Chemical and Biological Engineering Major

Have you always been drawn to design and chemical processes?

At a glance

Chemical and biological engineering is a blend of foundational sciences and the skills to describe, predict, and control all changes of matter. You’ll gain the knowledge and skills to create cutting-edge materials and products, to design new devices to improve human/animal health or help the environment, and to design processes for the production of alternative energy sources and waste prevention. The major offers a curriculum based in math, science, and engineering to provide a well-rounded education for the many different engineering opportunities available upon graduation. 

Degree typeBachelor of Science
FormatOn campus
Part ofWalter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering
Competitive major?Yes
Accelerated option?No
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Concentrations

A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.

Advanced Materials

Learn the relationship between the properties of a material and its molecular structure. You will explore the principles and tools to modify existing materials for enhanced performance, or to generate new materials with tailored properties, addressing issues related to efficiency, health, and sustainability. Explore smart biomaterials responsive to external stimuli, bio-inspired materials, biodegradable and sustainable materials, materials for additive manufacturing, nano-engineered materials, and materials for extreme environments. Your coursework will include polymer science and engineering, nanotechnology, biomaterials, and tissue engineering.

Molecular Medicine

Molecular medicine is a dynamic field focused on discovering the hidden molecular and genetic abnormalities that give rise to diseases and developing therapies grounded in molecular approaches to correct them. It focuses on cellular and molecular events and interventions, moving away from the traditional emphasis on patients and their organs. In pursuing this goal, engineers and scientists engaged in molecular medicine use a blend of physical, chemical, biological, bioinformatics, and medical methodologies to elucidate molecular structures and processes. Coursework in this concentration will focus on these same areas.  

Biomanufacturing

Biomanufacturing combines biology and engineering to produce valuable products on a large scale using living organisms like bacteria, yeast, or mammalian cells. It is a field that has significant impact on various industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and beverage production, and other bioproducts such as fuels, chemicals, and materials. Your courses will enable and encourage you to solve complex engineering problems in biomanufacturing. 

Sustainable Engineering

Sustainable Engineering aims to develop strategies to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony. In addition to a chemical and biological engineering foundation, the breadth of topics relevant to sustainable engineering concentration will give you the ability to choose elective courses tailored to your interests in sustainability. Topics include ecosystem/environmental engineering, life cycle assessment, sustainable chemistry, air and water quality, and systems engineering.

Some Career Options

With your Chemical and Biological Engineering degree, you’ll graduate with career options in the biotechnology, biomedical, microelectronics, environmental, alternative energy, petroleum, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as into employment with government agencies. You’ll go into the workforce armed with both foundational science and engineering skills, as well as specialized skills in chemical and biological engineering, with plenty of room to explore and focus your skill toward your engineering interests.

Tour and info session options

Tours may be available as part of Admissions tours and info sessions, offered throughout the year.

For additional opportunities, please reach out to:

Walter Scott, Jr., College of Engineering recruiter at [email protected]

academic Info and Tips

Explore even more

Want a more in-depth look at this major? Take a look at the program website to learn more.