The Master of Engineering (ME) program was approved by the Puerto Rico Council for Higher Education (CES) in 1972. The program officially began operation during the first semester of the 1972-73 academic year. So far, the Masters’ program has produced 225 graduates which are employed in different fields. As of early 2021, around 30% of our graduates have been employed in industry or government agencies, and 70% have been admitted to doctoral programs in PR and the US.

 

The industrial development of the island and the need for innovation require professionals with a depth understanding of advanced chemical engineering fundamentals.  Research in the Department of Chemical Engineering spans the spectrum from fundamental work on chemical engineering science to applications development.  Current research projects falls into the broad categories: a) Bioprocess and Biomedical Engineering, b) Catalysis & Surface Engineering, c) Complex Fluids & Soft Matter, d) Transport & Separations and e) Pharmaceutical and Chemical Processes.

 

The educational objectives of the ME program are to prepare graduates:

    1. with an understanding of advanced chemical engineering fundamentals and principles,
    2. capable of identifying technical problems and outlining solutions by integrating and applying fundamentals and applied principles of sciences and engineering, and
    3. with the ability to effectively communicate to a broad audience the technical and socio-ethical impact and context of their work

The ME offers two options: the engineering project option, which requires an advanced program of study combined with an applied project, and the coursework-only option.

 

Requirements

The engineering project option of the Master of Engineering (ME) degree in Chemical Engineering at UPRM requires:

    1. Approval of a minimum 31 credits as specified by the program with a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)
    2. Approval of a project proposal
    3. Perform an engineering project under the supervision of a faculty advisor
    4. Approval of engineering project’s oral defense exam
    5. Preparation an engineering project report document

 

The coursework-only option of the Master of Engineering (ME) degree in Chemical Engineering at UPRM requires:

    1. Approval of a minimum 36 credits as specified by the program with a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0)

Curriculum

The engineering project option of the Master of Engineering (ME) program requires a minimum of 30 credits to complete the degree, which are divided as follows:

12 credits in chemical engineering core subjects,

6 credits in engineering project,

6 credits in electives in the specialization area

6 credits in electives outside the specialization area

 

The coursework-only option of the Master of Engineering (ME) program requires a minimum of 36 credits to complete the degree, which are divided as follows:

12 credits in chemical engineering core subjects,

24 credits in electives

      • minimum of 6 credits in electives in a specialization area
      • minimum of 6 credits in electives outside the specialization area

 

A maximum of 6 credits in advanced undergraduate elective courses are allowed. At least 60% of all courses must be approved at the UPRM. The discipline of Chemical Engineering covers many diverse areas and, therefore, the Programs provide graduate-level subjects (electives) to cover those of most relevance. The philosophy of the Department is to encourage students to develop an in-depth understanding of the fundamental concepts of Chemical Engineering and, at the same time, broaden their perspective by sampling other, more specialized subjects.

 

To this end, the following four subjects have been designated as core:

    1. Mathematical Methods in Chemical Engineering (InQu 6001);
    2. Reactor Design (InQu6005);
    3. Advanced Transport Phenomena (InQu 6016); and
    4. Advanced Thermodynamics (InQu 6019).

 

It is expected that Masters’ students will complete these core subjects within the first two semesters of their tenure at the UPRM. The list of core and elective subjects will be periodically reviewed to accommodate modern developments in the discipline. As students complete their coursework they are expected to phase into their Engineering Project (INQU6036) in the case of students in the ME-project option track. Students most continue to register in this course until completing their degrees.   Elective courses should be related to the student’s engineering project or particular specialization interest.  All of these courses should be selected by the student in consultation with his/her advisor, or Program Coordinator.

Engineering Project