Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Location: 101 Lucas Building

Phone: (409) 880-8054

Chair: Tracy J. Benson, Ph.D

Chemical and biomolecular engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and other natural sciences gained by study, experience, and practice is applied with judgment to develop economic ways of using materials and energy for the benefit of mankind. The chemical engineer enters into almost every modern industry. From petroleum to synthetic rubber, from semiconductor to medicines, the chemical engineer engages in design, research, development, production, sales, and management. Among the fields in which the chemical engineer is of prime importance are petroleum, petrochemicals, metals, plastics, paints, drugs and foods, paper, glass, dyes, synthetic fibers, and a host of others.

The Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering was among the first at Lamar University to seek accreditation for its undergraduate program. The bachelor's program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is to provide students with high quality, accessible undergraduate and graduate chemical engineering education; to engage and empower students with skills and knowledge to thrive in professional careers, and to serve society through economic and technological development of Southeast Texas and beyond.

Program Educational Objectives

Constituents: Current students, alumni, employers, and faculty

  1.  Advance professionally with increasing leadership and responsibility beyond entry-level in an industry relevant to chemical engineering.
  2. Contribute to organizational objectives with significant societal benefits in an environmentally and ethically responsible manner.
  3. Engage in life-long learning through professional activities and training, the pursuit of higher educational degrees, and/or individual professional development.

Program Criteria

The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Program criterion as listed in the ABET "Criteria for Accrediting Engineering Programs" is as follows:

Curriculum

The curriculum must provide a thorough grounding in the basic sciences including chemistry, physics, and/or biology, with some content at an advanced level, as appropriate to the objectives of the program. The curriculum must include the engineering application of these basic sciences to the design, analysis, and control of chemical, physical, and/or biological processes, including the hazards associated with these processes.

Programs