Graduate Program Review 020810
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Graduate Program Review Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering Spring 2010 FINAL REPORT ABSTRACT This document provides an overview of the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University, its graduate programs, and a self- assessment of these programs. For a self-assessment of the department’s undergraduate program, a copy of our ABET self-study will be provided upon request. Table of Contents LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................................................... 6 LIST OF TABLES..................................................................................................................................... 7 FOREWORD BY THE DEPARTMENT HEAD ............................................................................................. 8 1. OVERVIEW OF THE ARTIE MCFERRIN DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING.......................... 10 1.1. A BRIEF HISTORY ................................................................................................................................ 10 1.2. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE................................................................................................................ 14 1.3. FISCAL INFORMATION .......................................................................................................................... 15 1.4. AN OVERVIEW OF THE FACULTY.............................................................................................................. 20 1.5. DEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEES .............................................................................................................. 24 List of Standing Committees ............................................................................................................. 24 1.6. FACILITIES .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Laboratories ...................................................................................................................................... 25 Classrooms ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Resources and Support...................................................................................................................... 26 Computing resources.......................................................................................................................................................26 Databases.........................................................................................................................................................................29 1.7. LINDSAY LECTURES .............................................................................................................................. 29 1.8. ADVISORY COUNCIL AND THEIR ROLE ..................................................................................................... 37 2. GRADUATE PROGRAM ................................................................................................................... 38 2.1. RESEARCH CENTERS............................................................................................................................. 38 Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center......................................................................................................................38 National Center for Therapeutics Manufacturing............................................................................................................39 2.2. FACULTY RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS ........................................................................................................... 40 Power Harvesting Research Could Bring about Next Generation of Electronics ............................... 40 Advancement in Molecular Filters Could Lead to More Efficient Manufacturing ............................. 41 Creation of Artificial Vasculatures Could Advance Tissue Engineering ............................................. 41 Biofuels Technology Could Help Relieve Nation of Dependence on Foreign Oil................................ 42 Research Yields New Details on Evolution Process............................................................................ 43 2 Research Examines How Infections Begin in Human GI Tract........................................................... 43 Natural Gas Refining Process Results in Industry Breakthrough....................................................... 43 Deciphering Bacteria Language Could Lead to Better Methods for Fighting Infection..................... 44 Researchers Explore Behavior of LNG-related Fires .......................................................................... 45 Elucidating the Organic-Ordered Mesoporous Silica Interface ......................................................... 45 Catalyst Decay Fundamentals: Molecular Modeling......................................................................... 45 2.3. OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES.............................................................................................................. 46 2.4. ADMISSION PROCESS (UNIVERSITY LEVEL)............................................................................................... 47 Entrance Requirements for Graduate Students ................................................................................ 48 2.5. THE CHEMICAL ENGINEERING GRADUATE PROGRAM................................................................................. 48 Recruiting Efforts .............................................................................................................................. 48 Admissions ........................................................................................................................................ 49 General degree requirements ........................................................................................................... 50 2.6. DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY..................................................................................................................... 50 Course requirements for completion of the PhD (degree plan)......................................................... 51 Steps for Completing a PhD Degree in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University .................. 52 Departmental Doctoral Proficiency Examination.............................................................................. 53 Departmental Publication Criterion .................................................................................................. 54 2.7. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS) DEGREE: THESIS OPTION................................................................................. 54 Course requirements for completion of the MS (thesis option) ........................................................ 55 Steps for Completing an MS Degree in Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University.................. 56 2.8. MASTER OF SCIENCE (MS) DEGREE: NON-THESIS OPTION......................................................................... 57 Course requirements for completion of the MS (Non-thesis option)................................................. 57 2.9. MASTER OF ENGINEERING (MENG) DEGREE............................................................................................ 58 Course requirements for completion of the MEng Degree................................................................ 58 MEng with Certificate in Business Option ......................................................................................... 59 MEng with Technical Course Option ................................................................................................. 59 2.10. MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN SAFETY ENGINEERING ...................................................................................... 60 2.11. DOCTORATE OF ENGINEERING (DENG) ................................................................................................. 60 2.12. DEGREE PLAN................................................................................................................................... 61 2.13. CHEN 695 – GRADUATE MENTORING SEMINAR.................................................................................... 61 2.14. ADVISORY COMMITTEES..................................................................................................................... 63 3 2.15. FINANCIAL SUPPORT.......................................................................................................................... 65 3. GRADUATE COURSES...................................................................................................................... 67 3.1. GRADUATE COURSE OFFERINGS IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING ........................................................................ 67 4. GRADUATE DEMOGRAPHICS, RANKS, AND PERFORMANCE............................................................ 71 4.1. TARGET SIZE OF GRADUATE PROGRAM .................................................................................................. 71 4.2. GRADUATE PROGRAM ENROLLMENT ..................................................................................................... 72 4.3. GRADUATE PROGRAM METRICS............................................................................................................ 77 4.4. THESES AND DISSERTATIONS ...............................................................................................................