Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in chemical and biomolecular engineering provides a strong foundation in mathematics and the physical, chemical, and biological sciences. The program builds upon these broad fundamentals to provide students with a thorough understanding of their applications in chemical engineering practice, emphasizing universality of natural laws and engineering principles whether at the scale of molecular systems or industrial processes. This is accomplished through a closely integrated set of core engineering courses that include engineering thermodynamics, conservation laws, reaction kinetics and engineering,unit operation theory and practice, process dynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transport. The curriculum culminates in a capstone design project, and includes a year-long laboratory that introduces students to classical 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.
Educational Objectives
The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering program prepares graduates who:
- apply their technical and communication skills to the pursuit of careers in the chemical, biochemical, energy and related industries or
- pursue advanced study in graduate programs in chemical engineering and related fields, and in professional programs such as medicine, business, and law
- creatively apply their knowledge and skills to a broad range of pursuits, taking into account global, environmental, economic, safety, and ethical issues
- work both independently and collaboratively to manage complex technical projects
- advance and lead in their chosen field, continually improving their understanding and expertise through formal and informal education.
Curriculum
Design is essential to chemical and biomolecular engineering and is incorporated throughout the core courses. Earlier courses emphasize fundamental engineering concepts, while later courses increasingly involve design components and more complex design problems.The senior year introduces a year-long process-design sequence, in which students design chemical and biomolecular processes while considering engineering, safety, environmental and economic constraints.
The chemical and biomolecular engineering major enables graduates to select professional careers from an extremely broad spectrum of opportunities. Graduates are prepared for employment in the chemical, pharmaceutical, consumer products, microelectronics, energy, environmental and related industries, or to enter graduate school.
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.
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