Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering

Our doctoral program provides you strong foundation in chemical and biological engineering through coursework, research, and teaching. There is also flexibility to pursue internships. Doctoral students are appointed to a graduate assistantship that includes:

• competitive annual stipend
• health care benefits
• full tuition waiver
• partial fee waiver
• opportunities for supplemental assistance
• opportunities for conference travel

Learn more about our degree program and requirements in the Graduate Student Handbook.

Applicant Information

Successful applicants are proficient in the major undergraduate subjects of chemical engineering:

• material and energy balances
• heat and mass transfer
• fluid mechanics
• thermodynamics and
• chemical reaction engineering.

Well-qualified applicants with different academic backgrounds may demonstrate proficiency through Core Concepts in Chemical Engineering, our online summer prep program. The program is designed for applicants with degrees in related science disciplines such as chemistry, physical chemistry, general engineering and more; or, applicants returning from industrial practice in chemical engineering to pursue advanced degrees. After completing the summer program, the Director of Graduate Education will determine if additional undergraduate courses are needed.

Admission of a qualified student also depends on a match between the student’s area of interest, research specialties of the faculty, and availability of professors.

Contact Information

The Office of Admissions reviews your application materials for completeness before making your it available to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. You may be asked by either office to provide additional material. Iowa State cannot process an application until it is complete, so please make sure the university has received all the materials for your application.

You can check the status of your graduate application through the Admissions MyAccount portal.

In order to better serve you, please note which office to contact with questions:

Contact Admissions about

• online application form
• uploading documents
• academic records/degrees
• English proficiency exams

phone (515) 294-5836 | email admissions@iastate.edu | fax (515) 294-2592

Contact the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering about

• letters of recommendation
• admissions/denial decisions

email chemengr@iastate.edu