Chemical Engineering

Bachelor’s

99%+

Graduate placement

100%

Faculty sponsor undergraduate research

3

Nationally competitive teams

Solve global challenges at the molecular level

The Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering at Trine University produces problem solvers who are prepared to tackle challenges that affect everyday life. You will have the opportunity to experience, and practice in, the diverse areas of chemical engineering: molecules, manufacturing, energy, materials, food and the environment.

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Why Trine?

The Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering is designed for you to succeed through practical, hands-on and rigorous experiences. Trine's program has consistently yielded national award-winning, sought-after graduates. You can also begin applying chemical engineering concepts through three of the university's nationally competitive teams: Chem-E-Car, Jeopardy and ChemE Sports.

Hands-On Experience

Trine's chemical engineering program utilizes interactive textbooks and in-person laboratory courses. You will make chocolate, ice cream and freeze dried food as part of a lab experience. Throughout your time at Trine, you will have the opportunity to apply chemical engineering to a variety of fields such as growing cells for biomedical uses, creating new materials and processes in state-of-the-art equipment and more.

You will begin classes in chemical engineering as soon as your first semester on campus. This early hands-on approach provides you with advanced experiences, preparing you extensively for future internships and jobs.

Trine-Specific Courses

The Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering provides ample core and student-centered lab courses.

Measurements and Instrumentation: Learn to develop, conduct and communicate experiment procedures to meet high-level objectives. Conduct, analyze, interpret data and present the results of those experiments. Gain an understanding of statistical analysis methods commonly used in chemical engineering experiments, as well as the fundamentals of electrical theory as it applies to measurement sensors.
Manufacturing Data Analysis: Prepare for careers in manufacturing with an emphasis on statistically analyzing and summarizing large data sets. Explore topics such as strategies for troubleshooting processes, identifying preventative and corrective actions and data-based decisions for continuous improvement. Improve personal development skills required to initiate and advance within a manufacturing career.
Chemical Process Design I and II: Start with the big picture and add greater detail in a top down, evolutionary and generally circular feedback design process. Explore design heuristics, cost estimation, simulation, safety, economic analysis, project optimization, documentation, reporting and presentation. Unify the principles of previous coursework.

Personalized Learning Experience

The chemical engineering program has an average class size of less than 20. This allows chemical engineering faculty to provide personalized advising and mentoring through small classes and labs.

Trine's unique curriculum also keeps you engaged with at least one chemical engineering course every semester and numerous hands-on labs.

Through the Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering curriculum at Trine, you will prepare to be a leader in energy, from gasoline to batteries and solar panels; create advanced materials from shatter-proof touch screens to running shoes; produce safe and healthy foods as well as pharmaceuticals at large scales; and protect and clean air and water for a sustainable future.

Practical experience with a personal touch

At Trine, you will learn the foundation of chemical engineering and gain practical experiences in a variety of relevant industries. Upon graduation, you will have the confidence to enter one of the highest paying undergraduate degree fields.

Careers

Trine graduates will be prepared for the following career possibilities:

Government

EPA
FDA
NASA
Defense

Graduate Degrees

M.S., Ph.D.
M.D., D.O.
J.D.
M.B.A., M.S.E.M.

Manufacturing

Automotive
Chemicals
Consumer goods
Food
Fuels
Medical devices
Medicines
Polymers

Companies likely to recruit Trine graduates include:

Abbott
ADM
DuPont
Elanco
Eli Lilly and Company
GM
Marathon
Michelin
NASA
Nestle

Pfizer
P&G
POET
Rolls-Royce
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
Stryker
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Zimmer Biomet

Accreditation

Trine University's chemical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Program Information

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering

Duration

128 credit hours

Level

Undergraduate

Campus Location

Angola, IN

School/College

Allen School of Engineering and Computing

two students checking beakers — Hops contain natural oils that give beer its distinctive aroma and flavor. Compared to using whole hops, hop oil provides stronger and more consistent flavor, better control over dosing, reduced processing losses, longer shelf life and increased product value. The purpose of this project was to evaluate and compare different methods for extracting oil from three hop varieties, Chinook, Michigan Copper and Mackinac, sourced from Root 9 Hops, while optimizing operating conditions and assessing each method based on oil yield, operating cost and overall profitability.

student check beaker of lavender oil while other student checks larger machine — This project evaluated lavender oil yield by solvent extraction. French lavender (Lavandula stoechas) from Lake James Lavender Company contains about 1% oil by mass, making efficient extraction important. Standard steam distillation is compared with hydro-distillation using water, ethanol and hexane as solvents. Water is commonly used due to low cost and safety but has low oil solubility. Ethanol and hexane offer higher solubility and improved yield but present higher cost and flammability risks. Yield, cost and safety were evaluated to determine the most effective extraction approach.

three student gather around a laptop — SDI LaFarga produces copper rod and wire from reclaimed copper. The furnace used to melt down copper produces dirty combustion air. This air is treated to meet environmental standards. As part of the treatment, significant heat is added to an afterburner to burn off residual carbon monoxide. The goal of this senior design project was to reduce the utility consumption of this process by designing and integrating a heat exchange system that utilizes existing process streams.

three students coat a machine in a chemical coating — Unprotected fiber optic cables score during installation. Conduit Space Recovery Systems wanted to develop a chemical coating to improve cable protection. This senior design project focused on building an abrasion testing apparatus to quantify the protection provided by certain chemical treatments and select preferred coatings based on cost, abrasion resistance and availability.

three students check various liquids in beakers — The composition of grape must plays a critical role in fermentation behavior and final wine quality, particularly with respect to flavor and color development. Acres Away, a local winery, currently foot-treads their red wine grapes, a labor- and time-intensive process. This project distinguished compositional differences between foot-treaded, mechanically processed and fully disrupted musts. In addition, estimates of stomping force were calculated and used to generate preliminary designs for a gentler automated process that preserves the quality achieved by foot treading.

The faculty here saw my potential and helped me shape my path. They didn’t just teach me—they listened, they guided and they made me feel like I belonged.

Lydia Randolph

Chemical Engineering Class of 2025

Trine choir, wind ensemble close out spring semester

April 16, 2026

The Trine University Music Program is pleased to present a final duo of concerts for the weekend of April 25-26.

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Trine instrumental groups in concert April 18-19

April 14, 2026

The Trine University Music Program will present a duo of concerts over the weekend of April 18 and 19.

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Three bank officials and college administrator presenting large check to student.

Storm Tank: Trine student ideas improve recycling, laundry, running

April 9, 2026

Apps to encourage recycling, make shared laundry spaces work better and help choose the right running shoes won the top prizes at Trine University’s annual college and community Storm Tank competition on March 25.

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