Learn more about various concentrations, explore the Curriculum adjust your Course Schedule to fit your time, know the required Tuition Fees, and understand the expected learning outcomes All the information you need to start your academic journey is here.
Curriculum
This course explores the fundamentals of philosophy and its implications for the development of scientific knowledge, with a focus on chemical engineering. Topics include the definition and branches of philosophy, characteristics of philosophical thinking, and the relationship between scientific reasoning and the philosophy of science. Students will examine key concepts such as truth, facts and reality, and various theories of truth (coherence, correspondence, and performative). The course also covers ontological, epistemological, and axiological aspects of science, as well as the historical development of the philosophy of science—from the pre-positivist era to post-positivism. In the final part, students will explore the connections between the philosophy of science and research methodology, including philosophical, qualitative, and naturalistic approaches.
This course is designed to provide doctoral students with a comprehensive understanding of both the philosophical and practical foundations of scientific research. Topics include the epistemology of science as a basis for critical thinking, formulation of research problems, focus, or variables, and classification of research by approach, function, and design. Students will explore the operational stages of research, data processing techniques, and methods of drawing conclusions. The course also guides students in designing a systematic research proposal and developing a dissertation proposal to be presented and academically reviewed.
This course provides an in-depth exploration of current developments and applications in oleochemical technology, particularly in the processing and utilization of vegetable oils and their derivatives. Topics include new oleochemical products and industrial oils, synthesis of cationic and amine-based surfactants, and the production of anionic surfactants. The course also covers lubricants and hydraulic fluids, biofuels derived from oils and vegetable oils, and oleochemical applications in surface coatings and inks. Students will learn analytical methods in oleochemistry and examine the environmental impacts of oleochemical production and usage. This course aims to broaden students' insights into sustainable research and innovation in the field of oleochemistry.
This course provides a comprehensive study of the principles and strategies for designing and developing chemical processes and products. Topics include overall process design and development, design of basic chemical products, industrial chemical product design, and configuration for consumer product design. Students will explore detailed design aspects such as precise equipment sizing, optimization techniques, and product quality analysis to ensure efficiency and reliability at industrial scale. The course is intended to equip students with the research skills and innovation mindset necessary for advancing sustainable chemical process and product development.
This course explores current issues in polymer science and technology, focusing on the economic, environmental, and social impacts of polymer production and usage. Topics include the environmental effects of plastics, sustainable approaches through the development of bioplastics and biocomposites, and innovations in the modification of latex and natural rubber products. Students will critically analyze the challenges and opportunities in advancing environmentally friendly polymer technologies and their applications across various industrial sectors.
This course provides an in-depth examination of the concept of environmental carrying capacity and the impacts of industrial and technological activities on the environment. It emphasizes comprehensive waste treatment strategies, including the design of facilities for the physical, chemical, and biological treatment of liquid waste, sludge treatment systems, and natural treatment approaches. The course also covers the sources, composition, and properties of solid waste; engineering principles in waste material separation, transformation, and recycling; and approaches for landfill restoration and rehabilitation. Students will explore solid waste management strategies, disposal methods, and site remediation techniques. The course is designed to equip students with advanced academic and practical skills in developing sustainable solutions for environmental management and industrial waste treatment.
This course offers a comprehensive study of the concepts, technologies, and policies related to renewable energy, with an emphasis on applications in Indonesia. Topics include an introduction to renewable energy, its benefits for national energy sustainability, and current renewable energy policies in Indonesia. Students will explore the interconnection between energy and the environment, global energy use and supply, and wind energy resources—covering theory, design, and applications. The course also focuses on biomass as an energy source, discussing types of biomass, energy content, harvesting methods, thermochemical conversion, and the production of biodiesel, bioethanol, and biogas (methane and hydrogen). Other areas of study include solar energy, geothermal energy, hydropower, as well as ocean and small-scale hydro energy systems.
This course equips students with principles and methodologies for designing environmentally sustainable chemical processes. Topics include an introduction to environmental issues and regulations, assessment of environmental risks and exposures, and the critical role of chemical engineers in environmental protection. Students will explore green chemistry concepts, pollution prevention in process design, and the application of pollution-reducing unit operations. Flowsheet analysis will be used to identify opportunities for pollution prevention and to evaluate the environmental performance of process systems. The course also includes environmental cost-benefit analysis, industrial ecology, and life cycle assessment (LCA) as comprehensive tools for evaluating process sustainability.
This course represents an academic assessment stage designed to evaluate students’ readiness to develop their doctoral dissertation. Students are required to prepare and present a clear, structured, and concise analysis of the background and context of the research problem, starting from general issues and narrowing down to the specific focus of their dissertation topic. The examination emphasizes the articulation of statements that define the research position within the broader scientific discourse in the relevant field. Students are expected to develop original ideas and provide strong conceptual support for their proposed study, presenting theoretical and empirical arguments to address the research problem critically and scientifically.
This course represents a critical stage in the dissertation preparation process, where students present their research proposal, consisting of Chapter I (Introduction), Chapter II (Theoretical Review), and Chapter III (Research Methodology). During the seminar, students are expected to clearly articulate the background, theoretical foundation, and research design of their dissertation. They must also respond to questions, critiques, and suggestions from seminar participants as part of the academic process to improve the content of the proposal and the research instruments being developed.
This course marks the initial phase of dissertation research, carried out independently by the student under the guidance of a supervisor. Students begin early-stage exploration of their research problem, which includes collecting preliminary data, testing methodologies, and identifying potential technical or scientific challenges. The course aims to establish a solid foundation for further research and systematic development of the doctoral dissertation.
This course is designed to train students in disseminating a portion of their initial research findings through international academic forums. Students are required to be the first author of the presented paper, with all academic supervisors listed as co-authors. This activity aims to enhance students’ scientific communication skills, expand their international academic network, and receive constructive feedback from the global research community to support the further development of their dissertation work.
This course is a continuation of independent dissertation research conducted by the student under the supervision of their academic advisor. At this stage, students build upon initial findings by deepening their research, focusing on data refinement, analysis, and validation of methods and results. The course aims to strengthen the scientific foundation of the dissertation and ensure steady progress toward making an original contribution to the field of chemical engineering.
This course is a continuation of the student’s research dissemination activities through international academic forums. Students are required to present a further portion of their research findings, with themselves listed as the first author and all academic supervisors as co-authors. The course aims to strengthen the student’s academic presence in the global scientific community, enhance international scientific communication skills, and obtain valuable feedback to improve the quality and direction of their dissertation research.
This course is designed to support students in publishing the results of their dissertation research in reputable international journals. Students are required to be the first author, with all academic supervisors listed as co-authors. The publication process involves writing a scientific article that meets international academic standards, selecting an appropriate journal, and responding to the peer-review process. This course serves as a measure of the student’s scientific contribution to the global research community and the validation of research quality.
This course is a critical step in the completion of the doctoral dissertation, where students present the results of their research in a systematic and scholarly manner. During the seminar, students are expected to respond to questions and receive feedback from participants as part of the academic process to refine and improve their dissertation. This activity also aims to broaden the students’ scientific insight and enhance their competence in scholarly communication within academic forums.
This course represents an advanced evaluation stage in the dissertation process, where students present their research findings after incorporating revisions from the Research Findings Seminar. In this examination, students must comprehensively defend their dissertation before an examination committee and respond to all questions, critiques, and suggestions provided. The course aims to refine the quality of the dissertation, deepen students’ scientific understanding of their research topic, and enhance their ability to communicate scholarly ideas in a professional and well-reasoned manner.
This course constitutes the final stage of the doctoral study process, in which the student presents the complete results of their dissertation research in a public forum. The presentation is attended by academic leaders at the program, faculty, and university levels, as well as by academic advisors, examiners, and invited guests. Students are expected to clearly and convincingly explain the substance of their dissertation in a scientific and structured manner, demonstrating advanced academic competence and scholarly communication skills. This examination signifies the student’s readiness to be awarded the doctoral degree in Chemical Engineering.
Tuition Fee
Learning Outcomes
Through a quality learning process and teaching staff who are experts in their fields, graduates of the Doctoral Program in Chemical Engineering at USU are expected to meet the intended learning outcomes that have been set, which are:
| Learning Outcomes | |
| 1 | Able to design and formulate research encompassing the identification, formulation, and analysis of engineering problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products in the fields of Oleochemical Technology, Waste Treatment, Polymer Technology, and Environmentally Conscious Renewable Energy |
| 2 | Able to formulate alternative solutions to solve engineering problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products by considering economic, public health and safety, cultural, social, and environmental factors in the fields of Oleochemical Technology, Polymer Technology, Waste Treatment, and Renewable Energy |
| 3 | Able to discover and develop new processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products using an analytical approach and taking into account technical standards, performance aspects, reliability, ease of implementation, sustainability, as well as economic, public health and safety, cultural, social, and environmental considerations in the fields of Oleochemical Technology, Polymer Technology, Waste Treatment, and Renewable Energy |
| 4 | Able to advance fundamental chemical engineering knowledge to solve problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products |
| 5 | Able to formulate alternative solutions to address engineering problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products by considering economic, public health and safety, cultural, and social factors with environmental awareness |
| 6 | Able to discover and develop new processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products through analytical approaches and by considering technical standards, performance aspects, reliability, ease of implementation, and sustainability, while taking into account economic, public health and safety, cultural, and social factors with environmental awareness |
| 7 | Able to identify problem sources and provide solutions to engineering challenges in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products through investigation, data analysis, and interpretation based on engineering principles |
| 8 | Able to formulate alternative solutions to address engineering problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products by considering economic, public health and safety, cultural, social, and environmental factors |
| 9 | Able to select resources and utilize appropriate information technology and computational-based engineering design and analysis tools to carry out engineering activities in processes, processing systems, and equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products |
| 10 | Able to formulate alternative solutions to solve engineering problems in processes, processing systems, and process equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products by considering economic, public health and safety, cultural, social, and environmental factors in the fields of Oleochemical Technology, Polymer Technology, Waste Treatment, and Renewable Energy |
| 11 | Able to select resources and utilize appropriate information technology and computational-based engineering design and analysis tools to carry out engineering activities in processes, processing systems, and equipment required to convert raw materials into value-added products |