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.
Do you know about our IP policy?
Students own what they invent at the University of Waterloo. This makes University of Waterloo an entrepreneurial ecosystem. Here support is available to commercialize innovations and nurture new start-ups. Learn more.
Interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering?
- Our curriculum is highly relevant to industry, with flexibility so you can specialize in areas of interest.
- Smallest class sizes of all the engineering programs, you will experience individualized support from your instructors and a tight-knit community.
- A large faculty complement including nine Research Chairs, with a wide variety of expertise ranging from biotechnology, nanotechnology, polymers and materials science, to environmental and energy topics like global climate change and fuel cells. See our research areas for an overview.
- Access to Chemical Engineering experts for career suggestions, research experience or guidance during senior-level design projects.
- Paid co-op work experience in a wide variety of Chemical Engineering-related jobs.
Interested in pursuing a Master of Engineering, Master of Applied Science or PhD in Chemical Engineering
Thinking about using your chemical engineering knowledge to advance your career, satisfy your intellectual curiosity and build upon your passions? Investigate the opportunities available to you in the Department of Chemical Engineerin
Did you know that you get paid to do a research-based degree?
Did you know that domestic graduate students pay less for tuition than undergraduate students?
Did you know that if you did not get accepted into the University of Waterloo's undergraduate engineering programs, you have a good chance of being accepted into our graduate program?
A graduate degree in Chemical Engineering will allow you to have a career in a multitude of employment sectors. From developing next-generation batteries and fuel cells, to biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, to mitigating climate change through carbon capture.
Learn about Professor Milad Kamkar’s research in chemical engineering and materials science, synthesizing nanomaterials, polymers, and soft matter to create multifunctional advanced materials.
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
CHE alumna helps health-conscious consumers
How do you decide what is safe to put on your body? Jenise Lee, a Chemical Engineering alumna (BASc 2006), provides the information you need to make educated choices about your skincare products.
Professor Hector Budman honoured for excellence in graduate supervision
Professor Hector Budman, a process systems engineering specialist who conducts multi-disciplinary research in the pharmaceuticals, water treatment, minerals processing, and pulp and paper industries, was recognized with the 2019 Faculty of Engineering Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision at the Engineering Faculty & Staff Awards Dinner in E7 last night.
First-year CHE students showcase engineering design skills
First-year Chemical Engineering students displayed their engineering design skills at the first annual CHE 180 Design Symposium in E7 on November 26, 2019.
The symposium was the culmination of an open-ended design challenge that required them to design, formulate and produce handcrafted soaps. Forty teams of students were on hand to discuss the projects they completed during CHE 180: Chemical Engineering Design Studio 1 and give visitors the opportunity to try their soap.