Karen M. Swindler Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering

American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE)

Mission

We are the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Student Chapter of American Institute of Chemical Engineers. Our mission includes:

• Opportunities for networking with professionals and students
• Education outside the classroom
• Facilitate faculty and student interaction
• Increase campus and community awareness of chemical engineering

Meeting Information

Please check AIChE Facebook Page for the most up-to-date information regarding events and meetings.

Contact Information

If you would like to get in touch with the AIChE or attend our meetings, contact our AlChE chapter president at aiche@mines.sdsmt.edu.

For more information about AIChE, click here to visit the website.

Innovation Club for Engineers 

Mission

Our mission is to provide entrepreneurial resources and opportunities to students of the School of Mines as well as members of the community via weekly high-value meetings and semesterly conferences.

Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering  
SD Mines Campus - Chemistry and Chemical Engr Bldg
501 E. St. Joseph Street
Rapid City, SD 57701

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The bachelor of science program in chemical engineering is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of
ABET, Inc.
415 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: 410‐347‐7700
Fax: 443‐552‐3644
E‐mail: accreditation@abet.org
http://www.abet.org

BS Chemical Engineering Program Educational Objectives

Through the baccalaureate degree, students are prepared to become practicing chemical engineers ready to enter the workforce and make immediate contributions. The chemical engineering program produces graduates who can perform at a level that meets or exceeds industry expectations. Within a few years of their graduation, our graduates should have the characteristics described by the following program educational objectives.

1. Graduates apply fundamental and practical knowledge of unit operations, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, process control, and design of safe, economical, and sustainable chemical/biological processes.
2. Graduates are successfully employed and advancing in governmental and industrial positions requiring chemical engineering expertise.
3. Graduates are prepared to succeed in graduate and professional programs.

BS Chemical Engineering Program Student Outcomes

Through the baccalaureate degree, students are prepared to become practicing chemical engineers ready to enter the workforce and make immediate contributions. The chemical engineering program produces graduates who perform at a level that meets or exceeds industry expectations. Based on the program educational objectives, six program student outcomes were established. At the time of their graduation, our graduates have the characteristics described by the following program student outcomes.

1. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
2. An ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
3. An ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
4. An ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
5. An ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
6. An ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
7. An ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Find more information on student achievement, enrollment, retention and placement at South Dakota Mines.

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Through cooperative education (co-ops) and internships, School of Mines students have many opportunities to apply their education to "real world" work experiences. Students are employed by industry and government agencies in positions related to Chemical and Biological Engineering. Students may gain 1-3 hours of academic credit for their co-op or internship experience upon department approval. Students registered for co-op courses keep their full-time student status during the semester they are on co-op. All Mines students are encouraged to have relevant work or research experience prior to graduation. Co-ops are often 6-8 months (semester + summer). Internships are usually for the summer or part-time during the school year. However, the terms are used interchangeably by employers.

On average 75% of School of Mines graduates have relevant work
experience upon graduation.

The average co-op/intern salary for 2015-16 was $17.16/hr.

Some employers also provide housing allowances, bonuses,
and relocation expenses that are not reflected above. 

We strongly encourage students to seek out these opportunities. Students who spend two or more academic terms working for an industrial partner gain a better understanding of exactly what it's like to work as a chemical engineer in industry. Students often end up with permanent job offers from the companies they co-op with. Even if they decide not to work for the company they co-op with, co-op experience is a definite asset when students begin to interview for permanent jobs after graduation. For questions regarding co-op opportunities within the CBE department or program, please contact the co-op advisor, Dr. Kenneth Benjamin.

More Information

Co-op Information for ChEs

Co-op Report Format

Sample Employer Evaluation Form

Example Co-op Memo

Example Co-op Report

Contact

Dr. Kenneth Benjamin
(605) 394-2636
Kenneth.Benjamin@sdsmt.edu

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Karen M. Swindler (ChemE ’88) had more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry and was one of the only women in charge of manufacturing for an S&P Fortune 500 company, LyondellBasell.

She credited South Dakota Mines for giving her a practical education, enabling her success in life. She gave back to the university through volunteering: recruiting students; presenting to university classes and organizations, including as keynote speaker at the regional AIChE conference; serving on the Chemical Engineering Advisory Board; and serving on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, including a term as president from September 2017 until she passed away in July 2018.

A generous gift made by Lee Swindler and his family honors Karen’s memory as well as her contributions to the field of chemical engineering and South Dakota Mines.

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