Skip navigation links
Michigan State University
Michigan State University

College of Engineering
College of Engineering > About > Academic departments > Chemical Engineering and Materials Science > Continuing education >

ChE 804

ChE 804 Overview

Spring 2025

January 13, 2025 - May 2, 2025

3 Semester credit hours

Check out the academic calendar for details

Carl Lira
(517) 355-9731
lira@egr.msu.edu

Robert Ferrier, Jr.
(517) 884-7936
ferrier5@msu.edu

Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Engineering Building, Room 2100
428 S. Shaw Ln
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1226
FAX: (517) 432-1105

Math through integral calculus, physics, physical chemistry. Multivariable calculus is not required, but is helpful. Organic chemistry is helpful for nomenclature. Physical chemistry is helpful because of the typical introduction to thermodynamics of simple systems. It is possible to succeed in ChE 804 without Organic or Physical Chemistry courses. For an overview of calculus used in ChE 804, please contact the instructor, Carl Lira.

ChE 804 is not a prerequisite for ChE 805. Sufficient background is provided in ChE 805 that the courses can be taken independently or in the reverse order. Both ChE 804 and ChE 805 are prerequisites for ChE 806.

Quizzes/final exam are open book, but only printed textbooks can be used during these assessments. Purchase printed versions of the texts.

Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, R. M. Felder, R. W. Rousseau, L.G. Bullard, Wiley, 4th ed., 2015, available printed as looseleaf, 978-1-118-43122-1. The 3rd edition is also acceptable, and may be available used for a lower cost.

Introductory Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, J. R. Elliott, C. T. Lira, Prentice-Hall, 2nd ed., 2012, ISBN 0136068545;

Chemical Reaction Engineering, O. Levenspiel, 3rd., Wiley, 1999, ISBN 047125424X

The course objectives are to develop competence to analyze and design chemical engineering systems based on principles of thermodynamics and kinetics.

Principles of Chemical Engineering. Mass and energy balances in batch, continuous, and open systems. Process thermodynamics. Cryogenics. Properties of substances and mixtures. Phase equilibria. Chemical reaction equilibria. Chemical reactor kinetics. Process design orientation.

COURSE CERTIFICATE: Students earning a 3.0/4.0 are awarded a course certificate titled ‘Foundations of Chemical Engineering II: Course Certificate in Thermodynamics and Reaction Engineering’. No designation appears on the MSU transcript for the course certificate.

General: The course is through a 15 week semester. A course calendar is followed.

Homework: Daily assignments are given. Homework is collected approximately weekly.

Examinations: Biweekly quizzes. In addition, one final exam. A scientific calculator with trigonometric functions, logarithms, etc. is required. No computers, tablets, cell phones, communication electronics, photography or internet browsing are permitted during quizzes/exams.

Percentage of grade:

  • CREDIT STUDENTS: All homework (20%), quizzes (55%), and final exam (25%) required.
  • AUDIT STUDENTS: Attend only, access to homework solutions at all times, no homework, quizzes, or final exam collected or graded.

Computer Facilities: Access to Excel will be provided.

The three courses ChE 804, ChE 805, and ChE 806 constitute a transcriptable, MSU Graduate Certificate Program. Either ChE 804 or ChE 805 can be taken first, but both courses are prerequisites for ChE 806. The goal of this Graduate Certificate Program is to provide non-chemical engineers with a credential showing they have been trained in the foundational principles and calculations of chemical engineering. Students earning at a grade of at least 3.0/4.0 in all three courses are awarded an MSU Graduate Certificate credential entitled ‘Foundations in Chemical Engineering,’ on their transcripts.

Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS)