The Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering specializes in nanoscale science, chemical engineering, and technology. These areas have the potential to make valuable advances in different areas that include new materials, biology and medicine, energy conversion, sensors, and environmental remediation, to name a few. The Chemical Engineering undergraduate program is designed to support and foster chemical engineering as a profession that interfaces engineering and all aspects of sciences (physics, chemistry, biology). The NanoEngineering undergraduate degree program focuses on integrating the nanoscale science, technology and engineering disciplines necessary for successful careers in the evolving nanotechnology industry.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering offers undergraduate programs leading to the B.S. degrees in Chemical Engineering and NanoEngineering. The Chemical Engineering (B.S.) and NanoEngineering (B.S.) programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABETwww.abet.org. The undergraduate degree programs focus on integrating the various sciences and engineering disciplines necessary for successful careers in the evolving chemical engineering and nanotechnology industries. These two degree programs have very different requirements and are described in separate sections.
B.S. Chemical Engineering
The Chemical Engineering undergraduate program is housed within the Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering. The program is made up of faculty from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Department of Bioengineering and the Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering. The curricula at both the undergraduate and graduate levels are designed to support and foster chemical engineering as a profession that interfaces engineering and all aspects of basic sciences (physics, chemistry, and biology). As of Fall 2008, the Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering has taken over the administration of the B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering.
B.S. NanoEngineering
The NanoEngineering Undergraduate Program became effective Fall 2010. This major focuses on nanoscale science, engineering, and technology that have the potential to make valuable advances in different areas that include, to name a few, new materials, biology and medicine, energy conversion, sensors, and environmental remediation. The program includes affiliated faculty from the Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and the Department of Bioengineering. The NanoEngineering undergraduate program is tailored to provide breadth and flexibility by taking advantage of the strength of basic sciences and other engineering disciplines at UC San Diego. The intention is to graduate nanoengineers who are multidisciplinary and can work in a broad spectrum of industries.
Academic Advising
Upon admission to the major, students should consult the catalog or the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering website for their program of study, and their undergraduate/graduate advisor if they have questions. Because some course and/or curricular changes may be made every year, it is imperative that students consult with the department’s student affairs advisors on an annual basis.
Students can meet with the academic advisors during walk-in hours, schedule an appointment, or send messages through the Virtual Advising Center (VAC).
Program Alterations/Exceptions to Requirements
Variations from or exceptions to any program or course requirements are possible only if the Undergraduate Affairs Committee approves a petition before the courses in question are taken.
Independent Study
Students may take NANO 199 or CENG 199, Independent Study for Undergraduates, under the guidance of a NANO or CENG faculty member. This course is taken as an elective on a P/NP basis. Under very restrictive conditions, however, it may be used to satisfy upper-division Technical Elective or Nanoengineering Elective course requirements for the major. Students interested in this alternative must have completed at least 90 units and earned a UC San Diego cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better. Eligible students must identify a faculty member with whom they wish to work and propose a two-quarter research or study topic. Please visit the Student Affairs office for more information. Learn more about how to enroll in CENG 199 or NANO 199: https://ne.ucsd.edu/undergrad-programs/degree/advising/special-studies-course