Graduate Programs

Apply for Graduate Admission

Master of Science

Doctor of Philosophy

Master of Engineering

OUR PROGRAMS


The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at Iowa State offers three graduate degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Science (MS), and the non-thesis degree Master of Engineering (MEngr). Click an image on the left to explore the degree program you desire.

100% of PhD students funded

4.5 years on average to completion
70+ graduate students

CBE Department Learning Goals


  1. Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of scholarly literature in the area of study.
  2. Form testable hypotheses and articulate research objectives that, when met, will lead to significant contributions to the field of study.
  3. Conduct quantitative research via appropriate acquisition, analysis, and reporting of data.
  4. Interpret research results appropriately, integrating them into the existing knowledge in the discipline.
  5. Clearly and accurately communicate research findings orally and in writing.
  6. Conduct independent scholarship in ways that consistently demonstrate ethical practice and professionalism.

 

 

 

Professor Jackie Shanks interacts with grad students

 

RESEARCH AREAS


Iowa State conducts research in six general areas of chemical and biological engineering. If you are not sure which area is best for you, learn what research our faculty are doing.

Worldwide Recruitment


Iowa State chemical engineering graduate programs have attracted students from more than 100 universities throughout the United States and around the world. Many have recognized the leading chemical engineering research and land-grant philosophy Iowa State breeds. These ideals encourage practical approaches to chemical engineering problems and the sharing of knowledge among other U.S. states and countries around the world. In fact, Iowa State University was one of the first institutions founded on these ideals.

Grad Student Map

Sample of universities
ChE graduate students
move from
States and countries ChE
graduate students just move
to after Iowa State (Students have not yet originated from these locations)
States and countries
ChE graduate students move from
and move to after Iowa State
From U.S. States and Territories
Carnegie-Mellon University
Colorado School of Mines
Georgia Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Michigan Technological University
Northwestern University
Pennsylvania State University
Purdue University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
University of California, Davis
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Pennsylvania
University of Wisconsin, MadisonInternational (Countries)
Australia
Canada
China
Colombia
Germany
India
Japan
Mexico
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Taiwan
Turkey
Ukraine
Zimbabwe
U.S. States and Territories
Arkansas
Connecticut
Idaho
Florida
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maryland
New Hampshire
Ohio
Oregon
Puerto RicoInternational
Jamaica
Portugal
Singapore
United Kingdom
U.S. States and Territories
Arizona
California
Colorado
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
South Dakota
Texas
Virginia
WashingtonInternational
China
India
Switzerland
Taiwan

Note From The Department Chair

Andy HillierThe department continues to advance its mission of providing the highest quality chemical engineering education while pursuing innovative and impactful research and service to society. Based on our enrollment numbers, we continue to be a major destination of choice for chemical engineering students. Our students continue to be highly successful and sought after by companies, universities, and national laboratories. Our research efforts continue to be accompanied by high-impact scholarship, technical innovation, and extramural funding.

Go Cyclones,
Andrew C. Hillier
Professor and Reginald R. Baxter Endowed Department Chair

Ames, Iowa, Top Rankings