BYU
Chemical & Biological Engineering CBE Computational Turbulent Reacting Flow CTRFlow

CBE 263 Syllabus 2026

Location

CTB 250

Time

Tuesday/Thursday 9:00-9:50 AM

Prerequisites

CBE 170, Math 113 (or concurrent)

Objectives

This course teaches basic computer skills for chemical engineers. Computational skills are essential in today’s environment. Chemical engineering involves solving problems for engineering design and analysis. Often, these problems are complex, nonlinear, require many steps, are to be solved many times, and often do not have closed form solutions. We will learn to use a spreadsheet (Excel), a programming language (Python), and a numerical software package (Mathcad). We will also cover basic numerical methods, and problem solving techniques in chemical engineering. Your skills and confidence as an engineer will grow with your abilities to tackle new and important problems. Specific course competencies are listed below.

Instructor

David O. Lignell
330T Engineering Building
801-422-1772
davidlignell@byu.edu
Office hours: as (available)[https://ignite.byu.edu/calendar]

TAs

We want to help you learn but we will primarily provide guidance, ideas, and techniques. As you use office hours, please be aware that it is not appropriate for the TAs to give you answers or work the problems for you. You should not use TA office hours for working homework problems. Rather, work the problems on your own first, and visit office hours to ask specific questions. Debugging is a common issue and much learning happens when debugging problems. You should not expect the instructor or TAs to debug your codes.

Computers

Students are expected to have a laptop computer that can be used in class and for assignments, possibly including quizzes and exams.

Homework/Quizzes

Homework is due by 11:00 PM on the assigned day. Late homework will not be accepted. The lowest three homework scores will be dropped. Homework will be turned in on Canvas. Grades will be posted on Canvas. All students must complete their own assignment reflecting their own work. You may not refer to any solutions from previous semesters or posted videos outside this course. Some classes may include a short quiz.

Midterm Exams

There will be three midterms. These will be administered through Learning Suite outside of class. You will be told of any questions you miss and you can retake those questions for 1/2 credit.

Grading

Grades for the course will be based on the following distribution:

Learning Outcomes

Unit Conversions

Students will be able to perform unit conversions.

Dimensional Consistency

Students will be able to ensure dimensional consistency when evaluating equations.

Spreadsheets

Students will be able to use spreadsheets and structured programming (e.g., loops, arrays, conditionals, functions) to solve foundational mathematical problems (e.g., curve fitting, integration, solving equations, etc.).

Complex Numerical Problems

Students will be able to combine spreadsheet and/or programming elements to solve complex numerical engineering problems.

Estimation and Reasonableness

Students will be able to make order of magnitude estimates, assess reasonableness of solutions, and select appropriate levels of solution sophistication.

BYU Policy Statments


Honor Code

In keeping with the principles of the BYU Honor Code, students are expected to be honest in all of their academic work. Academic honesty means, most fundamentally, that any work you present as your own must in fact be your own work and not that of another. Violations of this principle may result in a failing grade in the course and additional disciplinary action by the university. Students are also expected to adhere to the Dress and Grooming Standards. Adherence demonstrates respect for yourself and others and ensures an effective learning and working environment. It is the university’s expectation, and every instructor’s expectation in class, that each student will abide by all Honor Code standards. Please call the Honor Code Office at 422-2847 if you have questions about those standards.

Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct

The health and well-being of students is of paramount importance at Brigham Young University. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment (including sexual violence), there are many resources available for assistance.

In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, BYU prohibits unlawful sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, against any participant in its education programs or activities. The university also prohibits sexual harassment by its personnel and students. Sexual harassment occurs when

University policy requires all faculty members to promptly report incidents of sexual harassment that come to their attention in any way, including through face-to-face conversations, a written class assignment or paper, class discussion, email, text, or social media post. Incidents of sexual harassment should be reported to the Title IX Coordinator at t9coordinator@byu.edu or (801) 422-8692 or 1085 WSC. Reports may also be submitted online at https://titleix.byu.edu/report or 1-888-238-1062 (24-hours a day).

BYU offers confidential resources for those affected by sexual harassment, including the university’s Sexual Assault Survivor Advocate, as well as a number of non-confidential resources and services that may be helpful. Additional information about Title IX, the university’s Sexual Harassment Policy, reporting requirements, and resources can be found at http://titleix.byu.edu or by contacting the university’s Title IX Coordinator.

Student Disability

Brigham Young University is committed to providing a working and learning atmosphere that reasonably accommodates qualified persons with disabilities. A disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Whether an impairment is substantially limiting depends on its nature and severity, its duration or expected duration, and its permanent or expected permanent or long-term impact. Examples include vision or hearing impairments, physical disabilities, chronic illnesses, emotional disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety), learning disorders, and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD). If you have a disability which impairs your ability to complete this course successfully, please contact the University Accessibility Center (UAC), 2170 WSC or 801-422-2767 to request a reasonable accommodation. The UAC can also assess students for learning, attention, and emotional concerns. If you feel you have been unlawfully discriminated against on the basis of disability, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 801-422-5895, eo_manager@byu.edu, or visit https://hrs.byu.edu/equal-opportunity for help.”