About Department of Chemical Engineering · Seattle
The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington in Seattle is an academic unit dedicated to educating top-tier engineers and conducting world-class research in molecular engineering, nanotechnology, clean energy, and other impactful fields. It emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and multidisciplinary problem-solving to address societal challenges. The department is part of the UW College of Engineering and is ABET-accredited, ranked #28 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate School rankings. It hosts several interdisciplinary research centers focused on clean tech, biotech, and biomedical innovation.
The Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Washington educates undergraduate and graduate students in chemical engineering, preparing them for leadership roles in diverse industries. It offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees and is known for its research in clean energy, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and molecular engineering. Faculty lead major research centers including the Clean Energy Institute and the Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute. The department values diversity, inclusiveness, and innovation, and its students regularly win prestigious fellowships such as NSF Graduate Research Fellowships and UW Clean Energy Institute Fellowships. The department is located in Benson Hall in Seattle, WA, and serves students, faculty, and industry partners across the region.
- Serves
- Seattle, WA, and surrounding region (UW campus and affiliated research centers)
About Us
Educating top-quality engineers is our highest priority. Our students work with internationally-recognized faculty and receive specialized training in molecular engineering, nanotechnology, clean energy, and other impactful fields. Through continuous curriculum improvements, world-class research, and an emphasis on entrepreneurship, we are charting the future of chemical engineering.
Research Areas
Our researchers hold intellectual property in electrochemical printing; methane bioconversion; nanocomposites; nonfouling biomaterials; porous biomaterials for tissue engineering; non-linear electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (NLEIS); and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Faculty lead centers including the Center for the Science of Synthesis Across Scales, the Clean Energy Institute, and the eScience Institute.
Degrees & Accreditation
We offer BS, MS, and PhD degrees. The department is ABET-accredited and ranked #28 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate School rankings.
Staff & Leadership
The department includes 26 core faculty, 15 endowed positions, and multiple adjunct and affiliate faculty. Staff includes grant managers, fiscal specialists, communications managers, and IT support. Jullien Berzuela, Lead Grants Manager, was awarded the Distinguished Staff Award in 2026 for excellence in grants management and support to faculty and students.