History
The Cain Department of Chemical Engineering developed from the Audubon Sugar School, which officially became part of the university in 1897. The first Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering was awarded in 1905 when the department was closely associated with the chemistry department. The graduate program was initiated around 1908 as a part of the sugar engineering program. In 1935, the first PhD awarded by the university was presented to Gipson Carter by the Department of Chemical Engineering. By 1938, when it was transferred to the College of Engineering, the program was already a thriving operation catering to the needs of the local chemical industry.
The department has a long history of stressing excellence in both instructional and research efforts. It was the first in the state, and among the first in the South, to be accredited by the Engineer's Council for Professional Development (ECPD). Initial ECPD accreditation of chemical engineering undergraduate programs was granted to LSU in 1939 shortly after national level accreditation of engineering programs began. View program accreditation information.
Historically, the department built its earliest reputation in sugar technology, which was—at that time—the major industry in the area. Later, emphasis was on unit operations, which formed the basis for the design of equipment in the rapidly expanding petrochemical industry of the state. In the 1960s, the department built strength in computerization and computer control of industrial processes, strengths that continue today. In addition, there is emphasis on pollution control and environmental processes, biochemical processes, materials science and materials processing, heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, electrochemical engineering, and other societal needs. The department views itself as flexible and adaptable rather than as locked into fixed specialties.
Noteworthy achievements of the department include:
- consistently among the top chemical engineering departments in the nation in sponsored research, graduate enrollment, and degrees conferred
- research activity currently involves 34 externally funded research projects (> $7.5 million)
- placement of more than 50 LSU graduates in faculty positions around the world (see LSU Chemical Engineering PhD graduates with teaching positions)
- four graduates of the department along with one professor emeritus have been elected Fellows of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers; two hold NSF CAREER awards
Etienne de Boré’s Sugar Kettle: A sweet chemical engineering story by Dr. Louis Thibodeaux (photos: Etienne de Boré, Sugar Mill at Burnside Plantation, Alma Plantation Sugar Mill, Sugar Kettle)
Centennial Celebration, October 24, 2008
Centennial History by Dr. Kerry Dooley
Chemical Engineering Department Development & History from 1893-1991