Design a sustainable future
Health, energy, and environment. Global sustainable solutions through Chemical Engineering.
In one of Canada's top Chemical Engineering programs (Maclean's 2022 University Guide), you’ll enhance your knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, and math to transform raw materials into useful products. You'll also design and control complex physical and chemical processes. Chemical engineers design, implement, and supervise industrial processes where matter undergoes change, including in the pharmaceutical, energy, or plastics industries, among others. They also play a major role in the emerging field of nanotechnology, with applications in the development of new eco-friendly advanced materials and devices.
Through North America's largest co-op program, you can apply your transferable skills in a wide range of jobs that support the transition to sustainable energy, combat climate change, maximize food production, enable a circular economy, enhance health care, and more.
During your six co-op terms, you'll be able to create an impressive résumé, explore potential career areas, and earn money to help pay for your education. You’ll graduate ready for a career in renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, biotechnology and biomedical, pharmaceuticals, environmental remediation, and more.
Program highlights
- An experiential approach. Learn to conduct investigations in the areas of fluid mechanics, bioprocesses, electrochemistry, and more using our hands-on labs.
- Benefit from multiple perspectives. Combine your knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, and math with engineering design and problem-solving skills.
- Offered as a co-op program only
- Graduate with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemical Engineering with an option for specialization
- Offered through the Faculty of Engineering
Chemical Engineering at Waterloo
Part of Canada's largest engineering school, the Department of Chemical Engineering at Waterloo is home to more than 1,200 students, faculty and staff, with thousands of alumni worldwide.
What will you learn?
During your first year, you'll take a mix of engineering, math, biology, chemistry, and physics courses. In upper years, you'll learn to design batteries, optimize and control chemical and biological processes, and design separation processes.
Learn more about courses you'll take for your Chemical Engineering degree.
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Questions? Ask a student!
Ask a Faculty of Engineering student about their program, classes, getting involved on campus, and more!
"The great thing about Chemical Engineering is that it's a really broad field of study, so there's lots of room to explore and refine your studies to something that you're really passionate about."Chukwunonso Moneme, Chemical Engineering studentAdmission requirements
Ontario students: six 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 mid- to high 80s
Complete the Admission Information Form once you've applied.
Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.
How to apply
Apply directly to this program on your application.
Related Programs
Learn more
- Visit our Chemical Engineering program website
