Chemical Engineering

Tips for majors

Common
misconceptions
about this major

-Find a mentor, whether it is professor or a student that is ahead of

you in the program. The best way to find the tricks of success is to
know someone who has already done it.
-Your first year in this major can be overwhelming. Stick with it and
reach out to those around you for advice and with questions. This
major is a lot of work but its worth it.
-This department gets really close. If you take the time, you can get
to know your classmates and professors really well. Teaching is
important to professors in this department. Take advantage of
opportunities to learn from professors who care about you and your
learning.
-The industry for chemical engineers has a very wide variety. It does
not just consist of being in a lab. Its a very versatile major. There
are many opportunities in industrypharmaceuticals, alternative
fuels, cosmetics, medical devices, etc.
-Many think because of a major that demands so much of your time,
its impossible to be involved in other extracurricular activities,
when in reality its those extracurricular activities that make you
more marketable and well rounded.

Open or Closed
Major

-Students in this major are not science geeksthey have and need
great communication skills, care about people, and want to solve
real problems using concepts from chemistry, physics, and other
sciences.
-All students begin with pre-Chemical Engineering status
-Intermediate status is available after the first year in the program,
forms are available on the departmental website
(http://www.che.utah.edu/undergraduate/forms/intermediate_status
).
-Major status is available when the second year is complete.
(http://www.che.utah.edu/undergraduate/forms/major_status).
-The ChemE advisor (Tracey Farnsworth) is very helpful in making
sure all necessary applications are completed before due dates.
Contact
her if there are any questions. tracey.farnsworth@utah.edu

Advising

-Talk directly to Tracey Farnsworth. This major has small class

numbers so its fairly easy to make appointments. The best way to
set up an appointment is to email Tracey at
tracey.farnsworth@utah.edu with a few dates/times that you are
available.

-There are 4 and 5-year formats outlining all required courses for
graduation. Because Chemical Engineering classes are only offered
once/year and never in the summer, its important to stay on track.
-Review needed courses and compare to DARS report.
-If there are questions about courses make them specific. This will
help you be best prepared for advising appointments.
- http://www.che.utah.edu/undergraduate/advising
-If you need help forming a class schedule for next semester, try to
put together a tentative schedule before your appointment. That
way we can check for any prerequisite problems or conflicts during
your appointment.
-Make sure you check your Umail for advising updates
-Request permission codes online at
http://www.che.utah.edu/undergraduate/forms/permission_code
Listserves/Sources
of Information

-Department Website http://www.che.utah.edu/

-A weekly newsletter from Tracey Farnsworth should appear in your
UMail inbox. This will cover advising updates, job opportunities,
upcoming speakers and events, scholarship opportunities, and
general announcements. If you are not receiving this email,
contact Tracey.

Student
Organizations

-National American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

http://www.aiche.org/ This puts you in a national database of that
connects you to Chemical Engineers across the country. It gives you
an opportunity to stay on top of cutting edge findings, and new
opportunities.
-Utahs Chapter of AIChE http://www.che.utah.edu/aiche. As a
member, you will have the opportunity to build networks with the
chemical engineering community through participating in our
Industry Outreach Program. Helping you find Full-Time jobs and
internships by making vital connections with our Industry Partners.
On Campus Industry Presentations, Industry Tours, and our premier
Fall Recruiting Banquet tailored to help you find the right job. Our
commitment is to encourage academic and professional progress by
providing all of the necessary resources for your success. To get
involved, contact the president of the organization (Tracey
Farnsworth can tell you who this is.)
- Community Outreach http://www.che.utah.edu/dept_outreach. A
team of students, advised by Tony Butterfield, travel to local schools
and community events to explain engineering subjects, describe the
college experience, and conduct interesting and educational
demonstrations.
-ChemE Car http://www.che.utah.edu/chem_e_car. This is an

engineering competition sponsored by AICHE. Getting involved gives you

a chance to learn valuable engineering and team working skills while
having a good time getting to know their peers and professors. Teams

from various universities design and construct chemically powered

vehicles. These vehicles must operate safely, and be able to carry a
certain weight in cargo some set distance, using only a chemical
reaction as a stopping mechanism. To get involved, contact Tony
Butterfield (info below)
-SACMembers representing each class are elected each year.
Involved students take part in the RPT process.
-Society of Women Engineers
People or
Professors to Know

Events/Programs

Hands on learning
opportunities

-Tracey Farnsworth-Undergraduate Advising

-Professor Geoff Silcox (Geoff@che.utah.edu) - Faculty Director of
Undergraduate Program and Honors Advisor. In addition to
answering advising questions, he can help with your thesis or
honors coursework. He also advises transfer students. Hes a good
person to talk to if you want to do research but arent sure where to
start.
-Tony Butterfield (tony.butterfield@utah.edu). Good contact to join
community outreach team or ChemECar organizations. Teaches
freshman Design and Innovation course.
-Milind DeoDepartment Chair. Is approachable and available to
students.
-Rachelle Reed (rach.reed@utah.edu) She can help with grad
school preparation and applications.
-Kevin Whitty (kevin.whitty@utah.edu)Director of Graduate
program. Great source of information in interested in pursuing
graduate degree.
-As for the rest of your professors you will get to know them fairly
well due to the smaller class sizes. Do not be afraid to develop
friendships with them because they will help ensure a successful
undergraduate experience.
-Sign up and check regularly the departmental emails from Tracey
Farnsworth. They are full of great info such as dates and deadlines
along with opportunities to have first hand experiences with other
chemical engineers and internships.
-As a member of the student chapter of AIChE, you will be notified
of all events.
-Senior Interview Workshop (mid-fall semester)this event is
coordinated with Career Services and helps students prepare for job
interviews. Companies that hire U of U graduates are represented.
This event can also prepare you for an internship interview.
-Research with a professor is a great way to get hands on
experience. There are many projects happening with multiple
professors.

Exploration
Tips/Resources

Internships/Field
Placement

-The best way to find who youd be interested in working with is

searching the faculty bios and seeing what projects they
themselves are involved in. Then contact the professors directly
about you interests.
This is a great major for students who want to solve problems in
creative, practical ways. See the engineering career counselor or
academic advisor to ask questions and explore whether this major
is right for you.
-Internships are not required but strongly encouraged.
-Jobs http://www.aiche.org/resources/careers
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/overview
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/finding_a_job
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/job_postings
-College of Engineering job site: http://www.coe.utah.edu/student_jobs
-Utah Career Services http://careers.utah.edu/. Make an
appointment with the Chemical Engineering Career Counselor,
Colton Griffiths to get started on your search for an internship.
-There are resume and interview workshops held by career services.
Utilize them!!!
-Internships are crucial in making yourself marketable. Seek ones
that are in your realm of interest early on so when you are qualified
you can have a head start on applications.

Study Abroad
Opportunities

Summer is a great time to study abroad without interrupting

coursework. It is possible to complete required courses during a
study abroad experience but it requires advance planning.
http://www.coe.utah.edu/study_abroad

Research

-The Chemical Engineering program at the University of Utah offers

a number of collaborative, interdisciplinary research opportunities
for our graduate students, and ambitious undergraduates. Students
who study here have access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities,
research assistantships, and a network of faculty with diverse
research specialties.
-The best way to find who youd be interested in working with is
searching the faculty bios and seeing what projects they
themselves are involved in. Then contact the professors directly
about you interests. Or look at university emphasized projects at
http://www.che.utah.edu/research/strengths
-Some positions are paid, but may depend on the project and
professors.

-UROP http://urop.utah.edu/ is a great place to start to get funding

for research.
Tutoring/Academic
Help

Engineering Tutoring Center:

Scholarships

College of Engineering and Chemical Engineering Scholarships:

Apply for all available Engineering scholarships with just one online
application: https://web.eng.utah.edu/scholarship/

Summer
Opportunities

http://www.coe.utah.edu/tutoring

Find University-wide scholarships using the convenient, searchable

database: http://financialaid.utah.edu/scholarships/
-Summers are a great time for students to take classes they may
have missed during Fall and Spring semesters, especially general
education courses or University bachelor degree courses.
-Summers are a fantastic time to complete internships! Summers
between sophomore and junior year and between junior and senior
year are especially great for internships. Start applying for summer
internships early in the year!
-Study abroad information can be found:
http://www.coe.utah.edu/study_abroad

Career/Job Search
Resources

-Career Counselor for Engineering Students: Colton Griffiths

(cgriffiths@sa.utah.edu)
-Career Services Information:
http://careers.utah.edu/students/research/major/chemicalengineering.php
-College of Engineering Job Site:
http://www.coe.utah.edu/student_jobs

-Chemical Engineering Jobs Site:

http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/job_postings

-Jobs http://www.aiche.org/resources/careers
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/overview
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/finding_a_job
http://www.che.utah.edu/careers/job_postings
LEAP

E-LEAP is not required for Chemical Engineers but recommended if

you need to fulfill General Education requirements.
E-LEAP fulfills three graduation requirements with two classes.
These requirements are Social & Behavioral Science, Humanities
and Diversity.
E-LEAP courses provide opportunities to be with one professor
and the same classmates for an entire year.

E-LEAP courses focus on the ethical standards of engineers in

national and global settings in the fall class and on how concepts
of community have developed and been implemented in the
American experience in the spring semester.

Date written: 12/5/13

Author: Samuel Doane
Edited: Summer 2014 by Stephanie Santarosa