Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Policy on the Academic Preparation of Chemical Engineering Graduate Students

The preparation of entering students in computer programming and in the statistical analysis of experimental data is uneven. Poor preparation in computer programming impacts their success in the core course ChE 600. Poor preparation in statistics impacts their research performance.  Each first year student must take assessment exams on these topics which are designed to probe familiarity with basic concepts and are administered and evaluated by the Assistant Chair for Graduate Studies.

The Graduate Program Chair may assign individual study or formal coursework to address deficiencies identified. Coursework will be at the graduate level, will count towards the quarterly minimum enrollment, will count in calculation of the GPA, and will be required on the student’s course of study, but will not count towards the technical elective requirements for the degree.

Students who are otherwise qualified but lack preparation in one or more of the core areas of chemical engineering may be admitted. At graduation, these students must be qualified chemical engineers. The graduate committee will review transcripts of prior work and define a course of study to address deficiencies. Coursework will be at the graduate level, will count towards the quarterly minimum enrollment, will count in calculation of the GPA, and will be required on the student’s course of study, but will not count towards the technical elective requirements for degree. A “C” (2.0/4.0) or better must be earned in each of these courses.

Students in chemical engineering must maintain a 3.0 average in several categories as detailed in the “Requirements and Procedures for Graduate Degrees in Chemical Engineering at Ohio University”. Students who fall below this are allowed at least one quarter of probation to correct this before removal from the program. The probationary period normally includes a quarter other than summer to ensure the opportunity to enroll in graded, graduate level coursework. Financial assistance will not be provided from department funds to students on probation.

This page last updated on September 10, 2009 by Daniel Gulino.