Founded in 1919, the Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering is one of the oldest departments in the Newark College of Engineering. The department awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1923, expanded to offer master’s degrees following World War II as returning veterans increased enrollment, and introduced its doctoral program in the late 1950s. The first Ph.D. was awarded in 1964. In 2004, the department further broadened its academic offerings with the establishment of a Master of Science program in Pharmaceutical Engineering.
In recent years, the department has significantly expanded its educational and research activities in Materials Engineering, an important and rapidly growing area for the university. The department now offers Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering, with an option in Materials Engineering, and launched a Bachelor of Science program in Fall 2022. In Spring 2026, the department opened a new Materials Engineering Instructional Laboratory featuring state-of-the-art instrumentation to support its laboratory-intensive programs. Reflecting this growth and evolution, the department officially adopted its current name: the Otto H. York Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.
From its earliest days, the department has emphasized real-world experience through cooperative education and close collaboration with industry and government partners. Faculty maintain strong research partnerships across both sectors, and alumni hold leadership positions in industry, government, law, research, and academia. Today, the department serves nearly 300 undergraduate students and approximately 100 graduate students, supported by a highly engaged Industry Advisory Board that plays a vital role in guiding and advancing departmental growth.
In 2002, the department was renamed in honor of Otto H. York, a distinguished chemical engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has been a longtime benefactor of the university. Mr. York pledged $1 million to establish an endowment supporting student scholarships and faculty research, helping to attract outstanding students and advance the department’s academic and research mission.
