Chemical Engineering: Biomolecular Engineering, BS
Program Overview
Chemical Engineering: Biomolecular Engineering, BS
The Chemical Engineering: Biomolecular Engineering, BS program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides a strong foundation in basic sciences, including physics, mathematics, chemistry, and an introduction to what chemical engineers do. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.
Overview
The first two years of the Chemical Engineering curriculum provide a strong foundation in basic sciences through Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, and an introduction to what Chemical Engineers do. In the third year, students delve deeper into more specialized Chemistry courses and fundamental Chemical Engineering courses. The Senior year incorporates all of this learning through high-level technical electives, Process Control, Capstone Lab, and Capstone Design courses.
Graduation Requirements
- Minimum hours required for graduation: 129 hours
- A grade point average of 2.5 or higher in all courses required for the major earned on the UIUC campus is required in order to be accepted by the department as juniors and seniors.
University Requirements
- Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level.
- Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.
General Education Requirements
- Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements.
- Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.
Course List
Foundational Mathematics and Science
- Select one group of courses (Accelerated or General Chemistry)
- CHEM 202, CHEM 203, CHEM 204, CHEM 205 (Accelerated Chemistry)
- CHEM 102, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 105, CHEM 222, CHEM 223 (General Chemistry)
- MATH 221 (Calculus I)
- MATH 231 (Calculus II)
- MATH 241 (Calculus III)
- MATH 257 (Linear Algebra with Computational Applications)
- MATH 285 (Intro Differential Equations)
- PHYS 211 (University Physics: Mechanics)
- PHYS 212 (University Physics: Elec & Mag)
- PHYS 214 (Univ Physics: Quantum Physics)
Chemical Engineering Technical Core
- CHBE 221 (Principles of CHE)
- CHBE 321 (Thermodynamics)
- CHBE 421 (Momentum and Heat Transfer)
- CHBE 422 (Mass Transfer Operations)
- CHBE 424 (Chemical Reaction Engineering)
- CHBE 430 (Unit Operations Laboratory)
- CHBE 431 (Process Design)
- CHBE 440 (Process Control and Dynamics)
- CHEM 236 (Fundamental Organic Chem I)
- CHEM 237 (Structure and Synthesis)
- CHEM 315 (Instrumental Chem Systems Lab)
- CHEM 420 (Instrumental Characterization)
- CHEM 442 (Physical Chemistry I)
- CS 101 (Intro Computing: Engrg & Sci)
- CHBE 411 (Probability and Statistics for ChBE)
Biomolecular Engineering Concentration Technical Core
- MCB 450 (Introductory Biochemistry)
Biomolecular Engineering Concentration Technical Electives
- Select 18 hours from Category A, Category B, List 1, and List 2
- Three Courses from Category A
- Two Additional Courses from Category A or Category B
- One additional 400-level course from List 1 or List 2
Sample Sequence
The sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.
- First Year:
- First Semester: ENG 100, CHEM 202, CHEM 203, MATH 221, General Education course
- Second Semester: CHBE 121, CHEM 204, CHEM 205, MATH 231, PHYS 211, General Education course
- Second Year:
- First Semester: CHBE 221, MATH 241, PHYS 212, CHEM 236, CHEM 237
- Second Semester: CHBE 321, MATH 285, MATH 257, CS 101
- Third Year:
- First Semester: CHBE 421, CHBE 411, CHEM 315, CHEM 420, CHEM 442
- Second Semester: CHBE 422, CHBE 424, Technical Elective, MCB 450, Language Other Than English
- Fourth Year:
- First Semester: CHBE 430, CHBE 440, Technical Elective, Technical Elective, General Education course
- Second Semester: CHBE 431, Technical Elective, Technical Elective, General Education course
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this program, students are expected to be able to:
- Identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics.
- Apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors.
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences.
- Recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
- Function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives.
- Develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions.
- Acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.
- Analyze the chemistry and metabolism of macromolecules in biological processes and their relation to the regulation and processes of organisms, cells, and subcellular components.