Georgia Institute of Technology

What you'll study

This master's programme combines fundamental chemical engineering principles with specialised study of electrochemical systems. Students take core courses in transport phenomena, reaction engineering and process analysis alongside specialist modules in electrochemical engineering.

• Electrochemical Systems and Devices — fundamentals of batteries, fuel cells, electrolyzers and sensors, including cell design and performance metrics.
• Electrode and Electrolyte Materials — materials selection, synthesis and characterisation for electrodes, solid and liquid electrolytes, and interfaces.
• Electrochemical Kinetics and Transport — charge transfer, mass transport in porous electrodes, multi‑scale modelling of coupled processes.
• Electrochemical Reactor and Process Design — scale‑up, reactors for electrochemical conversion, integration with chemical processes and system engineering.
• Corrosion and Surface Science — degradation mechanisms, protection strategies and monitoring techniques.
• Analytical and Experimental Methods — common electrochemical characterisation techniques (potentiostatic/galvanostatic methods, impedance spectroscopy), microscopy and spectroscopy for materials analysis.
• Computational Modelling — continuum and atomistic modelling, multi‑physics simulation of electrochemical devices and performance prediction.
• Seminar and Research Project — participation in departmental seminars and completion of either a thesis or a project‑oriented capstone featuring laboratory work or industry collaboration.

Programme structure typically allows a thesis (research) or non‑thesis (coursework and project) pathway. Students may augment their chemical engineering core with electives from Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and the College’s interdisciplinary energy research centres.

Entry requirements

• Academic background — a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering or a closely related discipline (materials science, mechanical engineering, chemistry, or similar). Applicants with strong quantitative preparation but different undergraduate majors may be considered if they have prerequisite coursework.
• Prerequisite knowledge — foundational courses in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering/kinetics and calculus-based mathematics are expected.
• Application documents — official academic transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining research and career goals, curriculum vitae, and letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees.
• English proficiency — for international applicants, evidence of English language proficiency is required when applicable (e.g. recognised English tests or equivalent qualifications).
• Additional information — depending on the applicant’s background, the admissions committee may recommend preparatory coursework. GRE scores are considered if submitted where required by the programme; applicants should check current departmental guidance.

Career prospects

Graduates with a master’s in Electrochemical Engineering from Georgia Tech move into technical and leadership roles across the energy and materials sectors. Common career paths include:

• R&D engineer in battery, fuel cell and electrolyser development for automotive, grid and portable applications.
• Materials scientist or process engineer in companies producing electrodes, electrolytes and advanced coatings.
• Corrosion engineer or materials protection specialist in oil & gas, infrastructure and manufacturing.
• Technical roles in manufacturing scale‑up, quality assurance and pilot plant operation for electrochemical devices.
• Positions at national laboratories and research institutes working on energy storage, hydrogen production and related technologies.
• Consultancy, patent and regulatory roles where electrochemical expertise is required, or progression to doctoral research for an academic or advanced research career.

Why study at Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia Tech’s School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering offers strong, practical training in electrochemical engineering supported by interdisciplinary collaboration across materials science, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. The programme provides access to well‑equipped laboratories, pilot‑scale facilities and shared characterization centres where students can gain hands‑on experience with synthesis, electrochemical testing and multi‑scale modelling.

The institute’s close links with industry and research organisations in the Atlanta region and beyond create opportunities for internships, sponsored projects and technology transfer. Students benefit from a research‑active faculty, frequent seminars from industrial and academic speakers, and career services that support placement in both established companies and start‑ups focused on clean energy and advanced materials.