6 Easiest Chemical Engineering Courses 2026

Chemical engineering requires strong problem-solving skills and a solid understanding of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Even so, some courses in the major are more approachable and help students build confidence early in the program.

The easiest chemical engineering courses often introduce foundational ideas, provide structured support, and focus on conceptual understanding before moving into advanced technical material. Exploring these entry-level topics can help students feel more prepared for the challenges ahead.

What Makes a Chemical Engineering Degree “Easy”?

An easier path through chemical engineering usually comes from selecting programs or courses that break down complex ideas into manageable steps. The following factors can help students move through the curriculum more smoothly:

• starting with introductory or survey courses that simplify foundational concepts
• choosing programs that integrate math and science prerequisites directly into the degree plan
• taking advantage of online lectures or recorded sessions that allow for slower, repeated review
• enrolling in courses that use practical examples rather than abstract, theory-heavy instruction
• using tutoring centers, problem-solving labs, or peer study groups to reinforce difficult topics

What Are the Easiest Chemical Engineering Courses?

Each person has different strengths and weaknesses, so what one person finds easy another may find hard. That being said, some chemical engineering courses are considered generally easier than others.

1. Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Not all colleges and universities offer an introductory chemical engineering course, but many do. These courses are designed to lay the foundation for the rest of the chemical engineering major.

As it's an introductory course, the concepts are often broken down in ways that are easy to understand because it's not expected that you know a lot about chemical engineering yet. In this course, you'll likely cover foundational concepts like material and energy balances, matter and energy conservation, and the development of quantitative models for physical systems.

2. Material and Energy Balances

If your program does not have an introductory chemical engineering course, you may need to take a course on material and energy balances. This course may also be called something like mass and energy balances or chemical process principles.

Mass or material balance is an accounting of material entering and leaving a system. These types of courses cover material and energy balances for single-phase and multi-phase processes common to chemical engineering.

Your course may also cover things like phase equilibrium and analysis of reacting systems, as well as the development of mathematical models to describe chemical process dynamic behavior. However, if your program does have an introductory course, this type of course may not be included as this information is typically covered in chemical engineering introductory courses.

3. Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the study of the relations between heat, work, temperature, and energy. It's a key concept necessary for the study of chemical engineering.

Your thermodynamics course will likely go over the basic principles of thermodynamics, including:

• First and second laws of thermodynamics
• Equations of state
• Pressure, specific volume, and temperature (PVT) properties
• Properties of ideal and real fluids
• Power cycles and refrigeration
• Phase equilibria
• Fugacity and activity coefficients
• Multi-reaction equilibrium

Most chemical engineering programs have thermodynamics courses specifically for chemical engineering, which also discuss the way that the above principles apply to the field of chemical engineering.

4. Fluid Mechanics

Fluid mechanics is the study of fluid behavior, including liquids, gasses, blood, and plasmas, at rest and in motion. It's another core concept required for chemical engineering.

Courses in fluid mechanics are often offered for the sophomore or junior year, meaning you don't need extensive knowledge in the field to understand the topic. A fluid mechanics course should cover the basics of fluid mechanics, including:

• Continuum hypothesis
• Scalar and vector fields
• Fluid statics
• Non-Newtonian fluids
• Shell momentum balances
• Equations of motion
• Creeping and potential flow
• Parallel and nearly parallel flows
• Boundary layer theory and separation

Fluid mechanics courses within chemical engineering programs will often also cover things like the analysis and design of equipment using the above principles.

5. Heat and Mass Transfer

Heat and mass transfer is a subdomain of thermal engineering that focuses on the use, conversion, and exchange of thermal energy, or heat, between systems. A heat and mass transfer course should cover the fundamental principles and applications of heat and mass transfer as well as engineering analysis of mass contactors and heat exchangers.

These courses often build on the topics discussed in your fluid mechanics courses, so you'll likely need to take the fluid mechanics course first. Some programs incorporate heat and mass transfer into transport processes courses.

6. Transport Processes

Transport processes courses cover transport phenomena, the exchange of mass, energy, charge, momentum, and angular momentum between observed and studied systems. Your course may cover topics like:

• General diffusive transport
• Heat transport by conduction
• Fourier's law
• Advection-diffusion equations
• Forced convection
• Free convection
• Radiation
• Evaporation

As part of your chemical engineering program, this course should also highlight the engineering and scientific principles and physical models important to the data collection and interpretation of processes important to the practice of chemical engineering. Like with courses on heat and mass transfer, courses on transfer processes often build on information learned in fluid mechanics, so you'll likely need to take your fluid mechanics course first.

FAQs About the Easiest Chemical Engineering Degrees

Chemical engineering is a demanding field, but some parts of the curriculum are designed to ease students into the discipline. Here are answers to common questions about identifying and succeeding in easier chemical engineering courses.

Do You Need to Be Good at Math to Study Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering relies heavily on math, particularly calculus and differential equations. While this can feel intimidating, introductory courses often guide students step by step through the mathematical tools they’ll use later.

Many programs pair math prerequisites with academic support services, which helps students strengthen their skills before moving into upper-level engineering coursework. Consistent practice and early preparation make math requirements more manageable.

Are Introductory Engineering Courses Easier Than Upper-Level Ones?

Yes, introductory engineering classes are typically designed to help students build basic scientific and analytical skills. These courses focus on core principles rather than complex design problems or advanced modeling.

Upper-level classes become more specialized and require applying multiple concepts at once. Building a strong foundation early on can make these later courses feel less overwhelming.

How Can You Make Chemical Engineering Courses Less Challenging?

Planning ahead is key to succeeding in chemical engineering. Creating a study schedule, reviewing notes consistently, and practicing problem sets can help break down difficult material.

Students can also take advantage of office hours, tutoring labs, and online resources. Working with classmates on practice problems often improves understanding and builds confidence.

Explore Chemical Engineering Degrees

Explore flexible and accredited chemical engineering programs that match your goals and academic strengths. Learn.org can help you compare degree options and find courses that make starting your engineering journey more approachable.