Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering


The Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering provides a strong foundation in chemical and biomolecular engineering and offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced elective courses in more specialized areas, such as bioprocess engineering, polymers, microelectronics, sustainability, process systems engineering and environmental engineering.

The curriculum offers two specialization options. The Biotechnology Option is for students who wish to focus their education on the biomolecular aspects of chemical and biomolecular engineering. This option includes the core chemical engineering courses, specialized biomolecular engineering courses, biochemistry, and engineering electives focused in the biotechnology area. The Standard Option provides the basics of biomolecular engineering but allows much more flexibility for the student to pursue other areas of chemical engineering. Special opportunities exist for students wishing to pursue minors or certificates in fields of particular interest, and students are encouraged to explore the frontiers of knowledge through involvement in faculty-directed research.

Program Educational Objectives

The faculty of ChBE strives to continuously improve our undergraduate program in chemical and biomolecular engineering. The educational objectives reflect the needs, and have been reviewed by, among others, the Advisory Board, the faculty, and the students:

  • Graduates will be recognized for excellence and leadership and selected for high-impact industrial, academic, government, and other professional positions
  • Graduates will be intellectual leaders in solving global problems in a diverse and evolving landscape of technology, environment, and public policy
  • Graduates will demonstrate critical-thinking and problem-solving abilities in developing creative, innovative, and ethical solutions to contemporary challenges using the tools of chemical and biomolecular engineering
  • Graduates will engage in self-initiated, life-long learning for professional growth in their chosen career paths.

Student Outcomes

The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has adopted the following student outcomes for its undergraduate program. Upon graduation, students are expected to be able to demonstrate:

(1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.        

(2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.     

(3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences.   

(4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.  

(5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.           

(6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.          

(7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.