2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (with addenda) 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate and Graduate Bulletin (with addenda)

Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, B.S.


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Undergraduate Program

The undergraduate program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) leads to rewarding, impactful careers in industries that span chemical, pharmaceutical, consumer products, materials, and related fields. The CBE major also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies in engineering, medicine, business, and law. It introduces students to a discipline that applies broad scientific and engineering principles to the understanding and design of processes ranging from molecular to manufacturing scale, based on thorough grounding in mathematics and the sciences, including physics, chemistry, and biology. Students in the program learn how to transform raw material and energy resources into valuable products needed by society with emphasis on making such processes sustainable, environmentally friendly, economical, and safe. They develop expertise in subjects that include thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transport, as well as the instrumentation and processes encountered in manufacturing and R & D settings. The curriculum culminates in a capstone design project, and includes a year-long laboratory that introduces students to both classic and modern aspects of chemical engineering operations.

The undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Program Educational Objectives

The Program Educational Objectives of the undergraduate CBE major are:

  • PEO 1: creatively apply their knowledge and skills to a broad range of contemporary pursuits, taking into account industrial, environmental, economic, safety, global, diversity, and ethical considerations
  • PEO 2: apply their technical, communication, and problem-solving skills to the pursuit of careers in the chemical, biochemical, energy and related industries or
  • PEO 3: pursue advanced study in graduate programs in chemical engineering and related fields, and in professional programs such as medicine, business, and law
  • PEO 4: work both independently and collaboratively to manage complex technical projects
  • PEO 5: provide innovation, leadership, and inspiration in their chosen field, continually augmenting their understanding and expertise through formal and informal education

Curriculum

Design is essential to chemical and biomolecular engineering, and aspects of design are incorporated throughout the curriculum. Earlier engineering courses emphasize fundamental engineering concepts, while later courses increasingly involve design elements and more complex design problems. The senior year introduces a year-long, team-based exercise in process design, in which students design an industrial process using their technical skills within constraints imposed by safety, environmental, economic, sustainability, and other considerations.

Undergraduate Advising

All entering freshmen are advised through the Academic Advisement Center. Departmental academic advisers advise sophomores, juniors, seniors and transfer students. Students meet with their academic advisers at least once a semester, coincident with registration for the next term. At this meeting, the adviser discusses the student’s work and checks progress towards meeting degree requirements. A graduation checklist must be completed for all students prior to graduation, indicating that all academic requirements have been met.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science


In addition to the NYU Tandon requirement of a 2.0 GPA or better for graduation, students must also meet the department’s academic standards. For chemical and biomolecular engineering students to advance to senior-year, they must maintain a minimum average GPA of 2.5 in courses CBE-UY 2124 , CBE-UY 3153 , CBE-UY 3313 , CBE-UY 3233 , CBE-UY 3223  and CBE-UY 3323 . The same course must not be failed twice. Students who fail to meet these requirements are not allowed to register for senior courses. All listed prerequisites must be satisfied before students may enroll in CBE courses. In addition, students need a grade of B- or better in their first college level mathematics course (typically MA-UY 1024) for registering into the sophomore course CBE-UY 2124. Should the above requirements not be met, students must meet with their faculty advisor to formulate an individual remedial plan. Typically, one or more courses will need to be retaken until the missing requirement is satisfied, possibly leading to a delayed graduation.

Required Safety Trainings: CBE majors in their sophomore year must complete initial safety training provided by NYU’s Office of Research and Laboratory Safety. There are three mini courses that must be completed: (i) Lab Safety, (ii) Hazardous Waste, and (iii) Bloodborne Pathogens. Students must show proof of completion (certificate) that they completed the training to their advisor during the sophomore spring advisement meeting as part of removing the registration hold. In their junior fall they must take the corresponding refresher courses for all three topics, and present proof of completion at the junior spring advising meeting.

Below is a typical sequence of courses taken for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Adjustments to this sequence can be made for participation in study abroad programs, for transferring credits from other institutions, or for other considerations based on individual circumstances. 

Please note that the curriculum that follows applies to students who began classes in the fall of 2021 or later. If students entered the School of Engineering prior to that date, please consult the curriculum and typical course schedule for students entering before fall 2021.

Typical Course of Study for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering


Freshman Year


Sophomore Year


Junior Year


Fall Semester: 16 Credits


Spring Semester: 16 Credits


Senior Year


Fall Semester: 16 Credits


Spring Semester: 16 Credits


Total credits required for graduation: 128


Footnotes


1 Students who are placed by examination or by an adviser into MA-UY 914  must defer registration for MA-UY 1024 .

2 CBE-UY 1002  is recommended but not required. Students who complete CBE-UY 1002 in their first year can count it as two of the 12 credits of free electives. 

3 The requirements for Humanities and Social Sciences electives are described in the Undergraduate Academic Programs and Policies section of this catalog.

Note: TRANSFER STUDENTS may substitute 4 credits of engineering electives in place of EG-UY 1004 

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