The Chemical Engineering Department provides plenty of chances for students to create innovative solutions that tackle environmental and sustainability challenges head-on.
Here are the pathways available in our department to support your learning and enable you to make a positive impact on the environment and society. These opportunities open up various career paths in climate adaptation, renewable energy, environmental consulting, green technology development, and sustainable manufacturing—all accessible to graduates with a Chemical Engineering background.
Courses
Note: Please refer to MIT Course 10 Catalog for more detailed course information.
Core Subjects
10.10: Introduction to Chemical Engineering
Explores the diverse applications of chemical engineering through example problems designed to build computer skills and familiarity with the elements of engineering design. Solutions require application of fundamental concepts of mass and energy conservation to batch and continuous systems involving chemical and biological processes. Problem-solving exercises distributed among lectures and recitation.
Prereq: Chemistry (GIR) and Physics I (GIR); Coreq: 18.03, U (Fall, Spring), 12 Units
10.26 Chemical Engineering Projects
10.27 Energy Engineering Projects
10.29 Biological Engineering Projects
Courses focus on applied research in chemical, energy, or biological engineering. Students collaborate in teams on a single project throughout the term, often proposed by local industry. The courses include training in project planning, management, experimental work, data analysis, oral presentations, and report writing. Course 10.27 also integrates social science issues alongside technical aspects and is aimed at students with varied technical backgrounds.
Recent Environmental and Sustainability Focused projects include, Membrane distillation for brine desalination, Chemical recycling of polyester fabrics, Closed-loop CO2 capture using KOH and electrolysis of spent CO2 scrubbing solution, Biocatalytic enhancement of CO2 capture with recombinant carbonic anhydrase, Biofuel production from CO2 fixation by anaerobic bacteria, Optimization of microbial oil production from ethanol in Yarrowia lipolytica.
U (Spring), 15 Units
10.28 Chemical and Biological Engineering
The course integrates sustainability into the Chemical and Biological Engineering curriculum through various lab-based experiments and the Technical Analysis Paper (TAP) in the Communication Intensive (CI) program. Topics include algae-based hydrogen production, ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, biodiesel production through transesterification, and production of lignin-derived target molecules (muconate) using engineered Pseudomonas putida. Communication Intensive topics cover air-lift reactors, lifecycle analysis, hydrogen gas production, and pesticide and herbicides cleanup. Supported by a grant from MIT’s Energy Initiative, the course has achieved Level 3 Green Labs status and participated in several sustainability programs. A new Biocatalysis Module, launching in fall 2024, will focus on CO2 capture using recombinant carbonic anhydrase, blending biology, chemistry, and engineering to address climate impact.
10.490/492/493: Integrated Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering problems presented and analyzed in an industrial context. Emphasizes the integration of fundamentals with material property estimation, process control, product development, and computer simulation. Integration of societal issues, such as engineering ethics, environmental and safety considerations, and impact of technology on society are addressed in the context of case studies. 10.37 and 10.302 required for certain topic modules. See website for individual ICE-T module descriptions.
Prereq: 10.37, U (Fall, Spring), 9 Units
Electives
First-Year Advising Seminar Projects (10.A01 / 10.A02)
Students apply chemical engineering principles to develop sustainable solutions. In a water reuse project, they design a process to convert wastewater into high-quality water using various treatment operations. They also explore bio-electrochemical systems to harness microorganisms for generating electricity, cleaning water, and other applications. Additionally, inspired by the AIChE ChemE Car competition, students build batteries to power an electric car and use reaction kinetics to control its operation.
10.01: Ethics for Engineers – Engineering School-Wide Elective Subject
Explores how to be an ethical engineer. Students examine engineering case studies, including on issues of climate change and sustainability, alongside key readings by ethical thinkers from Aristotle to Martin Luther King, Jr. Discussion-based.
Offered under: 1.082, 2.900, 6.9320, 10.01, 16.676, 22.014; Subject meets with 6.9321, 20.005; Prereq: None, U (Fall, Spring), 2-0-4 units
10.426: Electrochemical Energy Systems
Introduces electrochemical energy systems from the perspective of thermodynamics, kinetics, and transport. Surveys analysis and design of electrochemical reactions and processes by integrating chemical engineering fundamentals with knowledge from diverse fields, including chemistry, electrical engineering, and materials science. Includes applications to fuel cells, electrolyzers, and batteries. Students taking graduate version complete additional assignments.
Subject meets with 10.626, Prereq: 10.302 or permission of instructor, U (Spring), 3-0-9 units
10.496: Design of Sustainable Polymer Systems
Capstone subject in which students are charged with redesigning consumable plastics to improve their recyclability and illustrate the potential future of plastic sourcing and management. Students engage with industry partners and waste handlers to delineate the design space and understand downstream limitations in waste treatment. Instruction includes principles of plastic design, polymer selection, cost estimation, prototyping, and the principles of sustainable material design. Students plan and propose routes to make enhanced plastic kits. Industry partners and course instructors select winning designs. Those students can elect to proceed to a semester of independent study in which prototype kits are fabricated (using polymer extrusion, cutting, 3D printing), potentially winning seed funds to translate ideas into real impacts. Preference to juniors and seniors in Courses 10, 1, and 2.
Same subject as 1.096[J]; Prereq: (10.213 and 10.301) or permission of instructor; U (IAP); 3-0-9 units
Faculty actively engaged in research related to environment and sustainability
Examples of sustainability-related student research projects
Lia Pascale Bu ’25, Brushett GroupUROP Project: Exploring Alkaline Platinum Electrodeposition on Glassy Carbon
Lia investigates platinum electrodeposition in alkaline conditions to improve energy storage using electrochemical technologies and renewable electricity.
Julia Casey ’26, Olsen Group
SuperUROP Project: Development of a Reaction-Transport Model for Biodegradation
Julia’s work in sustainable polymers uses the clear-zone assay method to assess and model the biodegradability of materials.
Lucas Ospina ’26, Strano Group
UROP Project: Plant Nanobionics for Carbon-Negative Methane Conversion
Lucas focuses on creating methanotrophic plants to sustainably convert methane into useful products, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Interdisciplinary/Extracurricular Opportunities
- MITei: UROP
MITei supports student energy research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). Students can choose to work for pay, credit, or as a volunteer. Funding covers up to 160 hours during the semester and IAP, and up to 400 hours in the summer. Take a look at the recent projects that ChemE students have been involved in.
- MIT Climate & Sustainability Consortium (MCSC)
The MCSC provides support for undergraduate research through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). This program offers students the chance to collaborate closely with our member companies, MIT faculty, and graduate students. UROPs are designed flexibly, allowing students to either contribute to existing research projects or explore their own ideas.
- MIT Solve – Climate Solution
Students can participate in the climate challenge and benefit from funding, nine months of tailored support, and become part of Solve’s network of social impact leaders. They will work on developing equitable tech solutions to address the climate crisis, focusing on both mitigation and adaptation.
- MISTI – International study abroad opportunities on climate and sustainability
MISTI students gain practical experience by collaborating with MIT’s international partners on projects such as sustainable cities and fog-harvesting technology, developing solutions for global environmental and climate challenges.
- MIT Energy and Climate Club
The Energy Club hosts three major events each year: the Energy Hackathon, Energy Night, and the MIT Energy Conference, the largest student-led energy conference in the U.S., drawing attendees from academia, industry, government, and the scientific community.
- Office of Sustainability
Start/Study/Solve – join clubs/events/volunteer/stay up to date!
Students get the opportunity to work on impactful sustainability projects at MIT and gain professional experience in institutional transformation. They hire undergraduates students to help shape the future of sustainability at MIT and beyond.
Student Led Organizations - For Hands-on Projects
- ChemE Cube
MIT ChemE Cube is a diverse team of undergraduates dedicated to tackling sustainability challenges through hands-on solutions. The team participates in the annual AIChE ChemE Cube competition, where they create a 1ft cube model showcasing their solution, along with an engineering design package, business pitch, and technical poster. - MIT Undergraduate Association: Sustainability
The MIT Undergraduate Association was founded in 1893, and now continues a 120+ year tradition of supporting students and improving their experience at MIT. The association promotes environmental awareness and inspiring community action through fostering green habits, driving policy reform, providing resources, and connecting environmental issues to global challenges. - Waste Watchers
Waste Watchers is a student-led initiative, and its goal is to transform MIT into a more sustainable campus by reducing waste contamination, educating the community on effective waste sorting, and using data to guide future purchasing. Waste Watchers will also support event planners with sustainability consulting, create leadership opportunities for students, and raise awareness about waste to build a culture of sustainability. - MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team (SEVT)
The student run team is dedicated to promoting clean energy and alternatively powered vehicles. Members participate in seminars, lectures, museum displays, conferences dedicated to alternative energy, and numerous Earth Day and ecological fairs. - BioMaker Space
Students have the chance to explore alternative and sustainable sources, gaining hands-on experience with various eco-friendly processes. For example, they can learn about methods for producing non-animal, bio-based leather and techniques for using cell-culture methods to create substitutes for traditional meat products.
Department Practice for a Better Future
Our department is dedicated to improving recycling efforts, including electronic waste management. Recycling is crucial to our research—from sustainable biofuels to chemicals—where materials contribute to waste. We actively seek innovative strategies and technologies to improve the sustainability of our lab processes and positively impact the community and environment.
Educational Initiatives
Course X students toured Casella Waste Systems in Boston, gaining insight into the challenges and opportunities within the recycling ecosystem. This ongoing experience inspires us to engage in sustainable practices both personally and in our research.
