PhD Chemical Engineering at California Institute of Technology

Programme overview

Doctoral program training individuals to apply mathematics, physical, chemical and biological sciences and engineering to systems involving chemical reactions, transport phenomena and materials and energy transformations.

Faculty: Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | Department: Chemical Engineering | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall | Location: Pasadena, CA, United States

What you will study

At least 135 units of coursework including ChE 150, 151, ChE/Ch 152, 164 and 165, advanced chemical engineering and science or engineering electives, an oral candidacy exam with research progress report, and a thesis. There is no formal MS program; PhD students may apply for an MS.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in science or engineering related to the option; transcripts from each institution attended, three letters of recommendation, CV and essays; GRE policy is set by each graduate program; English proficiency (e.g. TOEFL, PTE Academic, IELTS) expected for applicants whose native language is not English; application fee $100 (waivers available). Admission is once a year with fall-term enrollment; deadlines vary by program from December 1 to January 15. PhD matriculation requires evidence of US work authorization unless alternative support is arranged with the option. Programme-specific: Applicants are expected to have studied mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and chemical engineering to the extent covered in Caltech's undergraduate courses; additional work may be prescribed.

USD 68,574 a year (2026-27). Annual graduate tuition rate for all Caltech graduate students (Fall, Winter and Spring terms at $22,858 each); no programme-specific rate; excludes mandatory fees ($2,448). The same page states that PhD financial packages cover tuition and mandatory fees Source

Graduate admission takes place once each year, with enrollment starting in the following fall term.

Graduate applications are accepted between December 1 and January 15 for enrollment the following fall term, with deadlines varying by programme. The application fee is $100, with fee waivers for a limited number of applicants. Applications are submitted online.

Apply through the official page: https://www.gradoffice.caltech.edu/admissions/applyonline

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