CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

This programme is built on the standard chemical engineering curriculum—calculus, differential equations, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering and process design—while allowing students to concentrate coursework and laboratory time on electrochemical topics. Typical subjects and modules include:

• Core engineering fundamentals: Calculus and advanced mathematics for engineers, physics for engineers, chemical thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction engineering and process dynamics and control.
• Electrochemical-focused modules: Electrochemistry and fundamentals of electrodes and electrolytes, batteries and energy storage systems, fuel cell principles, corrosion science and protection, and electrochemical synthesis and separations.
• Laboratory and practical work: Hands-on laboratories in materials characterisation, electrochemical testing (e.g. cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy), corrosion testing, and unit operations labs that integrate measurement, modelling and scale-up considerations.
• Design and capstone: Senior design project or capstone sequence where students undertake team-based engineering design, often tackling problems such as battery pack integration, fuel cell system design, or process solutions for electrochemical production.
• Electives and cross-disciplinary options: Materials science, surface science, computational modelling of electrochemical systems, environmental engineering, and courses from chemistry, physics or electrical engineering to deepen specialisation.
• Professional development: Coursework and workshops on engineering ethics, project management, technical communication, and opportunities for internships or co-operative education placements with industry partners in the New York region.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically must meet CUNY undergraduate admission standards and the specific requirements of the engineering school offering chemical engineering. Typical entry expectations include:

• High school diploma or equivalent with a strong academic record.
• Strong preparation in mathematics (calculus and pre-calculus) and the physical sciences (high school chemistry and physics recommended).
• Competitive GPAs in relevant high school coursework; placement testing or review of college preparatory coursework may be used to assess readiness for first-year engineering classes.
• Evidence of quantitative ability and problem-solving from transcripts; some programmes may consider SAT/ACT or other standardised test results where required or optional under institutional policy.
• Recommendations, a personal statement, and demonstrated interest in engineering or electrochemical topics can strengthen an application. Transfer students will need college transcripts and may be considered for advanced standing based on completed coursework.

Career prospects

Graduates with a chemical engineering degree focused on electrochemical engineering enter a wide range of industries. Common career paths include:

• Energy storage and battery technology: roles in battery research and development, cell and pack design, testing and scale-up for electric vehicles, grid storage and portable electronics.
• Fuel cells and alternative energy systems: design, testing and system integration for transportation, stationary power and distributed generation.
• Corrosion and materials engineering: corrosion control, surface treatment, coatings and failure analysis for infrastructure, marine, oil and gas, and manufacturing sectors.
• Electrochemical manufacturing and process engineering: electroplating, electrosynthesis, water treatment and electrochemical separations, with roles in process development, quality and operations.
• Research, development and graduate study: positions in industrial and national laboratory R&D, or further study in graduate programmes (MS/PhD) in chemical engineering, materials science, electrochemistry or related fields.
• Consulting and regulatory roles: engineering consulting, environmental compliance, technical sales and product management where electrochemical knowledge is an asset.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

CUNY offers access to engineering education within New York City’s dense ecosystem of industry, national labs, startups and research institutions. Studying chemical engineering with an electrochemical focus at CUNY provides practical benefits:

• Location and industry links: Proximity to energy, manufacturing, materials and environmental companies and to research institutions provides internship and collaboration opportunities.
• Research and lab facilities: Departments within CUNY campuses maintain laboratories and research groups working on energy storage, materials and electrochemical systems, giving undergraduates chances to engage in supervised research projects.
• Affordability and access: As a public university system, CUNY emphasises access and support for a diverse student population, with advising services, career centres and industry partnerships to help transition to employment or graduate study.
• Interdisciplinary options: Students can take advantage of nearby departments in chemistry, physics, environmental science and electrical engineering to build a tailored skill set in electrochemical engineering.