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2024-2025

Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Bachelor of Science

VCU

Community college:
AA&S or AS in Engineering (Virginia Community College System)
Virginia Community College System
Associate degree

Associate of Science in Engineering or Associate of Arts and Sciences in Engineering

Completing the associate degree will waive VCU's general education requirements.

Program description

Chemical and life science engineering represents the formal interaction of chemical engineering with the life sciences.


Life science engineering — with interest areas including pharmaceutical engineering, stem cell and stem cell-derived tissue engineering, biosciences/biotechnology, cellular engineering, biochips and biosensors, bioinformatics and molecular biocomputing, genetic and protein molecular engineering, environmental life science engineering, and molecular- and cellular-based therapeutics — is the fastest growing of all industries that currently employ engineers.


Chemical engineering and life science engineering share a broad range of common foundational knowledge bases, including the principles of mass and energy balances, transport phenomena and thermodynamics, surface and interfacial science, and reaction science and engineering. Strong academic and research programs in chemical and life science engineering will provide a wealth of exciting professional opportunities for successful graduates of the VCU program.

Career opportunities

Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, polymers, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others.  Within these industries, chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science, particularly chemistry, to overcome technical problems safely and economically. And, of course, they draw upon and apply their engineering knowledge to solve any technical challenges they encounter.


Chemical engineers also work in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing energy, electronics, food, clothing, and paper. Chemical engineers apply principles of physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as chemistry. Some may specialize in a particular chemical process, such as oxidation or polymerization. Others specialize in a particular field, such as nanomaterials, or in the development of specific products.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Biochemical engineer
  • Biofuels engineer
  • Business consultant
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Patent examiner
  • Process engineer
  • Product development engineer
  • Project engineer
  • Research chemical engineer
  • Sales engineer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • College Professor
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Manufacturing/Product Development Engineer
  • Process & Quality Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer
  • Research Scientist
  • Senior Product Development Engineer
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements
  • Completion of associate degree (A.S. in Engineering)
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better
  • Earn a minimum grade of "B" in all your math, science and engineering classes
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 307
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
VCU Major Maps

View VCU Major Map for Chemical and Life Science Engineering with concentration in Chemical Engineering, Life Science Engineering

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (AA&S or AS in Engineering)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Complete your english and start your math requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
  • Attend diversity-focused events on your community college campus and in your community (e.g., international festival).
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.
Experience Year 2
  • Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Be prepared: Once you enroll at VCU, your VCU GPA will be determined by your grades at VCU.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Explore the accelerated BS to MS in Engineering program.
  • Meet with your community college advisor to finalize plans to complete your associate degree.
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or VCU Chemical & Life Science engineering department-related events.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Enroll in the SDV student success course.
  • Schedule an appointment with your community college advisor to map out your associate degree course plan.
  • Complete your english and start your math requirements in your first year.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges and utilize tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Explore community college financial aid resources and submit the FAFSA on time.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend diversity-focused events on your community college campus and in your community (e.g., international festival).
  • Make friends with people with diverse perspectives and join a cultural or identity-related student organization.
  • Identify a mentor in a diversity organization.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Create a weekly and monthly budget.
  • Prepare for a career after college by creating a brand for yourself.
  • Develop personal and career goals and create SMART steps for 2-3 "dream jobs."
  • Practice independent living skills such as money and time management, self-care, and personal responsibility.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Be prepared for academic challenges. Use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Be prepared: Once you enroll at VCU, your VCU GPA will be determined by your grades at VCU.
  • Submit a transfer advising request to the VCU Transfer Center.
  • Research scholarship opportunities and explore your eligibility for the Two-Year College Transfer Grant.
  • Explore the accelerated BS to MS in Engineering program.
  • Meet with your community college advisor to finalize plans to complete your associate degree.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Check out the VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) and follow @vcuomsa.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or VCU Chemical & Life Science engineering department-related events.
  • Consider learning a foreign language to open doors to international organizations and future study.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about VCU's REAL graduation requirement.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs throughout the year.
  • Acquire career related experience (e.g., job, internship, organization involvement).
  • If your GPA is 3.5 or higher, consider applying for the VCU Honors College.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2024-2025

Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Bachelor of Science

Virginia Community College System (AA&S or AS in Engineering)

Virginia Community College System courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 100 or 101 College Success Skills UNIV 101 1 Elective
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
ENG 112 College Composition II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 263 Calculus I (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 200 4 Major (Ancillary)
MTH 264 Calculus II (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 201 4 Major (Ancillary)
MTH 265 Calculus III (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 307 4 Major (Ancillary)
MTH 267 Differential Equations (earn minimum grade of "B") MATH 301 3 Major (Ancillary)
PHY 241 University Physics I (earn minimum grade of "B") PHYS 207 4 Major (Ancillary)
PHY 242 University Physics II (earn minimum grade of "B") PHYS 208 4 Major (Ancillary)
CHM 111 General Chemistry I (earn minimum grade of "B") CHEM/Z 101 4 Major (Ancillary)
CHM 112 General Chemistry II (earn minimum grade of "B") CHEM/Z 102 4 Major (Ancillary)
EGR 231 OR CHM 241 + CHM 245 Mass & Energy Balances OR Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (earn minimum grade of "B") CLSE 201 or CHEM/Z 301 3 to 5 Major
EGR 232 OR CHM 242 + CHM 246 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics OR Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (earn minimum grade of "B") CLSE 202 OR CHEM/Z 302 3 to 5 Major
EGR 121 + EGR 122 Foundations of Engineering + Engineering Design (both must be completed to receive credit for VCU equivalents) (earn minimum grade of "B") CLSE 101 5 Major
EGR 125 Introduction to Computer Programming for Engineers (earn minimum grade of "B") CLSE 115 4 Major
BIO 101 General Biology I (earn minimum grade of "B") BIOL/Z 151 4 Major (Ancillary)
PHI 220 Ethics PHIL 201 3 Major (Ancillary)
Complete general education requirements for associate degree VCU equivalent 3 General education
Community college credits transferred to VCU 63 to 67
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Chemical and Life Science Engineering, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical engineering
CLSE 201 Chemical Engineering Fundamentals I: Material Balances Not needed if EGR 231 is taken at CC. 0 to 4 Major
CLSE 202 Chemical Engineering Fundamentals II: Energy Balances and Engineering Thermodynamics Not needed if EGR 232 is taken at CC. 0 to 4 Major
CLSE 301 Transport Phenomena I 3 Major
CLSE 302 Transport Phenomena II 4 Major
CLSE 305 Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions 3 Major
CLSE 312 Chemical Reaction Engineering 3 Major
CLSE 320 Instrumentation Laboratory 3 Major
CLSE 402 Senior Design Studio I (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
CLSE 403 Senior Design Studio II (Laboratory/Project Time) 2 Major
CLSE 409 Process Control in Chemical and Life Science Engineering 3 Major
CLSE 440 Unit Operations Laboratory 3 Major
ENGR 395 Professional Development 1 Major
ENGR 402 Senior Design Studio (Seminar) 1 Major
ENGR 403 Senior Design Studio (Seminar) 1 Major
Approved internship or cooperative education experience 0 Major
Review of internship or cooperative education experience 0 Major
Engineering electives (see VCU advisor for course options) 6 Major
CHEM/Z 301 Organic Chemistry and Laboratory Not needed if CHM 241 + CHM 245 are taken at CC. 0 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
CHEM/Z 302 Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory Not needed if CHM 242 + CHM 246 are taken at CC. 0 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
ECON 205 The Economics of Product Development and Markets 3 Major (Ancillary)
STAT 441 Applied Statistics for Engineers and Scientists 3 Major (Ancillary)
Technical electives (Select 300+-level science, math, business or management courses) 9 Major (Ancillary)
Open elective 1 Elective
REAL The REAL requirement may be satisfied by successfully completing a 300-level (or higher) course that has received a REAL attribute of Level 2, 3 or 4 or through an approved “REAL” co-curricular experience that has received a REAL attribute of Level 3 or 4. See VCU advisor for options. 0 Major
Credits completed at VCU 59
Minimum credits required for bachelor's degree 126
The accelerated B.S. and M.S. program allows qualified students to earn both the B.S. in Chemical and Life Science Engineering and the M.S. in Engineering with a concentration in chemical and life science engineering in a minimum of five years by completing approved graduate courses during the senior year of their undergraduate program. Minimum qualifications for entrance to this accelerated program include completion of 99 undergraduate credit hours including CLSE 301, CLSE 302, CLSE 305, CLSE 312 and CLSE 320; a minimum overall GPA of 3.0; and a GPA of 3.2 in chemical and life science engineering (CLSE) course work.