Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Advising

Tag: schedule planning

What chemical engineering electives are being offered next semester? next year?

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We plan to offer the following chemical engineering electives in future semesters.

Fall 2022

  • CM 2200  Intro to Minerals and Materials (3 credit)
  • CM 3450  Computer-Aided Problem Solving (3 credits)
  • CM 3979  Alternative Energy Technology and Processes (1 credit)
  • CM 4610  Intro to Polymer Science (3 credits)
  • CM 4780  Biomanufacturing and Biosafety (3 credits) This is an alternate-year class and will not be offered next year.
  • plus the undergraduate research courses

Spring 2023

  • CM 3025  Bioprocessing Lab (1 credit)
  • CM 3830  Mineral Processing and Extraction Lab (1 credit)
  • CM 4510   Interfacial Engineering (3 credits) This is an alternate-year course and will not be offered next year.
  • CM 4620  Polymer Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CM 4740  Hydrometallurgy/Pyrometallurgy (4 credits)
  • plus the undergraduate research courses

Fall 2023

  • CM 2200  Intro to Minerals and Materials (3 credit)
  • CM 3450  Computer-Aided Problem Solving (3 credits)
  • CM 3979  Alternative Energy Technology and Processes (1 credit)
  • CM 4610  Intro to Polymer Science (3 credits)
  • CM 4710  Biochemical Processes (3 credits) This is an alternate-year class and will not be offered next year.
  • plus the undergraduate research courses

Spring 2024

  • CM 3025  Bioprocessing Lab (1 credit)
  • CM 3830  Mineral Processing and Extraction Lab (1 credit)
  • CM 4505   Particle Technology (3 credits) This is an alternate-year course and will not be offered next year.
  • CM 4620  Polymer Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CM 4740  Hydrometallurgy/Pyrometallurgy (4 credits)
  • plus the undergraduate research courses

Undergraduate Research Courses

These classes are always offered. You will need special permission to enroll in it. There is more information on how this works on our undergraduate research page.

  • CM 4000  Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits)
  • CM 4020  Undergrad Research in Mineral Proc Engineering (1-3 credits)
  • CM 4040  Undergrad Research in Bioengineering (1-3 credits)
  • CM 4060  Undergrad Research in Polymer Engineering (1-3 credits)
  • CM 4080  Undergrad Research in Biofuels Engineering (1-3 credits)
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How do I figure out which classes to take next semester?

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You need two items to figure this out:

  • Your transcript. Go to Banweb to see your unofficial transcript.  It is extremely important to look at it and know exactly what classes are on it.
  • A flowchart or sample schedule for your catalog year.  All of our advising handouts are available on the Degree Requirements page, sorted by catalog year.

Start by crossing off the classes that you have completed and are currently enrolled in. Run your online degree audit on Banweb to see if it matches. If you see anything that doesn’t match then see your academic advisor to find out why.

Choose classes that are next on the flowchart/sample schedule. It’s usually useful to plan for several semesters out. Review your plan with your academic advisor. It really helps to have a second set of eyes look at your plan.

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What do I need to know to plan out a minor in Alternative Energy Technology?

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Here is some additional scheduling information to help you plan. Go to the Registrar’s Office minor page for the most current list of requirements.

Thermodynamics Course

Check with the department offering the course for the expected planned schedule.

Circuits Course

Select one course below.

  • EE 3010 Circuits and Instrumentation for Cyber Physical Systems. This is the circuits course that most students take because it is an introductory course designed for non-EE majors. It is usually offered every fall, spring, and summer, in-person and/or online. This course includes a required lab.
  • EE 2111 Electric Circuits I is intended for EE majors and is usually offered every fall, spring, and summer.
  • EET 1121 Circuits I is usually offered every spring and requires an additional lab EET 1122.
  • EET 1141 Basic Electronics is intended for College of Computing majors and is usually offered every fall and spring.

Energy Technology Courses

Take three or more credits from this list.

  • CM/ENT 3979 Alternative Energy Technology and Processes is usually offered every fall.
  • EE 3120 Electric Energy Systems is usually offered every fall and spring, in-person and online.
  • EE/MEEM 4295 Intro to Propulsion Systems for Hybrid Electric Vehicles, and EE/MEEM 4296 Experimental Studies in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are usually offered every fall.
  • MEEM 4200 Principles of Energy Conversion, MEEM 4235 Wind Energy, and MEEM 4260 Fuel Cell Technology are usually offered every fall.

Energy & Society Courses

Take three or more credits from this list.

  • CM 3980 Sustainable Chemical Engineering is usually offered every fall and spring.
  • EC 4620 Energy Economics is usually offered every spring semester and can be also used as a HASS class. It is an upper-level HASS course and on the Social and Behavioral Science list. For chemical engineering students, this course usually has a time conflict with senior ChE classes.
  • ENG 4515 Introduction to Sustainability and Resilience is usually offered every fall.
  • ENG 4525 System Analysis for Sustainability and Resilience is usually offered every spring.
  • MEEM 4240 Combustion and Air Pollution is usually offered every fall.
  • MEEM 4685 Environmentally Responsible Design & Manufacturing has not been offered recently.
  • SS 3280 Anthropology of Energy is usually offered in the spring of even years and is a HASS course on the Social and Behavioral Science list.
  • SS 3800 Energy Policy & Technology is usually offered every spring and is a HASS course on the Social and Behavioral Science list. It’s also occasionally offered in the summer as an online course.
  • SS 3811 Energy Security and Justice and SS 3815 Energy and Society are usually offered fall of odd years and are HASS courses on the Social and Behavioral Science list.

Optional Elective Courses

Remaining credits can be additional courses from the Energy Technology and Energy & Society lists above or those listed below.

  • CM 4080 Undergraduate Research in Biofuels Engineering is offered on demand. If you are interested in doing undergraduate research in the chemical engineering department then you will need to talk to the faculty who are doing research in the biofuels engineering area to see if they have a project that you can work on with them. The chemical engineering faculty currently doing research in this area are Dr. Ong and Dr. Shonnard.
  • EE 4219 Intro to Electric Machinery and Drives is usually offered every spring, in-person and online.
  • EE 4226 Power Engineering Lab is usually offered every spring and occasionally summer and requires instructor permission to enroll.
  • EE 4227 Power Electronics is usually offered every fall, in-person and online.
  • EET 3390 Power Systems is usually offered every fall.
  • Enterprise Project Work with the Alternative Energy Enterprise team is approved for the minor. Project work in the alternative energy area with other Enterprise teams may also be approved. Email a brief description of your project to the chemical engineering advisor for approval.
  • MEEM 4220 Internal Combustion Engines I is usually offered every fall.
  • MEEM 4250 Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning is usually offered spring of odd years.
  • MEEM 4820 Intro to Aeropace Propulsion is usually offered every spring.
  • MET 4350 Principles and Application of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems is usually offered every spring.
  • MET 4390 Internal Combustion Engines is usually offered every fall.
  • MSE 4410 Science of Ceramic Materials is usually offered every spring.
  • Undergraduate Research in the alternative energy area from other departments may be approved. Email a brief description of your research to the chemical engineering advisor for approval. 

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Are there any upcoming peer mentoring workshops?

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Yes! Here’s the current schedule for this semester. These are informal chats. Leave early, come late as your schedule permits.

Fall 2022

*Subscribe to the ChE advising events calendar for the most current date/time/location information.

Topic Date* Time* Location*
Student Organizations: Learn about how and why to involved in student orgs. Wednesday, September 7th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Resumes: Bring your resume, even if it’s just a draft. Wednesday, September 14th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Co-ops/Internships: What it’s like to do a co-op/internships and interview tips. Monday, September19th 7:00 pm Chem Sci 215
Preparing for Exams: Learn about campus resources to help you prepare for mid-terms. Tuesday, September 27th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Enterprise: What it’s like to be on an Enterprise team. Wednesday, October 5th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Registration: Start preparing for spring registration with tips on how to plan your schedule. Wednesday, October 12th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Minors: Minor options and how to fit it in with your major requirements. Wednesday, October 19th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
Junior ChE Courses: If you’ll be taking junior-level ChE classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Tuesday, October 25th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Sophomore ChE Courses: If you’ll be taking sophomore-level ChE classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Wednesday, October 26th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
First-year Courses: If you’ll be taking first-year classes next semester then stop by for help planning your classes. Tuesday, November 1st 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310
Research: What it’s like to do undergraduate research with a faculty member and how to find a research mentor. Tuesday, November 29th 6:30 pm Chem Sci 215
First-Semester Recap: How did your first semester go? Tell us about it. Tuesday, December 6th 5:00 pm Chem Sci 310

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How do I fit in a co-op?

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Be prepare for a co-op to delay your graduation by one year because of the order that the ChE classes need to be taken. These classes are also only offered in certain semesters. You can use this as an opportunity to fit in two co-op experiences. The table below shows one way to do this. Another option is to use the extra semester to spread out your classes and/or fit in a minor or study abroad.

Year Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
First Year Classes.
Take calc I plus all the usual fall freshman classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Classes.
Take calc II plus all the usual spring freshman classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Open.
Work and take a break.
Second Year Classes.
Take the usual fall sophomore classes. Some of these classes are only offered in the fall and summer. 		Classes.
Take the usual spring sophomore classes. Most of these classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. 		Co-op 1.
On first co-op for 6 months (summer-fall)
Third Year Co-op 1.
On first co-op for 6 months (summer-fall) 		Classes.
Take the usual fall junior classes. These classes are offered in the fall and spring and are prereqs for the spring junior classes. 		Co-op 2.
On second co-op for 6 months (summer-fall)
Fourth Year Co-op 2.
On second co-op for 6 months (summer-fall) 		Classes.
Take the usual spring junior classes. These classes are only offered in the spring and are prereqs for the fall senior classes. 		Open.
Finding a summer internship is usually easier when you have previous co-op experience.
Fifth Year Classes.
Take the usual fall senior classes. These classes are only offered in the fall and are prereqs for the spring senior classes. 		Classes.
Take the usual spring senior classes. These classes are only offered in the spring. 		Graduated!!
Start your full-time job with a significant amount of industrial experience!
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Can I do a co-op and still graduate in four years?

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Maybe. You’ll need to plan ahead. If you come in with credit for calc I and some other courses then you might be able to get this to work. You will also need to take thermo along with the junior year ChE classes, which is challenging.

Here are the important things to know:

  • If you are done with the required math and CM 2110 Material and Energy Balances then you can take CM 3110 Transport & UO I and CM 3215 Fundamentals of ChE Lab at the same time as CM 3230 Thermo.
  • You can take CM 3240 Separations at the same time as the usual spring junior classes. This will give you 13 credits of required junior-year ChE classes, which is challenging. However if you are a strong student and very motivated then it’s doable.

If you are interested in working out a schedule like this, then make a rough draft and bring it to your academic advisor to review together.

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What do I need to know to plan out a mineral processing minor?

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Here is some additional information to help you plan. Go to the Registrar’s Office minor page for the most current list of requirements.

Required Mineral Processing and Mineralogy Courses

You need to take all three of these courses.

  • CM 2200 Intro to Minerals and Materials is usually offered every fall semester.
  • CM 3830 Mineral Processing and Extraction Lab is usually offered every spring semester.
  • GE 2300 Mineral Science is usually offered every fall semester. This course includes a lecture and laboratory.

Thermodynamics Courses

You need to take one course on the list. Check with the department offering the course for the expected planned schedule.

Elective Courses

You need to take at least seven credits from this list.

  • CM 3825 Sampling, Statistics, and Instrumentation has not been offered recently.
  • CM 4020 Undergrad Research in Mineral Processing Engineering is offered on demand. If you are interested in doing undergraduate research then you will need to talk to the faculty who are doing research in the mineral processing area to see if they have a project that you can work on with them. The faculty currently doing research in this area is Dr. Eisele and Dr. Pan.
  • CM 4505 Particle Technology is usually offered every other spring during even years, such as Spring ’22, Spring ’24, etc.
  • CM 4510 Interfacial Engineering is usually offered every other spring during odd years, such as Spring ’23, Spring ’25, etc.
  • CM/MSE 4740 Hydrometallurgy/Pyrometallurgy is usually offered every spring.
  • EC 4630 Mineral Industry Economics is usually offered every other spring semester and requires principles of economics as a prereq. However it hasn’t been offered recently and so you’ll need to check with the College of Business to see when it will be available next.
  • ENT XXXX Enterprise Project Work. If you are doing work in Enterprise that is in the mineral processing area then up to three credits of Enterprise may be approved to use towards the minor. Email a brief description of your project for each of the semesters that you wish to be considered for approval to the chemical engineering advisor.
  • GE 3400 Drilling and Blasting is usually offered every fall and requires additional prerequisites. However, if you have already completed both PH 2100 University Physics I and CM 2200 Intro to Minerals and Materials, then you might be able to get permission to enroll in the class. Contact the instructor of the course for consideration.
  • GE 4360 Bulk Material Dynamics and Engineering is usually offered every spring and requires additional prerequisites. However, if you are a chemical engineering student who has already completed both PH 2100 University Physics I and CM 3110 Transport & Unit Operations I, then you might be able to get permission to enroll in the class. Contact the instructor of the course for consideration.
  • MSE 3120 Materials Characterization I are offered every spring and require additional prerequisites and so you’ll need to plan ahead.
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What do I need to know to plan out a polymer science and engineering minor?

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Here is some additional scheduling information to help you plan. Go to the Registrar’s Office minor page for the most current list of requirements.

Introduction to Polymers Course

Select one course below:

  • BE 4300 Polymeric Biomaterials is usually offered spring of odd years, such as Spring ’23, Spring ’25, etc.
  • CM/CH 4610 Introduction to Polymer Science is usually offered every fall.
  • MSE 4110 Introduction to Polymer Engineering is usually offered every fall.

Chemistry or Engineering Courses

Check with the department offering the course for the expected planned schedule.

Elective Courses

Select remaining credits below:

  • BE 3300 Biomechanics I or MEEM 2150 Mechanics of Materials is usually offered every year.
  • BE 4335 Smart Polymers is usually offered fall of odd years, such as Fall ’21, Fall ’23, etc.
  • CH/CM 4620 Polymer Chemistry is usually offered every spring.
  • CH 4710 Biomolecular Chemistry is usually offered every fall but has a time conflict with CM 4855, which is required for senior chemical engineering students.
  • CM 4060 Undergraduate Research in Polymer Engineering is offered on demand. If you are interested in doing undergraduate research in the chemical engineering department then you will need to talk to the faculty who are doing research in the polymer engineering area to see if they have a project that you can work on with them. The faculty currently doing research in this area are Dr. Liu and Dr. Ong.
  • CM 4650 Polymer Rheology is no longer offered because the faculty retired.
  • ENG 4515 Introduction to Sustainability and Resilience is usually offered every fall. To use this class towards the minor you will need to complete a polymer-related term project. Email your topic to the chemical engineering advisor for approval.
  • ENT Enterprise Project Work. Up to 3 credits of Enterprise project work in the polymer science or engineering area may be approved. Email a brief description of your project to the chemical engineering for approval.
  • MEEM 4170 Failure of Materials in Mechanics is usually offered every spring.
  • MEEM 4635 Design with Plastics has not been offered recently. You will need to check with the Mechanical Engineering Department to see when it will be available next.
  • MSE 4430 Composite Materials is usually offered every spring.
  • Undergraduate Research in the polymer science and engineering area from other departments may be approved. Email a brief description of your research to the chemical engineering advisor for approval. Several students have done polymer chemistry research with Dr. Heiden in the Chemistry Department, as one example.

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How do I figure out what classes to take next semester?

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Plan your future semesters based on your interests.  Things to consider:  co-ops, undergraduate research, Enterprise program, minors, study abroad, graduate school.  The more credit you came in with the more flexibility you’ll have and the sooner you can start doing some of these things.  Remember that your plan is a draft and subject to change as you explore your interests. 

The general process for planning out future semesters is as follows: 

  1. Find your degree requirements on the department’s advising webpage or Registrar’s Office webpage.  This is based on your catalog year, which is usually the year that you started at Michigan Tech.  Print out either the flowchart, 4- or 5-year sample schedule, or degree audit to use as a checklist.  
  2. Cross off completed or in-progress requirements.  Write elective courses next to the corresponding requirement to keep track of them.
  3. Run your online degree audit on Banweb to make sure classes are counting where they are expected to.  If they are not then contact your academic advisor to find out why.  Online degree audits for new students will be available 30 days before the semester starts.
  4. Print out a blank academic plan sheet from the department’s advising webpage or set up a spreadsheet and start writing down the classes you plan to take for each future semester.  It usually makes the most sense to start with the major required classes, then minor classes if you are doing a minor, and finally remaining elective classes.

Be aware that the last step takes work. We’ve put a lot of information on the department’s FAQs to help you find your way through the process.  Once you have a rough plan, review it with your academic advisor to make sure you’ve got all the details right. 

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