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The Department of Chemical Engineering was established in the early 1950s with the four-year Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program as its first offering. The then Bureau of Private Schools granted official recognition of the program after the first student cohorts graduated in 1956. In 2001, the department offered the Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, which was developed with assistance from the Kluyver Laboratory for Biotechnology of Technische Universiteit Delft (TU Delft) through funding from the Netherlands Joint Financing Program in Higher Education (NUFFIC). Three years later, the Master of Engineering major in Chemical Engineering program commenced.
The department’s B.S. Ch.E. program earned recognition from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as Center of Development (COD) in 1998 and 2006, and as Center of Excellence in 2016. It was also accredited by the Philippine Technological Council (PTC) after it implemented Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) as a continuous quality improvement framework consistent with Washington Accord standards. This is in addition to the Level II accreditation from the Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines obtained through the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) evaluation. The department excelled with 100% passing in the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) chemical engineer licensure examination for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2022. Furthermore, the department has consistently ranked among the top-performing schools in the licensure examination over the past four years, achieving 4th place (October 2022), 5th place (May 2023), 3rd place (October 2023), 4th place (October 2024), and most recently 4th place in November 2025.
Students in the department mainly come from Cebu and the neighboring provinces of Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Leyte, as well as some provinces in Mindanao. Undergraduate enrollment has been stable at around 250 to 300 students every semester since 2000. Chemical engineering faculty members and students pursue research that contributes to the attainment of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals.
Around half of USC chemical engineering graduates are employed in the manufacturing industries in the Philippines and overseas, where they are involved in process engineering, plant and production management, product research and development, quality assurance, pollution control, safety management, and technical sales. Others work as design and patent engineers in design firms and as environmental management specialists in government institutions. Approximately 20% pursue graduate studies within three years after graduation and eventually work in higher education and research institutions.
Employers of our recent graduates include DASH Engineering, Fluor Daniel, Lexmark Research and Development, Kerry Food Ingredients, Shemberg, Universal Robina, Nestlé, P&G, San Miguel Brewery, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Virginia Food, Manila Water, Petron, Shell, JG Summit Olefins Corporation, Treasure Island Industrial Corporation, PASAR, Philippine Phosphate Fertilizer, Atlas Fertilizer, Mabuhay Vinyl, Taiyo Yuden, ON Semiconductor, Lear Corporation, KEPCO SPC Power, Aboitiz Power, and DENR–Environmental Management Bureau.
Research themes
The department’s research activities are organized under the Bio+ framework, which encompasses three interrelated areas of scientific and technological research. Together, these themes integrate biological resources, chemical engineering principles, and sustainable technologies toward the development of value-added products, efficient separation processes, and environmentally responsible treatment systems.
Bio-conversion
Bio-conversion focuses on the science and engineering of fermentation, enzymatic, and related bioconversion processes for transforming bio-based feedstocks into high-value products. Research in this area includes the utilization and valorization of agricultural biomass and agro-industrial residues, optimization of fermentation and enzymatic processes, and the production of biofuels, commodity chemicals, bioactive compounds, and other value-added products.
Bio-separation
Bio-separation focuses on downstream processing and separation technologies for products derived from biological and agricultural resources. Research encompasses the recovery, purification, concentration, and characterization of fermentation products and other high-value compounds, including bioactive substances and materials obtained from agricultural and agro-industrial resources. The theme also covers the development and optimization of separation processes for improving product yield, quality, and resource efficiency.
Bio-treatment
Bio-treatment focuses on the science and engineering of waste treatment using biological and biologically assisted processes. Research addresses environmental issues associated with industrial and municipal wastes, including wastewater, solid waste, and other waste streams. Activities include the development and evaluation of sustainable treatment technologies, biological processes for waste reduction and resource recovery, and utilization of environmentally sourced materials for treatment applications.
Together, the Bio+ research themes provide an integrated framework connecting biomass and biological resources, process development, product recovery, and environmental sustainability.
Facilities and equipment
Facilities
Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories. The Department of Chemical Engineering is equipped with research laboratories that provide a dedicated environment for scientific inquiry, experimentation, and innovation. These facilities support faculty and student research across various areas of Chemical Engineering, enabling the application of theoretical knowledge through hands-on experimentation and data-driven analysis. The laboratories also foster collaborative research, interdisciplinary engagement, and the development of technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills essential to professional Chemical Engineering practice.
Analytical Laboratory. The Chemical Engineering Analytical Laboratory provides a dedicated environment for hands-on learning and practical training in chemical analysis and measurement. Equipped to support a range of analytical activities, the laboratory enables students to apply fundamental principles of chemistry and Chemical Engineering through sample preparation, instrumental analysis, data collection, and interpretation. It also supports faculty and student research by providing opportunities for quantitative analysis, experimental validation, and evidence-based investigation.
Unit Operations Laboratory. The Chemical Engineering Unit Operations Laboratory provides a hands-on environment where students apply fundamental principles of Chemical Engineering to actual process operations. Through experiments involving distillation, evaporation, and other unit operations, students gain practical experience in operating process equipment, monitoring process variables, collecting and analyzing experimental data, and evaluating process performance. The laboratory bridges theoretical concepts with practical engineering applications while developing students’ skills in experimentation, troubleshooting, data analysis, and process evaluation.
Physical Chemistry Laboratory. The Chemical Engineering Physical Chemistry Laboratory provides a hands-on learning environment for applying fundamental principles of physical chemistry through environment for applying fundamental principles of physical chemistry through experimentation and quantitative analysis. Laboratory activities allow students to investigate chemical and physical phenomena, interpret experimental data, and relate theoretical concepts to practical Chemical Engineering applications. The facility supports the development of students’ experimental, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Smart Classrooms. The Department of Chemical Engineering is equipped with two smart classrooms, namely the Victor S. Gaisano and Sally G. Gaisano Smart Classroom and the Dean Elsa P. Roska Smart Classroom. These facilities provide flexible, technology-enhanced learning environments that support student-centered instruction and collaborative learning. Through group activities, problem-solving sessions, presentations, and interactive discussions, the smart classrooms facilitate active student participation and the development of communication, teamwork, and analytical skills essential to Chemical Engineering practice.
Shimadzu High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System
Shimadzu TOC-L Total Organic Carbon Analyzer
Shimadzu UV-1900i UV-visible spectrophotometer
StellarNet Ramulaser Raman Spectrometer
Student life
Student life in the Department of Chemical Engineering extends beyond the classroom, providing students with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, professional skills, and meaningful connections with their peers. Through student governance, co-curricular and extracurricular organizations, collaborative academic activities, and professional engagements, students are encouraged to participate actively in the life of the Department and the wider engineering community.
Student governance
The USC Chemical Engineering Council is the officially recognized co-curricular student organization that represents and promotes the welfare of the Chemical Engineering student body. The Council provides a platform for students to participate in departmental activities, voice their concerns, and contribute to initiatives that foster a stronger and more engaged student community.
The Council organizes various activities throughout the academic year, including the freshmen assembly, acquaintance party, Christmas celebration, and the annual National Chemical Engineering Week celebrations. It also has representation in the Collegiate Engineering Council, providing Chemical Engineering students with a voice in broader college-level student activities and initiatives. The Council officers likewise serve as USC student representatives to the Junior Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (JPIChE)–Cebu Chapter, providing opportunities for students to engage with the professional Chemical Engineering community.
Extracurricular organizations
Students may further enrich their university experience through participation in Chemical Engineering student organizations. The USC Chemical Engineering Society (CHES), founded in 1957, and the USC Chemical Engineering Club (ChEC), founded in 1993, provide opportunities for students to develop leadership, organizational, interpersonal, and professional skills outside the formal classroom setting.
Through these organizations, students can participate in activities that promote fellowship, professional development, community involvement, and appreciation of the Chemical Engineering profession.
Collaborative student activities
Beyond formal student organizations, Chemical Engineering students regularly engage in collaborative academic and project-based activities. Working in groups allows students to exchange ideas, divide responsibilities, solve problems collectively, and apply their classroom knowledge to practical situations. These activities may include laboratory work, design and research projects, technical presentations, case studies, and other hands-on learning experiences.
Collaborative activities provide students with opportunities to learn from one another while developing important skills in communication, teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving. They also create opportunities for students from different year levels to interact and support one another in their academic and professional development.
Professional and community engagement
Student activities also provide avenues for engagement beyond the Department. Through participation in professional organizations, engineering activities, outreach initiatives, competitions, and other academic and community-oriented events, students are given opportunities to connect their Chemical Engineering education with broader professional and societal contexts.
These experiences complement formal instruction by encouraging students to become active members of the Chemical Engineering community and to appreciate the role of the profession in addressing industrial, environmental, and societal needs.
