MS/PhD Degrees

Graduate Student Handbook PDF

File last updated Jun 13, 2023.

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering offers graduate programs involving advanced-level coursework and independent research leading to MS and PhD degrees in chemical engineering. The MS degree can usually be obtained by coursework only, without a thesis. Course selection for both the MS and doctoral degrees is quite flexible, with individual plans of study developed for each student.

Research opportunities exist in a broad range of areas of importance to chemical engineers and society, including catalysis, reaction kinetics, complex fluids, microelectronics, microfluidics, optimization, bioinformatics, polymers, sustainable development, pulp and paper, separations, CO2 capture, biomedicine, solar energy, thermodynamics, environmental science, reaction engineering, cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, biofuels, air quality, data-driven modeling, and process synthesis and control.

PhD Program

The PhD program in ChBE forges a close professional relationship between graduate students and faculty members. Working together on cutting edge research, you and your faculty mentors will develop an academic and research program tailored to meet your individual needs.

Although the typical program takes about five years to complete, you may finish the requirements in slightly less, or more, time.

We offer financial assistance to all of our PhD students, providing exceptional opportunities to extraordinary people.

PhD students at Georgia Tech ChBE can earn doctoral degrees in:

Chemical Engineering
Bioengineering
Machine Learning

MS Program

The MS program in ChBE is a coursework-based, non-thesis degree designed for students who want to develop a deeper knowledge of the fundamentals and learn about emerging applications. It is ideal for students who plan to enter industry or who are returning to school after working in industry.

The MS program requires 31 hours of coursework, which can be completed in two or three semesters (see the schedule below), depending on the student's pace and the availability of elective courses of interest.

Students admitted to the MS ChBE program do not do thesis research and are not eligible for ChBE graduate research assistant positions or tuition waivers. Thus, it is a self-paying program. Just like PhD students, MS students can take advantage of Georgia Tech's Career Services, which hosts career fairs and connects students with the large number of employers that come to Georgia Tech seeking talent.

Note: Applicants who do not have a ChBE or equivalent BS degree should read the information at the bottom of the MS Degree Requirements page, under “for applicants without a BS chemical engineering degree.”