Chem-E Survival Guide

CBE 1 - Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Course Overview

Helps new students successfully transition to UCI, build a sense of community in the department, develop networking and professional skills, and introduce a variety of industries who employ chemical engineers through a series of guest lectures.

Course Tips

Pay attention to the career/research information and start getting familiar with faculty and resources early. Use it as an opportunity to meet other ChemEs! Also, attendance is mandatory, so missing class multiple times may cause you to fail with a "NP" grade since there are no assignments to make up for absences.

CBE 40 Series

CBE 40A - Chemical Processes and Material Balances

Course Overview

Introduction to chemical engineering and the industries where chemical engineers play vital roles. Problem-solving skills and techniques. Quantitative calculations and applications using mass and energy balances. Stoichiometric equations, multiple bypasses, and others in process industries.

Course Tips

Do not fall behind! Homework sets are long, and later problems combine multiple concepts. Get comfortable with units and drawing process flow diagrams early on!

Study Strategies

Do your homework yourself. This class sets you up to think like an engineer and to problem solve. Try different problems in the textbook to challenge yourself and test your understanding. If you’re able to solve all types of problems with varying problem statements, you will be more comfortable answering questions during an exam.

Other Advice

Expect the class to feel harder than your first year because you're learning how to set up engineering problems and systematically solve them. It’s okay to feel lost at first, and if you don't know where to start on a problem, attend office hours. 

CBE 40B - Process Thermodynamics

Course Overview

Principles of thermodynamics: definitions, basic concepts, and laws; property relationships; construction of thermodynamic charts and tables; energy balances; phase and chemical equilibria; combined mass and energy balances.

Course Tips

Try to understand the content conceptually rather than just memorizing equations. Keep track of which system you're analyzing, your assumptions, the information provided in the problem statement, and the differences between the systems and how the property relationships apply.

Study Strategies

Repeat homework sets and practice problems- focusing on identifying the assumptions and simplifying the energy balances. 

Other Advice

Process thermodynamics is one of those classes where each problem statement can look completely different. That said, focus on recognizing the type of problem rather than memorizing examples and their solutions. 

CBE 40C - Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Course Overview

Elements of chemical engineering thermodynamics, including equilibrium and stability; equations of state; generalized correlations of properties of materials; properties of ideal and non-ideal mixtures; thermodynamics of real solutions; ideal and non-ideal phase equilibria; chemical equilibria for ideal and non-ideal solutions.

Course Tips

Pay particular attention to phase equilibria, equations of state, mixtures, and chemical equilibrium. Office hours help you fix hard homework by showing you where you get stuck.

Study Strategies

Get comfortable using thermodynamic tables, charts, and using differential equations. Understanding the terminology and concepts is essential.

Other Advice

Homework can become overwhelming alongside other classes like organic chemistry, so starting early is key.

CBE 100 - Introduction to Numerical Methods in Engineering

Course Overview

An introduction to the fundamentals of numerical analysis and the computer algorithms in MATLAB for the solution of engineering problems, with emphasis on problems arising in chemical engineering thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction engineering.

Course Tips

Focus on why a numerical method works, not just the MATLAB syntax. Treat coding like learning a new language.

Study Strategies

Don't become overly reliant on AI for debugging and run every piece of code yourself. Note that exams are highly conceptual.

Other Advice

Challenge problems live up to their name. Visit office hours for guidance.

CBE 105 - Engineering Physical Chemistry

Course Overview

Provides an integrated view of both classical and molecular perspectives on thermodynamics, thermodynamic potentials, entropy, and the second law. Students learn how to use statistical mechanics to create a bridge between the quantum mechanical world and the familiar macroscopic one.

Course Tips

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CBE 110 - Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design

Course Overview

Introduction to quantitative analysis of chemical reactions and chemical reactor design. Reactor operations including batch, continuous stirred tank, and tubular reactor. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions.

Course Tips

Refresh your knowledge on rate expressions, stoichiometry, and material balances. Know the difference between batch, CSTR, and PFR/PBR. 

Study Strategies

Practice identifying the assumptions before writing any equations. Draw out the process and practice by redoing homework problems and in-class examples. 

Other Advice

Purchase a physical copy of the textbook. Don't memorize reactor equations.

CBE 120 Series

CBE 120A - Momentum Transfer

Course Overview

Fluid statics, surface tension, Newton's law of viscosity, non-Newtonian and complex flows, momentum equations, laminar and turbulent flow, velocity profiles, flow in pipes and around objects, piping systems design, pumps and mixing, and other applications to chemical and related industries.

Course Tips

Study Strategies

Practice problems from class and discussions will help you study, but identify the appropriate momentum balance before plugging in numbers. 

Other Advice

Know the differences between laminar and turbulent flow until it is intuitive.

CBE 120B - Heat Transfer

Course Overview

Principles of conduction, radiation, and convection of heat; phenomenological rate laws, differential and macroscopic energy balances; heat transfer rates, steady state and unsteady state conduction, convection; applications to chemical and related industries.

Course Tips

Always start by drawing the system and identifying the direction of heat flow and the modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, and radiation). 

Study Strategies

Exams are usually cumulative, so be comfortable with all topics. Homework problems, in-class examples and notes will be your best friend.

Other Advice

Keep track of your assumptions, as most problems become easier once you simplify equations and identify the system. 

CBE 120C - Mass Transfer

Course Overview

Molecular and continuum approaches to diffusion and convection in multi-component mixtures; steady state, quasi-steady state and transient mass transfer; effect of reactions on mass transfer; convective mass transfer; simultaneous mass, heat and momentum transfer; applications to chemical and related industries.

Course Tips

Topics from previous classes will reappear, such as thermodynamics diagrams, so reviewing is essential.

Study Strategies

Exams are challenging. Do not memorize equations. Instead, practice twisting and altering your homework problems to truly test your understanding. Practice identifying the driving force for mass transfer before choosing an equation. 

Other Advice

Attend office hours whenever you are lost. Group similar topics together so your equations stay organized and easy to review.

CBE 130 - Separation Processes

Course Overview

Application of equilibria and mass and energy balances for design of separation processes. Use of equilibrium laws for design of distillation, absorption, stripping, and extraction equipment. Design of multicomponent separators.

Course Tips

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CBE 140 Series

CBE 140A - Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Course Overview

Experimental study of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer. Operation and evaluation of process equipment, data analysis.

Course Tips

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CBE 140B - Chemical Engineering Laboratory II

Course Overview

Continuation of the CBE 140A covering mass transfer operations such as distillation, absorption, extraction, etc. Rate and equilibria studies in simple chemical systems with and without reaction. Study of chemical process. Materials Fee

Course Tips

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CBE 145 - Chemical Process Control

Course Overview

Dynamic responses and control of chemical process equipment, dynamic modeling of chemical processes, linear system analysis, analyses and design of feedback loops and advanced control systems.

Course Tips

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CBE 150 Series

CBE 150A - Chemical Engineering Design I

Course Overview

Introduction to process design; flow sheets for chemical processes; synthesis of multicomponent separation sequences and reaction paths; synthesis of heat exchange networks; computer-aided design and simulation of processes and components pacts.

Course Tips

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CBE 150B - Chemical Engineering Design II

Course Overview

Application of chemical engineering basics to practical design problems; process economics; process safety; environmental impacts; a major team design project with progress reports, oral presentation, and technical report with engineering drawings and economics.

Course Tips

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