Program Overview

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Overview

The Master of Applied Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering (MASc) program at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and skills in the field of chemical and biological engineering. The program focuses on the development of innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing local and global challenges in industry and society.

Program Description

Chemical and Chemical & Biological engineers create and develop processes to change raw materials into the products that society depends on; food, chemicals, fuels, energy, metals, pharmaceuticals, paper, plastics, and personal care products. Chemical and process engineers help to manage natural resources, protect the environment, control health and safety procedures, and recycle materials, while developing and managing the processes which make the products we use.

Research Areas

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC is actively engaged in applied research, with faculty-led research providing innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing local and global challenges to industry and society. The department has established a world-class reputation in several areas of chemical engineering science, including:

• Energy and Fuels: Sustainable clean energy and fuels supply and use
• Natural Resources: Managing and maximizing the value of Canada’s forest and fossil carbon reserves
• Environment: Mitigating climate change/pollution; Clean water and biodiversity security
• Health: Rising medical costs in the face of aging population; Cancer and other deadly diseases
• Industry: Increasing pressure from emerging economies

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the MASc program, applicants must meet the minimum academic requirements set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, which typically includes a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The program may have additional requirements, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. The minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests are:

• TOEFL: Overall score requirement: 90, Reading: 22, Writing: 21, Speaking: 21, Listening: 22
• IELTS: Overall score requirement: 6.5, Reading: 6.0, Writing: 6.0, Speaking: 6.0, Listening: 6.0

Prior Degree, Course, and Other Requirements

Applicants must submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. The program may require additional test scores, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT).

Tuition and Financial Support

The tuition fees for the MASc program are:

• Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat: $5,626.02 per year
• International: $9,883.98 per year The program offers various funding options, including merit-based and need-based opportunities. Applicants may be eligible for teaching assistantships, research assistantships, academic assistantships, internal awards, and external awards.

Career Options

Chemical engineers have a wide range of career choices, with opportunities in industry, government, research, and medicine. Many chemical engineers have gone on to become managers, company executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders of government and non-government organizations.

Research Supervisors

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at UBC has a list of faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with the program. Applicants should browse faculty profiles and indicate in their application who they are interested in working with. No commitment from a supervisor prior to applying is necessary, but contacting faculty members is encouraged.

Sample Thesis Submissions

The program provides a list of sample thesis submissions, including:

• Multifunctional electrolytes and bio-based membranes for zinc-iodine redox flow batteries
• Dewatering mechanisms of ca-alginate hydrogels for bioplastic manufacturing
• Development and evaluation of UV-activated metal oxide semiconductors for methane and nitrous oxide monitoring
• Catalytic pyrolysis of textile waste as a tool to mitigate environmental impact of fast fashion

Related Programs

The University of British Columbia offers several related programs, including:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD)
• Master of Engineering in Chemical and Biological Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Science in Chemical and Biological Engineering (MSc)
• Master of Engineering Leadership in Sustainable Process Engineering (MEL)