and evidence of hands-on experience. The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering admits students into an ABET-accredited undergraduate programme with opportunities to transfer into specialised tracks as they progress.

Career prospects

Graduates with a chemical engineering degree emphasising electrochemical engineering are well placed for careers in the growing fields of energy storage and conversion, materials and manufacturing. Typical roles include:

• Battery and fuel cell development engineer or scientist;
• Electrochemical process engineer for electroplating, electrolysis or corrosion control;
• Materials engineer focusing on electrodes, electrolytes or coatings;
• Process design and scale-up engineer in chemical or specialty manufacturing;
• Quality, reliability and test engineering in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing;
• Research and development positions in industry or national labs, or continuation to graduate study (MS/PhD) in electrochemistry, materials science or chemical engineering.

Employers include energy technology companies, automotive suppliers, chemical manufacturers, semiconductor firms, and research institutions. The programme equips graduates with analytical, laboratory and design skills valued across these sectors.

Why study at North Carolina State University

North Carolina State University offers chemical engineering within a large, research-intensive college of engineering with strong industry connections throughout the Research Triangle Park. The department emphasises hands-on training, undergraduate research opportunities and multidisciplinary collaboration.

• Facilities and centres: students can access shared instrumentation and labs for materials characterisation, electrochemical testing and pilot-scale experiments.
• Industry links: proximity to a dense cluster of energy, materials and high-tech companies provides internship and employment pathways as well as industry-sponsored projects.
• Undergraduate focus: structured capstone design, opportunities for honours research, and advising to guide students toward specialisations such as electrochemical systems, materials or process engineering.
• Professional preparation: ABET-accredited curriculum prepares graduates for professional practice, licensure pathways and advanced study.

Together, these resources make NC State a strong choice for students seeking an engineering education that combines chemical engineering fundamentals with specialised training in electrochemical technologies.