De La Salle University - Manila

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (CHE)

The Bachelor of Science degree program in Chemical Engineering is one of the oldest fields in engineering and has been offered by De La Salle University continuously for almost half a century. This was established in 1947 along with three other traditional engineering fields namely, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, in line with the government’s drive towards economic and industrial development of the Philippines.

With the current and future growth of the chemical industry, well-trained Chemical Engineers will be in great demand. The Department of Chemical Engineering is greatly concerned with this national problem and has geared itself to offer better and more advanced educational standards.

The Chemical Engineering curriculum aims to develop knowledge and skills that will prepare students for leadership in the practice of the chemical engineering profession. Besides providing a firm foundation in the basic engineering and physical sciences, with non-technical courses in arts and management, the program trains students for further specialization in dynamic chemical engineering sub-areas such as: Industrial Process Control, Environmental Engineering, Biotechnology, Energy Engineering, and Corrosion Engineering.

Quantitative Analytical Chemistry for Chemical Engineers (ANALCHE, ANNALAB)
3 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Principles and analytical methods in quantitative chemistry to demonstrate the systematic and logical approaches in solving analytical chemistry problems using quantitative analysis. Topics include acid-base titration, precipitimetry, gravimetry, compleximetry, oxidation-reduction, and electroanalytical and optical methods. The laboratory course includes experiments on analysis of prepared samples by acid-base titration, oxidation-reduction, gravimetry, precipitimetry and spectrophotometry.

Chemical Engineering Mathematics (CHEMATH)
3 units
A continuation of differential equations. It deals with advanced engineering mathematics and its applications in solving different chemical engineering problems and design calculations. Topics covered include: (a) solutions to systems of linear differential equations, (b) solving differential equations using Fourier Series, Power Series, Bessel Functions and Legendre Functions, (c) solving partial differential equations, (d) applications to elementary chemical engineering problems in heat transfer, reaction kinetics, mixing and diffusion.
Pre-requisite: Differential Equations

Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemical Engineers (CHENOR1)
3 units
Organic compounds and its chemical and physical properties including the nomenclature and structures. Topics include the chemical and physical properties, preparations and reactivity of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, alcohols, enters, amines, aldehydes and ketones, thiokols and thioethers. The reaction mechanism, structure and geometric isomerism of these compounds are also studied.
Pre-requisite: Quantitative Analytical Chemistry for Chemical Engineers

Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemical Engineers (CHENOR2, ORGALAB)
3 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Organic acids and biochemical compounds such carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids. Also included is bioenergetics, the free energy calculations of high energy compounds, reaction coupling and the metabolic processes. The accompanying laboratory course include experiments on recrystallization, melting and boiling point determination, separation of liquid mixture by distillation, separation by extraction, chromatography, alcohols and phenols, aldehydes and ketones, organic acids and its derivatives, and amines, culminating in the identification of an unknown organic sample.
Pre-requisite: Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemical Engineers

Biochemical Engineering (BIOCHEN)
3 units
Fundamentals of biochemical engineering and its industrial applications such as processing of biological materials. Basics in microbiology, applied biochemistry, processing of biological agents such as cells, enzymes or antibodies which are the central domain of biochemical engineering. Industrial applications include fermentation, production of drugs, bioprocess design and optimization.
Pre-requisite: Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemical Engineers

Industrial Waste Control and Management (WASTCON)
2 units
Introduction to the air, water and land pollution control and treatment; awareness of the various policies and regulations and classification standards; economic considerations and general design of treatment units.
Pre-requisite: Biochemical Engineering

Machine Tool Processes and Practice 1 (MACHEN1)
1 unit
Theory and operation of machine tools. Hands-on exercises using hand tools, drill press, center lathe, shaper and grinding machine.

Physical Principles I (PRINONE, PYLAONE)
3 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Applications of thermodynamics fundamentals to physical chemistry which covers physical properties of pure substances and solutions in a laboratory setting. Topics covered in this course are: (1) physical properties of solutions of non-volatile and non-electrolyte solutes, (b) solutions of electrolytes, (c) polarimetry, (d) effects of ionization, and (e) calculations of viscosity, surface tension and heat of solution. The laboratory experiments involve the determination of physical properties of pure substances and some mixtures of liquids. Experiments include separation and purification of completely immiscible systems (i.e., by steam distillation), determination of refractive index and molar refraction of solutions, determination of molecular weight of gases by diffusion and other methods.
Pre-requisite: Thermodynamics

Physical Principles 2 (PRINTWO, PYLATWO)
3 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Ideal and non-ideal systems of variable compositions. Emphasis is given on the evaluation of the difference in thermodynamic property of the system at the ideal and actual state (i.e., excess and residual properties), phase equilibria and chemical-reaction equilibria. Applications include phase separation, (i.e., bubble- and dew-point calculation), gas absorption and heat of dilution. This includes experiments in the determination of physical properties of pure substances and solutions such as surface tension, viscosity, optical rotation, solute adsorption and solubility. Electrical methods for the evaluation of electrolytes such as the determination of transference number and conductivity are also included.
Pre-requisite: Physical Principles 1

Reaction Kinetics (REACKIN)
3 units
Fundamentals of chemical kinetics and their mathematical representation and the analysis and design of batch, semi-batch and continuously stirred tank reactors as well as tubular reactors. Also includes a description of non-isothermal and non-homogeneous systems; heterogeneous catalytic reactions and the related reactors.
Pre-requisite: Physical Principles II

Chemical Engineering Calculations I (CHENCAL)
3 units
Introductory subject to chemical engineering. It teaches the students the basic principles in chemical engineering calculations and lays the foundations of chemical engineering principles. Topics include material and energy balances in an equipment that may or may not involve chemical reactions.
Pre-requisite: Thermodynamics

Chemical Engineering Calculation 2 with Industrial Processes (CHINPRO, CHEINLA)
3 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Continuation of Chemical Engineering Calculations I. It covers the study of chemical engineering calculations on combustion of fuels. Furthermore, material and energy balance calculations in various manufacturing processes including metallurgical and petrochemical processes are taken. The laboratory course introduces the student to a more rigid application of chemical processes as simulated in the laboratory. The course includes visits to different industrial plants to enhance the students' perception of the industrial world.
Pre-requisite: Chemical Engineering Calculations I

Chemical Engineering Computer Applications (CHECOMP)
2 units
Use of different numerical methods and techniques to solve mathematical equations that are commonly encountered in chemical engineering calculations. This is divided into one hour lecture and one hour use of computer. The lectures discuss the different numerical methods and its algorithm. The computer hour is used to develop and check students’ programs. Examples are solving chemical equilibrium equations and cubic equation of state problems by Newton-Rapson Method or Regula Falsi; thermodynamic problems, such as finding work done to/by a system given the volumetric equation of the fluid which can be solved by Simpson’s Method of numerical integration, etc.
Pre-requisite: Engineering Computer

Chemical Engineering Computer Aided Graphics and Design (CHENGRA)
2 units
Introduction to computer graphics and computer-aided design (CAD) methodologies, computer-aided engineering techniques, e.g. Finite-Element Methods, and computer simulation.
Pre-requisite: Chemical Engineering Computer Applications

Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (CHENTHE)
3 units
Fundamentals of thermodynamic analysis of real processes and systems. It deals with the different power cycles such as Carnot, Otto and Diesel. Also included are the importance of the second law and thermal efficiency in evaluating the feasibility of cycles and processes, calculation of available work, and evaluation of flow processes.
Pre-requisite: Thermodynamics

Engineering Thermodynamics Laboratory (ENTHELA)
1 unit
An introduction to the practical applications of the basic laws of thermodynamics, performance tests of power plants and engines; refrigeration system; analyses of fuels; material testing, test codes.
Pre-requisite: Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Unit Operations Laboratory 1 (UNITLAB)
1 unit
A laboratory course to investigate various theories encountered in momentum transfer, heat transfer and evaporation to give the student an opportunity to apply the theories presented in the classroom; to familiarize with the construction and the techniques of operating instruments and equipment; to learn a logical method of approach to experimental work; to gain experience in collating data, presenting computations, analyzing, interpreting results and preparing reports consistent with chemical engineering practice.
Pre-requisite: Engineering Thermodynamics Laboratory

Unit Operation Laboratory II (UNITOLA)
1 unit
A continuation of Unit Operations Laboratory I which covers mainly laboratory experiments in mass transfer operations such as diffusion, distillation, humidification, drying, etc. Other experiments not covered in Unit Operations Laboratory I are included such as mixing and agitation, heat transfer in jacketed and agitated vessels, filtration using a plate and frame filter press and experiments in process control and reaction kinetics using a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR).
Pre-requisite: Unit Operations Laboratory I

Momentum Transfer (MOMETRA)
3 units
An examination of fluid statics and fluid flow in conduits, transportation and metering of fluids, mixing and separation, including liquid-solid systems such as filtration, sedimentation and centrifugation.
Pre-requisite: Chemical Engineering Mathematics

Heat Transfer (HEATTRA)
3 units
A study of heat conduction through solids, natural and forced convection, laminar and turbulent flow, heat transfer coefficient; boiling and condensation; radiation; combined heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation; evaporation and crystallization as applied to equipment design.
Pre-requisite: Momentum Transfer

Mass Transfer Operations (MASSTRA)
3 units
Separation processes involving mass transfer operations with phases in continuous contact before equilibrium conditions. The study deals on diffusional mass transfer operations; including gas absorption; humidification, drying; and adsorption.
Pre-requisite: Heat Transfer

Materials Engineering (MATENGG)
2 units
Study of principal properties, uses and limitations of the important engineering materials. It includes methods of material selection, corrosion, and heat treatment.
Pre-requisite: Strength of Materials

Mass Transfer Operations 2 (EQUILOP)
3 units
An introduction to the concept of stagewise mass transfer operation like distillation, liquid-liquid extraction and solid-liquid extraction. The primary objective is to provide logical step-by-step analysis of separation processes involving mass transfer operations via discrete units or stages.
Pre-requisite: Mass Transfer Operations

Process Equipment and Plant Design (PROCDES)
3 units
An introduction to the principles, criteria and general methods dealing with optimum economic and operation designs; pilot studies and scale-up; equipment selection and purchase; overall process plant evaluation.
Pre-requisite: Mass Transfer Operations 2

Electronics and Instrumentation for Chemical Engineers (ELINCHE, ELINLAB)
2 units lecture; 1 unit laboratory
Instrumentation science and technology and an introduction to control systems. Instrumentation science deals with systems performances, transducers, signal conditioning and recording and display equipment. Instrumentation technology deals with displacement, strain and pressure measurements. The laboratory course gives the students the opportunity to use and test electronic-based instruments and measuring devices, and other digital systems used in industry.
Pre-requisite: Electrical Circuits I

Computer Control of Chemical Engineering Processes (CONCHEP)
3 units
An advance course in control systems covering the design of control systems using frequency response, controller tuning and optimization, introduction to process identification, and theoretical analysis of complex process.
Pre-requisite: Feedback and Control System

Feedback Control System (CONTSYS)
3 units
Fundamentals of control system applied in chemical engineering processes. Includes discussions on the different process variables, controllers, final control elements, system response analysis, introduction to process control modeling and physical examples of control systems.
Pre-requisite: Electronics and Instrumentation for Chemical Engineers

Process Instrumentation and Control Laboratory (PROCOLA)
1 unit
A laboratory course in process instrumentation and control in industrial applications. Experiments include instrumentation for level, temperature and flow controls. Tests are conducted in both simple and cascade processes using demonstration panels equipped with pneumatic transmitters, controllers and recorders.
Pre-requisite: Computer Control of Chemical Engineering Process

Chemical Engineering Seminars (CHESAET)
2 units
A series of seminars on selected topics which are highly relevant to chemical engineering but are not covered in any of the other formal courses, including recent advances in chemical engineering.

Special Topics in Chemical Engineering (SPECHEN)
2 units
Topics in Unit Operations covering mass, momentum and heat transfer courses. Also include absorption, size reduction, agitation and mixing, screening, crystallization, etc. and other special topics on recent developments in unit operations and chemical engineering that are important in the process industries.