The Minor in Chemical and Biological Engineering provides students with a strong foundation in applying engineering principles to solve problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, and materials science. This interdisciplinary program is designed to complement majors in engineering, natural sciences, and related fields by equipping students with knowledge and skills that support careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, energy, environmental engineering, and advanced materials.
The minor emphasizes problem-solving, quantitative analysis, and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing students for advanced study or careers in industries and research areas where chemistry and biology intersect with engineering.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this minor, students will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental chemical and biological processes and their integration in engineered systems.
- Describe and explain core concepts in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, reaction engineering, and bioprocessing.
- Apply practical skills in chemical and biological engineering to address challenges in health, sustainability, and technology development.
Effective Spring 2026
Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites.
Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lower Division: | ||
| CBE 201 | Material and Energy Balances | 3 |
| CBE 205 | Fundamentals of Biological Engineering | 3 |
| CBE 210 | Thermodynamic Process Analysis | 3 |
| Upper Division: | ||
| CBE 320 | Chemical and Biological Reactor Design | 3 |
| CBE 330 | Process Simulation | 3 |
| CBE 331 | Momentum Transfer and Mechanical Separations | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Molecular Concepts and Applications | ||
| Heat and Mass Transfer Fundamentals | ||
| Statistics for CBE Applications | ||
| Chem & Biological Engineering Fundamentals | ||
| Fundamentals of Biochemical Engineering | ||
| Bioseparation Processes | ||
| Advanced Biological Wastewater Processing | ||
| Engineering of Protein Expression Systems | ||
| Program Total Credits: | 21-22 | |