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Our vision is to be a dynamic department, with cohesive and exciting academic programs that define continuously the future of the chemical, biological, materials, and energy industries and with faculty and students who exercise leadership in education and research and have significant impact in solving human needs for the betterment of the world at large.

Program Educational Objectives

The program educational objectives are described after examining the mission of MIT, the School of Engineering and the Department of Chemical Engineering.

a. Mission

The mission statement for the Department of Chemical Engineering represents the goals for both the undergraduate and graduate programs; it was crafted to reflect the vision of the Department and to be consistent with the mission for MIT and the School of Engineering.

The mission statements for the Institute, School of Engineering and Chemical Engineering Department are as follows.

Institute - The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is devoted to the advancement of knowledge and education of students in areas that contribute to or prosper in an environment of science and technology. Its mission is to contribute to society through excellence in education, research, and public service, drawing on core strengths in science, engineering, architecture, humanities and social sciences, and management. This mission is accomplished by an educational program combining rigorous academic study and the excitement of research with the support and intellectual stimulation of a diverse campus community.

School of Engineering - To prepare men and women through education and research for the imaginative, purposeful and thoughtful creation and utilization of knowledge and technology designed to improve the human condition and maintain the diversity of life on Earth.

Chemical Engineering Department – The Department’s mission is three-fold:

Education: The highest quality undergraduate, graduate, and professional educational programs, which prepare students to be the best in:

  • mastering fundamental understanding of physical, chemical, and biological processes, engineering design, and synthesis skills,
  • creatively shaping and solving complex problems, particularly in the translation of molecular information and discovery into products and processes, and
  • exercising effective leadership in industry, academia, and government within the multifaceted scope of technological, economic, and social issues.
Research: A vibrant and exciting interdisciplinary research program, which
  • attracts the best young people,
  • creatively shapes engineering science and design at the interfaces of chemical engineering with chemistry, biology, and materials science, and
  • impacts effectively and positively the solution of the evolving technological needs of the global economy and human society at large.
Social responsibility: Active and vigorous leadership of our departmental citizens in shaping the scientific and technological context of debates around social, political, economic, and environmental issues facing the country and the world at large.

b. Objectives

The educational objectives of our undergraduate program are to produce graduates who are capable of taking a leadership position in the broad aspects of chemical engineering:

  1. Understand the basic principles of science and engineering science that underlie modern chemical and biological technology;
  2. Are able to apply creatively their understanding of science and engineering principles to the solution of problems arising in whatever career path they choose;
  3. Are sensitive to the environmental, social, safety and economic context in which their work is done, and possess a strong commitment to ethical practice within that context;
  4. Are able to communicate their ideas and positions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
  5. Are aware of the requirement for and possess the ability to engage in lifelong learning which will be necessary for continuing high performance in whatever career path they choose.

These objectives are consistent not only with the mission of the Department in serving the broad reach of our constituencies, but also with the missions of MIT and the School of Engineering.