Georgia Institute of Technology

What you'll study

The degree provides a solid foundation in chemical engineering fundamentals—material and energy balances, transport phenomena, chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics and process control—augmented by targeted study and practical work in electrochemical systems. Early years emphasise calculus, differential equations, general and physical chemistry, physics and introductory engineering practice. Later years include core ChBE subjects, laboratory courses and a team-based senior design project.

Electrochemical specialisation is achieved through electives and laboratory modules covering topics such as electrochemistry fundamentals, electrochemical kinetics and mass transport, battery and fuel cell systems, corrosion science, electrode materials and surface chemistry, electrochemical reactor design, computational modelling for electrochemical processes, and sensors and analytical electrochemistry. Hands-on experience is provided through dedicated labs, instrumentation courses and opportunities for undergraduate research in faculty groups working on energy storage, catalysis and materials for electrochemical applications.

• Typical modules: Material & energy balances; Fluid mechanics and heat transfer; Transport phenomena; Chemical reaction engineering; Thermodynamics; Process control and separation processes.
• Elective/specialist modules: Fundamentals of electrochemistry; Batteries and fuel cells; Corrosion and protection; Electrochemical reactor design; Electrode and electrolyte materials; Sensors and electroanalytical methods.
• Practical experience: Laboratory courses, instrument training (potentiostats, impedance spectroscopy), senior capstone design project, and options for undergraduate research placements with faculty labs.

Entry requirements

Admission to Georgia Tech's chemical engineering programme is competitive. Applicants are expected to have strong preparation in mathematics (calculus), chemistry and physics, together with high academic achievement in secondary school. Typical academic preparation includes advanced coursework in calculus and laboratory sciences; applicants presenting A‑levels, IB, or equivalent national qualifications should show high grades in relevant STEM subjects.

For applicants from regions where standardised tests are used, Georgia Tech considers test scores as part of a holistic review; requirements and weight given to tests vary and applicants should check current institutional guidance. International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency through accepted qualifications when required. Beyond academics, successful candidates often show engagement in STEM activities, research internships, or extracurricular leadership that evidences interest in engineering.

Career prospects

Graduates with a chemical engineering degree specialising in electrochemical engineering are well placed for roles in industries developing batteries, fuel cells, electrolysers for hydrogen production, corrosion mitigation, electroplating and electrochemical sensors. Typical entry-level job titles include process engineer, battery engineer, materials engineer, corrosion engineer, research engineer and product development engineer.

Career paths extend into energy and transportation sectors, advanced materials and chemicals manufacturing, semiconductor and electronics firms, environmental technologies, consulting and regulatory roles. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study (MS/PhD) in electrochemistry, materials science, energy systems or chemical engineering, or enter entrepreneurship and technology commercialisation enabled by Georgia Tech's incubation and industry partnership networks.

Why study at Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech is a research-intensive institution with a long-established School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, offering access to faculty active in electrochemical and energy research, modern laboratories and interdisciplinary collaborations across materials science, electrical engineering and energy systems. The institute's location in Atlanta provides strong connections to regional and global industry partners, facilitating internships, co‑op opportunities and industrial research projects.

Undergraduates benefit from structured research opportunities, a team-based senior design experience, and support services for career development and entrepreneurship. The programme’s emphasis on both theoretical foundations and hands-on practice prepares students for technical roles or further research, while the broad engineering environment encourages interdisciplinary problem solving in real-world electrochemical challenges.