Course Schedule and Catalog

Long Title: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING FUNDAMENTALS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Use of basic mathematical concepts and computer tools, physical laws, stoichiometry and the thermodynamic properties of matter to obtain material and energy balances for steady and unsteady state systems. Required for sophomores intending to major in chemical engineering.

Long Title: COMPUTER PROGRAMMING IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Laboratory

Credit Hours: 2

Description: An introduction to computer programming for chemical engineering applications using MATLAB, FORTRAN and Maple.

Long Title: COMPUTATIONAL METHODS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 301 AND CHBE 303

Description: Introduction to modern practice and chemical engineering applications of scientific computing: linear algebra (review); computer-aided solution of systems of linear equations (direct, iterative); evaluation of integrals; systems of nonlinear algebraic equations; systems of ordinary differential equations; one-dimensional boundary value problems; stability and accuracy of computational methods; computational software libraries. Principles illustrated through chemical engineering examples.

Long Title: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Laboratory

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 390 AND CHBE 401 AND CHBE 412

Description: Experiments demonstrating principles presented in core chemical engineering courses.

Long Title: KINETICS AND REACTOR DESIGN

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 301 AND CHBE 303 AND CHBE 305 AND MATH 211 AND MATH 212

Description: Genera; areas that are covered in this course are (1) principles of chemical kinetics; (2) analysis of reaction rate data; (3) heterogeneous catalysis; (4) ideal reactor design and sizing; and (5) heat effects in reactor designs.

Long Title: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 411 AND CHBE 305 AND MATH 211 AND MATH 212 AND PHYS 101 AND PHYS 102

Description: Fundamental principles of heat, mass, and momentum transport applied to the continuum; analysis of macroscopic physical systems based on the continuum equations; applications in chemical engineering practice.

Long Title: TRANSPORT PHENOMENA II

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 401 AND (CAAM 336 OR MATH 381)

Description: Continuation of CHBE 401. Emphasis on energy and mass transport applied to the continuum.

Long Title: DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 390 AND CHBE 402 AND CHBE 412 AND MECH 211

Description: Product and process design fundamentals. Economic analysis. Use of modern simulation tools for chemical engineering design.

Long Title: PRODUCT AND PROCESS DESIGN

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 4

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 403

Description: Strategies for optimal product and process design. Industrial economic principles. Special process or product design projects in small groups.

Long Title: THERMODYNAMICS I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 301 AND CHBE 303

Description: Development and application of the first and second laws of thermodynamics.

Long Title: THERMODYNAMICS II

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Advanced treatment of chemical and phase equilibria in multicomponent systems. Includes a detailed study of nonideal solutions.

Long Title: BIOSYSTEMS TRANSPORT AND REACTION PROCESSES

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Application of the basic principles of transport and reaction to analyze momentum, heat, and mass transport, and reaction processes in the human body. Includes mathematical modeling to describe physiologic function, to understand pathological conditions, and to design bioartificial organs with emphasis on the quantification of biomedical systems in relation to underlying molecular mechanisms and cellular behavior. Cross-list: BIOE 420.

Long Title: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING LAB II

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture/Laboratory

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 343 AND CHBE 402

Description: Experiments demonstrating principles presented in core chemical engineering courses, operations, and thermodynamic principles as covered in CHBE 401, 402, 411.

Long Title: BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Design, operation, and analysis of processes in the biochemical industries. Topics include enzyme kinetics, cell growth kinetics, energetics, recombinant DNA technology, microbial, tissue and plant cell cultures, bioreactor design and operation, down stream processing. Cross-list: BIOE 460.

Long Title: PROCESS DYNAMICS AND CONTROL

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHBE 390 AND CHBE 402 AND CHBE 412

Description: Modeling of dynamic processes. Response of uncontrolled systems. Transfer functions. Feedback controllers; response and stability of controlled systems; frequency response. Design of feedback controllers. Cascade, feed forward and multivariable control systems. Introduction to computer control. Use of simulators to design feedback controllers. Required for B.S. majors in chemical engineering.

Long Title: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Research

Credit Hours: 1 TO 6

Description: Independent investigation of a specific topic or problem in modern chemical engineering research under the direction of a selected faculty member. Department Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: FLUID MECHANICS AND TRANSPORT PROCESSES

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Advanced study in fluid mechanics and transport processes including analytical and numerical approximation methods, boundary layer theory, and potential flow theory.

Long Title: AIR POLLUTION CONTROL

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Examines sources, characterization, and effects of atmospheric pollutants O3, CO, HC, VOC, NOX, SOX, and particulates; regulatory issues and pollution standards; dispersion models and meteorology; and techniques, with emphasis on those employing catalysts, used in pollution control.

Long Title: MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: An integrated engineering course in process analysis and product design that combines molecular chemistry, property-based thermodynamic descriptions, and a focus on intermolecular energetics. The course paradigm is demonstrated through case studies involving molecular, macromolecular, supramolecular, and biomolecular systems.

Long Title: STATISTICAL MECHANICS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: A development of the principles of statistical mechanics with applications.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO BIOENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description: A seminar course introducing current research areas in Bioengineering and Biotechnology. Taught in a tutorial manner to help acquaint students with the research activities of various laboratories at Rice and the Texas Medical Center. Cross-list: BIOE 551.

Long Title: INTERFACIAL PHENOMENA

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Interfacial tension, wetting and spreading, contact angle hysteresis, interaction between colloid particles, stability of interfaces, flow and transport near interfaces.

Long Title: FLOW AND TRANSPORT THROUGH POROUS MEDIA I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Study of the geology, chemistry, and physics of multicomponent, multiphase fluids in porous media. Includes hydrostatic and hydrodynamic properties of fluids in soils and rocks and the simulation of fundamental transport processes in one dimension.

Long Title: KINETICS, CATALYSIS, AND REACTION ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Review of kinetics and reactor design equations; heterogeneous catalysis; catalyst preparation, characterization, testing; catalytic reaction mechanisms; diffusion and reaction in catalyst pellets; conservation equations; reactor analysis.

Long Title: INTRODUCTION TO POLYMER PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Basic concepts in macromolecular chemistry and their application in the synthesis and chemical modification of polymers. Cross-list: GERM 333, HART 327, MSCI 593, PHIL 390.

Long Title: PROPERTIES OF POLYMERS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Study of the molecular organization and physical properties of polymeric materials. Includes elastomeric, semicrystalline, and glassy polymers, as well as the processing and technology of polymeric systems. Cross-list: MSCI 594.

Long Title: POLYMER SYNTHESIS, SOFT NANOMATERIALS AND NANOCOMPOSITES

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Prerequisite(s): CHEM 211 AND CHEM 212

Description: The course will cover methods of characterization and some basic synthetic polymer methods (step growth and chain growth approaches). New synthetic polymer methods will be presented including ATRP, ADMET, ROMP, metallocene catalysts and the development of flame retardant polymer blends. Carbon-carbon composites will be discussed along with the functionalization of carbon nanotubes and their use in nanocomposites. Cross-list: CHEM 597, MSCI 597. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: MASTER OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Research

Credit Hours: 1 TO 12

Description: Independent investigation of a topic or problem in modern chemical engineering research under the direction of a selected faculty member. Department Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: FLUID MECHANICS AND TRANSPORT

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Advanced study in one of several areas of fluid mechanics or transport, including tensor analysis, continuum mechanics, rheology, and mathematical methods of special interest in fluid mechanics.

Long Title: PHYSICO-CHEMICAL HYDRODYNAMICS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Topics in hydrodynamics including areas such as waves on liquid surfaces, convection and diffusion in liquids, motion of drops and bubbles, and electrophoresis.

Long Title: RHEOLOGY

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Calculus and time derivatives of directed quantities. Elastic solid, Newtonian liquid. Shear and extensional flows. Linear viscoelasticity. Non-linear viscoelasticity: rate- and time-dependent shear and extensional viscosity, normal stresses in shear. Elementary theories of non-linear viscoelastic behavior. Isotropy, objectivity, frame-indifference. Shear and extensional rheometry. Special topics: thermodynamics of microstructured materials; fine-grained theories of polymer dynamics; computational rheology.

Long Title: ADVANCED TOPICS-THERMODYNAMICS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: An advanced treatment of the thermodynamics of pure and multicomponent systems. Topics range from classical thermodynamics to a discussion of modern developments, and include an introduction to statistical thermodynamics.

Long Title: APPLICATION OF MOLECULAR SIMULATION AND STATISTICAL MECHANICS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Introduction to molecular simulation techniques and applications of statistical mechanics-based theory to engineering problems. Projects involve topics of current research interest. Students are expected to know thermodynamics and to have had some introduction to statistical mechanics.

Long Title: TISSUE ENGINEERING

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: This course will focus on cell-cell interactions and the role of the extracellular matrix in the structure and function of normal and pathological tissues. Includes strategies to regenerate metabolic organs and repair structural tissues, as well as cell-based therapies to deliver proteins and other therapeutic drugs, with emphasis on issues related to cell and tissue transplantation such as substrate properties, angiogenesis, growth stimulation, cell differentiation, and immunoprotection. Cross-list: BIOE 620.

Long Title: CHEMICAL ENGINEERING OF NANOSTRUCTURED MATERIALS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Overview of materials with structural features on the nanometer scale. Discussion of general concepts of synthesis, characterization and applications. Highlight advances found in recent literature.

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Principles of metabolic engineering: overview of biochemical pathways; kinetics and thermodynamics of metabolic networks; genetic engineering and molecular biology tools; metabolic flux analysis using stoichiometric and labeling techniques; metabolic control analysis. Metabolic engineering in the postgenomic era: functional genomics and systems biology. Emerging applications: chemicals from biorenewables; food ingredients; health and disease.

Long Title: GRADUATE SEMINAR

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: GRADUATE SEMINAR

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Credit Hours: 1

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: FLOW AND TRANSPORT THROUGH POROUS MEDIA II

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Calculation of multicomponent-multiphase transport in one to three dimensions using finite difference methods. Includes development of multidimensional models of systems and representation and estimation of geological heterogeneity.

Long Title: APPLIED MATHEMATICS I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: Vector Spaces. Linear Transformations. Existence and uniqueness of solutions for linear equations. Numerical solution of linear equations. Gauss elimination, band matrices, finite differences. Determinants. Inner products, norms, orthogonality.

Long Title: NUMERICAL METHODS FOR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS IN ENGINEERING AND BIOLOGY

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 3

Description: The class focuses on the numerical analysis of various times integration techniques for ordinary differential equations, as well as spatial and temporal discretization methods for hyperbolic and parabolic partial differential equations that describe processes in engineering and biology. Homework and projects aim at the comparative evaluation of the various schemes discussed in class. Recommended prerequisite(s): Knowledge of a programming language (Fortran preferably) elementary P.D.E.'s, basic concepts of calculus.

Long Title: M.S. RESEARCH AND THESIS

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Research

Credit Hours: 1 TO 15

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING I

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Lecture

Credit Hours: 1 TO 15

Description: A course which covers various special topics in chemical engineering. Offered at irregular intervals on demand. Instructor Permission Required. Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: BAYLOR/RICE MD/PHD PROGRAM

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1 TO 15

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: GRADUATE RESEARCH

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Research

Credit Hours: 1 TO 15

Description:  Repeatable for Credit.

Long Title: SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING II

Department: Chemical & Biomolecular Engr

Grade Mode: Standard Letter

Course Type: Independent Study

Credit Hours: 1

Description: Summer internship in an area related to thesis research or professional broadening. Permission of thesis advisor and department chair required. Repeatable for Credit.