The Department of Chemical Engineering is pleased to announce a name change to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, effective Fall 2025.

The B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees listed on diplomas will continue to be Chemical Engineering, and the sequence and names of core courses will not change. However, students will experience expanded content and options in biological engineering within and outside of this curriculum.

The name change reflects an increasing student interest in biological engineering and supports the development of broader problem-solving skills across diverse fields. Biological engineering covers a broad range of applications related to biomedical, biochemical, pharmaceutical, bioenergy, biomaterials, and other bio-related fields. Chemistry and biology are foundational to many engineering applications, and our updated curriculum will better prepare students to address complex challenges.

With this shift, homework assignments, capstone projects, and laboratory experiments will generate more expertise in biological applications. Students interested in gaining deeper expertise in biological engineering can take advantage of bio-related elective courses and research projects at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Therefore, students will be equipped to solve broader challenges in their employment as they seek to improve sustainability, health, and safety in a global environment.

We are excited about the future of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the expanded opportunities it will provide for our students, faculty, alumni, and employers.