Chemical and nuclear engineering are rapidly evolving fields that require an understanding
of physical processes and the ability to think creatively and apply problem-solving skills to
real-world problems.
The UNM Chemical Engineering program is at the forefront of nanomaterials research and a major player in biomedical engineering. Students can choose from a variety of areas of study, including process engineering, bioengineering, energy, materials or environmental engineering. The UNM Nuclear Engineering program, the only one in the southwest, has a 5-watt nuclear reactor for students to safely conduct experiments and prepare them for careers in the nuclear renaissance. Six research centers affiliated with the department offer opportunities for cutting edge research.
The Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department offers excellent opportunities for undergraduate research and internships at the national labs.
Students in the Partnership for Research and Education in Biomaterials (PREM) participate in biomaterials education and research programs with Harvard University and Albuquerque Public Schools.
More about the PREM competition:
A collaboration between Harvard University and UNM creates many new opportunities
The Center for Biomedical Engineering (CBME) website
Go to the Chemical Engineering undergraduate student web page
Go to the Nuclearl Engineering undergraduate student web page
| Program Advisement | Faculty Advisors |
Jocelyn White |
Abhaya Datye, PhD – Chemical Engineering Robert D. Busch, PhD – Nuclear Engineering |
Chemical Engineering offers a variety of research areas that include bioengineering, chemical processing, environmental engineering, materials process, and semiconductor manufacturing.
Nuclear Engineering research areas range from medical physics to radiation protection.
Here are examples of UNM Chemical and Nuclear Engineering research:
How do we impart life-like functions into man-made materials?
Jeff Brinker, Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Nuclear Engineering and member of the National Academy of Engineers, is internationally known for his work in advanced materials. He emulates biological designs with robust engineering materials, using
nanoscale self-assembly processes invented in his lab. His goal is that these nano particles will deliver drugs to fight any type of cancer. Read about the New Lab for Nano-Bio Breakthroughs
Go to the Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Department faculty page to learn more about research
Chemical engineers contribute technologies that span through a wide variety of industries that include semiconductors, petroleum, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and food. Chemical engineers are on the forefront of rapidly developing areas that include biotechnology and biomedicine, semiconductor manufacturing and data storage devices, and advanced materials with precisely-controlled microstructures. Chemical engineering is also widely applied to environmental protection and remediation, process safety, and hazardous waste management.
For more info on jobs in chemical engineering, visit:
Nuclear engineers' primary concerns with controlling, monitoring, and using energy released in nuclear processes provide contributions to biological, environmental, and medical fields. With the renewed concern in environmental science, nuclear engineers are working on safe disposal concepts for radioactive waste and on methods for reduction of radiation releases from industrial facilities. Nuclear engineers also work in developing a wide variety of applications for radioisotopes such as the treatment and diagnosis of diseases, food preservation, manufacturing development, processing and quality control, and biological and mechanical process tracers.
For more info on jobs in nuclear engineering, visit: