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 more than 1,200 students, faculty and staff, and has thousands of alumni worldwide.

In addition to offering undergraduate and graduate programs in chemical engineering, the Department provides academic expertise and support to Waterloo's multidisciplinary nanotechnology and biomedical engineering programs.

The department's interdisciplinary 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.

Capstone Design Projects

Participation in Capstone Design Projects synthesizes theory learned in class, lab work, and real-world experience from co-op programs. Students are able to create design projects in areas that interest them. Capstone Design projects often lead to the creation of a marketable product and entrepreneurial opportunities for the graduating students.

Chemical Engineering MASc student takes first place in the 2023 GRADflix Showcase

Competition at the 2023 GRADFlix Showcase was stiff with 25 finalists vying for a big win. Chemical Engineering MASc student Andrew Stella won first place and the People’s Choice award yesterday in the 2022 GRADflix competition. Congratulations Andrew! Check out his winning video below.

Find out more by exploring the programs, research and news stories on this site.

  1. Mar. 8, 2023Celebrating International Women’s Day 2023
    Female grad students, faculty and staff

  2. Mar. 3, 2023Chemical Engineering invests in bioengineering for health tech and sustainability
    Yeast, bacteria, cells and algae

  3. Feb. 27, 2023Tiny new climbing robot was inspired by geckos and inchworms
    Professor Boxin Zhao

    A tiny robot that could one day help doctors perform surgery was inspired by the incredible gripping ability of geckos and the efficient locomotion of inchworms.

Read all news
  1. Mar. 28, 2023PhD Comprehensive|Chemical modification of corn zein protein for the fabrication of sustainable materials

    Debela Tadele's PhD Comprehensive will take place in an online session. The thesis is Chemical modification of corn zein protein for the fabrication of sustainable materials.

    Supervisor: Professor Tizazu Mekonnen, Chemical Engineering

  2. Mar. 29, 2023PhD Comprehensive| Transport of Hydrophobic Nanoparticles in Porous Media : Fundamentals and Applications

    Youssra Rahham will be doing her PhD comprehensive on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. This is a closed session. Her thesis proposal title is Transport of Hydrophobic Nanoparticles in Porous Media:Fundamentals and Applications.

    Supervisor: Professor Mario Ioannidis, Chemical Engineering

  3. Mar. 30, 2023Industrial Speaker Seminar Series | Exploring the Frontiers of Nuclear Technology: Innovations, Advancements, and Career Paths, by Suryanarayan Sriram

    The Chemical Engineering Department is hosting a special industrial speaker seminar about Exploring the Frontiers of Nuclear Technology: Innovations, Advancements, and Career Paths, by Sriram Suryanarayan.

All upcoming events

Meet our people

Luis Ricardez-Sandoval

Luis Ricardez-Sandoval

University Research Chair in Multiscale Modelling and Process Systems. Tier II, Associate Professor