Chemical Process Operator Studies

Diploma Program

The Chemical Process Operator program prepares students for employment as highly-skilled and knowledgeable process operators in the chemical, pharmaceutical, polymer, and petroleum refining industries. These important industries throughout the Delaware River Valley area have a great need for trained process technicians to operate equipment for the production of industrial and consumer products. Graduates are readily employed by these local plants at competitive salaries. The program provides a practical education in the various aspects of plant operations including safe startup, shutdown, troubleshooting procedures, regulatory compliance, and basic preventive maintenance. Our laboratory facilities include high tech mechanical equipment, modern instrument trainers, computer process simulators, and six pilot plant units.

The Chemical Process Operator Program has three options. Certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs are offered so that students can build their educational credentials as they work in the field.

Offered at the following campus(es): Stanton

What You Can Do

In this program, you will gain the knowledge and skills to prepare you for positions such as:

  • Chemical Process Operator
  • Pharmaceutical Process Operator
  • Polymer Process Operator
  • Refinery Process Operator
  • Renewable Fuels Process Operator

What You Will Learn

Program Graduate Competencies

The Program Graduate Competencies listed below identify the major learning goals related to your specific program of study and identify the knowledge and skills you will have when you graduate to be successful in your chosen field.

  1. Maintain safety, health, and environmental standards in a chemical plant.
  2. Handle, store, and transport chemical materials according to all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
  3. Describe chemical process systems and operations.
  4. Operate, monitor, and control batch and continuous chemical processes.
  5. Apply mathematical and statistical concepts and principles to chemical process operations.
  6. Use computers and computerized equipment for communications and chemical process control.
  7. Communicate effectively in writing.
  8. Function collaboratively in teams and independently.

Suggested Pathway to Graduation

Semester 1

Number Course Title Credits
SSC 100First Year Seminar1
CPO 135Chem Proc Tech-Equipment3
CIS 107Introduction to Computers/Application3
CHM 110General Chemistry4

Semester 2

Number Course Title Credits
CPO 151Chemical Process Tech I-Systems4
ELC 101Introduction to Instrumentation3
MAT 183Reasoning with Functions I5

Semester 3

Number Course Title Credits
CPO 252Chemical Process Tech II-Operations4
CPO 106Statistical Process Control Overview1
ENG 101Composition I3

Semester 4

Number Course Title Credits
CPO 125Safety, Health & Environment3
ElectiveSocial Science Elective3

Approved Electives

Select one (1) social science elective.

Number Course Title Credits
ECO 111Macroeconomics3
POL 111Political Science3
PSY 121General Psychology3
SOC 111Sociology3

To complete program requirements, you must pass the above courses and earn at least 37 credits. The number of courses and credits required for graduation may be more depending on college readiness and the elective courses offered in your program major (if electives are a part of the program).

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Campus-Specific Program Information

This program is offered at the Stanton campus.

This program is offered at the Stanton campus.

Contact Stanton

Lakshmi Cyr
Department Chairperson, Instructional Director
lcyr@orkexpo.net
(302) 453-3791

This program is offered at the Stanton campus.