BS Chemical Engineering at University of Kentucky

Programme overview

The program begins with a strong foundation in chemistry, mathematics, physics, and biology during the first year. This foundational knowledge is then applied in core chemical engineering courses such as mass and energy balances, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, separations, reaction engineering, process control, and chemical process safety and sustainability.

Faculty: Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering | Duration: 127 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Intake: Fall, Spring, Summer | Location: Lexington, KY, United States

What you will study

The Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program focuses on the transformation of raw materials into valuable products through chemical, physical, and biological processes. Students study core topics such as thermodynamics, reaction engineering, transport phenomena, and process design, while gaining experience with computational tools and laboratory techniques. The curriculum emphasizes problem-solving, systems thinking, and innovation in designing safe, efficient, and sustainable processes.

Career pathways

Chemical engineers are employed in a broad array of industries, such as oil and natural gas, renewable and alternative energy, food and consumer goods, specialty chemicals, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, environmental engineering, polymers, and electronic materials, among others. Many of our graduates go on to pursue advanced degrees in fields like chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, pharmacy, business, law, and medicine.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

University/college-level requirements (not programme-specific): official high school transcript with pre-college curriculum; ACT or SAT optional (test-optional admission). Applies to admission to Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering. Programme-specific requirements: Students apply and enter this program as "Pre-Chemical Engineering" majors. Students are fully admitted to the program when they complete the pre-major requirements. View specifics in the Academic Catalog. The minimum entry requirements for admission into the Pigman College of Engineering as a first-time freshmen student are both: ACT math score of 25 or higher, or the SAT equivalent of 590 or higher, and an Unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 or higher. Students electing to apply without test scores can view alternative entry criteria in the Undergraduate Catalog under the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering entry. Transfer Students Engineering has established transfer pathways with nearly two dozen partner institutions enabling students to seamlessly transfer into any of our degree programs.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry term: Fall 2027 (applications open August 1). Transfer entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer.

UK is test-optional for admission and scholarships through the 2028-29 academic year; most freshman applicants may apply without an ACT or SAT score.

First-year applicants for Fall 2027: Early Action deadline December 1 (recommended for Lewis Honors College and competitive and academic scholarships); Regular Decision deadline February 15. Application fee is $50 for domestic and $60 for international applicants. Apply with the UK application or the Common App.

Transfer applicants: application deadlines are August 1 for Fall (scholarship deadline June 15), November 15 for Spring and April 15 for Summer. The application fee is $50, waived for applications fully submitted on listed Transfer Tuesday dates.

Graduate applicants apply online through The Graduate School application system; deadlines and supplemental materials are set by each programme page. Minimum undergraduate GPA 2.75, minimum graduate GPA 3.0, and 2.5 for graduate certificate applicants (programmes may require more).

Apply through the official page: https://academics.uky.edu/apply

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