Chemical & Materials Engineering

Transform Technology and Society

Welcome to the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering! We'll prepare you for a rewarding career in a broad and varied field. By the time you graduate, you'll have a thorough understanding of designing processes and materials for energy, biomedical and structural applications. Plus, you'll learn how to develop useful products such as food, medicine and fuels.

Chemical engineers are in demand in a many fields, including work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, food processing, business services, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others.

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Hands-On, Career-Ready Education in a Diverse Population

100% Student Participation in Undergraduate Research and Projects

$69,000 Starting Salary

46% Underrepresented Minorities and 32% Women2

1Figure from payscale.com 2022 data
2Figure from fall 2022 enrollment data

From Our Alumni

Mel Negussie

Cal Poly Pomona showed me that I wasn’t limited to the normal career trajectory of an engineer.

Mel Negussie ('87, CHE), COO & General Counsel, Ethio-American Doctors Group
Lynne Lachenmyer

"Cal Poly Pomona provided a practical, hands-on, team-based learning experience that I later realized mirrored the ExxonMobil workplace environment where I’ve spent my career."

Lynne Lachenmyer ('80, CHE), Former VP, ExxonMobil

Patti Wagner

"Cal Poly Pomona really provided me with such a great foundation to build a career that could support my family."

Patti Wagner ('84, CHE), Former Group President, Sempra Energy

Notice to Students: Professional Licensure and Certification

California State University programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the California State University and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The California State University has not determined whether its programs meet other states' educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a California State University program, they will meet their state's requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C). For more information, click here.