Program Overview
The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering at LSU offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires 24 credit hours of coursework and a thesis, while the non-thesis option requires 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination. All students must complete the chemical engineering graduate core program, which includes courses in mathematical methods, thermodynamics, heat and mass transport, and chemical reactor design. Students can transfer up to 9 hours of coursework from another US institution, with a maximum of two core courses eligible for transfer.
Program Outline
The thesis option requires 24 credit hours of coursework and a six-credit thesis (CHE 8000), while the non-thesis option requires 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination. All ChE MS students must complete the chemical engineering graduate core program, including CHE 7110 Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering, CHE 7120 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHE 7130 Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transport, and CHE 7140 Chemical Reactor Design Methods, or equivalents.
Outline:
- Thesis Option: 24 credit hours of formal coursework + a six-credit thesis (CHE 8000)
- Non-Thesis Option: 36 credit hours of formal coursework + a comprehensive examination
- Graduate Core Program:
- CHE 7110 Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering (3 credits)
- CHE 7120 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (3 credits)
- CHE 7130 Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transport (3 credits)
- CHE 7140 Chemical Reactor Design Methods (3 credits)
- Course Transfer: Students can transfer up to 9 hours of coursework from another US institution, with a maximum of two core courses eligible for transfer. The Director of Graduate Studies has the final say on all credit transfers.
Assessment:
- Non-Thesis Option: Students must pass a written comprehensive examination within one year of enrollment.
- Thesis Option: Students must pass a final examination consisting of a comprehensive oral examination.
