Due to the changing relationship between human society, the economy and the natural environment, chemical and environmental engineers have many opportunities to make a meaningful and long-lasting contribution to their field. Students in this department work together to create multidisciplinary solutions that address today and tomorrow’s most pressing global problems.
Here in the ChEE department, we offer a unique, first two-year curriculum for the undergraduates in our programs through the integration of basic math, chemistry, physics, materials, transport phenomena, statistics and systems analysis, which also allows students to seamlessly transfer from one program to another if they so desire. When students graduate from our department, they are prepared to make a difference in the chemical and environmental engineering field with satisfying careers in private research firms, testing laboratories and government agencies, and in a wide array of industries in the chemical, pharmaceutical and manufacturing fields.
Students gain knowledge to apply chemical reactions and separations to the development and production of new materials. Students learn how to design and optimize largescale processes to produce petrochemicals, plastics, fibers, fuel cells, pharmaceuticals and microelectronics.
Students gain knowledge in green engineering design to explore sustainable solutions for controlling pollution and preserving resources. Common applications for environmental engineering include the analysis and design of water and wastewater treatment systems, solid waste substance management, air pollution control and sustainability. See how our students choose specialty areas and land impactful co-op jobs that shape their careers in environmental engineering.
For questions about undergraduate and graduate programs and degrees, visit the CEAS undergraduate or graduate admissions pages or email us:
Sign up for a live virtual Graduate Information Session to learn more about CEAS programs and the application process.
June 18, 2026
Earth.com and other science outlets highlighted a University of Cincinnati professor's research examining new technology that will help protect drinking water in rivers from harmful algal blooms.
June 17, 2026
University of Cincinnati environmental engineering professor Dongmei Feng is using satellite remote sensing to study rivers around the world and protect drinking water supplies. As co-lead author of a paper in Nature Water and the recipient of two major federal grants, Feng is developing tools to monitor nutrient pollution and toxic algal blooms from space, with applications for cities like Cincinnati.
May 4, 2026
Evangelia Anna Passa was drawn to the UC by its reputation of research and department of chemical and environmental engineering. Now pursuing a PhD in environmental engineering at the College of Engineering and Applied Science, she was recently named Graduate student Engineer of the Month.