CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

This master's programme combines advanced chemical engineering core subjects with focused coursework and laboratory experience in electrochemical science and engineering. Teaching mixes lectures, laboratory modules, computational modelling and a research or capstone project, giving practical skills in designing and analysing electrochemical systems.

• Core topics: transport phenomena, reaction engineering, thermodynamics and process design as applied to electrochemical systems.
• Electrochemical specialism modules: electrochemical kinetics and mechanisms, electrode and electrolyte materials, battery science and technology, fuel cell engineering, water electrolysis and hydrogen production, corrosion science and prevention, and electrochemical characterization techniques (voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy).
• Modelling and scale-up: continuum modelling of coupled transport and reaction, porous electrode theory, multiscale materials modelling and considerations for scale-up and manufacturing of electrochemical devices.
• Laboratory and practical work: hands-on experimentation with cell assembly, materials characterisation (electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy), electrochemical testing protocols, and safety procedures for handling reactive materials.
• Research or capstone project: an independent laboratory or modelling project supervised by CUNY faculty, or an industry-linked capstone addressing a real-world electrochemical engineering challenge.
• Seminars and professional development: technical seminars, ethics and sustainability in electrochemical technologies, project management and communication skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science, mechanical engineering or a closely related discipline, with a strong quantitative background. Prior coursework in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, physical chemistry and calculus-based mathematics is expected.

• Academic record: a solid undergraduate performance in engineering or science subjects. Exact grade requirements vary by programme and admission cycle.
• Supporting documents: transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research interests in electrochemical engineering, and academic references. Professional experience in relevant industry or research experience can strengthen an application.
• English language: non-native English speakers are required to demonstrate proficiency in English through an approved test unless exempt under the university’s policy.
• Additional considerations: applicants with strong computational skills or prior laboratory experience in electrochemistry, materials characterisation or battery testing are particularly competitive. Some specialisms may require alignment with a faculty supervisor for the research project.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for technical and research roles across sectors developing and deploying electrochemical technologies. Career paths commonly followed by alumni include:

• R&D engineer or scientist in battery, fuel cell and electrolyser development.
• Process or manufacturing engineer involved in scale-up, quality control and production of electrochemical devices and components.
• Corrosion engineer or materials specialist working on material selection, protection and asset integrity.
• Environmental and water treatment engineer using electrochemical processes for remediation and desalination.
• Consulting roles addressing energy storage, electrification and sustainable process design.
• Research positions in national laboratories, university research centres or corporate research groups; graduates also frequently progress to PhD programmes.

Why study at CUNY (The City University of New York)

CUNY offers access to a dense ecosystem of academic research centres, industry partners and national laboratories in the New York metropolitan area, which supports collaboration and internship opportunities in electrochemical and energy technologies. The university’s campuses and affiliated research centres provide modern laboratories for materials characterisation, electrochemical testing and scale-up studies.

• Interdisciplinary research: strong links between chemical engineering, materials science, applied physics and environmental engineering enable cross-disciplinary projects in battery materials, catalyst development and systems integration.
• Industry connections and career support: proximity to companies and start-ups in energy storage, clean energy and advanced manufacturing facilitates industry-sponsored projects, internships and networking.
• Experienced faculty: faculty members active in electrochemical research supervise student projects and secure externally funded research opportunities.
• Diverse student body and urban setting: studying at CUNY provides a culturally diverse learning environment and the practical advantages of an urban centre for professional development and collaboration.