Chemical engineers solve problems at the intersection of chemistry, physics, biology, and mathematics - designing processes that transform raw materials into products the world depends on, from pharmaceuticals and semiconductors to sustainable fuels and clean water. At Pitt, you will build that foundation through a curriculum structured around integrated "pillar" courses that connect core concepts - thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and process design - so you learn to think like a practicing engineer from day one. Small class sizes and direct access to faculty ensure you are not just learning theory; you are applying it through hands-on research, co-op placements, and team-based design projects.
New for Fall 2026: Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering (GRO)
Beginning fall 2026, the department will offer a new Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering (GRO). The program prepares students for careers across the full energy spectrum - from hydrocarbon extraction and processing to renewable technologies including solar, wind, biomass, and energy storage. Its curriculum requires seven core renewable energy courses, the most of any program of its kind worldwide. Learn more about the GRO program.
What You Will Study
After completing a common first year through the Swanson School's First-Year Engineering Program, you will advance into the chemical engineering core:
- Thermodynamics
- Mass and energy balances
- Energy, mass, and momentum transfer
- Unit operations
- Process dynamics and control
- Process design
- Chemical reaction engineering
Beyond the Classroom
Pitt chemical engineering students tailor their education through minors, concentrations, and dual-degree options. The department's cooperative education (co-op) program places students in paid industry rotations with regional and national employers, and undergraduate research opportunities let you work alongside faculty on funded projects - from energy storage materials to pharmaceutical process design.
Career Outcomes
Chemical engineers are in demand across a wide range of industries - energy, pharmaceuticals, food and consumer products, semiconductors, advanced materials, and environmental services. Graduates move into roles in process design, operations, research and development, and management. Solutions to the world's energy, environmental, and health challenges depend on the kinds of chemical transformations our graduates are trained to engineer.