BSc (Hons) Biochemical Engineering

Program Overview

The Biochemical Engineering program at BUE combines biology, chemistry, and engineering to prepare students for careers in various industries including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental engineering. The program emphasizes hands-on learning, internships, and global collaborations, providing students with the skills and knowledge to tackle critical challenges like sustainability and healthcare innovation. Graduates are well-positioned for diverse careers in emerging fields like biomanufacturing and renewable energy systems.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Biochemical Engineering program at the British University in Egypt (BUE), established in 2018, is the only university program in Egypt offering a specialized Biochemical Engineering curriculum. It's designed to merge biology, chemistry, and engineering, equipping students with adaptable skills for various industries like pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, biofuels, and environmental engineering. The program aims to create a new generation of environmentally aware Biochemical engineers capable of quantifying environmental and energy impacts to achieve sustainability. The department's vision is to gain international recognition as a leading school in Biochemical engineering, applying digital technology and biotechnology in renewable energy, incorporating UN SDGs into learning and teaching. The program's mission is to foster critical thinking and student-centered learning through a curriculum integrating theory, practical work, and simulation. It's presented as a commitment to tackling critical challenges like sustainability, healthcare innovation, and environmental protection, particularly relevant in the context of reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable energy sources. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and innovation through research projects, internships, and global collaborations. It also includes industry field trips to connect theoretical knowledge with practical applications.

Outline:

The program's structure is based on a series of mandatory and optional modules across several specialization areas, including Bioremediation of environmental pollutants, Biofuels, Nanobiotechnology, and Bioreactor Design. The modules are categorized by level, reflecting UK's Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF) standards. The program requires students to pass a total of 600 credit points (at least 180 credit hours) to be awarded the degree. This includes an individual research project, a group design project, and two one-month industrial placements. Students need to pass at least 460 credit points (138 credit hours) to register for graduation projects and at least 20 credit points (6 credit hours) in the area of their chosen graduation project.

Assessment:

The BUE uses a GPA system on a 4.0 scale to evaluate academic performance. Assessment combines attendance, participation, projects, tests, midterm exams, and final exams. The final grade is a weighted average of these components. Percentage marks are converted into letter grades (A: Excellent, B: Very Good, C: Good, D: Pass, F: Fail), which correspond to grade points. Students completing programs validated by UK partner universities receive two degrees and two sets of award classifications and transcripts. Students have another attempt at a failed course during the summer assessment period. They can progress to the next year with up to 20 trailed credit points (6 credit hours). Students in the UK/Egyptian dual award program have four attempts to pass any course, a maximum of two years to pass any study year; failure to pass a study year after two years results in dismissal from the UK degree track.

Teaching:

The program emphasizes hands-on learning and experiential learning. Teaching methods include lectures, tutorials, group projects, and individual research. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and cutting-edge technologies. Assessment methods include exams, coursework, design and research projects, and presentations, developing technical expertise and communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The department comprises two full-time lecturers and three part-time lecturers, along with support staff including a teaching assistant, an assistant lecturer, a lab engineer, and an administrator. The department has one laboratory and access to nanotechnology center labs. The faculty is listed with their credentials (see section A). The program integrates theory, practical work, and simulation.

Careers:

Graduates are well-positioned for careers in diverse sectors, including biofuels, pharmaceuticals, environmental consulting, water treatment, oil and gas, and green hydrogen production. Potential roles include process design, research and development, production management, and environmental engineering. Opportunities exist in emerging fields like biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, and renewable energy systems. The program encourages entrepreneurial pursuits through startups, supported by university incubators. Specific career paths mentioned include process engineering, environmental engineering, food processing, quality control, biofuel engineering, bioremediation engineering, bio-petroleum production, and research and development (R&D). The program equips graduates with versatile skills valuable in traditional and emerging fields, contributing to global sustainability, technological innovation, and advancements in healthcare and environmental protection.

Other:

The program includes mandatory summer training internships in the second and third years, offering local and international opportunities to develop understanding of professional work environments, engineering ethics, and practical challenges. Field trips to industrial sites, laboratories, and research facilities bridge the gap between theory and practice.