About
Chemical + Materials Engineering
The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta attracts some of the best and brightest people. With over 40 professors, 250+ graduate students and more than 500 undergraduate students, our department is growing every year.
Our undergraduate and graduate programs are taught by leading chemical and materials researchers from around the world. Our professors are award-winning, passionate instructors, and approachable mentors.
We provide leading-edge facilities for classroom studies and laboratory research. The latest communication technology enhances the in-class learning experience, while outstanding lab facilities and technicians offer opportunities to put your studies into practice.
History
Chemical and materials engineering at the U of A traces its history to the early 1920s with the first course of chemical engineering offered in 1926 and the first BSc granted in 1928. The Department of Chemical Engineering was officially founded in 1946, having already awarded its first MSc in 1945 and later its first PhD in 1961. A pivotal moment came in 1996 when the modern-day Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering was formed through a merger of the Department of Chemical Engineering and parts of the Department of Mining and Metallurgy. Over the next two decades, the department solidified its research focus by establishing major research hubs, including the Centre for Oil Sands Innovation (2005), the Canadian Centre for Welding and Joining (2009), and the Centre for Energy and Mineral Processing (CEMP) (2010 reorganized in 2023).
Department Priorities
Our faculty is dedicated to providing an exceptional education and driving impactful research that addresses global challenges in energy, materials, and the environment. We place a high priority on experiential learning to ensure students gain the practical, hands-on skills necessary for professional success. By bridging the gap between classroom theory and industry practice, we empower our graduates to lead the way in scientific discovery and technical innovation.
Awards + Recognition
122
Research + Teaching Excellence awards
Our faculty hold many prestigious international and national awards as well as prestigious industry awards for innovation and contributions to the field. Our faculty members also hold numerous government, academic and student-nominated teaching awards including the IUPAC Awards for Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering and the American Chemical Society Langmuir Lectureship Award.