Welcome to Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo
As part of Canada's largest engineering school and most innovative university, the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo is home to approximately 1,000 students, faculty and staff, and has thousands of alumni worldwide.
Our Department consistently ranks among the top two universities in Canada and the number one university in Ontario in Chemical Engineering according to the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities.
In addition to offering undergraduate and graduate programs in chemical engineering, the Department provides academic expertise and support to Waterloo's collaborative nanotechnology and biomedical engineering programs.
The department's collaborative research culture, engaging teaching practices and state-of-the-art facilities create a vibrant learning environment where students are empowered to solve the problems our world faces.
Learn about Professor Christian Euler's research in biotechnology to develop novel microbial pathways to valorize waste products such as CO2, its reduced derivatives, and plastics toward the creation of a circular economy.
Are you wondering what Chemical Engineering is? Check out our new animation!
Chemical Engineering Lab Tour
Join us for a tour of the Chemical Engineering undergraduate labs in the Douglas Wright Engineering Building at the University of Waterloo.
Find out more by exploring the programs, research and news stories on this site.
News
Bioinspired micro-robots use light to swim
Inspired by the movement of water striders cruising on the surface of water, a research group led by Professor Hamed Shahsavan have designed smart, soft microrobots whose movements can be controlled by light, offering exciting possibilities in environmental remediation and biomedical applications.
Imagine autonomous robots deployed to clean up microplastics in bodies of water. The research also has potential in biomedical applications. Microrobots could be guided inside the human body to conduct medical procedures.
“We’re moving toward smart swimming robots with more autonomous behaviour, by making them respond to external cues like light, or magnetic fields,” said Shahsavan, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering
Professor Tizazu Mekonnen wins the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo Equity & Inclusivity Award
Professor Tizazu Mekonnen has been awarded the Faculty Association of the University of Waterloo Equity & Inclusivity Award for his work as the inaugural director of the Indigenous and Black Engineering and Technology (IBET) PhD Project.
Championing Diversity in Academia
Diversity is recognized as a critical driver for innovation and growth across all sectors. Yet, at the highest levels of academia—especially within STEM disciplines—there remains a concerning underrepresentation of Black and Indigenous scholars. IBET launched by the University of Waterloo's Faculties of Engineering and Mathematics in January 2021, is addressing this disparity head-on.
IBET Fellows receive $30,000 annually for four years while pursuing their doctoral degrees. This funding is critical in alleviating the financial burden of engaging in PhD studies, allowing students to focus entirely on their research.
Mekonnen has been the director since the program's inception in 2021. Under Mekonnen’s leadership, the initiative has grown from having five Canadian engineering faculties to include 19 universities and has more than 55 fellows enrolled. Mekonnen was recently unanimously re-elected to continue his directorship through 2025.
Researchers develop solar-powered fabric with temperature monitoring to keep you cozy in the winter
Imagine walking your dog in the middle of a blizzard or spending the day on a frigid ski hill and instead of wearing bulky layers, you have a winter coat that heats up autonomously!
New innovative cloth developed by a research group led by Professor Yuning Li requires no bulky batteries or manual controls, the warmth generated by the fabric comes entirely from solar energy, making it an environmentally friendly, self-sustaining solution for winter wear.
Within 10 minutes of exposure to sunlight, the fabric’s temperature is able to rise by 30 degrees Celsius, keeping you cozy on a cold winter day.
Researchers have designed solar-powered smart fabric that not only warms up but also customizes its colour. A significant feature of this smart fabric fiber is its reversible colour-changing capability, which can monitor temperature fluctuations.