2022-2023 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Undergraduate Study

assistant professor Dante A. Simonetti with packed bed reactor

Chemical and biomolecular engineering assistant professor Dante A. Simonetti sets up a packed bed reactor.
 

Chemical Engineering BS

The chemical engineering curricula offer a high quality, professionally oriented education in modern chemical engineering. The biomedical engineering, biomolecular engineering, environmental engineering, and semiconductor manufacturing engineering options provide students with an opportunity for exposure to a subfield of chemical and biomolecular engineering. In all cases, balance is sought between engineering science and practice.

The chemical engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Capstone Major

The Chemical Engineering major is a designated capstone major. The capstone project requires students to first work individually and learn how to integrate chemical engineering fundamentals taught in prior required courses; they then work in groups to produce a paper design of a realistic chemical process using appropriate software tools. Graduates should be able to design a chemical or biological system, component, or process that meets technical and economical design objectives, with consideration of environmental, social, and ethical issues, as well as sustainable development goals. In addition, they should be able to apply their knowledge of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and chemical and biological engineering to analysis and design of chemical and biochemical processes and products; function on multidisciplinary teams; identify, formulate, and solve complex chemical and biological engineering problems; and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Educational Objectives

The mission of the undergraduate program is to educate future leaders in chemical and biomolecular engineering who effectively combine their broad knowledge of physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics with their engineering analysis and design skills for the creative solution of problems in chemical and biological technology and for the synthesis of innovative (bio)chemical processes and products. This goal is achieved by producing chemical and biomolecular engineering alumni who (1) draw readily on a rigorous education in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology in addition to the fundamentals of chemical engineering to creatively solve problems in chemical and biological technology; (2) incorporate social, ethical, environmental, and economical considerations, including the concept of sustainable development, into chemical and biomolecular engineering practice; (3) lead or participate successfully on multidisciplinary teams assembled to tackle complex, multifaceted problems that may require implementation of both experimental and computational approaches, and a broad array of analytical tools; and (4) pursue graduate study and achieve an MS or PhD degree in the sciences and engineering, and/or achieve success as professionals in chemical and biomolecular engineering as well as related fields, including business, medicine, and environmental protection.

Learning Outcomes

The Chemical Engineering major has the following learning outcomes:

Chemical Engineering Core Option

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B; Civil and Environmental Engineering M20 or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL.

The Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 45, 100, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 103, 104A, 104B, 106, 107, 109; three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone analysis and design courses (Chemical Engineering 108A, 108B); and two elective courses (8 units) from Chemical Engineering 110, C111, C112, 113, CM114, C115, C116, C118, C119, C121, C125, C128, C135, C140.

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for BS Degrees or the GE Requirement web page.

Biomedical Engineering Option

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B; Civil and Environmental Engineering M20 or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL.

The Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 45, 100, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 103, 104A, 104B, 106, 107, 109, CM145; three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone analysis and design courses (Chemical Engineering 108A, 108B); and one biomedical elective course (4 units) from Bioengineering C105, C183, Chemical Engineering C112, Chemistry and Biochemistry C105, 153A, or C159 (another chemical engineering elective may be substituted with approval of the faculty adviser).

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for BS Degrees or the GE Requirement web page.

Biomolecular Engineering Option

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B; Civil and Environmental Engineering M20 or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL.

The Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 45, 100, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 104A, 104D, 107, 109, C115, C125, CM145; three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone analysis and design courses (Chemical Engineering 108A, 108B); and one biomolecular elective course (4 units) from Bioengineering C105, C183, Chemical Engineering C112, Chemistry and Biochemistry C105, 153A, or C159 (another chemical engineering elective may be substituted with approval of the faculty adviser).

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for BS Degrees or the GE Requirement web page.

Environmental Engineering Option

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B; Civil and Environmental Engineering M20 or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL.

The Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 45, 100, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 103, 104A, 104B, 106, 107, 109; three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone analysis and design courses (Chemical Engineering 108A, 108B); and two elective courses (8 units) from Chemical Engineering 113, C118, C119, C121, C128, C135, C140 (another chemical engineering elective may be substituted with approval of the faculty adviser).

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for BS Degrees or the GE Requirement web page.

Semiconductor Manufacturing Engineering Option

Preparation for the Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 10; Chemistry and Biochemistry 20A, 20B, 20L, 30A, 30AL, 30B; Civil and Environmental Engineering M20 or Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering M20; Mathematics 31A, 31B, 32A, 32B, 33A, 33B; Physics 1A, 1B, 1C, 4AL.

The Major

Required: Chemical Engineering 45, 100, 101A, 101B, 101C, 102A, 102B, 103, 104A, 104C, 104CL, 106, 107, 109, C116; three technical breadth courses (12 units) selected from an approved list available in the Office of Academic and Student Affairs; two capstone analysis and design courses (Chemical Engineering 108A, 108B); and one elective course (4 units) from chemical engineering or from Materials Science and Engineering 104, 120, 121, 122, or 150.

For information on UC, school, and general education requirements, see Requirements for BS Degrees or the GE Requirement web page.