Chemical Engineering is the only engineering discipline that makes extensive use of chemical transformations (i.e. reactions) in addition to physical transformations (such as machining and molding) to achieve added value. Thus, chemical engineers are employed in virtually all manufacturing industries, from the basic chemical, materials, energy, food, pharmaceutical and microelectronics industries to the myriad consumer product industries, because all manufacturing involves chemical transformations in one way or another. This means that chemical engineers must be very broadly educated and trained, as well as highly adaptable.

Students in the BS in Chemical Engineering program can choose between a primary degree in Chemical Engineering with no added specialization, or choose between four emphasis programs: Biological & Pharmaceutical, Energy & Sustainability, Materials and Petroleum & Subsurface.