Grad Handbook

P.O.
Box 116005
Gainesville, FL 32611-6005
Telephone: (352) 392-0881
Fax: (352) 392-9513
[email protected]
http://www.che.ufl.edu
GRADUATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK

OF REQUIREMENTS & POLICIES
Academic Year 2021 – 2022

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME ............................................................................................................................. 1
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 2
STUDENT HONOR & CONDUCT CODE .......................................................................... 2
Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct in Research ................................................... 3
Professional Conduct in the Department....................................................................... 4
Reporting Misconduct ................................................................................................... 5
DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE & PERSONNEL ............................................................... 6
Key Personnel ............................................................................................................... 6
Chemical Engineering Faculty ...................................................................................... 6
Graduate Faculty ........................................................................................................... 6
Department Chair .......................................................................................................... 6
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies ........................................................................... 6
Master’s Program Coordinator ...................................................................................... 6
Graduate Program Committee....................................................................................... 7
Graduate Academic Adviser ......................................................................................... 7
Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinators ................................................................................... 7
Graduate Admissions Assistant .................................................................................... 7
Graduate Admissions Committee ................................................................................. 7
Research Adviser .......................................................................................................... 7
Faculty Academic Adviser ............................................................................................ 7
Supervisory Committee................................................................................................. 7
GETTING STARTED ............................................................................................................ 9
Graduate Student Expectations ..................................................................................... 9
First Semester ................................................................................................................ 9
Departmental Access & Resources ............................................................................. 11
RESEARCH .......................................................................................................................... 12
Choose a Research Adviser ......................................................................................... 12
Laboratory Safety ........................................................................................................ 13
DOCTORAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS .................................................................. 14
Doctoral Overview ...................................................................................................... 14
Program Schedule ....................................................................................................... 14
Required Doctoral Coursework................................................................................... 16
Elective Doctoral Coursework .................................................................................... 17
Other Doctoral Coursework ........................................................................................ 17
Research Courses ................................................................................................. 17
Graduate Seminar Course .................................................................................... 17
Supervised Teaching Course ............................................................................... 17
Progress Reports ......................................................................................................... 18
Research Presentation Requirement ............................................................................ 18
Candidacy Examination .............................................................................................. 19
Research Proposal ................................................................................................ 20
Oral Qualifying Examination .............................................................................. 21
Assessment of the Candidacy Examination ......................................................... 21
Doctoral Final Examination ........................................................................................ 22
Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

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MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS .............................................. 23

Master of Science Overview ....................................................................................... 23
Required M.S. Coursework ......................................................................................... 24
Elective M.S. Coursework .......................................................................................... 24
M.S. Final Examination .............................................................................................. 25
MASTER OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS ................................... 26
Master of Engineering Overview ................................................................................ 26
Undergraduate Coursework ........................................................................................ 27
Required M.E. Coursework......................................................................................... 28
Other M.E. Coursework .............................................................................................. 28
M.E. Final Examination .............................................................................................. 28
ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS .. 29
Maintaining Satisfactory Progress .............................................................................. 29
Training Requirements ................................................................................................ 30
FINAL EXAMINATION...................................................................................................... 31
Doctoral Dissertation .................................................................................................. 31
Master’s Thesis ........................................................................................................... 32
Master’s Report ........................................................................................................... 32
Final Oral Defense Examination ................................................................................. 33
Assessment of the Final Examination ......................................................................... 33
Leaving Campus before Completion of Final Examination ....................................... 34
REGISTRATION & COURSEWORK .............................................................................. 35
Registration Requirements .......................................................................................... 35
Registration Process .................................................................................................... 35
Course Credit .............................................................................................................. 35
Course Restrictions and Classifications ...................................................................... 36
Course Descriptions .................................................................................................... 36
Core Chemical Engineering Courses ................................................................... 36
Chemical Engineering Electives .......................................................................... 36
Approved Chemical Engineering Electives ......................................................... 37
Research and Individual Work Courses .............................................................. 37
Technical Electives .............................................................................................. 38
Non-Technical Electives ...................................................................................... 38
Course Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) ........................................................ 40
Add/Drop Courses ....................................................................................................... 40
Retaking Courses ........................................................................................................ 40
Transfer of Credits from Other Institutions ................................................................ 40
Florida State Residency............................................................................................... 41
DEGREE ENHANCEMENTS ............................................................................................. 42
Concurrent Degree ...................................................................................................... 42
Minor Degree .............................................................................................................. 42
Certificate Programs.................................................................................................... 42
POLICIES & PROCEDURES ............................................................................................. 43
Room Reservations ..................................................................................................... 43

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Petitions ....................................................................................................................... 43
Leave Policy ................................................................................................................ 43
Personal Time ...................................................................................................... 43
Leave of Absence ................................................................................................ 44
Changes to Your Degree Program .............................................................................. 44
Change from Ph.D. to M.S. Degree Plan ............................................................. 44
Change or Continuation from M.S. to Ph.D. Degree Plan .................................. 44
Change from Non-Thesis to Thesis Degree Plan ................................................ 44
Change from Thesis to Non-Thesis Degree Plan ................................................ 44
Continuation from M.E. to Ph.D. Degree Plan .................................................... 45
Change Supervisory Committee ................................................................................. 45
Change Research Adviser .................................................................................... 45
Change Supervisory Committee Member ........................................................... 46
Internships ................................................................................................................... 46
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES ................................. 48
Graduate Student Wellness Services ........................................................................... 48
GatorWell ............................................................................................................ 48
GatorCare ............................................................................................................. 48
U Matter, We Care ............................................................................................... 48
Counseling and Wellness Center ......................................................................... 48
University of Florida Student Health Care Center .............................................. 49
University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) ............................................... 49
Office of Victim Services (OVS) ........................................................................ 49
National Graduate Crisis...................................................................................... 49
University or College Services ................................................................................... 49
Disability Resource Center .................................................................................. 49
Multicultural & Diversity Affairs ........................................................................ 50
Ombuds Office..................................................................................................... 50
Title IX Office ..................................................................................................... 50
Dean of Students Office....................................................................................... 50
Career and Professional Development ........................................................................ 51
Career Connections Center .................................................................................. 51
FINAL TERM ....................................................................................................................... 52
Clear Prior ................................................................................................................... 52

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WELCOME
We are thrilled that you have decided to join the Chemical Engineering Graduate Program at the
University of Florida. Our department has a long history of excellence in research and education and has
had an impact in the formation of many professional and intellectual leaders in the chemical engineering
profession. Graduate students will have the opportunity to work closely with our dynamic, internationally-
recognized faculty in both the classroom and laboratory. Chemical engineering faculty and students benefit
from state-of-the-art instrumentation housed in service centers throughout campus and close collaborations
with other engineering disciplines, as well as with faculty and students from the College of Medicine,
College of Dentistry, the College of Liberal Arts and Life Sciences, and the Institute of Food and
Agricultural Sciences. Partnerships with international collaborators and institutions also enrich the
educational and research experiences of our students. The quality of our programs, faculty, and students is
recognized nationally, and we are consistently among the top 10 producers nationally of both undergraduate
and graduate chemical engineers. Chemical engineering offers a vibrant environment supportive of
advanced study and research, and the University of Florida is a comprehensive university ranked among
the nation’s top-10 public universities in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings.
Our graduate program includes Master of Science (M.S.), Master of Engineering (M.E.), and Doctor of
Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Chemical Engineering. We have an exciting graduate program that
encompasses a broad range of educational opportunities and activities. The course requirements are kept to
a minimum so that students have freedom in developing their own programs of study. Graduate students
will learn to develop creative solutions to challenging and intellectually-stimulating problems while
enhancing their technical and problem solving skills as they learn how to apply the scientific method to
many engineering problems.

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INTRODUCTION
This Handbook contains supplementary information to the Graduate Catalog, which is the primary
document governing all academic programs at the University of Florida. Although every effort has been
made to maintain accuracy, the Department of Chemical Engineering reserves the right to correct errors
when found without further notice to students. The presence of errors will not affect the application of the
rules and requirements applicable to all students. The set of policies described in this Handbook are
established to ensure that all students are provided the opportunity to achieve a satisfactory level of
competency required for a graduate degree in chemical engineering. Students may consult with the Graduate
Academic Adviser, Master’s Program Coordinator, or Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for any
questions related to this Handbook.
Graduate students are regulated by the rules set forth in the Graduate Catalog and Handbook published
in the academic year of the student’s first term. Students transitioning from a Master’s to Doctoral program
must follow the catalog year in effect when they begin the Doctoral program. It is the responsibility of the
student to be familiar with both publications and to know and take appropriate steps to meet all program
requirements before graduation. Rules are not waived for ignorance.
STUDENT HONOR & CONDUCT CODE

The University of Florida strives to protect and to guide the educational community by establishing a
Student Honor Code, a Student Conduct Code, and a Student conduct system. These codes and systems
promote individual and social responsibility and are enforced through University Regulations. By becoming
a member of the University of Florida community, a Student agrees to adhere to its Student Honor Code
and its Student Conduct Code. Students acting as individuals or as members of Student Organizations are
expected to follow all applicable Laws and Regulations. University Regulations have been designed to
promote the safety of people and the campus community, to create an environment conducive to learning,
and to achieve the mission of the Institution.
The University principles address our respect for people and property, for fairness, for Laws and
Regulations, and for academic integrity. No policy or regulation shall be interpreted to limit the
constitutional or statutory rights of any student, including but not limited to expressive rights protected by
the First Amendment.
1. Respect for people and property. Students are encouraged both to conduct themselves in a
manner that exemplifies respect for all people and property and to adhere to their personal values
without imposing those on others.
2. Respect for fairness. Rules and established procedures are intended to ensure both fundamental
fairness and an educational experience for students and Student Organizations.
3. Respect for Laws and Regulations. Students and Student Organizations are expected to follow
all applicable Laws and Regulations.
4. Respect for academic integrity. Academic honesty and integrity are fundamental values of the
University. Students commit to holding themselves and their peers to the high standard of honor
required by the Student Honor Code. Any student who becomes aware of a violation of the
Student Honor Code is encouraged to report the violation to the appropriate University Official.
The University has established procedures within the Dean of Students Office on how to handle possible
Student Honor Code violations (https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/process/student-honor-code/) and Conduct Code
violations (https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/process/student-conduct-code/). Detailed descriptions of the University
Student Honor & Student Conduct codes as well as students’ rights are found at:
https://sccr.dso.ufl.edu/policies/student-honor-code-student-conduct-code/.

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Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct in Research

All students admitted to the University of Florida have signed a statement of academic honesty
committing themselves to be honest in all academic work and understanding that failure to comply with
this commitment will result in disciplinary action. Students are expected to produce their own work in
homework, projects, and exams (including the Candidacy Examination and Final Examination).
Unauthorized collaboration in take-home exams, projects, and individual assignments is a serious violation
of the University Honor Code and could lead to a grade decrease, course failure, and loss of degree status.
The Honor Code specifies a number of behaviors in detail that are in violation of this code and the possible
sanctions. Furthermore, graduate students are obligated to report any condition that facilitates
academic misconduct to appropriate personnel.
Graduate students are expected to maintain high ethical standards in the conduct and reporting
of scientific and scholarly research, including identification of potential conflicts of interest to
responsible authorship and publication. All students funded by NSF, NIH, or USDA awards must
complete the general Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) training. Regardless, all graduate students
are responsible for ethical research conduct to the University, to the academic community, to those
sponsoring the research, and to the community at large. Research Misconduct, including fabrication or
falsification of data, and plagiarism in proposing, performing, reviewing, or reporting of results, is a most
serious offense that can greatly damage the welfare and reputation of the students, faculty, and the
University. See https://research.ufl.edu/compliance/research-integrity.html for more information regarding
Research Misconduct.
From the University of Florida Student Handbook: “Plagiarism is not tolerated at the University of
Florida. Plagiarism in a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation is punishable by expulsion. If the
plagiarism is detected after the degree has been awarded, the degree may be rescinded.” Likewise, the
Candidacy Examination is subject to the same policy. For a thorough discussion of plagiarism and the applicable
laws, see “Plagiarism in Colleges in the USA: legal aspects of plagiarism, academic policy” by Ronald B.
Standler (manuscript is available at www.rbs2.com/plag.htm). Briefly, a student shall not represent all or any
portion of the work of another as the student’s own work. Plagiarism includes (but is not limited to):
1. Quoting oral or written materials, whether published or unpublished, without proper
attribution.
2. Submitting a document or assignment which in whole or in part is identical or substantially
identical to a document or assignment not authored by the student.
Plagiarism is probably understood as stealing someone else's words as your own. In fact, there are many
different kinds of plagiarism. The top 5 types are:
1. Stealing verbatim,
2. Misquoting,
3. Paraphrasing without quoting,
4. Summarizing without quoting, and
5. Duplicating publication.
If graduate students have any questions or concerns regarding Research Misconduct and Plagiarism,
they are encouraged to discuss them with their Research Adviser, Supervisory Committee, or the Associate
Chair for Graduate Studies.

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Professional Conduct in the Department

The Department of Chemical Engineering takes very seriously its commitment to providing a safe and
healthy work environment, free from bullying or harassment. We value broad diversity within our
community and are committed to individual and group empowerment, inclusion, and the elimination of
discrimination. It is expected that all students will treat faculty, staff, and other students with dignity and
respect regardless of gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, and culture.
Although bullying and harassment often include similar behaviors, harassment is a form of
discrimination, i.e., negative behavior based on any legally protected characteristic (e.g., race, color,
religion, sex, etc.). Both bullying and harassment are harmful not only to the target of the behavior but also
damages the Department and University’s culture and reputation. It is unacceptable and the Department of
Chemical Engineering will not tolerate in any instance bullying or harassing behavior.
The purpose of this policy is to communicate that the Department of Chemical Engineering expects all
students, staff, and faculty to maintain professional conduct at all times. If anyone breaches this policy, they
may be subject to disciplinary action. In serious cases, this may include termination of employment. If a
person makes a false complaint, or a complaint in bad faith (e.g., making up a complaint to get someone
else in trouble, or making a complaint where there is no foundation for the complaint), that person may be
disciplined and/or have their employment terminated.
Bullying is repeated and unreasonable behavior directed towards a person or persons that creates a risk
to health and safety. A single incident of unreasonable behavior does not usually constitute bullying. However,
it should not be ignored as it may have the potential to escalate into bullying behavior. Bullying includes both
physical and psychological risks and abuse that may include (i) threatening, humiliating, or intimidating
behaviors; (ii) work interference/sabotage that prevents work from getting done; or (iii) verbal abuse.
Bullying conduct can take many different forms that include the obvious to the subtler:
• Repeated personal insults or hurtful remarks or attacks about a person;
• Unwanted physical contact, physical abuse, or threats of abuse to an individual or an individual's
property (defacing or marking up property);
• Attacking or threatening with equipment, knives, guns, clubs or any other type of object that can
be turned into a weapon;
• Using obscene or intimidating gestures;
• Persistent singling out of an individual or spreading rumors and gossip regarding an individual;
• Inhibiting an individual from expressing themselves;
• Deliberately excluding an individual or isolating them from work-related or school-related
activities, such as meetings or office hours;
• Manipulating the ability of someone to conduct their work (e.g., overloading, underloading,
withholding information, assigning menial tasks, or deliberate changing of work hours or
schedule to make it difficult); and
• Psychological harassment, including intimidation, mind games, or hazing.
The above examples do not represent a complete list of bullying behaviors. They are indicative of the
type of behaviors that may constitute bullying that are unacceptable. A person’s intention is irrelevant when
determining if bullying has occurred. Bullying can occur unintentionally, where actions which are not
intended to victimize, humiliate, undermine, or threaten a person actually have that effect.
Harassment includes all the conduct described above for bullying but is directed to an individual based on
their family, sex, sexuality, gender identity, race or culture, age, religion, national origin, education or
economic background, or any other legally protected characteristic. Harassing behavior can include verbal,

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nonverbal, or physical conduct. Sexual harassment is behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and
offensive to the person or persons it is targeted toward. Examples of sexually harassing behavior may include:
• Unwelcome physical contact, such as touching, massaging, patting, pinching, stroking, or kissing;
• Stalking, intimidating, coercing, or threatening another person;
• Giving gifts of a personal and intimate nature;
• Foul language, jokes, or innuendo of an offensive sexual nature;
• Sexually explicit comments, conversations, propositions, or requests;
• Seeking emotional involvement for your benefit;
• Obscene gestures of a sexual nature; and
• Displays of sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures.
Reporting Misconduct
The University of Florida is committed to a policy of treating all members of the university community
fairly in regard to their personal and professional concerns. The University believes strongly in the ability
of students to express concerns regarding their experiences at the University. A formal grievance procedure
exists to ensure each graduate student is given adequate opportunity to bring complaints and problems,
exclusive of grades, to the attention of the University Administration with the assurance each concern be
given fair consideration.
A grievance is defined as dissatisfaction occurring when a student thinks that any condition affecting
him or her is unjust or inequitable or creates an unnecessary hardship. Areas in which student grievances
may arise include scientific misconduct, sexual harassment, discrimination, employment-related concerns,
and academic matters.
The University of Florida regulations provide a procedure for filing a formal grievance in Regulation
4.012. Prior to invoking a formal written grievance, the student is encouraged to discuss his or her grievance
with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies to discuss the appropriate course of action. If the grievance
is against the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, then the Department Chair should be contacted.
Students may also contact the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering (HWCOE) Associate Dean for
Student Affairs, the University Ombuds or Dean of Students Offices. For complaints not satisfactorily
resolved at the department level or which seem to be broader than one department, students are encouraged
to submit those complaints to either the University Ombuds or Dean of Students Office.
Anyone who believes that he or she has been subjected to bullying or harassment is strongly
encouraged to promptly report such behavior to any university official, administrator, supervisor,
manager, Department Chair, Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, Research Adviser or faculty
member. If violence, assault, or stalking has occurred during the incident, you should contact the Police
Department immediately using 911 services for an emergency or 352-392-1111 for non-emergency situations.
Incidents should be reported as soon as possible after the time of their occurrence to allow the
Department and University to take appropriate remedial action. No employee or student should assume
Department or University officials know about a situation or incident. Any university official
(administrator, supervisor, or manager), faculty member, teaching assistant, or staff member with
knowledge or complaint of sexual harassment (written or oral report) must promptly report it to the
Title IX Coordinator ([email protected]), and may be disciplined for failing to do so.
Students that have experienced bullying or harassing behavior are encouraged to use the following
University resources to help them cope with the situation:
U Matter, We Care: [email protected] or 352-392-1575
Counseling and Wellness Center: http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc or 352-392-1575
Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS): Student Health Care Center, 352-392-1161

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DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE & PERSONNEL

The Department of Chemical Engineering is part of the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering
(HWCOE), one of the largest and most dynamic engineering colleges in the nation, producing leaders and
problem-solvers who take a multidisciplinary approach to innovative and human-centered solutions.
Key Personnel
Department Chair Prof. Carlos Rinaldi CHESC 289
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies Prof. Kirk Ziegler CHE 421
Master’s Program Coordinator Prof. Sumant Patankar CHE 223
Prof. Helena Hagelin-Weaver CHE 323
Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinators
Prof. Whitney Stoppel CHE 321
Graduate Academic Adviser Ms. Shirley Kelly CHESC 263
Graduate Admissions Assistant Ms. Debbie Sandoval CHESC 260
Chemical Engineering Faculty

The current tenure and tenure-track faculty of the Department and their contact information are provided
on our website: https://www.che.ufl.edu/people/faculty/.
Graduate Faculty
The Graduate School includes Graduate Faculty members across the University that are approved to
mentor graduate students completing a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation.
Department Chair
The Department Chair manages the operation of the Chemical Engineering Department. The Chair is
responsible for overall administration and policy directions.
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies

The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies oversees the operation of the Chemical Engineering Graduate
Program. The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies is responsible for academic program administration and
policy directions, ensuring policy compliance with both the Graduate Catalog and this Handbook, scheduling
graduate courses, collecting data associated with SACS accreditation, coordinating the Supervised Teaching
course, Orientation of incoming graduate students, and approving academic Petitions. The Associate Chair
for Graduate Studies serves as Faculty Academic Adviser to all admitted and present chemical engineering
Ph.D. students who have not yet joined a research group or do not have a Research Adviser.
Master’s Program Coordinator

The Master’s Program Coordinator oversees the operation of the M.S. and M.E. Graduate Program. The
Master’s Program Coordinator is the Faculty Academic Adviser to all non-thesis master’s students. The
Master’s Program Coordinator advises students on coursework, certificates, minors, and majors.

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Graduate Program Committee

The Graduate Program Committee is comprised of Chemical Engineering Faculty members, including
the Master’s Program Coordinator, and is chaired by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. The
committee is responsible for reviewing and establishing departmental policy and procedures pertaining to
graduate affairs. This committee oversees formal aspects of the normal degree procedures and makes
decisions on academic Petitions.
Graduate Academic Adviser

The Graduate Academic Adviser assists graduate students in program deadlines, course requirements,
registration, and routine administrative issues. Inquiries regarding graduate program policies and
procedures should first be made to the Graduate Academic Adviser, which can then be forwarded to the
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, if needed. The Graduate Academic Adviser is available to meet with
any student during office hours or by appointment.
Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinators

The Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinators are responsible for coordinating all recruitment activities,
including the AIChE recruitment fair and Spring Visit.
Graduate Admissions Assistant

The Graduate Admissions Assistant helps students with the application process and guides students
through their matriculation into the graduate program.
Graduate Admissions Committee

The Graduate Admissions Committee is comprised of Chemical Engineering Faculty members,
including the Master’s Program Coordinator, and is chaired by the Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinator. The
committee oversees admission of incoming students.
Research Adviser
Chemical Engineering students conducting Research need to have a Research Adviser. The Research
Adviser has an active role in helping the student choose a research topic, develop the scientific and/or
technical skills needed to conduct the research, and develop the oral and written communication skills
required to present the research. The Research Adviser is responsible for ensuring that the student is aware
of and understands the importance of Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct in Research as well as
Professional Conduct in the Department. The Research Adviser also becomes the Faculty Academic
Adviser of students conducting research for a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation.
Faculty Academic Adviser

The Faculty Academic Adviser has an active role in helping the student interpret policies and achieve
the requirements for the degree for which they are registered, monitor the progress towards degree
completion, define realistic goals to maintain Satisfactory Progress, and prepare a career development plan.
The Faculty Academic Adviser is responsible for informing the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies of
any concerns about the student’s progress or ability to achieve the degree for which they are registered.
Supervisory Committee
Students conducting Research for a Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation must have a Supervisory
Committee. The Supervisory Committee assists the graduate student in selecting coursework appropriate

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for the field of research, approves the Candidacy Examination for Ph.D. students, periodically reviews
research Progress Reports, and approves the Final Examination. The Supervisory Committee is responsible
for assuring that the completed Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation is original research and is a
contribution to the body of knowledge. The Research Adviser and Supervisory Committee may assist the
student in understanding all regulations governing the program, but the student has the ultimate
responsibility for being aware of and meeting all requirements.
The Supervisory Committee is very important and should be chosen carefully. Before the end of the
second semester of the degree program, students will nominate, with the advice and consent of the Research
Adviser, the members of the Supervisory Committee. Typically, the Research Adviser is the Chair of the
Supervisory Committee, unless they are not a primary member of the Chemical Engineering Faculty. The
Supervisory Committee should be communicated to the Graduate Academic Adviser as soon as chosen.
The Supervisory Committee for a Ph.D. candidate consists of at least four members selected from the
Graduate Faculty. At least two members must have their primary appointment in the Chemical Engineering
Department. At least one member of the Supervisory Committee serves as the external member and they
should be from a different department.
The Supervisory Committee for a master’s student consists of at least two members selected from the
Graduate Faculty. At least two members must be from the Chemical Engineering Faculty.

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GETTING STARTED
The first semester of graduate school can be a challenge. Students must move to a new school and city
where they do not know other students or faculty, begin taking challenging coursework, complete visa,
enrollment, and employment documentation, and become familiar with new policies and procedures of the
University and Department. In addition, many graduate students commencing their research careers must
Choose a Research Adviser and begin learning what it means to conduct cutting-edge research. This section
provides some guidance for students as they transition to graduate school in the Department of Chemical
Engineering at the University of Florida.
Graduate Student Expectations

The expectations and work conducted in graduate school is entirely different from what students
experienced as undergraduate students. Students need to recognize the differences and adapt quickly.
Satisfactory Progress in graduate school requires consistent productivity through independent discovery.
Discovery is difficult to achieve and requires exceptional commitment and motivation. Few successful
scientists or engineers work less than 60 hours per week. Graduate student appointments reflect this
commitment as a 0.5 FTE appointment (20 hours per week) and 9 credits of Research and Individual Work
Courses (27-36 hours per week of academic activity). Graduate students often require a strong work ethic,
including significant work outside of normal hours, to be successful in their chosen field of specialization.
Specifically, the Ph.D. degree signifies that a student is capable of running an independent research
investigation and that they are able to discuss the findings confidently with other experts in the field. In
addition, most Ph.D. students are financially supported by research grants secured by the Research Adviser.
Since these research grants have a fixed duration and well-defined objectives, graduate students must take
ownership of their research project and complete the research objectives in a timely manner. Therefore,
successful graduate students dedicate themselves to their work and make it their top priority to achieve a high
level of competence in their field so that they can achieve swift progress in their research project.
Graduate students are not only expected to excel in the classroom and laboratory; they should also
demonstrate professional and ethical behavior at all times. Students are encouraged to practice professional
behavior from the beginning of their time in graduate school. This early start can help students adopt habits
of respect, thoughtfulness, and self-reliance that will help them throughout their career.
First Semester
Students often have misconceptions about the nature of research and believe that they will be working
on well-defined problems that are solved using known tools and methods. These misconceptions often lead
to frustration. Some students may also experience self-doubt known as the “impostor syndrome.” This
feeling of not belonging or being an impostor is common because students become surrounded by other
students that have excelled in their coursework and researchers who have worked in the field for decades
and have much more experience and knowledge of the research field. Developing a plan to achieve all of
the necessary skills for graduate school and using the resources available is a large step forward in becoming
an expert in your chosen field and removing this self-doubt.
Interacting with Others: Rather than focusing on self-doubt, be humble and learn as much as you can
from the Research Adviser and other graduate students early. Attend department events and support your
colleagues and classmates. These personal and professional relationships can last your entire career.
Motivation and Attitude: Successful graduate students develop autonomy, independence, and high
levels of self-regulation. Students are expected to achieve degree milestones independently with minimal
supervision. This autonomy requires students to maintain a positive attitude and become self-motivated. A
key step is establishing manageable goals that provide a sense of accomplishment.

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Time Management: Graduate school requires students to attend class, complete homework, teach other
students, plan research experiments, read the literature, write papers, present at conferences, and mentor
other students. Students are encouraged to develop time management skills early, including (i) identification
of peak work times for scheduling the most intellectually challenging and important tasks; (ii) establishment
of clear short-term and long-term goals and prioritizing their completion; and (iii) regular assessment of
recent activities to ensure efficient use of time.
Developing Good Research Skills: The majority of a student’s time should be spent on research-related
activities. Students can begin developing the skills needed to be successful in research before even joining
a research group. Students should begin familiarizing themselves with how to maintain a laboratory
notebook, including how to use it to manage research and archive important findings as well as its
importance in intellectual property and the prevention of fraud. Students can also learn how to use local
resources to conduct literature reviews and complete the required training expected of all students. Coping
with Setbacks in Graduate School: Research is highly competitive and requires continued performance
at a very high level. The stress associated with this in addition to the inevitable failures and disappointments
inherent to research can be difficult to handle for new students. Students should understand that every
researcher, however successful, has failed many times in their career. Students should focus on learning
from these mistakes and evaluating how to avoid them in the future. The University has Graduate Student
Wellness Services available to help.
Learn Policies and Procedures: Incoming students are responsible for becoming informed and
observing all program regulations and procedures described in this Handbook. All students are provided
with a University of Florida email account (ufl.edu) upon entrance to the program. The Department will
use this account for all official communications. Students are responsible for promptly and thoroughly
reading emails from these accounts and are expected to communicate in a professional manner.
Registration for courses must be completed online. Graduate students must enroll for a minimum of 9
credits in their first semester. Incoming Ph.D. students must attend the Graduate Seminar regardless of
whether they have registered for the course. Instructions for registering for classes will be discussed at the
onboarding meeting before the start of the first semester. Students are responsible for late fees and any other
fees and charges incurred.
For all incoming Ph.D. students, registration fees, health insurance and non-resident tuition for the Fall
semester are paid by the Department. Stipends are paid on a biweekly basis. Students will not be able to
receive their first stipend until they have completed all employment documentation.
Start Your Research Career: Ph.D. and Master’s students completing a thesis are expected to identify
a Research Adviser. The choice of a Research Adviser is likely to be the most important decision that a
first-year graduate student makes. This Research Adviser will serve as their primary mentor for their
Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis and as the Chair of their Supervisory Committee. The Research
Adviser must have Graduate Faculty status within the Department of Chemical Engineering. If the desired
Research Adviser is not a member of the Chemical Engineering Faculty but is a member of the Graduate
Faculty, they can only serve as the co-adviser of the student. Students should devote significant thought on
how to Choose a Research Adviser.
Complete Chemical Engineering Basis Courses: The chemical engineering basis courses provide
graduate students an opportunity to demonstrate their dedication and competency to a potential Research
Adviser. Graduate students should dedicate sufficient time and effort to the completion of these courses.
Note that Ph.D. students must receive a letter grade of B- or better and a GPA above 3.0 in the three Basis
courses to maintain their stipend, tuition, and healthcare benefits.

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Departmental Access & Resources

This section provides brief instructions on how to gain access to various departmental resources that
students likely need in the first semester. Other University of Florida Student Support Services are listed
elsewhere.
Computer Accounts and Facilities: A GatorLink account is a student’s computer network identity at
the University of Florida. Every student, faculty, and staff member is expected to have a GatorLink
username and password. Many services, including email, are accessed with the GatorLink account. For
more information about GatorLink accounts, please visit http://helpdesk.ufl.edu/ or the UFIT Wiki. The
Chemical Engineering Computer Support Team is located in ChE 319A and can be reached by email at
[email protected]. They can be contacted for any computing related issues, including email issues,
network access, printing, computer viruses, department-controlled software applications, and obtaining a
new IP Address for a computer or printer.
All faculty, staff, and students of the University are required and expected to obey the laws and legal
agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties
for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules,
disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate. We, the members of the University of Florida community,
pledge to uphold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
A copy machine (with scanner functionality) is available in ChE 233 for students conducting Research
and Supervised Teaching coursework. Access codes can be obtained from the Main Chemical Engineering
Office. The copier cannot be used for personal copying.
Office Space, Keys, and Card Access: When a student chooses a Research Adviser, they move into a
laboratory or office space associated with their research group. Keys for the office and lab space can be
obtained from the Main Office of the Chemical Engineering Department after Research Adviser approval.
All graduate students have access to the building outside of normal business hours with their Gator 1 card.
Please go to the Main Office of the Chemical Engineering Department about any problems with Gator 1
card access.
Student Mailboxes: Each student is assigned a mailbox, which is located on the second floor of the
Chemical Engineering Building. Students are encouraged to check their mailbox regularly for notifications.

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RESEARCH
Students conducting research become a member of the greater scientific community. Their research will
be motivated by technical and societal problems and international experts in your field will see their work.
The Department of Chemical Engineering has several faculty that have been recognized for their
contributions to teaching and mentoring graduate students through their research. The faculty will help
students develop the work ethic, deep thinking, and creativity necessary to find innovative solutions.
All students conducting research in a laboratory must be registered for research credits or employed by
the University. In addition, all researchers must follow appropriate policies for laboratory access, safety,
and responsible conduct in research. Students should review the Program Requirements to determine how
to enroll in the appropriate Research Courses.
Choose a Research Adviser

The Research Adviser plays a central role in the research conducted by graduate students. While a
student’s research ultimately reflects their ideas, contributions, and impact on a field, the Research Adviser
provides important leadership and guidance on how to conduct experiments and attain the desired results.
Furthermore, the Research Adviser is expected to support a Ph.D. student financially through a Research
Appointment and provide the resources necessary to complete the student’s Doctoral Dissertation. Many
academic milestones in the degree program also require significant involvement from the Research Adviser.
Therefore, the relationship between a student and Research Adviser is important to the student’s success.
Students need to find a Research Adviser that is supportive and helps them mature into a researcher.
Students should understand the mechanism by which they are assigned a Research Adviser and collect
all available information that will help guide their decision. During the first semester of the degree plan,
Chemical Engineering Faculty that have sponsored research projects will present brief introductions to the
research to be conducted by a Ph.D. student. Ph.D. students are required to attend these discussions to learn
about the projects and ask questions. Ph.D. students are encouraged to meet with the faculty and their current
graduate students to learn more about the research program and its motivation. The purpose of these
meetings is to provide students with a better understanding of the research project, the technical skills and
methods to be developed, and expected results.
These meetings also allow the Research Adviser to evaluate the students as potential research assistants
in their laboratory. Students should be cautioned that faculty members may be hesitant to extend support
for a student that has had little interaction and engagement with them (e.g., meeting only once).
Ph.D. students should meet with at least three different faculty during the selection period so that they
can make an informed decision about their preferences for a Research Adviser. The assignment of a
Research Adviser to the Ph.D. student will be made by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies based on
Ph.D. student preferences and the needs of the graduate program. Every effort will be made to assign
students their preferred research project. However, students must note that faculty members can only
accommodate a limited number of students in their group. Further, the Department has made a commitment
to the faculty to provide them with sufficient students for their funded projects.
In rare occasions, Ph.D. students may not find a Research Adviser by the end of their first Fall term.
Should this situation arise, the Department may appoint the student as Teaching Assistant for the Spring
semester. Students must proactively search for a Research Adviser during this period. If a student has not
found a Research Adviser by the end of the Spring semester, then the student will be dismissed from the
Graduate Program for not making Satisfactory Progress toward the Ph.D. degree.
M.S. and M.E. students should also meet with Graduate Faculty to discuss research projects that can be
conducted by a master’s student. Master’s students are encouraged to speak with the faculty and their
current graduate students to learn more about the research program. Master’s students should meet with at

P a g e | 13
least two different faculty so that they can make an informed decision about their preferences for a Research
Adviser. The assignment of a Research Adviser for Master’s students will be made by the Associate Chair
for Graduate Studies and the Master’s Program Coordinator based on student preferences and the needs of
the graduate program.
Students should be aware that the Research Adviser is to mentor them in educational aspects of their
degree. Students are not expected to provide gifts or any other services to their Research Adviser at
any time. Students should report any inappropriate requests from their Research Adviser immediately to
the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies or the Department Chair.
Laboratory Safety
The Department of Chemical Engineering considers laboratory safety to be both an educational
objective and a laboratory imperative. The Department is committed to providing a safe and healthy
working and learning environment for all of its students. An important aspect of safety is understanding
that we are all responsible for our own safety and those around us. Therefore, graduate students
conducting experiments are responsible for the safe conduct of that experiment. Any concerns
regarding safety or training should be directed to your Research Adviser, the Student Safety Council, the
HWCOE Director of Laboratory Safety, or Environmental Health and Safety (http://www.ehs.ufl.edu/). If
you feel that your concerns are not being addressed, you should contact the Department Chair or the
Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
Graduate students are required to familiarize themselves and abide by all safety rules in the laboratory.
Students are expected to be responsive to any and all safety improvements suggested by the Research
Adviser, the Student Safety Council, the HWCOE Director of Laboratory Safety, or Environmental Health
and Safety. Failure to follow safe practices could result in dismissal from the program.
Sustaining a culture of excellent laboratory safety starts with rigorous training. Because of its
importance, most laboratory safety training is annual. Students are expected to keep their laboratory safety
training record updated at all times. To further promote a culture of safety, our Department has a Student
Safety Council, which is comprised of graduate students who conduct periodic laboratory inspections and
provide guidance about health and safety procedures. Students are strongly encouraged to join the council.
All laboratory personnel (including Ph.D. and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers,
volunteers, hosted minors, and technicians) are required to take the online course Chemical Hygiene Plan
for Laboratory Staff (EHS 861). Additional training will be provided by your Research Adviser based on
the laboratory-specific Chemical Hygiene Program created for your research activities. Annual training is
required for all employees who generate or manage hazardous waste. Additional one-time or annual training
may be required for researchers working in special-risk areas.
Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times when working in all Chemical
Engineering laboratories. Students should evaluate the Chemical Hygiene Plan for the laboratories in which
they work to determine the appropriate PPE. Students should understand that selection of the proper PPE (lab
coat, gloves, etc.) is often dependent on the inherent dangers within the laboratory. Students should review
the safety information to ensure that they have the proper PPE for the experiments they are conducting.
Should any incident occur in the laboratory, the Research Adviser and the Chemical Engineering Safety
Coordinator must be informed of the injury as soon as is practicable after receiving any emergency
treatment. All students conducting research in a laboratory should be enrolled in research credits or be
employed by the University. These procedures ensure that students are covered by Workers Compensation
for any injuries sustained while conducting research. The student, Research Adviser, and the Chemical
Engineering Safety Coordinator should work together to ensure that any incident is properly reported.

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DOCTORAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree requirements are presented in this section. More details of the
general requirements can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Students are strongly advised to read the
relevant parts of this Handbook to understand them. Students are ultimately responsible for ensuring
they are on track to finish their degrees.
The Ph.D. degree is for those students who wish to attain mastery of a field of knowledge and
demonstrate accomplishment in Research. Study for the Ph.D. degree will be open only to those with
demonstrated competence in the core areas of chemical engineering. An M.S. degree is not required for the
Ph.D. program unless required by the Research Adviser. Final acceptance into the Ph.D. program requires
successful completion of the Candidacy Examination. The granting of the degree is based on general
proficiency and distinctive achievements of the Ph.D. candidate in their chosen research field. Ph.D.
students are expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct independent investigation of research problems
and attain mastery of a field of knowledge, as exhibited by the Final Examination.
Doctoral Overview
As detailed below, the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program requirements consist of:
1. Completion of at least 90 credits of coursework, subject to Course Restrictions and
Classifications approved by the Department, including:
a. 12 credits of Required Coursework in chemical engineering;
b. At least 6 credits of Chemical Engineering Electives;
c. At least 6 credits of graduate-level Technical Electives or Non-Technical Electives;
d. Attendance at Graduate Seminar in each semester of residence, regardless of registration;
e. 4 credits of Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940).
2. Conduct Research in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner.
3. Maintain Satisfactory Progress towards degree milestones.
4. Maintain Professional Conduct in all department-related activities, including maintenance of
all required Training.
5. Completion and successful defense of the Candidacy Examination, which includes a written
Research Proposal and an Oral Qualifying Examination.
6. Completion of Research Presentation on work contained in the Doctoral Dissertation at the
GRACE symposium during final year of study.
7. Completion and successful defense of the Final Examination, which includes a written
Doctoral Dissertation and a Final Oral Defense Examination.
Program Schedule
Continuous registration is expected of all doctoral students. All Ph.D. students appointed as Graduate
Assistants must register for 9 credits in the Spring semester, 9 credits in the Fall semester, and 6 credits
in the Summer semester. A Leave of Absence may be granted under extraordinary circumstances. A
doctoral student who ceases to be registered at the University for more than 1 term needs prior written
approval from the Research Adviser for a Leave of Absence of the stated period of time. The student must
reapply for admission on returning. Campus Residence Requirement: Beyond the first 30 credits counted
toward the doctoral degree, students must complete 30 credits enrolled at the University of Florida campus
or at an approved branch station of the University of Florida Agricultural Experiment Stations or the
Graduate Engineering and Research Center.

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Graduation: The minimum requirements for the Ph.D. program can be met in 3 years following a
Bachelor of Science degree. Although the time to complete all Ph.D. degree requirements is dependent on
the specific research program and student motivation, Table 1 shows a common timeline towards
graduation. Table 2 shows the due dates for key milestones during the Ph.D. degree program.
The Department considers a 5-year time horizon to be reasonable for completion of the Ph.D. program
by a full-time student who matriculates with no deficiencies. This time is measured from the semester a
student begins their doctoral program. The Department expects most students to graduate within this
timeframe with only rare cases requiring close to 6 years. Therefore, the Department is under no obligation
to support a Graduate Assistantship after six years of residence.
All work for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within 5 calendar years after the Candidacy
Examination. Failure to complete the degree requirements within this timeframe requires the Oral
Qualifying Examination to be repeated. There must be at least 2 terms between the Candidacy Examination
and the date of the degree. All coursework, including transferred credits, must be completed within 7 years
of the term in which the degree will be awarded.
Table 1: Common timeline towards graduation for Ph.D. students.

Year Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
1 • Continuum Basis (ECH 6270) • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Advanced Research (ECH 7979)
• Molecular Basis (ECH 6272) • Chemical Engineering Kinetics
• Mathematical Basis (ECH 6847) (ECH 6506) or Reactor Design and
 Select Research Adviser Optimization (ECH 6526)
• Elective (Optional)
• Advanced Research (ECH 7979)
 Select Supervisory Committee
2 • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Advanced Research (ECH 7979)
• Elective (Optional) • Elective (Optional)  Submit Supervised Teaching
• Elective (Optional) • Advanced Research (ECH 7979) preferences
• Advanced Research (ECH 7979)  Submit Research Proposal
 Complete Oral Qualifying
Examination
3 • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Research for Doctoral Dissertation
• Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940) • Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940) (ECH 7980)
• Research for Doctoral Dissertation • Research for Doctoral Dissertation
(ECH 7980) (ECH 7980)
 Submit Progress Report (Optional)
4 • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Research for Doctoral Dissertation
• Research for Doctoral Dissertation • Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980)
(ECH 7980) (ECH 7980)
 Submit Progress Report (Optional)
5 • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) • Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926)
• Research for Doctoral Dissertation • Research for Doctoral Dissertation
(ECH 7980) (ECH 7980)
 Complete Research Presentation  Submit Doctoral Dissertation
 Complete Final Oral Defense
Examination

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Table 2: Due dates for Ph.D. milestones.

Ph.D. Milestones Due Date Submitted to:
Graduate Academic Adviser and
Select Research Adviser Sept 2021
Research Adviser and
Select Supervisory Committee Second Semester of Ph.D. Program
End of Fourth Semester
First draft Research Adviser
of Ph.D. Program
First Third Week of Fifth Semester
Submit Research submission of Ph.D. Program
Proposal
2 weeks before
Final Oral Qualifying Examination Research Adviser and
submission and by End of Sixth Semester Supervisory Committee
of Ph.D. Program
At least 1 month Research Adviser and
Scheduling
in advance Supervisory Committee
Complete
At least 2 weeks
Oral Qualifying Notification Graduate Academic Adviser
in advance
Examination
End of Sixth Semester Research Adviser and
Final Exam
of Ph.D. Program Supervisory Committee
During Sixth Semester Graduate Academic Adviser and
Submit Supervised Teaching preferences
of Ph.D. Program Associate Chair for Graduate Studies
Optional; Schedule set by
Submit Progress Report Supervisory Committee and
Research Adviser
First Check with Research Adviser and
submission Graduate School Graduate School Editorial Office
2 weeks before
Submit
Exam Final Oral Defense Examination and at Research Adviser and
Doctoral Dissertation
submission least 1 week before Final submission Supervisory Committee
deadline of Graduate School
Final before Final submission deadline of
Graduate School Editorial Office
submission Graduate School
During last year
Complete Research Presentation Graduate Academic Adviser
of degree
Scheduling At least 1 month in advance
Complete Notification At least 2 weeks in advance Graduate Academic Adviser
Final Oral Defense At least 1 week before Final
Examination Final submission deadline of Research Adviser and
Examination Graduate School for Supervisory Committee
Required Doctoral Coursework

The chemical engineering coursework required of all Ph.D. students consists of:
• Continuum Basis (ECH 6270)
• Molecular Basis (ECH 6272)
• Mathematical Basis (ECH 6847)
• Chemical Engineering Kinetics (ECH 6506) or Reactor Design and Optimization (ECH 6526)

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The core courses are taught only once a year. The three Basis courses (ECH 6270, ECH 6272, and ECH
6847) are offered in the Fall semester while Chemical Engineering Kinetics (ECH 6506) and Reactor
Design and Optimization (ECH 6526) are offered in alternating Spring semesters. Students must receive a
letter grade of B- or better in the three Basis courses. Note that Ph.D. students must also receive a letter
grade of B- or better and a GPA above 3.0 in the three Basis courses to maintain their stipend, tuition, and
healthcare benefits. Ph.D. students, including those transferred from the M.S. or M.E. programs, are only
provided two opportunities to pass these courses and graduate with a Ph.D.
Elective Doctoral Coursework

Ph.D. students must fulfil the remaining portion of the 24 credits of required coursework with elective
courses. Ph.D. students must complete at least 6 credits in Chemical Engineering Electives or Approved
Chemical Engineering Electives. The remaining 6 credits of electives can be taken from any Technical Electives
or Non-Technical Electives.
Other Doctoral Coursework

The courses in this section do not count towards the 24 credits of required coursework. Ph.D. students
must enroll in Graduate Seminar (ECH 6926) each semester of residence after the first semester. In most
semesters, Ph.D. students register for Research Courses to fulfil their minimum registration requirement. Prior
to graduation, Ph.D. students must also complete at least 4 credits of Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940).
Research Courses
Ph.D. students must register for Advanced Research (ECH 7979) before passing the Candidacy Examination
and for Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980) after passing the Candidacy Examination. Although
students may only be registered for a few research credits in a given semester, they are expected to devote
their full effort towards their research to continue making Satisfactory Progress.
Graduate Seminar Course
Graduate seminars keep students informed of new developments in chemical engineering and the
breadth of Research conducted in the field. It is critical to the success of our Department that all
seminars are well attended. Therefore, Ph.D. students shall attend the Chemical Engineering Graduate
Seminar (ECH 6926) every semester of residence, regardless of registration. Students are allowed as many
as two absences from seminar each semester for any reason. If a student has a conflict with seminar due to
another enrolled course (including Supervised Teaching) or if the student will not be in residence during
the semester, they should instruct the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies prior to the start of the semester.
Students will receive seminar announcements from department staff reminding them of upcoming
seminars. It is expected that all students check their UF email account regularly to stay informed of
upcoming seminars. Regardless, students are responsible for their own attendance.
Seminar speakers are guests of our Department who take time away from their other duties to share
their most exciting research results with our students and faculty. Students are expected to treat speakers
with respect and utmost professionalism. This includes being on time for the seminar, remaining silent
during presentations and question & answer sessions, paying attention to the presentation and discussion,
and contributing to the experience by raising questions for the speaker to answer.
Supervised Teaching Course
To gain valuable teaching and communication experience consistent with the Ph.D. degree, all Ph.D.
students are required to take the Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940) course as part of their degree
requirements. Students will assist instructors in undergraduate or graduate coursework for at least two
semesters. Students are expected to have at least 1 hour of contact time with the students in the assigned

P a g e | 18
course each week of the semester. Other responsibilities may include delivering lectures, holding office
hours and recitation sessions, preparing homework and exams, grading, and supervising students in
laboratory courses. The Supervised Teacher is expected to follow the attendance policy of the instructor. It
is assumed that the Supervised Teacher will be a role model to students and demonstrate professional and
ethical behavior, including punctual attendance.
Students must register for Supervised Teaching (ECH 6940) during each semester they assist in the
classroom. Students must complete 4 credits of Supervised Teaching during their degree program. Students
are required to attend a departmental workshop on Effective Teaching Strategies in Chemical Engineering
prior to completing a Supervised Teaching assignment. The workshop will be offered once a year during
the month of August. Ph.D. students should register for 2 credits each semester. Graduate students must be
on campus during the entire semester until grades are submitted for the course they are assigned. Exceptions
for travel to conferences, meetings, or research experimentation must be approved by the instructor well in
advance and preferably at the start of the semester.
Students will discuss their specific roles and responsibilities of the course with the instructor prior to
the start of the semester. At the end of the semester, the instructor will issue a Pass/Fail grade for the
Supervised Teacher. The Supervised Teaching assignment will not be counted towards the degree
requirements if the instructor issues a Fail grade but this grade will not appear on the transcript. Exceptions
to Supervised Teaching will not be permitted.
The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will send a list of available opportunities to Ph.D. students
prior to the start of their third year in the degree program. Ph.D. students must return these preferences to
the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies before the due date in Table 2. Supervised Teaching assignments
will be made by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies based on Ph.D. student course preferences and
the needs of the undergraduate and graduate program.
Ph.D. students are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their Supervised Teaching requirement is
met prior to graduation. Ph.D. students who anticipate graduating within one year but have not yet fulfilled
the two-semester Supervised Teaching requirement must notify the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
Progress Reports
Progress Reports are optional but provide Ph.D. students with an opportunity to demonstrate their
Doctoral Dissertation progress to their Supervisory Committee. At the request of either the student or
Research Adviser, a Progress Report can become a mandatory degree requirement but the first deadline
cannot be sooner than 30 days from the request. These requests should be submitted to the Associate Chair
for Graduate Studies with a schedule of reports, the proposed format, and potential consequences for late
submission. The progress update may take the form of either an oral presentation to the committee or a
concisely written Progress Report to committee members followed by individual meetings, as necessary.
The written Progress Report is not to exceed 10 pages and should include a statement of progress to-date
and a plan for future work toward degree completion. Any completed manuscripts should be appended. To
document compliance, Ph.D. students are to have each Supervisory Committee member sign a copy of the
Progress Status Approval Form (available from the Graduate Academic Adviser) and the signed forms are
to be given to the Graduate Academic Adviser.
Research Presentation Requirement

Ph.D. candidates are required to present their Research to an audience comprised of chemical
engineering graduate students and faculty. The Research Presentation shall be in the GRACE symposium
during the last year of the Ph.D. candidate's residence. The Research Presentation should cover selected
results from the candidate’s Doctoral Dissertation. At the discretion of the Associate Chair for Graduate

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Studies, presentation at a national or international conference in the last year of the candidate’s residence
can be used as a substitute for the Research Presentation. The Ph.D. degree will not be issued to
candidates until the Research Presentation requirement is satisfied.
Candidacy Examination
A graduate student becomes a candidate for the Ph.D. degree after successful completion of both the
Research Proposal and the Oral Qualifying Examination. Ph.D. students must complete their Candidacy
Examination before June 1 of their second year in the program. A summary of key requirements is listed in
Table 3. Such admission requires the approval of the student’s Supervisory Committee, the Department
Chair, the Dean of HWCOE, and the Dean of the Graduate School. The approval will be based on:
• The academic record of the student;
• Supervisory Committee opinion on overall fitness for candidacy;
• An approved Doctoral Dissertation topic; and
• An Oral Qualifying Examination.
To be eligible for the Candidacy Examination, Ph.D. students must have:
1. Appointed a Supervisory Committee, including a Research Adviser.
2. Completed the three core Basis courses (Continuum Basis, Molecular Basis, and Mathematical
Basis of Chemical Engineering) with a B- or better in each Basis course.
3. Maintained Satisfactory Progress for their degree, including no incomplete grades.
4. Received a satisfactory grade for Research Courses in the semester prior to the Oral Qualifying
Examination. This grade must be assigned by the Research Adviser and placed on record in the
student’s file prior to the exam.
The purpose of the Research Proposal and the
Table 3: Key Requirements for Candidacy Examination.
Oral Qualifying Examination is to assess the
Candidacy Examination
Ph.D. student's potential to perform scholarly First Draft Deadline Feb 1 (second year in program)
Research. The objective is to ensure that students Submission to 2 weeks prior to Oral Qualifying
Research
Proposal
begin their Doctoral Dissertation with a set of Supervisory Committee Examination

goals based upon a thorough understanding of the Maximum Length 15 pages, single-spaced
literature, a logical analysis of the proposed Minimum Font 11 point
research problem, and adequate preliminary Mandatory Sections Safety Assessment & Proposed
Future Work
results showing their ability to collect the Deadline June 1 (second year in program)
required data. The student is expected to Notification to 2 weeks prior to Oral Qualifying
demonstrate creativity, impetus, curiosity, and
Oral Qualifying
Graduate Academic Advisor Examination

Examination
professionalism. Format Proposal Presentation;

Fundamentals Q&A;
All members of the Supervisory Proposal Q&A
Committee must take part in the Candidacy Mandatory Attendance All Supervisory Committee
Examination at the scheduled time. The Requirements members at scheduled time; Chair
performance of the Ph.D. student in the Oral or Co-chair physically present
Approx. Total Time ~ 2 hours
Qualifying Examination will be evaluated by the
Approx. Presentation Time ~ 30 minutes
Supervisory Committee for:
1. Knowledge in fundamentals of chemical engineering, particularly related to their research field, and
2. Ability to conduct scholarly research.

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Research Proposal
The Research Proposal is a written description of the research work to be conducted by the Ph.D.
student. The ability to write clearly and succinctly is an essential skill for a chemical engineer. Therefore,
the Research Proposal is to be written primarily by the Ph.D. student in consultation with the Research
Adviser. After the consent of the Research Adviser, the first draft of the Research Proposal should be
submitted to the Graduate Academic Adviser and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies by the stated
due date in Table 2. The Research Proposal should also be submitted to the Supervisory Committee
members no later than 2 weeks before the Oral Qualifying Examination.
The purpose of the written Research Proposal is to demonstrate that Ph.D. students can identify
important research problems, prepare a detailed experimental plan to study the research problem, utilize the
tools needed to conduct advanced research to address the research problem, and analyze the results obtained
by their research. The Research Proposal must outline the area of research and its importance, a clear
problem statement, background to the research area, specific tasks that will be performed, preliminary
results, and subsequent steps. A number of excellent manuals (for example, references available via
www.nsf.gov) are available on writing Research Proposal and may be used as guides in preparing the
proposal. A maximum of 15 single-spaced, typed pages, including figures and tables is allowed. A font type
of Arial or Times New Roman using a minimum of 11-point should be used for the main text. Captions for
tables and figures can use a minimum of a 9-point font. The Research Proposal should include a title, a table
of contents, references, and an abstract in addition to the 15 pages of text. A maximum of two appendices,
such as submitted papers, detailed derivations, etc. could be included in addition to the 15-page proposal.
Although there is no set format, the main body of the document often includes the following sections:
1. Introduction: A concise overview of the research topic and its importance. (Suggested length:
1 page)
2. Background: Literature review and relevant background needed to place the proposed study in
the larger context of the field and to highlight the relevance and novelty of the proposed work.
(Suggested length: 2 – 3 pages)
3. Problem description: A description of the specific problem, objectives of the proposal, and the
novelty of the proposed work. (Suggested length: 1 page)
4. Specific objectives/aims: A description of proposed theoretical and/or experimental work and
a list of specific tasks (including feasibility probes) needed to accomplish the proposed
objectives. (Suggested length: 1 page or less)
5. Preliminary work: A description of preliminary work performed by the Ph.D. student that
supports the feasibility of the proposed work and an analysis or discussion of such preliminary
work. (Suggested length: 2 – 4 pages)
6. Safety Assessment: A detailed analysis of the experimental setup to identify possible causes of
accidents, steps to avoid accidents, and steps to take in case of an accident. The Supervisory
Committee will include questions on safety during the Oral Qualifying Examination. (Suggested
length: 1 page or less)
7. Proposed Work: Details of the subsequent steps planned to achieve the specific objectives of
the research. (Suggested length: 3 – 5 pages)
8. Summary: A concise statement of the expected outcomes of the proposed research. (Suggested
length: 1 page or less)
9. References: A list of references cited in the proposal.
10. Tables & Figures: Tables and figures used in the proposal should be integrated into the text.

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The format of the written Research Proposal is not fixed. The guidelines above must be interpreted as
suggestions that may be altered whenever necessary to improve the clarity and legibility of the proposed
work. However, Ph.D. students should ensure that any deviations produce a more persuasive and better-
structured Research Proposal.
Oral Qualifying Examination
After receiving consent from the Research Adviser and the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, the
Ph.D. student may schedule the Oral Qualifying Examination. The Oral Qualifying Examination is a public
presentation of the Research Proposal followed by a private examination of the Ph.D. student by the
Supervisory Committee. The purpose of the Oral Qualifying Examination is to evaluate the student’s ability
to engage in scientific and technical discussions with other engineers and scientists that may not necessarily
be experts in their chosen field. Students and faculty are not allowed to provide the Supervisory
Committee or audience any food or drinks under any circumstances for the examination. The
Supervisory Committee will discuss with the student all aspects of the Research Proposal as well as the
scientific and technical issues surrounding the research topic.
Ph.D. students are encouraged to plan ahead and schedule the Oral Qualifying Examination at
least one month ahead of time. The Oral Qualifying Examination shall be publicly announced and held
on campus. The initial presentation by the Ph.D. student will be open to the public unless the nature of the
work cannot be publicly disclosed. Students should plan on the Oral Qualifying Examination lasting 2 hours
or more. The Oral Qualifying Examination will be divided into three parts.
1. In the first part, the Ph.D. student will present the Research Proposal. This part of the exam is
public and should last about 30 minutes.
2. The Supervisory Committee will question the Ph.D. student on fundamental issues pertinent to
the research area in the second part. The Supervisory Committee will evaluate the Ph.D.
student’s breadth of knowledge in chemical engineering fundamentals related to the area of
research and ability to think critically. This part of the exam should last about 30 minutes.
3. In the last part, the Supervisory Committee will question the Ph.D. student on issues directly
related to the Research Proposal. This part of the exam should last about 60 minutes or more.
The Supervisory Committee will evaluate the quality of the Research Proposal and the response
to questions about the Research Proposal in order to assess the Ph.D. student's oral
communication skills, depth of knowledge in their chosen research field, ability to think
critically, and ability to formulate and defend a research plan.
All members of the Supervisory Committee must take part in the examination at the scheduled time.
The Oral Qualifying Examination may be conducted using video and/or telecommunications. However, the
Ph.D. student and Chair or Co-Chair must be in the same physical location. All other Supervisory
Committee members may participate from remote sites via technological means. If a Supervisory
Committee member is unable to attend, students may Change Supervisory Committee Member if approved
by the Department. The substitute Supervisory Committee member should be given sufficient time to read
the Research Proposal and prepare for the Oral Qualifying Examination. A minimum of two weeks is
recommended.
Assessment of the Candidacy Examination
The Supervisory Committee will provide feedback to the candidate on all aspects of the Research Proposal
and the Oral Qualifying Examination by completing the SACS rubric. The Research Proposal will be assessed
for its organization, understanding of the relevant literature and pertinent research problem, the hypotheses of
the proposed research, the logical arguments and preliminary data supporting the hypotheses, the analysis of

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experimental results, and the use of citations, language, and grammar. The Oral Qualifying Examination will
cover all aspects of the Research Proposal. In addition, the Oral Qualifying Examination will be assessed for
the ability of the student to demonstrate fundamental knowledge of basic chemical engineering principles and
aspects related to the research topic, describe the research problem and the methods required, ability to prepare
visual aids, clarity of oral presentation, and ability to respond to questions.
Based on the combined performance in the three parts of the Oral Qualifying Examination and the
evaluation of the written Research Proposal, the Supervisory Committee will evaluate the overall quality of
the Research Proposal as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and accordingly award a Pass or a Fail grade. A student
that does not pass on their first attempt may be allowed a second attempt of the Oral Qualifying Examination
on the advice of the Supervisory Committee and discretion of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies. The
retaken exam must take place in the subsequent semester. A student who does not pass the retaken
examination will not be allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program and must terminate with a master’s degree
or withdraw from the program. In very limited and unusual circumstances, students may request to delay the
first or second attempt. Requests to defer the examination must be made through the Petition process. Students
should make every effort to follow the required schedule as exceptions to this rule are extremely rare. Note:
failing to pass the Candidacy Examination on time may result in the loss of stipend support.
Doctoral Final Examination

Ph.D. students are required to complete a Final Examination that includes a written Doctoral Dissertation
and a Final Oral Defense Examination described below.

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MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree requirements are presented in this section. More details of the
The M.S. degree is for those students who wish to expand their knowledge of chemical engineering and
gain valuable experience in Research or industrial practice through an Internship. The M.S. program is open
only to students with demonstrated competence in the core areas of chemical engineering through
completion of an undergraduate chemical engineering degree. M.S. students need to focus on a
specialization area of chemical engineering. M.S. students conducting Research should Choose a Research
Adviser early in the degree plan, especially if they aim to complete a Master’s Thesis.
Master of Science Overview

As detailed below, the Master of Science (M.S.) program requirements consist of:
a. 12 credits of Required Coursework in chemical engineering;
b. At least 3 credits of Chemical Engineering Electives;
c. At least 9 credits of graduate-level Technical Electives; and
d. A maximum of 6 credits of graduate-level Non-Technical Electives.
4. If applicable, conduct Research in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner.
5. Completion and successful defense of the Final Examination.
Program Schedule
The minimum requirements for the M.S. program can be met in 1 year following a Bachelor of Science
degree. However, many M.S. students choose to complete their degree in approximately 2 years. Note that
registration is not required for the Summer semester but interested M.S. students can take Research and
Individual Work Courses or electives during these semesters. Although the time to complete all M.S. degree
requirements is dependent on the specific objectives and motivation of the student, Table 4 shows a
common timeline towards graduation. Table 5 shows the due dates for key milestones during the M.S.
degree program.
Table 4: Common timeline towards graduation for M.S. students.
Year Fall Semester Spring Semester
1 • Continuum Basis (ECH 6270) • Chemical Engineering Kinetics (ECH 6506) or
• Molecular Basis (ECH 6272)* Reactor Design and Optimization (ECH 6526)
• Mathematical Basis (ECH 6847) • Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab
 Select Research Adviser* (ECH 6937)
• Elective (Optional)
2 • Elective (Optional) • Elective (Optional)
• Elective (Optional)  Submit Master’s Thesis* or Report
• Elective (Optional)  Complete Final Oral Defense Examination*
 Select Supervisory Committee*
* Degree requirements for M.S. students completing a Master’s Thesis only.

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Table 5: Due dates for M.S. milestones.

M.S. Milestones Due Date Submitted to:
Select Research Adviser* Start of Second Semester Master’s Program Coordinator and
Select Supervisory Committee* End of Fourth Semester
2 weeks before
Submit Master’s
Exam Final Oral Defense Examination and at least Research Adviser and
Thesis*
submission 1 week before Final submission deadline of Supervisory Committee
Graduate School
At least 2
or Submit Report weeks before Submit Report
the end of term
Complete Supervisory Committee
Final Oral Notification At least 2 weeks in advance Graduate Academic Adviser
Defense At least 1 week before Final submission
Final Research Adviser and
Examination* deadline of Graduate School for
Examination Supervisory Committee
Master’s Thesis
* Degree requirements for M.S. students completing a Master’s Thesis only.
Required M.S. Coursework

The chemical engineering coursework required of all M.S. students consists of:
• Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab (ECH 6937)
M.S. students completing a Master’s Thesis must also take:
• Molecular Basis (ECH 6272)
The three Basis courses (ECH 6270, ECH 6272, and ECH 6847) are offered in the Fall semester while
Chemical Engineering Kinetics (ECH 6506) and Reactor Design and Optimization (ECH 6526) are offered
in alternating Spring semesters. Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab (ECH 6937) is offered
at least once each year.
Elective M.S. Coursework

M.S. students must fulfil the remaining portion of the 30 credits of required coursework with elective
courses. M.S. students must complete a minimum of 15 credits of total coursework within the Chemical
Engineering Department. These 15 credits include the Required M.S. Coursework as well as Chemical
Engineering Electives, Approved Chemical Engineering Electives, or Research and Individual Work Courses.
At least 24 of the required 30 credits of coursework must be considered Technical Electives. A maximum of 6
credits of Non-Technical Electives can be included towards the M.S. degree. Students should note that some

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courses are subject to Course Restrictions and Classifications. All coursework, including transferred credits,
must be completed within 7 years of the term in which the degree will be awarded.
M.S. Final Examination

M.S. thesis students are required to complete a Final Examination that includes a written Master’s
Thesis and a Final Oral Defense Examination. M.S. non-thesis students are required to complete a Final
Examination that includes a written Report. Details are described further below.

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MASTER OF ENGINEERING PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The Master of Engineering (M.E.) degree requirements are presented in this section. More details of the
The M.E. degree is for those students who wish to gain knowledge of chemical engineering and obtain
valuable experience in Research or industrial practice through an Internship. The M.E. program is for
students without an undergraduate chemical engineering degree. Therefore, the M.E. program starts with
the student taking appropriate Undergraduate Coursework to attain a comprehensive understanding of
chemical engineering principles. M.E. students further this understanding in an area of specialization in
chemical engineering. M.E. students conducting Research should Choose a Research Adviser early in the
degree plan, especially if they aim to complete a Master’s Thesis. The primary role of the Research Adviser
is to train the student in advanced research techniques and methods.
Master of Engineering Overview

As detailed below, the Master of Engineering (M.E.) program requirements consist of:
a. 12 credits of Required Coursework in chemical engineering; and
b. 3 credits of Chemical Engineering Electives;
c. 9 credits of graduate-level Technical Electives; and
d. 6 credits of graduate-level electives.
4. If applicable, conduct Research in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner, including
maintenance of all required Training.
5. Completion and successful defense of the Final Examination.
To ensure that M.E. students have a comprehensive understanding of fundamental chemical engineering
principles, the M.E. program has an additional requirement of:
6. Completion of Undergraduate Coursework based on prior degree of student.
Program Schedule
The minimum requirements for the M.E. program can be met in in approximately 2 years following a
Bachelor of Science degree. Although the time to complete all M.E. degree requirements is dependent on
the specific objectives and motivation of the student, Table 6 shows a common timeline towards graduation.
Table 7 shows the due dates for key milestones during the M.E. degree program.

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Table 6: Common timeline towards graduation for M.E. students.

Year Fall Semester Spring Semester Summer Semester
1 • Elementary Transport (ECH 3264) • Phase & Chemical Equilibria • Elective (Optional)
• Mathematical Basis (ECH 6847) (ECH 4123) • Elective (Optional)
• Advanced Chemical and • Chemical Engineering Kinetics
Biological Processing Lab (ECH 6506) or Reactor Design
(ECH 6937) and Optimization (ECH 6526)
 Select Research Adviser* • Elective (Optional)
2 • Continuum Basis (ECH 6270) • Elective (Optional)
• Separation and Mass Transfer • Elective (Optional)
Operations (ECH 4403)  Submit Master’s Thesis* or Report
• Elective (Optional)  Complete Final Oral Defense
 Select Supervisory Committee* Examination
* Degree requirements for M.E. students completing a Master’s Thesis only.
Table 7: Due dates for M.E. milestones.

M.S. Milestones Due Date Submitted to:
Select Research Adviser* Start of Second Semester Master’s Program Coordinator and
Select Supervisory Committee* End of Fourth Semester
2 weeks before
Submit Master’s
Exam Final Oral Defense Examination and at Research Adviser and
Thesis*
submission least 1 week before Final submission Supervisory Committee
deadline of Graduate School
At least 2
or Submit Report weeks before Submit Report
the end of term
Complete Notification At least 2 weeks in advance Graduate Academic Adviser
Final Oral Defense At least 1 week before Final submission
Examination* Final deadline of Research Adviser and
Examination Graduate School for Supervisory Committee
Master’s Thesis
* Degree requirements for M.E. students completing a Master’s Thesis only.
Undergraduate Coursework
To ensure that M.E. students have a comprehensive understanding of fundamental chemical engineering
principles, the M.E. program has additional coursework requirements of specific undergraduate courses.
The Department recognizes that these additional courses require more time to complete your degree but the
Department believes that these are critical courses that provide an important foundation in understanding
the role of a chemical engineer and preparing students for the challenges associated with graduate-level
chemical engineering courses.

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The undergraduate chemical engineering coursework required of M.E. students will consist of
approximately 9 – 10 credits from the undergraduate curriculum. Typically, students are required to take 3
of the following courses:
• Process Thermodynamics (ECH 3101)
• Elementary Transport (ECH 3264)
• Phase & Chemical Equilibria (ECH 4123)
• Separation and Mass Transfer Operations (ECH 4403)
• Chemical Engineering Kinetics (ECH 4504)
Each undergraduate course is offered twice a year. The undergraduate courses do not count as credits
towards the degree. The Department recognizes that some disciplines have courses with significant overlap
in content with the courses above. Only students with Certified Degrees in these disciplines will be
provided the option of taking required undergraduate courses with recognized overlap in content. These
courses will be listed on the Acknowledgement of Required Undergraduate Coursework Form given to
students during Orientation. Students must sign this form to acknowledge the required Undergraduate
Coursework expected for completion of their degree. No exceptions or Petitions to waive these required
courses will be allowed.
Required M.E. Coursework

The chemical engineering coursework required of all M.E. students consists of:
• Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab (ECH 6937)
The two Basis courses (ECH 6270 and ECH 6847) are offered in the Fall semester while Chemical
Engineering Kinetics (ECH 6506) and Reactor Design and Optimization (ECH 6526) are offered in
alternating Spring semesters. Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab (ECH 6937) is offered at
least once each year.
Other M.E. Coursework

M.E. students must fulfil the remaining portion of the 30 credits of required coursework with elective
courses. M.E. students must complete a minimum of 15 credits of total coursework within the Chemical
Engineering Department. These 15 credits include the Required M.E. Coursework as well as Chemical
Engineering Electives, Approved Chemical Engineering Electives, or Research and Individual Work Courses.
At least 24 of the required 30 credits of coursework must be considered Technical Electives. A maximum of 6
credits of Non-Technical Electives can be included towards the M.E. degree. Students should note that some
courses are subject to Course Restrictions and Classifications. All coursework, including transferred credits,
must be completed within 7 years of the term in which the degree will be awarded.
M.E. Final Examination

M.E. thesis students are required to complete a Final Examination that includes a written Master’s
Thesis and a Final Oral Defense Examination. M.E. non-thesis students are required to complete a Final
Examination that includes a written Report. Details are described further below.

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ADDITIONAL DEGREE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL GRADUATE STUDENTS

This section lists additional requirements for all graduate degrees in the Department of Chemical
Engineering at the University of Florida.
Maintaining Satisfactory Progress

A student is considered to be making Satisfactory Progress by the Department if they have (i)
maintained scholarship and (ii) satisfactorily completed all degree requirements consistent with their time
in the program. Ph.D. students and master’s students completing a thesis are expected to conduct research
as part of their degree requirement. Therefore, Ph.D. students and master’s students completing a thesis
must also demonstrate that they have (iii) achieved acceptable progress in research. Every student is
expected to make Satisfactory Progress toward graduation each semester, including the timely passing of
academic milestones expected during that semester, paying all fees and registering each semester, and
adhering to and promoting all aspects of the Student Honor and Conduct Code.
Satisfactory scholarship is defined as the ability to (i) maintain an overall, major, and minor GPA of
3.00 (truncated1) or greater; (ii) complete all required courses with the required letter grade defined in the
degree plan; and (iii) adhere to all aspects of the Student Honor and Conduct Code. If either the overall,
major, or minor GPA drops below 3.00, the student may be denied registration. A violation of any ethical,
moral, or professional standard is regarded as a serious offense. Any conduct offenses may result in
academic sanctions, including suspension or dismissal by the Department and/or the Graduate School.
Graduate students in chemical engineering are expected to meet the criteria and timeframes listed in the
Degree Requirements Section. The established timeframes take into account the effect of all aspects of the
program on the rate of completion. Unapproved delays in meeting the following academic milestones, as
defined by their specific degree, may jeopardize Satisfactory Progress:
• Identification of a Research Adviser to mentor the student’s research;
• Maintenance of required Training certifications;
• Formation of a Supervisory Committee;
• Pass the Candidacy Examination;
• Submission of Progress Reports;
• Presentation of the Research Seminar; and
• Pass the Final Examination;
Without an approved Petition, students must resolve a delay in any academic milestone by the semester
following its anticipated completion to be considered by the Department as making Satisfactory Progress.
Acceptable progress in research is determined by the Research Adviser and should be based on the
student meeting expectations and performing tasks that the Research Adviser communicates to the student.
Students are also expected to conduct their research according to all safety standards. Lack of research
progress or any disregard for safety protocols will receive an unsatisfactory (U) grade earned in research
coursework. Students with Graduate Assistantships will also receive an unsatisfactory performance
evaluation on their Letter of Appointment (LOA) for the next semester.
Communication between the Research Adviser and student as well as documentation of expectations
and performance are very important to maintaining Satisfactory Progress in research. Students are
encouraged to meet regularly with their Research Adviser to discuss:
1
Truncated means that the GPA is not rounded-up, e.g. a 2.99 GPA would not be considered a 3.0.

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• Short and long-term research objectives for the project. Short-term objectives should indicate tasks
that the student should accomplish in a given time period, such as an academic semester. Long-term
objectives should describe milestones to be accomplished. At the end of a semester, students should
discuss their performance evaluation and expectations for the next semester.
• Expectations and objectives in writing publications, preparing research reports to funding agencies,
and delivering presentations at conferences.
• Duties associated with the management of the research group, including lab manager, safety
manager, website designer, etc.
A student whose research performance is determined to be unsatisfactory will receive written
documentation from their Research Adviser listing all deficiencies and/or outlining the level of performance
required to continue working with the Research Adviser. Students will be given a reasonable time limit to
complete the expected work. A copy of the written documentation will be provided to the Associate Chair
for Graduate Studies for inclusion in the student's file. The deficiencies must be remedied before the stated
timeframe in the documentation in order to maintain Satisfactory Progress.
Any graduate student that has not maintained Satisfactory Progress for two terms may be denied
registration and subsequently dismissed from the degree program by the Department of Chemical
Engineering, HWCOE, or the Dean of the Graduate School. Students with Graduate Assistantships may
have additional consequences, including dismissal from the group of the Research Adviser and/or loss of
their stipend, tuition, and healthcare benefits. These consequences apply even if the student’s GPA meets
or exceeds the minimum set by the Department or Graduate School.
Training Requirements
All students funded by NSF, NIH, or USDA awards must complete the general Responsible Conduct in
Research (RCR) training.

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FINAL EXAMINATION
The ability to communicate clearly and succinctly with others is an essential skill for a chemical
engineer. Therefore, all graduate students are required to complete a Final Examination for their
degree that is to be written primarily by the student. Ph.D. students must complete a Final Examination
that includes a written Doctoral Dissertation and a Final Oral Defense Examination. M.S. and M.E. thesis
students are required to complete a Final Examination that includes a written Master’s Thesis and a Final
Oral Defense Examination. M.S. and M.E. non-thesis students are required to complete a Final Examination
that includes a written Report.
Students should note that it is important to Table 8: Key Requirements for Final Examination.
satisfy both the regulations of the Graduate School Final Examination
and the Department. The Graduate School First Draft Deadline See Graduate School
Dissertation
or Thesis
regulations primarily focus on the physical form of website
the Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation. The Format Follow Editorial Office
requirements
Graduate School has several guides and templates Submission to 2 weeks prior to Final Oral
to help prepare these documents. The Department is Supervisory Committee Examination
responsible for ensuring that the technical content Notification to 2 weeks prior to Final Oral
of the written Report, Master’s Thesis, or Doctoral Graduate Academic Examination
Dissertation meet the standards of excellence Advisor
Examination
Final Oral
Mandatory Attendance All Supervisory Committee

expected of students seeking an advanced degree.
Requirements members at scheduled time;
The format of the written portion of the Final Chair or Co-chair physically
Examination is not fixed. The guidelines must be present
interpreted as suggestions that may be altered Approx. Total Time ~ 2 hours
whenever necessary to improve the clarity and Approx. Presentation ~ 30 – 45 minutes
legibility of the content. However, graduate Time
students should ensure that any deviations produce a more persuasive and better-structured document.
The Graduate Council requires the Graduate School Editorial Office, as agents of the Dean of the
Graduate School, to review the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis for acceptable format, and to make
recommendations as needed. Please consult the Graduate Catalog for requirements. Please note that the
Graduate School has strict deadlines when applying for graduation, including the submission of the
first draft. Students are encouraged to check the timeline for the term in which they anticipate completing
their degree requirements.
Each Ph.D. candidate must prepare and present a Doctoral Dissertation that shows independent
investigation that is acceptable in form and content to the Supervisory Committee and to the Graduate
School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for publication using the
Graduate School’s format requirements. It is to be written primarily by the Ph.D. candidate in
consultation with the Research Adviser. The Ph.D. candidate and Supervisory Committee are
responsible for the level of quality and scholarship.
The Ph.D. candidate, upon completion of other degree requirements and the consent of the Research
Adviser, will submit their Doctoral Dissertation to the Supervisory Committee and the Graduate School.
The Doctoral Dissertation should be submitted to the Supervisory Committee members no later than
2 weeks before the Final Oral Defense Examination.

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Master’s Thesis
Each M.S. or M.E. student enrolled in the thesis option must prepare and present a Master’s Thesis that
shows independent investigation that is acceptable in form and content to the Supervisory Committee and
to the Graduate School. The work must be of publishable quality and must be in a form suitable for
publication using the Graduate School’s format requirements. It is to be written primarily by the M.S. or
M.E. student in consultation with the Research Adviser. The M.S. or M.E. student and Supervisory
Committee are responsible for the level of quality and scholarship.
The M.S. or M.E. student, upon completion of other degree requirements and the consent of the
Research Adviser, will submit their Master’s Thesis to the Supervisory Committee and the Graduate School.
The Master’s Thesis should be submitted to the Supervisory Committee members no later than 2
weeks before the Final Oral Defense Examination.
Master’s Report
Each M.S. or M.E. student not enrolled in the thesis option must prepare and present a written Report
on a specialized area of chemical engineering. M.S. or M.E. students conducting Research and Individual
Work Courses are expected to write their final written Report on the Research or Internship activities
undertaken during the course.
The Report must outline the area of specialization and its importance, problem statement, background
information, results, discussions, and potential future steps. A Report based on Research should also include
specific tasks and methods used. A maximum of 15 single-spaced, typed pages, including figures and tables
is allowed. A font type of Arial or Times New Roman using a minimum of 11-point should be used for the
main text. Captions for tables and figures can use a minimum of a 9-point font. The Report should include a
title, a table of contents, references, and an abstract in addition to the 15 pages of text. A maximum of two
appendices, such as submitted papers, detailed derivations, etc. could be included in addition to the 15-page
Report. Although there is no set format, the main body of the document often includes the following sections:
1. Introduction: A concise overview of the research topic and its importance. (Suggested length:
1 – 2 pages)
2. Background: Literature review and relevant background needed to place the proposed study in
the larger context of the field and to highlight the relevance and novelty of the proposed work.
This section should demonstrate the student’s ability to read engineering literature critically.
(Suggested length: 2 – 3 pages)
3. Problem description: A description of the specific problem, objectives of the proposal, and the
novelty of the proposed work. This section should demonstrate the student’s ability to formulate
a problem. (Suggested length: 1 page)
4. Methods: A description of the theoretical and/or experimental work. This section should
demonstrate the student’s ability to solve engineering problems. (Suggested length: 2 – 4 pages)
5. Results and Discussion: Description of the results accompanied by an analysis or discussion of
the results. This section should demonstrate the student’s ability to use the techniques, skills,
and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice at an advanced level.
6. Proposed Future tasks: Details of the potential future research in the same area. This section
should demonstrate the student’s ability to identify new problems.
7. Concluding remarks: A brief summary of the work with details of what new has been
accomplished in the student’s research.
8. References: A list of references cited in the report.
9. Tables & Figures: Tables and figures used in the report should be integrated into the text.
10. Appendices (if needed): Submitted papers, detailed derivations, detailed experimental protocols.

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Final Oral Defense Examination

After submitting the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis to the Supervisory Committee and
completing all other degree requirements contained in this document, graduate students may schedule the
Final Oral Defense Examination. The Final Oral Defense Examination should be scheduled no more than
6 months before degree award. The Final Oral Defense Examination shall be publicly announced and held
on campus. The initial presentation by the Ph.D. student will be open to the public unless the nature of the
work cannot be publicly disclosed. The Final Oral Defense Examination is a public presentation of the
Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis followed by a private examination of the student by the
Supervisory Committee. Students are not expected to provide the Supervisory Committee or audience
any food or drinks under any circumstances for the examination.
Students should plan on the Final Oral Defense Examination lasting 2 hours or more. The Final Oral
Defense Examination will be divided into two parts.
1. The graduate student will present the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis in the first part.
This part of the exam is public and should last about 30 – 45 minutes.
2. In the last part, the Supervisory Committee will question the graduate student on issues directly
related to the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis. This part of the exam should last about
60 minutes or more. The Supervisory Committee will evaluate the quality of the Doctoral
Dissertation or Master’s Thesis and the response to questions in order to assess the student’s
oral communication skills, depth of knowledge in their chosen research field, ability to think
critically, and ability to formulate and defend their research.
All members of the Supervisory Committee must take part in the examination at the scheduled time.
The Final Oral Defense Examination may be conducted using video and/or telecommunications. However,
the graduate student and Chair or Co-Chair must be in the same physical location. All other Supervisory
Committee members may participate from remote sites via technological means. If a Supervisory
Committee member is unable to attend, students may Change Supervisory Committee Member if approved
by the Department. The substitute Supervisory Committee member should be given sufficient time to read
the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis and prepare for the Final Oral Defense Examination. A
minimum of two weeks is recommended.
Assessment of the Final Examination

The Master’s Program Coordinator will assess the written Final Examination for all non-thesis M.S.
and M.E. students. For non-thesis M.S. and M.E. students conducting Research in the Department, the
Master’s Program Coordinator may consult with the Research Adviser about the content and organization.
The Supervisory Committee will assess the written and oral portions of the Final Examination for Ph.D.
and master’s students completing a Master’s Thesis.
The written portion of the Final Examination will be assessed for its organization, understanding of the
relevant literature and pertinent research problem, the analysis of experimental results, and the use of
citations, language, and grammar. The oral portion of the Final Examination will be assessed for the ability
of the student to demonstrate fundamental knowledge of basic chemical engineering principles and aspects
related to the research topic, describe the research problem and the methods required, ability to prepare
visual aids, clarity of oral presentation, and ability to respond to questions.
Based on the combined performance of all aspects of the Final Examination, the Supervisory Committee
will evaluate the overall quality of the exam as satisfactory or unsatisfactory, and accordingly award a Pass
or a Fail grade. A student that does not pass on their first attempt may be allowed a second attempt of the
Final Oral Defense Examination on the advice of the Supervisory Committee and discretion of the Associate

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Chair for Graduate Studies. The retaken exam must take place in the subsequent semester. A student who
does not pass the retaken examination will not be allowed to continue in the Ph.D. program and must
terminate with a master’s degree or withdraw from the program. In very limited and unusual circumstances,
students may request to delay the first or second attempt. Requests to defer the examination must be made
through the Petition process. Students should make every effort to follow the required schedule as
exceptions to this rule are extremely rare. Note: failing to pass the Final Examination on time may result
in the loss of stipend support.
Satisfactory performance on this examination and adherence to all Graduate School regulations outlined
above complete the requirements for the degree. The Supervisory Committee and other designated faculty
sign the Doctoral Dissertation or Master’s Thesis signature pages.
Leaving Campus before Completion of Final Examination

Students may consider leaving the Department to accept employment before their Master’s Thesis or
Doctoral Dissertation is completed and accepted by the Graduate School. However, a graduate student must
have completed all other degree requirements and must register for the minimum Registration Requirements
each semester following departure from campus. Graduate students will be financially responsible for
paying the cost of tuition each semester.

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REGISTRATION & COURSEWORK

The Department of Chemical Engineering offers an exciting range of graduate courses that encompasses
a broad range of topics. The course requirements for graduate students are kept to a minimum so that
students have freedom in developing their own programs of study.
Registration Requirements
Registration for all coursework should be done after consulting with the Graduate Academic Adviser
and your Faculty Academic Adviser. All students are urged to complete their coursework as expeditiously
as possible. After consulting with your Faculty Academic Adviser, students may consider broadening their
education by taking more than the minimum number of courses.
Full-time registration is considered to be 9 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters. The registration
requirement for the Summer C semester is reduced to 6 credits. Registration for fewer than 9 credits may
be considered equivalent to full-time enrollment for an Internship if approved by the Graduate School prior
to the semester. The minimum registration for graduate students is 3 credits in the Fall and Spring semesters
and 2 credits in the Summer C semester. International students or students with financial aid or external
support may have other requirements to maintain full-time registration.
Ph.D. students with a Graduate Assistantship are required to register for 9 credits in the Fall and Spring
semesters and 6 credits in the Summer C semester. Students on appointment are financially liable for credits
in excess of the required number. If a student with a Graduate Assistantship drops below the required
registration at any time in the semester, the student becomes financially liable for the entire registration.
Students who do not register properly are not permitted to remain on appointment.
Registration Process
Students can register for courses at https://one.uf.edu. Students need to register on time to avoid
unnecessary late registration fees. Registration may be restricted if a student is not maintaining Satisfactory
Progress. Ph.D. students with Graduate Assistantships making Satisfactory Progress towards their degree
will have their tuition paid by their Research Adviser. However, it is the student’s responsibility to make
sure that other fees are paid by the fee deadline.
Students must be registered for classes and their fees paid by approximately the second week of the
semester. Specific registration and payment deadlines for each semester can be found at
https://catalog.ufl.edu/UGRD/dates-deadlines/. Students need to pay any fees by the fee payment deadline,
even if a tuition waiver has not been processed. Registration holds and late fees can be seen at
https://www.student.ufl.edu.
A Tuition and Fee Calculator is also provided at http://www.fa.ufl.edu/bursar/current-students/.
Course Credit
Courses listed at 5000 and above are considered graduate-level courses limited to graduate students.
Courses numbered 7000 and above are designed primarily for Ph.D. candidacy students, who have passed
their Candidacy Examination.
In general, graduate courses may not be repeated for additional credit. However, selected courses are
designed to be taken multiple semesters. Students should note that some of these repeatable courses are
subject to a maximum number of credit hours (see Course Descriptions).
Master’s students can take Individual Work (ECH 6905) to conduct research but Research for Master’s
Thesis (ECH 6971) cannot count towards Master’s non-thesis degrees. Advanced Research (ECH 7979)
and Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980) are not eligible to count toward any master’s degree
program.

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In order to ensure that a student has comprehensive understanding of the curriculum and their chosen
research field, the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies or Faculty Academic Adviser may suggest course(s)
to enhance this student’s education to the benefit of that student and their matriculation and experience
through the graduate program. For these select cases, 3000 level courses outside of chemical engineering
could be potentially credited towards the graduate degree with an approved Petition prior to enrollment. If
a student elects to enroll in an undergraduate course without approval, they may be liable for the fees of the
course and it will not count towards their degree.
Course Restrictions and Classifications

Graduate students should note that there are limitations to the number of credits for many courses, especially
Research and Individual Work Courses. Master’s students may register for a maximum of 2 credits of any seminar
courses. Master’s students completing a Master’s Thesis may register for a maximum of 6 credits of Research for
Master’s Thesis (ECH 6971); however, this course cannot count towards Master’s non-thesis degrees. Advanced
Research (ECH 7979) and Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980) are not eligible to count toward any
master’s degree program. Note that the total credits taken from all seminar and Research and Individual Work
Courses cannot exceed 9 credits.
Course Descriptions
Core Chemical Engineering Courses
ECH 6270: Continuum Basis of Chemical Engineering (3 credits) Integrated introduction to transport processes
in continuous media with emphasis on fluid mechanics and heat and mass transfer.
ECH 6272: Molecular Basis of Chemical Engineering (3 credits) Statistical mechanics and microscopic
explanation of macroscopic laws of classical thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and chemical kinetics.
Statistical mechanical theories that connect molecular structure to macroscopic properties.
ECH 6506: Chemical Engineering Kinetics (3 credits) Fundamental aspects of chemical reactors, including
collision theory, transition rate theory, unimolecular rate theory, homogeneous gas and liquid phase kinetics, and
heterogeneous kinetics.
ECH 6526: Reactor Design and Optimization (3 credits) Fundamentals of heterogeneous reactor design
including the characterization of catalytic reactions and support, the development of global rate of the intrinsic
reaction affected by chemical and physical deactivation of catalyst, intraphase and interphase mass and heat transfer,
and the design and optimization of various types of heterogeneous reactors.
ECH 6847: Mathematical Basis of Chemical Engineering (3 credits) Methods of linear systems, chemical
engineering applications in finite and infinite dimensional spaces, concepts of stability, application to transport
phenomena.
ECH 6937: Advanced Chemical and Biological Processing Lab (3 credits) Basic training in polymer, chemical
and bio-based processing techniques. The course aims to expand the students’ ability in hands-on experiments, report
writing, and oral presentation. Upon accomplishing the course, students are expected to have basic technical skills
and understanding of physicochemical processes.
Chemical Engineering Electives
In addition to the courses listed below, students may take any Core Chemical Engineering Courses that
are not part of their degree requirements as a Chemical Engineering Elective.
ECH 6326: Computer Control of Processes (3 credits) Introduction to digital computers, sampled data systems
and Z-transforms, control of multiple input-multiple output systems, optimal control, state estimation and filtering,
and self-tuning regulators.
ECH 6709: Electrochemical Engineering Fundamentals and Design (3 credits) Fundamentals of electrodics and
ionics applied to systems of interest in electrochemical engineering.

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ECH 6726: Interfacial Phenomena I (3 credits) Air-liquid and liquid-liquid interfaces; surface-active molecules,
adsorption at interfaces, foams, micro- and macro-emulsions, retardation of evaporation and damping of waves by
films, surface chemistry of biological systems.
ECH 6727: Interfacial Phenomena II (3 credits) Solid-gas, solid-liquid, solid-solid interfaces. Adsorption of
gases and surface-active molecules on metal surfaces, contact angle and spreading of liquids, wetting and dewetting,
lubrication, biolubrication, flotation, adhesion, biological applications of surfaces.
ECH 6843: Experimental Basis of Chemical Engineering (3 credits) Statistical design of experiments and
treatment of data including regression analysis, interpolation, and integration. Introduction to analytical techniques
including electron and photon spectroscopes, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
ECH 6851: Impedance Spectroscopy (3 credits) Intended for chemists, physicists, materials scientists, and
engineers with an interest in applying electrochemical impedance techniques to study a broad variety of
electrochemical processes.
ECH 6926: Graduate Seminar (1 credit; max: 2 for MS/ME) Develop a diverse and fundamental understanding
of chemical engineering principles through invited seminar presentations from experts at UF and other institutions.
ECH 6937: Topics in Chemical Engineering (3 credits; repeatable) Broad range of advanced chemical
engineering topics. Topics often include self-assembly processes, surface science, nanoscale transport, tissue
engineering, cell dynamics, complex fluids, catalysis, and pharmaceuticals.
ECH 6940: Supervised Teaching (1 – 5 credits; max 5) Practicum course to provide students with supervised
teaching experience on developing effective instructional methods and materials in engineering education.
Approved Chemical Engineering Electives
The Department has approved the following courses to be treated as a Chemical Engineering Elective.
BME 6221: Biomolecular Cell Mechanics (3 credits) Biomolecular basis of cell mechanics and cell motility,
emphasizing quantitative models and systems-biology approaches.
BME 6322: Dynamics of Cellular Processes (3 credits) Develops research skills, including generation of
questions, hypotheses testing, reporting, interpretation, and discussion of findings.
BME 6644: Pharmacokinetics (3 credits) Basic pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic concepts and models.
Use of these concepts in the drug discovery process.
Research and Individual Work Courses
Master’s students may discuss Research and Individual Work opportunities with Graduate Faculty. Only
after the consent of a Graduate Faculty member, can a master’s student register for Individual Work (ECH
6905) or Engineering Graduate Research (EGN 6913) with that faculty member. Students must discuss the
expectations and responsibilities with the faculty member before registering. These courses are department
controlled and registration can only be completed by contacting the Graduate Academic Adviser. The
Graduate Academic Adviser will provide forms that need to be completed and signed by the Graduate
Faculty member prior to registration. All students conducting Research in a laboratory must be
registered for research credits or be employed by the University.
Alternatively, students can enroll in Individual Work (ECH 6905) to complete a semester Internship
with a sponsoring company or U.S. government laboratory. Master’s students conducting Research and
Individual Work are expected to write their final Report on the Research or Internship activities undertaken
during the course.
Ph.D. students must register for Advanced Research (ECH 7979) before passing the Candidacy Examination
and for Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980) after passing the Candidacy Examination.
Although students may only be registered for a few research credits in a given semester, they are
expected to devote their full effort towards their research to continue making Satisfactory Progress.
ECH 6905: Individual Work (1 – 6 credits; max: 7) Individual engineering projects suitable for a non-thesis
master’s degree.

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EGN 5949: Practicum/Internship/Cooperative Work Experience (1 – 6 credits; max 6) Practical cooperative

engineering work under approved industrial and faculty supervision.
ECH 6910: Supervised Research (1 – 5 credits; max: 5) Individual engineering projects suitable for a non-thesis
master’s degree.
EGN 6913: Engineering Graduate Research (0 – 3 credits) Course will provide the student with supervised
research in a laboratory setting.
ECH 6971: Research for Master’s Thesis (1 – 15 credits; max: 6; S/U) Research for Master’s students approved
to complete a thesis.
ECH 7979: Advanced Research (1 – 12 credits; repeatable; S/U) Research for doctoral students before
admission to candidacy. Designed for students with a master’s degree in the field of study or for students who have
been accepted for a doctoral program. Not appropriate for students who have been admitted to candidacy.
ECH 7980: Research for Doctoral Dissertation (1 – 15 credits; repeatable; S/U) Research for doctoral students
admitted to candidacy.
Technical Electives
Any courses listed at 5000 and above within the HWCOE are acceptable for the remaining credits.
Students may prepare a Petition for courses outside the HWCOE.
Non-Technical Electives
Some courses do not contain adequate technical content. The Department recognizes the importance of these courses
but strongly believes that an advanced degree should have adequate technical content. Therefore, students are allowed
to count up to 6 credits from the following courses.
EGN 6640: Entrepreneurship for Engineers (3 credits) Introduction to entrepreneurship, idea generating and
feasibility analysis, and business planning. Lectures, case studies, student-led discussions, team business plans, and
investor presentations.
EGN 6642: Engineering Innovation (3 credits) Concepts of innovative thinking and innovation practices. Using
lectures, case studies, team exercises, and guest speakers, the course teaches life skills in innovative thought and action
that students can use in careers ranging from starting companies to executing R&D projects in large companies.
EGN 6937: Engineering Fellowship Preparation (1 credit) Engineering Fellowship Preparation will instill in
students an understanding of the fellowship and grant process.
EGS 6039: Engineering Leadership (3 credits) Concepts, theory and practice of engineering leadership; effective
written and oral communications and presentations; engineering leadership characteristics, individual differences and
self-awareness; developing and building teams; managing change, conflicts, and crises; and understanding real-world
ethics and core values.
EGS 6050: Foundations in Engineering Education (2 credits) An introduction to fundamental issues, questions,
and approaches to engineering education.
EGS 6101: Divergent Thinking (3 credits) Focuses on student acquisition of divergent thinking skills to support
the engineering design process. It emphasizes the importance of student practices such as observing, questioning,
learning and experimenting, and stresses cultivating an openness to new experiences, in order to generate ideas and
devise solutions to complex design problems.
EGS 6626: Fundamentals of Engineering Project Management (3 credits) Provides engineering students with a
comprehensive understanding of how to plan, optimize and efficiently manage projects (or tasks) to implement
products, services or developments. This includes building the structure, processes, components and linkages with a
team for successful project delivery within schedule, budget and quality requirements.
EGS 6628: Applied Engineering Project Management (3 credits) Applied Engineering Project Management
expands on foundational project management practices to include complex as well as new project delivery concepts.
Topics include project acquisition; negotiation skills; advanced risk planning and management; program
management; project.
EGS 6681: Advanced Engineering Leadership (3 credits) Designed to further develop the leadership framework
and capabilities of graduate engineering students. It involves a case study-based instructional approach that reviews

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and applies strategic leadership concepts and knowledge critical to the success of engineering-based companies that
now operate in a highly uncertain and volatile business environment.

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Course Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA)

The only passing grades for graduate students are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, and S. All letter graded courses
taken as a graduate student are used in calculating the cumulative GPA. Letter grades of C-, D+, D, D- or E
are not considered passing at the graduate level, although the grade points associated with these letter grades
are included in GPA calculations. Per Graduate School rules, grades earned for undergraduate courses outside
the Department will automatically count towards the student’s overall GPA (up to the first 6 credits),
regardless of whether it counts towards their degree. Grade points are not designated for S and U grades and
are not used in calculating the GPA; however, a grade I (incomplete) will convert to a 0.0 credit if not changed
within 1 semester.
Add/Drop Courses
Courses may be dropped or added during the drop/add period without penalty; however, students with
Graduate Assistantships must clear these changes with their Research Adviser prior to modifications. This
period typically lasts five calendar days (two days for Summer sessions) beginning with the first day of the
semester (exact dates available on https://student.ufl.edu). Classes that meet for the first time after the
drop/add period may be dropped without academic penalty or fee liability by the end of the next business
day after the first meeting of the class. Note that this does not apply to laboratory sections. After this period,
a course may be dropped and a W will appear on the transcript. Students are financially liable for the full
cost (credit and fees) for any course added or dropped after the deadline. This includes students with tuition
waivers, as these waivers cannot be used for credit modifications after the drop/add window. If a student
on a Graduate Assistantship drops credit(s) that reduce their course load below the enrollment requirements
for their appointment, they will be held fully liable for the entire cost of the courses (credit and fees), not
just the cost of the dropped credits. Further, their appointment will be automatically terminated, as full-time
enrollment is a stipulation of most Fellowship or Graduate Assistantships. Discuss the ramifications of
course adjustments with the Graduate Academic Adviser, Research Adviser, Associate Chair for Graduate
Studies, or Human Resources prior to modifying your course schedule.
Retaking Courses
Graduate students may only retake a non-repeatable course once in which they earn a failing grade.
According to Graduate School Policy, grade points from both the initial failed attempt and the first attempt
earning a grade of C or better are included in computing the GPA. Students receive credit for the satisfactory
attempt only.
Transfer of Credits from Other Institutions

Students may Petition to transfer credits from institutions approved by the University towards their
degree requirements. Only graduate-level courses (equivalent to course numbers 5000-7999) with a grade
of B or better are eligible for transfer of credit. For Ph.D. students, a maximum of 30 transfer credits are
allowed. For M.S. students, a maximum of 9 transfer credits are allowed. Some of these transferred credits
may be used to satisfy required coursework. Credits transferred from other institutions are applied toward
the degree requirements but grades earned are not computed in the student’s GPA. All work, including
transferred credits, counted toward the degree must be completed during the seven years immediately
preceding the date which the degree is awarded.
A Petition for transfer of credit requires submission of full course materials, including the contact
information of the course instructor. Each Petition should be sent to the Graduate Academic Adviser for
review during the first term of enrollment for Master’s students and before the third term of enrollment for
Ph.D. students. The pertinent course instructor and the Graduate Program Committee will evaluate the

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submitted materials. Final acceptance of credit transfers requires approval from the Associate Chair for
Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate School.
Florida State Residency

Eligible Ph.D. students (i.e., those who receive tuition waivers and who are U.S. citizens, permanent
resident aliens, or legal aliens granted indefinite stay by the Immigration and Naturalization Service) may
become in-state residents for tuition purposes. Students should begin the process of establishing Florida
residency as soon as possible. GRACE can provide students with advice on how to prepare the correct
documentation.

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DEGREE ENHANCEMENTS
The University of Florida has other degree options to enhance the educational experience of graduate
students. Students interested in pursuing these options should discuss them with their Faculty Academic Adviser.
Concurrent Degree
Graduate students who wish to enroll in a concurrent degree program must obtain the appropriate forms
from the Graduate School. The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will sign these forms only after
consulting the Department Chair and after the student's Faculty Academic Adviser has given written
approval for the student to enroll in the concurrent degree program. A copy of all communications
regarding the application for the program will be maintained in the student’s graduate records with the
Graduate Academic Adviser.
Minor Degree
With the Supervisory Committee approval, graduate students may choose one or more Minor degrees.
Minor work may be completed in any academic unit outside the Chemical Engineering degree if approved
for Master or Ph.D. programs in the Graduate Catalog. If a Minor degree is pursued, it must be approved
by the minor department and one member of the Supervisory Committee must be from the minor
department. If one minor is chosen, the Supervisory Committee member representing the minor or the minor
department suggests the appropriate coursework.
For Ph.D. students, 12 to 24 credits of courses numbered 5000 or higher are taken as preparation for an
Oral Qualifying Examination. Part of the credits may have been earned while the student was enrolled in a
master’s degree program. If two Minor degrees are chosen, each must include at least 8 credits. Competence
in the minor is demonstrated by a written examination by the minor academic unit or by the Oral Qualifying
Examination, as defined by the established procedures of the minor department. Minor course work at the
Ph.D. level may include courses in more than one academic unit if the objective of the Minor degree is
clearly stated and the combination of courses is approved by the Graduate School (this approval is not
required for a Minor degree in one academic unit).
For M.S. and M.E. students, at least 6 credits of courses numbered 5000 or higher are required. If two
Minor degrees are chosen, each must include at least 6 credits. Competence in the minor is demonstrated
by a written examination by the minor academic unit or by the Oral Qualifying Examination, as defined by
the established procedures of the minor department.
Certificate Programs
The Graduate Certificate Program is a formal collection of courses that together form a coherent
program of study offered through an academic unit. A Graduate Certificate is an academic credential
granted by the University of Florida in recognition of the acquisition of knowledge and skills in a given
field of study. As such, all Graduate Certificates must follow the requirements of admission, successful
completion of approved graduate-level coursework, application to receive the credential, and enrollment
during the term in which the certificate is awarded and posted to the transcript. For the list of available
Graduate Certificates, please visit the Graduate School’s website.

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POLICIES & PROCEDURES

Room Reservations
Graduate students may need to reserve a room for research presentations or other department-related
events. To make a reservation in the Department conference rooms, graduate students should contact the
Main Office of the Chemical Engineering Department. Students wishing to reserve other rooms across
campus should seek the responsible authority. Our students sometimes use the Particle Science &
Technology Building when the Department conference rooms are unavailable.
Petitions
Graduate students are expected to be familiar with the program requirements described in both the Graduate
Catalog and this Handbook. If a student seeks to deviate from any guideline from either document, they must
submit a formal Petition to the Graduate Academic Adviser for a waiver, deferment, or alleviation of
consequences associated with that deviation. Note that a Petition must be appropriately justified. Examples of a
typical Petition include enrollment of courses outside the HWCOE (in advance of course enrollment); deferment
in Research Proposal or Oral Qualifying Examination; and deferment of Supervised Teaching requirements.
A Petition must be formally approved prior to enforcement. It is always advisable to request a Petition
in advance (prior to the deviation) to avoid consequences if the Petition is denied. When filing any request,
graduate students should consult with the Graduate Academic Adviser regarding their academic needs or
concerns, as well as to procure the appropriate forms for this formal Petition.
The approval process for the Petition depends on the nature of the request. A Petition to department
policies described in this Handbook will be reviewed by the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies and,
depending on the nature of the Petition, sent to the Graduate Program Committee for full committee vote.
For deviations from Graduate School guidelines, Petition requests are more stringent and must be approved
first by the Department, then HWCOE, and then the Graduate School. Note that the Graduate School rarely
permits guideline deviations and only under extraneous circumstances. Furthermore, some guidelines (e.g.,
graduation, GPA requirements, and total credit hour requirements) cannot be petitioned.
Leave Policy
The Department of Chemical Engineering follows the established policies within the Graduate Assistants
United (GAU) Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the University of Florida. More details can be
found at https://www.ufgau.org/cba.html.
Personal Time
Graduate students are not obligated to work on official UF holidays (check academic year calendar), which
typically includes Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, UF Homecoming,
Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. In addition, Graduate
students should not come to campus during any declared emergency.
Graduate Assistants do not have separate vacation and sick days. Any other leave from campus is
considered personal time and must be recorded/tracked and must be pre-approved by the Graduate Assistant’s
Research Adviser by signature on the Leave Form, which is to be completed and submitted to the Graduate
Academic Adviser. The form includes contact information during the Graduate Assistant’s absence that must
be provided in the event that an emergency should develop. Following the CBA, personal time for any reason
is paid to Graduate Assistants for up to five (5) days per semester; it is not cumulative and cannot be rolled
over into another semester. Each Graduate Assistant shall be credited with five (5) days at the beginning of
each semester and shall use leave in increments of not less than one (1) day. For example, a Graduate

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Assistant scheduled to work six (6) hours on Monday and three (3) hours on Tuesday, who is unable to
perform assigned duties on these days, would be charged with two (2) days of personal time regardless of
FTE appointment or number of work hours scheduled. However, the Research Adviser has the authority to
work with the Graduate Assistant to modify their work schedule so that work is completed without using
personal time. These arrangements must be agreed upon prior to any leave from the Graduate Assistant
responsibilities.
Leave of Absence
An unpaid Leave of Absence may be granted under extraordinary circumstances and a Petition must be
approved by the Graduate Program Committee prior to petitioning the Graduate School. Students should ensure
that the Graduate Program Committee has sufficient time to evaluate their request prior to any Graduate School
deadline.
Changes to Your Degree Program

Changes to the Degree Program may have a significant impact on immigration and employment status.
It is highly recommended that students discuss any possible changes with the Associate Chair for Graduate
Studies before proceeding.
Change from Ph.D. to M.S. Degree Plan
Graduate students originally admitted to the Ph.D. program may wish to change their trajectory towards
a M.S. degree. If the student wishes or needs to leave before the completion of the Ph.D. degree and meets
the requirements for the M.S. degree set by the Department and Graduate School, then the decision to grant
a M.S. degree will be made in mutual agreement between the student and the Research Adviser.
Change or Continuation from M.S. to Ph.D. Degree Plan
M.S. students who demonstrate exceptional understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals and
outstanding progress in research achievements may advance to the Ph.D. program when there are available
opportunities. Typically, M.S. students are admitted to the Ph.D. program to continue conducting Research
with the same Research Adviser. However, M.S. students may seek a new Research Adviser for their Ph.D.
degree requirement. To be considered for the Ph.D. program, M.S. students are encouraged to re-submit
their application materials directly to the Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinator before December 5, but after
completion of the three Basis courses (Continuum Basis, Molecular Basis, and Mathematical Basis).
Applications will be considered against those of the other new Ph.D. applicants and decisions will be made
based on student credentials and the projected number of available projects. In addition to the typical
credentials for admission (undergraduate GPA, GRE, etc.), the Graduate Admissions Committee will
consider performance in the M.S. program and recommendations from Chemical Engineering Faculty.
Change from Non-Thesis to Thesis Degree Plan
All M.S. and M.E. students are admitted to the non-thesis program. Students with a strong interest in
conducting Research may choose to complete a Master’s Thesis for their degree. Once a Research Adviser
has agreed to mentor your Master’s Thesis, contact the Graduate Academic Adviser to transfer to the Thesis
program.
Change from Thesis to Non-Thesis Degree Plan
M.S. and M.E. students may choose to covert back from the Master’s Thesis to the non-thesis option
upon approval of the Research Adviser. A maximum of 3 credits earned with a grade of S in Research for
Master’s Thesis (ECH 6971) can be counted toward the degree requirements only if converted to credit as
A, A-, B+, or B in Individual Work (ECH 6905). The Supervisory Committee must indicate that the work
was productive in and by itself and that the work warrants credit as a special problem or special topic course.

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Continuation from M.E. to Ph.D. Degree Plan

M.E. students who intend to apply to the Ph.D. program must (without exception) complete the
Undergraduate Coursework requirements before they receive funding and begin their doctoral program
requirements. Such students are strongly advised to adhere to the suggested program of study given above.
Typically, M.E. students are admitted to the Ph.D. program to continue conducting Research with the same
Research Adviser. However, M.E. students may seek a new Research Adviser for their Ph.D. degree
requirement. To be considered for the Ph.D. program, M.E. students are encouraged to re-submit their
application materials directly to the Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinator before December 5, but after
completion of the three Basis courses (Continuum Basis, Molecular Basis, and Mathematical Basis).
Applications will be considered against those of the other new Ph.D. applicants and decisions will be made
based on student credentials and the projected number of available projects. In addition to the typical
credentials for admission (undergraduate GPA, GRE, etc.), the Graduate Admissions Committee will
consider performance in the M.E. program and recommendations from Chemical Engineering Faculty.
Change Supervisory Committee

Graduate students may seek to change their Supervisory Committee prior to Final Examination.
Students should read this section carefully before proceeding.
Change Research Adviser
Sometimes Research does not proceed according to the expectations of the student, the Research
Adviser, or both. Rare situations may arise where a student wishes to change the research group due to
irreconcilable personality conflicts with the Research Adviser or differences in opinion about the overall
research direction.
Changing Research Adviser is an important decision that can significantly impact your academic
progress as well as the Research Adviser’s research program. Early recognition of the possibility of
switching topics and/or Research Adviser is an important factor in successfully managing this process. The
best approach to accomplish this task is to adopt an attitude of respect and professional courtesy to your
Research Adviser. Students should notify their Research Adviser of their desire to change research groups
as soon as possible. Unless conduct is a factor, the student should make an effort to work through
differences with their Research Adviser and explore possible options for addressing the student’s
concerns and reconciliation before making a final decision.
Students are encouraged to seek advice from a peer or the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies to assess
your needs and determine whether a different Research Adviser would be good for you, particularly if you
are attempting to change Research Adviser towards the final phase of your degree program. However, it is
inappropriate for the student to speak to other Chemical Engineering Faculty members about the situation or
their intention prior to consultation with the Research Adviser or the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.
If the student and Research Adviser are in mutual agreement that a change of research group is
appropriate, the student should contact the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for consultation and
assistance. The process for changing Research Adviser depends on the degree program.
Master’s Students: If Master’s students have appointed positions, they must follow the procedure
outlined for Ph.D. Students. Otherwise, Master’s students should work with the Research Adviser to prepare
a Transition Plan before finalizing a change in Research Adviser.
Ph.D. Students: Most Ph.D. students are financially supported by research grants secured by the
Research Adviser. Since the research grant has a fixed duration, changing the assigned student in the middle
of the project may have negative impacts on the student, the specific project, the Department, and the
University. For this reason, the Ph.D. student is expected to take ownership of the project and make the best
effort to complete the project before they move to another project. The Department does not have a budget

P a g e | 46
to support students, which is why the student signs a Letter of Appointment (LOA) as a contract to work
for their Research Adviser for that semester. Therefore, the student should make every effort to continue to
work in the laboratory of their Research Adviser until the end of the semester. Students should note that
leaving a Research Adviser before a formal transition may jeopardize their stipend and the student may be
responsible for the entire cost of tuition during the semester. If the student and Research Adviser have
attempted reconciliation and have a mutual agreement that a change is appropriate, they should begin
developing a Transition Plan. If the student and Research Adviser are unable to reach an agreement, the
student should meet with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, who will help develop a Transition Plan
to bring the ongoing research efforts to a reasonable state of completion.
Transition Plan: The student and Research Adviser should discuss and arrange a timeframe for
completing any remaining work before the change of Research Adviser takes place. Students are reminded
to be professional at all times during the transition period. Avoid doing or saying anything that could have
negative ramifications for your future. The Transition Plan should include an agreement about the remaining
financial responsibility of the Research Adviser if appropriate.
After the Transition Plan is implemented, the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will work with the
student in identifying a new Research Adviser. When talking with a potential Research Adviser, it is
recommended that students focus discussions on their interests and goals and not on negative incidents or
difficulties. In all cases, it is the student’s responsibility to meet with interested faculty members to try to
identify a new Research Adviser. If the student cannot find a faculty member willing to serve as their
Research Adviser, the student will need to consider other options, including the pursuit of a graduate degree
in another program.
After students have identified a new Research Adviser and brought their prior research to a reasonable
state of completion, students should complete or update any paperwork that contains information about
their Research Adviser.
Change Supervisory Committee Member
Graduate students may seek to change an existing Supervisory Committee member. Students should
consult with their Research Adviser and the Graduate Academic Adviser about the change. Changes to a
student’s committee are allowed until the midpoint of the term of degree award if the defense has not
occurred. No changes are allowed after the defense.
Internships
The Department does not have a formal Internship program but many students often gain practical
experience by working with a sponsoring company or U.S. government laboratory. Students are encouraged
to take advantage of Internship opportunities if it enhances a student's research or enriches the student's
graduate education in some other specific manner.
Planning for an Internship should be done with the full knowledge and cooperation of the Faculty
Academic Adviser. Students should plan Internships to start and end in concurrence with either Fall, Spring,
or Summer semester starting and ending dates. If a student starts or ends an Internship after a semester has
started, it is generally not possible to pay the student as a Graduate Assistant during that semester. Thus, it
is very important to plan Internships in advance and make every effort to have them coincide with the
semester start and end dates.
Students may receive up to 3 credits for an Internship (40 hours per week for entire semester) by
registering for Practicum/Internship/Cooperative Work Experience (EGN 5949). Students with a Graduate
Assistantship need to have permission from their Research Adviser before the start of the Internship. These
students should also contact Human Resources for information on how an Internship may affect their

P a g e | 47
stipend, tuition, and healthcare benefits. The Associate Chair for Graduate Studies will review these
requests. The Graduate Academic Adviser will register students for the course.
International students should note that employment for F-1 and J-1 students is limited and working without
permission is a violation of status and a deportable offense. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) instructions
and registration requirements can be found at http://www.ufic.ufl.edu. Note that F-1 students will be
responsible for course registration during the semester working under CPT as well as tuition payment.

P a g e | 48
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Students are welcome to meet with the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies for any reason, especially
if they unsure on how or where to get the services they need. In some cases, these situations may be so
significant that it prevents a student from making Satisfactory Progress in classes or research. In these
extreme cases, students may consider a Leave of Absence. Students should discuss a Leave of Absence
candidly with their Research Adviser, the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, and/or the Dean of Students
Office.
Graduate Student Wellness Services

Graduate students may experience health problems (sickness, injury, mental health, etc.), legal
problems, or upsetting major life events, such as the death of a family member, during graduate school.
Students may also struggle to cope effectively with the stresses encountered in graduate school. Graduate
student wellness encompasses 8 dimensions, including physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual,
environmental, occupational, financial, and social wellness. The University of Florida has numerous
resources to help students with these stressful situations, including:
GatorWell
352∙273∙4450
As health education leaders at the University of Florida,
http://gatorwell.ufsa.ufl.edu
GatorWell uses health promotion strategies to educate UF students
about health and wellness topics relevant to the college experience. These strategies include health-related
individual services, programming, advocacy and assessment. The GatorWell website includes resources
and services specific to students.
GatorCare
GatorCare is a Direct Service Organization of the University of 352∙392∙2477
Florida established to reduce health care costs and promote access to http://gatorcare.org/wellness/
quality health care and innovative health and wellness solutions for the employees, including Graduate
Assistants. GatorCare provides numerous resources to help with all aspects of wellness.
U Matter, We Care
We want all students at the University of Florida to know that they 352∙294∙2273
have the power to take action for themselves and/or others. At UF, https://umatter.ufl.edu/
Care is not just an idea that we talk about but we demonstrate every [email protected]
day. Through big actions, small conversations, or longer support UF
is dedicated to supporting students in their academic success and overall well-being.
Life can get difficult at times, especially while in college. Many students are faced with stressors and
challenges that begin to impact their success as a student. These stressors can appear in many different
forms: difficulty adjusting to university life, family issues, financial difficulties, accessing
accommodations, etc. Our goal is to ensure that every Gator has the knowledge and path to connect to the
appropriate resource on campus. UMatter We Care provides care-related programs and resources for
students and employees. UMatter We Care also trains individuals to recognize the signs of distress and
provide support and assistance.
Counseling and Wellness Center
The UF Counseling & Wellness Center (CWC) is a confidential 352∙392∙1575
resource that offers free counseling, workshops, biofeedback, crisis http://www.counseling.ufl.edu/cwc
and emergency assistance, psychiatry, testing, and drug and alcohol support to students as well as resources

P a g e | 49
for faculty and staff in recognizing signs of distress and what to do in an emergency. The CWC also provides
workshops, self-help resources, and community referrals.
University of Florida Student Health Care Center
The Student Health Care Center is an outpatient clinic that 352∙392∙1161
provides primary and specialty care services as well as urgent care. http://shcc.ufl.edu/
The SHCC also provides access to campus and community healthcare resources and a variety of educational
programs.
University of Florida Police Department (UFPD) 9∙1∙1 (emergencies)
The University of Florida recognizes the importance for an 352∙392∙1111 (non-emergencies)
institution of higher learning to develop and maintain a safe and [email protected]
secure environment in which the academic and social pursuits of its
members can be fully realized. The University has the utmost concern for the success of each student and
strives to give each student maximum freedom to live his/her life free from outside interference. UFPD is
a state, nationally, and internationally accredited law enforcement agency established to provide the highest
degree of safety and security possible for the University of Florida community. UFPD provides 24-hour per
day patrol and protection of campus and local assets, enforcing all laws and ordinances. UFPD is committed
to the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property. UFPD has a Criminal Investigations
Division dedicated to investigating crimes occurring on our campus, a Bicycle Patrol Team, Critical
Incident Response Team (CIRT), K-9 Team (Sergeant Davis and Gator), Motor Cycle Unit, Office of
Victim Services, and specialized units responsible for duties unique to the campus environment.
Office of Victim Services (OVS)
The Office of Victim Services (OVS) is a confidential resource 9∙1∙1 (emergencies)
that provides a crime victim advocate to anyone who has become a 352∙392∙1111 (non-emergencies)
victim of crime while on the University of Florida campus. The victim [email protected]
advocate ensures that victims of crime receive fair treatment in
accordance with the provisions of Florida State Statute 960. All services are free and confidential.
National Graduate Crisis
This non-profit center is available 24/7 and 800∙GRAD∙HLP
http://gradresources.org/category/national-grad-crisis-line/
specifically accommodates graduate students in
crisis. This organization is committed to supporting the emotional and spiritual needs of graduate and
professional students across the United States and around the world so they can pursue their purpose with
passion and determination.
University or College Services

Disability Resource Center 352∙392∙8565
The Disability Resource Center (DRC) serves as a resource for https://disability.ufl.edu/
students with physical, learning, sensory or psychological disabilities
[email protected]
and assists in facilitating and providing reasonable accommodations
for students and providing services to address the impact of disabilities on student performance and success.
The DRC provides an array of Academic Coaching and Support Services to assist students with disabilities,
including Executive Functioning Skills, Academic Coaching, Reading Efficiency, Test Preparation, Study
Skills, Test Anxiety, Learning Style Inventories, Academic Planning, Disability Management Support, and
Post-Graduation Planning.

P a g e | 50
Multicultural & Diversity Affairs

The University of Florida Multicultural & Diversity Affairs is a 352∙294∙7850
department within the Division of Student Affairs. It provides a wide https://multicultural.ufl.edu/
range of services, educational opportunities, learning, support, outreach, activities and engagement for
students. Through transformative educational experiences and developmental opportunities, Multicultural
and Diversity Affairs celebrates and empowers diverse communities and advocates for an inclusive campus
for all students across identities.
Ombuds Office 352∙392∙1308
The purpose of the Ombuds office is to assist students, staff, and https://www.ombuds.ufl.edu/
faculty in resolving problems and conflicts that arise in the course of interacting with the University of
Florida. By considering problems in an unbiased way, the Ombuds works to help students and staff find
solutions to university related problems and concerns.
The role of the Ombuds is to serve as a resource and designated neutral party for students and staff who
may have a university related concern or problem. Such problems may be related to grades, difference of
opinion with instructors or co-workers, interpretation of university policies, or other administrative issues
that may be of concern. The Ombuds will work with staff and students to interpret university policy, and
help identify options and strategies for resolving issues. Students are advised to first contact the instructor,
the department chairperson, and/or the college dean before seeking assistance from the Ombuds, although
instances do exist where contact with the University Ombuds first is beneficial.
Title IX Office 352∙273∙1094
Title IX addresses sexual harassment, sexual violence, or any
https://titleix.ufl.edu/
gender-based discrimination that may deny a person access to
[email protected]
educational benefits and opportunities. Under Title IX, universities
must ensure that all students and employees have equal access to education and educational facilities,
regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Sexual harassment and sexual violence are
forms of gender discrimination that are prohibited by Title IX, including when the incident(s) occur off-
campus or involve people who are not students.
When a student or employee has experienced a hostile environment such sexual assault or severe,
pervasive, and objectively offensive sexual harassment, universities must stop the discrimination,
prevent its recurrence, and address its effects. This includes retaliation from other students, school
administrators, or faculty. Universities must proactively prevent and respond to claims of sexual
harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of gender-based violence, retaliation, discrimination, and must
have an impartial and prompt process for investigating and adjudicating reported cases.
It is the policy of The University of Florida to provide an educational and working environment for its
students, faculty, and staff that is free from all forms of sexual misconduct. In accordance with federal and
state law, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. These behaviors will not be tolerated,
and individuals who engage in such conduct will be subject to disciplinary action. Students, faculty, staff,
contractors, and visitors are urged to promptly report any such behavior to the Office of Title IX
Compliance.
Dean of Students Office 352∙273∙1261
The Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Office, located https://dso.ufl.edu
within the Dean of Students Office, is the main university entity that
works with students to resolve disciplinary matters and to make sure students receive fair treatment in all
hearings. Students, faculty and staff who believe there has been a violation can contact this office to discuss

P a g e | 51
options available for reporting incidents to the appropriate authorities. Office staff can assist victims of
assault or harassment by a University student. Staff also provides a variety of educational programs.
Career and Professional Development

Career Connections Center 352∙392∙1601
The Career Connections Center offers a variety of services for
https://career.ufl.edu/
career and professional development, including career planning,
[email protected]
interview preparation, and the Molm Family Gator Career Closet.

P a g e | 52
FINAL TERM
Students are responsible for meeting all requirements and observing every deadline. Specific
deadlines are published each semester in the Graduate Student Handbook and online at the Graduate School
website. Rules for graduation are not waived for ignorance.
All students must submit a Degree Application on ONE.UF before the published deadline of the term.
Degree Applications do not carry over from one semester to the next. If the degree is not awarded, the student
must (i) request that the Department remove their name from the current term degree list; (ii) re-apply for the
degree award via ONE.UF in a subsequent term by the published deadline for that term; and (iii) meet all
other requirements for the term in which the degree will be awarded. These requirements also apply when a
thesis or dissertation student has been approved to Clear Prior by the Graduate School Editorial Office.
All students must also meet the minimum Registration Requirements for the term in which the degree
will be awarded. During this term, the student must be registered for at least 3 credits in the Fall or Spring
semesters and at least 2 credits in the Summer semester. These credits must count towards the specific
degree and the courses cannot be an online course. M.S. or M.E. students completing a Master’s Thesis are
required to take Research for Master’s Thesis (ECH 6971) in their final term. Ph.D. students are required
to take Research for Doctoral Dissertation (ECH 7980) in their final term. This minimum final term
registration is applicable to all graduate students and the Graduate School will not accept a Petition to this
policy. Note that students receiving Fellowships, Graduate Assistantships, or Financial Assistance may be
required to register for more than this minimum number of credits.
All work for the Ph.D. degree must be completed within 5 calendar years after the Candidacy
Examination. Failure to complete the degree requirements within this timeframe requires the Oral
Qualifying Examination to be repeated. There must be at least 2 terms between the Candidacy Examination
and the date of the degree.
All graduate students should also note that graduate degrees are not awarded to students with
incomplete letter grades on their transcripts or an overall, major, and minor GPA below 3.00 (truncated2).
When the thesis or dissertation is in final form for submission to the Graduate School, the student should
review the format requirements of the Graduate School Editorial Office and should work with the
Application Support Center to format the document in order to meet the minimum submission requirements
of the Editorial Office. The Application Support Center assists students with troubleshooting their
documents free of charge. The Center also provides more extensive formatting and pdf-conversion services
for reasonable fees to the student. It is highly recommended that all students writing theses and dissertations
use their services, in order to alleviate some of the stress felt during the approval process.
Once graduate students have completed their degree requirements, they should work with their Research
Adviser to bring all research to a reasonable state of completion, including training of other graduate
students, handing over all research notebooks and data to the Research Adviser, disposing of unneeded
samples, and cleaning of any laboratory and/or office space assigned to the student. Any office keys must
be returned to the Main Office of the Chemical Engineering Department.
Clear Prior
Ph.D. and M.S. or M.E. thesis students who complete all graduate degree requirements during a given
semester, but narrowly miss the Final deadline specified by the Graduate School, may receive their degree
2
Truncated means that the GPA is not rounded-up, e.g. a 2.99 GPA would not be considered a 3.0.

P a g e | 53
in the following semester and avoid the minimum Registration Requirements. Students must notify the
Graduate Academic Adviser of their intention to Clear Prior before the start of the subsequent semester.
Note that Clear Prior can be granted only if all degree requirements have been satisfied during or prior to
the registration phase of the graduating semester. Students can Petition to participate in a graduation
ceremony even if all of the requirements for the degree have not yet been completed, provided the Associate
Chair for Graduate Studies expects completion of all requirements in the near future. Please see the
Graduate Catalog for specific information on Clear Prior deadlines and terms.

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GRADUATE PROGRAM HANDBOOK

Academic Year 2021 – 2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS .............................................. 23

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

STUDENT HONOR & CONDUCT CODE

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Academic Honesty and Ethical Conduct in Research

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Professional Conduct in the Department

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

DEPARTMENT STRUCTURE & PERSONNEL

Chemical Engineering Faculty

Associate Chair for Graduate Studies

Master’s Program Coordinator

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Committee

Graduate Academic Adviser

Ph.D. Recruitment Coordinators

Graduate Admissions Assistant

Graduate Admissions Committee

Faculty Academic Adviser

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Student Expectations

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Departmental Access & Resources

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Choose a Research Adviser

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

DOCTORAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Table 1: Common timeline towards graduation for Ph.D. students.

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Table 2: Due dates for Ph.D. milestones.

Required Doctoral Coursework

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Elective Doctoral Coursework

Other Doctoral Coursework

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Research Presentation Requirement

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

begin their Doctoral Dissertation with a set of Supervisory Committee Examination

Graduate Academic Advisor Examination

professionalism. Format Proposal Presentation;

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

Doctoral Final Examination

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022

MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Master of Science Overview

* Degree requirements for M.S. students completing a Master’s Thesis only.

Graduate Program Handbook Academic Year 2021-2022