Posted on August 27, 2025 by Sean M. Wood
Klesse College Students in the Lab
Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design will launch a new master’s degree in chemical engineering this fall in response to market demand.
Department faculty polled their network and surveyed industries in the region to develop the program, according to Biomedical Engineering and Chemical Engineering Chair Dr. Nehal Abu-Lail.
“We asked them what they would like to see if they were to hire a student with a master’s degree versus a student with a bachelor’s degree,” Abu-Lail said. “What skills are you looking for that will make these students employable?”
The result is a program with three distinct tracks.
One is a traditional academic track. Students take advanced courses and prepare a thesis. “Doing a thesis by itself is hands-on experience; it’s research experience,” she said. Abu-Lail noted that the communication skills of master's students improve significantly from when they are bachelor’s students; they are better equipped to problem-solve and think critically. These skills are developed through research.
The other two tracks do not require a thesis, but the student must choose an area of focus that is in demand in the industry.
One is management. Students learn to use professional software that is relevant to chemical engineering, like Aspen and Mathematica. They will also learn how to become leaders who guide teams, make strategic decisions and drive organizational success in chemical engineering industries.
“They are going to become proficient in using these tools, so when they are employed in the industry, they can design processes at advanced levels” Abu-Lail said.
The final track is the Advanced Process Development. When engineers with bachelor’s degrees go to work, they are trained to ensure processes operate smoothly, she said.
“Someone with our master’s degree in operational optimization will not just be a process engineer. They will look for ways to do things differently,” Abu-Lail said. “It’s done quicker, more efficiently, safer and more environmentally friendly. They go from being an observational engineer to being an operational engineer.”
Klesse has offered a Ph.D. in chemical engineering but never a master’s degree. She said the master’s program would give students a chance to see if they want to pursue post-graduate work without committing to a Ph.D.
“They have the opportunity to work on a thesis, conduct research and see where their heart is,” Abu-Lail said. “It helps them chart their career choices.”
— Sean M. Wood
