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Paper & Chemical Engineering
School of Engineering & Applied Science

Current Course List

 

PSE 101 - Introduction to Paper Science and Engineering (2)
(first semester only)
Introduction to raw materials, processes, and products associated with paper industry, with special emphasis on scientific and engineering principles involved.

PSE 102 - Paper Properties (1)
(second semester only)
Overview of the basic properties of paper and their relationship to its end uses.

PSE 104 - Paper Testing (1)
(second semester only)
Test Methods used to evaluate properties of paper.

PSE 144 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering (3)
(second semester only)
Introduces concepts of environmental engineering, including quantitative problem solving, mass balances, professional ethics, solid and hazardous waste, water supply and treatment, and air pollution and control.May include lectures by practicing environmental professionals and field trips.
Prerequisite: None.
Co-requisite: CHM 137 or 141 and MTH 151 or 153.
* Cross-listed with IES 144.

PSE 203 - Papermaking Laboratory (1)
(first semester only)
Preparation of handsheets and design of handsheet experiments; paper testing methods; elementary experimental design considerations. Special emphasis on preparation of industrial-type laboratory reports.
Prerequisite: PSE 101, 102 and 104.

PSE 204 - Materials and Energy Balance (3)
(first and second semester)
Techniques used to calculate material and energy balances with special emphasis on paper industry applications.
Prerequisite: grade of C- of better in CHM 141, 142 and MTH 151, 251.
Co-requisite: PHY 181.

PSE 301 - Pulping (3)
(second semester only)
Detailed discussion of mechanical and chemical pulping processes and chemical and engineering principles involved.
Prerequisite: PSE 323.

PSE 311 - Unit Operations Laboratory I (2)
(first semester only)
Laboratory course; students conduct experiments and do computer simulations in the areas of material and energy balances and fluid dynamics.Emphasizes acquisition of knowledge about instrumentations commonly used in paper industry. Both oral and written laboratory reports required.
Prerequisites: STA 368, and a grade of C- or better in PSE 204.
Corequisite: PSE/EGR 313.

PSE 312 - Unit Operations Laboratory II (2)
(second semester only)
Laboratory course consisting of experiments and computer simulations in areas of advanced materials and energy balances, heat transfer, pulping, and paper coating. Emphasis on the process control practices of paper industry. Both written and oral laboratory reports required.
Prerequisites: a grade of C- or better in PSE 313 and credit for PSE 203 and STA 368.
Corequisite: PSE 301, 403.

PSE 313 - Fluid Mechanics (3)
(first and second semester only)
Introduction to unit operations as applied to paper industry with emphasis on fluid mechanics.
Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in MTH 251, PHY 182, and PSE 204.
* Cross-listed with EGR 313.

PSE 314 - Engineering Thermodynamics (3)
(first and second semester)
Study of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics. Emphasis placed on engineering applications such as power cycles, refrigeration, and heat transfer systems.
Prerequisite: MTH 251, PHY 182.
* Cross-listed with EGR 314

PSE 320 - Professional Practice (0)
(first, second, and summer semester)
Students participating in paper science and engineering co-op program register for this course during semesters when they are away from Oxford on work assignment. This enables students to remain in good standing with the University Registrar.

PSE 323 - Wood Chemistry (3)
(second semester only)
Study of the chemistry of wood and its relationship to pulping. Special emphasis placed on structure-function relationships of polysaccharides.
Prerequisite: grade of C- or better in CHM 231.

PSE 341 - Engineering Economics (3)
(first and second semester)
Engineering economics decisions; breakeven and minimum cost analysis; engineering methods of resource allocation; concepts of interest; time evaluations of tactical and strategic alternatives.
Prerequisite: ECO 201, MTH 151.
Corequisite: STA 368.
* Cross-listed with EGR 341.

PSE 403/503 - Heat Transfer (3)
(second semester only)
Continued study of unit operations with emphasis on heat transfer. Study of steady and unsteady conduction, and laminar, turbulent, boiling, and condensing convective heat transfer. Radiation heat transfer, heat exchangers, evaporators, and transfer units.
Prerequisite: grade of C- in PSE/EGR 313, MTH 245, PSE/EGR 314.

PSE 404 - Papermaking (3)
(first semester only)
Papermaking process with emphasis on chemical engineering principles involved.
Prerequisite: grade of C- of better in PSE 313, Credit for PSE 203 and PSE 311.
Co-requisite: PSE341.

PSE 405/505 - Industrial Environmental Control (3)
(first semester only)
Survey of environmental issues facing pulp and paper industry and how the industry addresses these issues. In-plant pollution abatement alternatives discussed as well as external treatment. Computer-based modeling applications introduced and applied to problems. Design considerations involved in selecting among alternative pollution control strategies are presented and applied to examples.
Prerequisite: PSE 311

PSE 411 - Advanced Paper Manufacturing (3)
(second semester only)
Provides students with the opportunity to synthesize their accumulated knowledge and skills in paper science, paper engineering, economics, statistical methods, environmental technology, writing, and teamwork fundamentals. Student teams determine the raw materials and processing conditions required to produce paper that matches a sample of "unknown paper". They develop strategies for monitoring and improving team effectiveness continuously. They carry out the engineering, environmental impact, and economic analyses required for a major paper mill capital project. An, they learn how to apply high ethical standards to such projects.
Prerequisite: senior standing in paper science and engineering or engineering management, or by permission of the instructor.

PSE 414/514 - Mass Transfer (3)
(first semester only)
Continued study of unit operations, with emphasis on mass transfer and special problems. Steady and unsteady diffusion, convective mass transfer, absorption, scrubbing and stripping. Humidification, psychometry, and drying. Multiple effect evaporators, cooling towers, packed towers, screening, showering, and pump sizing.
Prerequisite: grade of C- of better in PSE 403 and PSE/EGR 341.

PSE 425/525 - Surface and Colloid Science of Papermaking (3)
(second semester only)
Covers basic concepts associated with papermaking process and properties of paper. Includes descriptions of basic colloid properties of fibers, fines, and other papermaking materials.
Prerequisites: grade of C- or better in CHM 231

PSE 440/540 - Solid and Hazardous Waste Management (3)
(second semester only)
Status of solid and hazardous waste problems in the U.S. reviewed. Engineering solutions to problems are presented and reviewed in light of economic and social circumstances.
Prerequisite: PSE/EGR 341 and grade of C- or better in CHM 142.
Offered Infrequently.

PSE 441/541 - Pollution Prevention in Environmental Management (3)
(second semester only)
Provides understanding of how corporations respond to governmental regulation by setting up environmental management systems, which employ the principles of pollution prevention. Engineering concepts such as material balances, energy balances, risk assessment, and life cycle assessment have impacted new process designs. In this course a basis for evolution and maturation of pollution prevention as a fundamental methodology to ensure compliance and economic sustainability of industrial processes will be provided. The understanding of the concepts of pollution will be demonstrated by participation in a class project sponsored by industry at one of their facilities.
Prerequisites: BOT 131 or ZOO 121; CHM 142; PSE 204 and Junior Standing.
Corequisite: PSE/EGR 341 is recommended.

PSE 450/550 - Special Topics (1-5; maximum 20)
(first semester only)

PSE 461/561 - Coating Technology (3)
(first semester only)
Methods used in coating paper and properties of coating formulation.
Prerequisite: PSE 203, 313.

PSE 471, 472 - Engineering Design I, II (2, 2)
(first and second semester)
Involves application and synthesis of accumulated knowledge in a major, open-ended, industrial research/design project. Critical elements of the design process and real world constraints (environmental impact, economical and social factors, marketability, ergonomics, safety, aesthetics, and ethics) are considered. Emphasis is placed on oral and written communication skills. Students from different academic backgrounds are assigned to multidisciplinary project teams in order to utilize their varied experiences, knowledge, learning styles, and skills to achieve a successful conclusion to each project.
Prerequisite: senior standing or permission of instructor.

PSE 482/582 - Process Control (3)
(second semester)
Study of system dynamics and control schemes used for continuous processes. Block diagrams, steady state and dynamic response, Laplace transforms, computer simulations and closed loop control. Stability, tuning, controller synthesis.
Prerequisite: PSE 312 and grade of C- or better in PSE/EGR 313, 314, and MTH 245.

PSE 600 - Graduate Seminar in Pulp and Paper (1; maximum 6)
(first, second and summer (1,3) semester)
Required of all Paper Science and Engineering graduate students in residence. Student preparation and presentation of lectures on scientific and engineering topics related to thesis research areas.
Prerequisite: graduate standing.

PSE 610 - Process Analysis (3)
(first and second semester)
Study of the methods used in carrying out material and energy balance calculations with special emphasis techniques.
Prerequisite: graduate standing

PSE 613 - Fluid Mechanics (3)
(first and second semester)
Introduction to unit operations as applied to paper industry with emphasis on fluid mechanics. Designed for graduate student with non-engineering background.
Prerequisite: graduate standing.

PSE 620 - Papermaking (1-4)
(first semester only)
Study of papermaking process with emphasis on chemical and engineering principles involved. Students expected to study pertinent technical literature in addition to completing class assignments.
Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of chair.

PSE 630 - Pulping (1-4)
(second semester only)
Study of mechanical and chemical pulping processes with emphasis on chemical and engineering principles involved.
Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of chair.

PSE 690 - Research in Paper (1-12)
Prerequisite: graduate standing and permission of chair.

PSE 700 - Research for Master's Thesis (1-16)
(first, second and summer semester)

PSE 710 - Industrial Practicum (1-12)
Analysis and solution of an industrial problem.