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, Gilcrease, 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. A student who elects the thesis option will be required to present a thesis based upon an original investigation for which 6 credits must be earned toward a total requirement of 30 credits in an approved program of study. For the non-thesis executive program option, a student must earn 32 credits in an approved program of study and complete a special project. In the non-thesis executive program, which is oriented primarily toward industrial needs, students take at least one course in engineering management (for example, ENGM 640 , ENGM 720 , or ENGM 742 ) management as part of their required courses for the M.S. in chemical engineering.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers an accelerated BS/MS degree program which will enable a student to complete both the B.S. and M.S. degrees in as little as 5 years. The accelerated BS/MS program is highly selective, for which students must apply for admission. Students interested in the accelerated program are strongly encouraged to apply at the end of their junior year. A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the time the student applies to the program is required. Programs may grant exceptions to the GPA requirement under situations approved by the Dean of Graduate Education. Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may also be used to satisfy graduate credit requirements. Dual-counted courses must be taken at the 400/500/600 level as an undergraduate. Only courses taken at SDSM&T are eligible for dual credit. No transferred courses will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students applying to the Chemical Engineering accelerated BS/MS program must fill out an accelerated BS/MS Advising Plan and find an interim advisor or major professor prior to admission to the BS/MS program. The accelerated BS/MS Advising Plan can be revised at any time, with the concurrence of the interim advisor or major professor and the department/program head or coordinator. Please contact Dr. Todd Menkhaus, CBE Graduate Program Coordinator, for further information.
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, nanotechnology, chemical technology, energy, environmental processes, 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. The current research interest of the faculty can be found on the departmental website at: http://www.sdsmt.edu/CBE/research/research.
