The Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering awards Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Science (MS) degrees. The general objective of all programs is to develop the ability of the chemical or petroleum engineer to carry out original research at advanced levels. The aim of the doctoral program is to develop individuals for careers in academic and industrial research. The program is flexible. Its primary emphasis is on innovative and distinctive research on the cutting edge of engineering science. Students wishing to pursue the PhD degree should have an outstanding academic background and a desire and ability to carry out original research. PhD students here are given independence and responsibility. They are not only encouraged but are expected to develop research ideas, which they propose and defend. They work closely with their research advisers and often participate in a research group attacking relevant engineering problems. To supplement their research, students take advanced courses in areas related to their research work. Candidates for the PhD achieve a high level of proficiency through this advanced course work and individual study in their research area and related areas.

The graduate program offers MS and PhD students the opportunity to pursue independent research in five research focus areas where the department has developed national and international reputations: Biotechnology, Catalysis, Environment and Energy, Materials and Multi-scale Modeling. Additional research areas exist in programs that have exploited opportunities at the interface between disciplines. The department's recognized research activities impact the following boundaries between established disciplines: Biotechnology/Environment; Biology/Engineering; Energy/Environment; Polymer Chemistry/Physics; and Catalysis/Chemistry/Materials; Catalysis/Energy; Catalysis/Environment.

Of the 15-tenure/tenure stream and 14 adjunct faculty in our department, 44 percent have joint appointments outside of the School of Engineering. Our faculty collaborate with faculty at CMU, UPMC, in the School of Medicine and the Faculty of Arts and Science, and they regularly co-author scholarly publications and perform cooperative research with other universities and industry. Our faculty has formed a central component of a number of interdisciplinary initiatives and activities. Of particular note are the central roles of the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering in the Center for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative Inc. and the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which aim to develop a regional strength in tissue engineering technology by fostering collaborations between industry government and local academic institutions.

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