The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering offers three concentrations: Biomolecular Engineering, Energy, or Materials.
You may pursue a concentration by choosing electives from a menu of courses in that topic area. A concentration is achievable without taking any more courses beyond those required for completion of your degree.
Concentrations appear on your transcript. Contact your faculty advisor or Troy Vogel, Director of Undergraduate Studies, about whether a particular concentration is right for you.
Biomolecular Engineering (CBIE)
The Biomolecular Engineering Concentration is a helpful addition to your CBE degree if you are especially interested in a career in the pharmaceutical or medical device industry; pursuing a Ph.D. in any biologically related field; consulting in a pharmaceutical or medically related field; or going to medical/dental/veterinary school after graduation.
For this concentration, four courses must be completed from the following list:
Electives
- CBE 30386: Introduction to Bioengineering
- CBE 40325: Immunoengineering
- CBE 40479: Introduction to Cellular and Tissue Engineering
- CBE 40483: Topics in Biomolecular Engineering
- CBE 40487: Drug Development and Pharmacology
- CBE 40571: Biomaterials
- CBE 40725: Principles of Molecular Engineering
- CBE 40888: Cellular and Physical Principles of Bioengineering
- CBE 44487: Introduction to Biopharmaceutical Engineering (UCD)
- CBE 48902: Advanced Undergraduate Research, biomolecular engineering research topic
- CBE 48903: Undergraduate Thesis, biomolecular engineering research topic
- CHEM 30337: Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
- CHEM 40420: Biochemistry
- BIOS 30341: Cell Biology
- BIOS 30342: Developmental Biology
- BIOS 30401: Microbiology
- BIOS 31341: Cell Biology Lab
- AME 50571: Structural Aspects of Biomaterials
Curricular Options
- CBE 30357: Biotransport, substitutes for CBE30355 Transport I
- CBE 41910: Biomolecular Engineering Lab, substitutes for CBE 41459: Chemical Engineering Lab 2
Energy (CENY)
The Energy Concentration is designed for students interested in learning about the importance of energy in everyday life, the positive and negative impacts of anthropogenic activities related to energy, and alternative strategies for cleaner energy processes.
The courses in this concentration are relevant to students who are considering a career in oil and gas, bulk and/or fine chemicals, catalysis, catalyst manufacturing, renewable/alternative energy, or who may wish to pursue a graduate degree in chemical engineering or related field.
For this concentration, four courses must be completed from the following list:
- CBE 40020: Introduction to Light Hydrocarbons
- CBE 40425: Energy, Economics, and Environment
- CBE 40430: Industrial Chemical Processes
- CBE 40435: Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering
- CBE 40447: Modern Methods in Computational Molecular Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CBE 40477: Nanoscience and Technology
- CBE 48902: Advanced Undergraduate Research, energy research topic
- CBE 48903: Undergraduate Thesis, energy research topic
- CBE 60553: Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics\
- CHEM 40438: Polymer: Principle to Practice
- CHEM 40480: Chemistry of Lanthanides and Actinides
- AME 47431: Special Studies: Designing Energy-Efficient Buildings
Materials (CMTR)
Many Chemical Engineering graduates finds employment in companies that focus on materials production, such as ExxonMobil, DuPont, Dow Chemicals and 3M, to list only a few. Others go on to pursue advanced degrees with research emphasis in materials science.
Materials science (characterization, design and processing of polymers, ceramics, metals and alloys) requires detailed knowledge of thermodynamics, reaction engineering and physical rate processes such as heat and mass transfer. This concentration is designed for students who seek to explore a set of materials engineering topics in greater depth than the baseline chemical engineering requirements.
For this concentration, four courses must be completed from the following list:
- CBE 40435: Electrochemical Engineering
- CBE 40450: Non-Equilibrium Electrokinetics of Artificial and Biological Nanoporous Membranes
- CBE 40456: Polymer Engineering
- CBE 40457: Polymer Science and Engineering
- CBE 40461: Structure of Solids
- CBE 40477: Nanoscience & Technology
- CBE 40525: Ambient Methods for Surface Characterization
- CBE 40623: Surface Science
- CBE 40698: Dynamics of Structured Fluids
- CBE 40725: Principles of Molecular Engineering
- CBE 44477: Applied Chemistry: Micro and Nano-Materials (UCD, Dublin: CHEN 30160)
- CBE 48902: Advanced Undergraduate Research, materials research topic
- CBE 48903: Undergraduate Thesis, Materials Research Topic
- CHEM 40443: Inorganic Chemistry
- AME 50542: Engineering Analysis of Manufacturing Processes
- AME 50571: Structural Aspects of Biomaterials
- EE 40446: IC Fabrication Laboratory