Chemical Engineering

Put your creativity and problem solving to the test.

Learn to engineer the products we use every day. Turn fuel into energy, waste into resources, and raw material into finished products in one of the largest chemical engineering departments in Canada.

You’ll develop expertise in chemistry and materials science — plus you’ll learn the systems analysis skills to design, implement, and manage processes from start to finish.

You’ll put that knowledge to work during your 6 co-op terms: creating an impressive résumé, exploring different career areas, and earning money to help pay for your education.

When you graduate, you’ll find no shortage of career options in pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, mining, oil and gas, food processing, health care, automotive, and more.

Hone your lab skills

Learn how to conduct investigations in the areas of fluid mechanics, bioseparations, and electrochemistry using our hands-on labs.

Make new friends

Waterloo’s Engineering Society organizes everything from board game nights and free movies to charity grilled cheese lunches and yoga lessons.

Female student working in lab

Gain 2 years of paid co-op work experience, earn money to help pay for your education, and try out different career areas through North America's largest co-op program.

About the Chemical Engineering program

breifcase Gain 2 years of experience in the co-op program

click Apply directly to this program on your application

grad cap Earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree

Engineering school in Canada (US News & World Report 2018)

Gears Offered through the Faculty of Engineering

Money flower Students earn $17,800 on average per co-op term

Chemical Engineering admission requirements

Ontario students: 6 Grade 12 U and/or M courses including
- Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Chemistry (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- Physics (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
- English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Admission averages: Individual selection from the low 90s
An Admission Information Form is required
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements

First-year Chemical Engineering courses

September to December

CHE 100 - Chemical Engineering Concepts 1
CHE 102 - Chemistry for Engineers
CHE 120 - Computer Literacy and Programming for Chemical Engineers
CHE 180 - Chemical Engineering Design Studio 1
MATH 115 - Linear Algebra for Engineering
MATH 116 - Calculus 1 for Engineering

January to April or May to August

CHE 101 - Chemical Engineering Concepts 2
CHE 161 - Engineering Biology
CHE 181 - Chemical Engineering Design Studio 2
MATH 118 - Calculus 2 for Engineering
PHYS 115 - Mechanics
1 Complementary Studies Elective

After first year

See the range of courses available in Chemical Engineering.
View all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year Chemical Engineering courses

CHE 241 – Materials Science and Engineering
CHE 361 – Bioprocess Engineering

CHE 425 – Strategies for Process Improvement and Product Development
CHE 571 – Industrial Ecology

Gain relevant work experience through co-op

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.