Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

Contact Information

Dr. Todd Menkhaus
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
(605) 394-2422 Dept: (605) 394-2421
E-mail: Todd.Menkhaus@sdsmt.edu
http://www.sdsmt.edu/CBE/

Faculty

Professors Dixon, Menkhaus (CBE Graduate Program Coordinator), Puszynski, Salem and Winter; Associate Professors Benjamin, Sani and Shende; Assistant Professors Brenza, Groven and Hadley; Lecturer Pinkelman.

Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers programs of study leading to the master degree in chemical engineering (ChE). Students may consider either a thesis or non-thesis executive program option. Chemical engineers with a M.S. degree obtain graduate education that provides them with an in-depth understanding of the chemistry, mathematics, and physical laws describing systems at both molecular and macroscopic levels. With this knowledge, the chemical engineer can participate in interdisciplinary research, development, and implementation of new and improved technologies in areas such as: biotechnology, catalysis, chemical technology, energy, environmental processes, nanotechnology, as well as manufacturing of high-performance materials for electronic and structural applications. A student who does not have a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering will be expected to take several additional undergraduate chemical engineering courses to provide a solid ChE foundation.

An accelerated Master of Science (B.S./M.S.) degree program is available for qualified undergraduates enrolled in engineering B.S. programs at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The accelerated master’s degree program allows B.S. engineering students to take up to twelve (12) graduate level credits to simultaneously meet undergraduate and graduate degree program requirements.

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) offers, in addition to B.S. and M.S. degrees in chemical engineering, a Ph.D. degree in chemical and biological engineering. The Ph.D. program provides the chemical and biological engineering Ph.D. graduate a core educational experience in transport phenomena, chemical kinetics, biochemical engineering, chemical thermodynamics, and biotechnology. This knowledge base, along with key electives, provides graduate students the training to participate in biochemical and petrochemical processing, bio-based energy technologies, including biomass and biofuels; catalysis; bio-based and bio-compatible materials; biomedicine; bioremediation; emerging energy technologies; synthesis and functionalization of nanomaterials, and processing of polymers and composite materials. These areas are aligned with the expertise of our faculty members.

The current research interest of the faculty can be found on the departmental website at: http://www.sdsmt.edu/CBE/research/.