Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Department Office: 114 Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 South Mathews, Urbana, (217) 333-3640
Major in Specialized Curriculum in Chemical Engineering
For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering is the study and practice of transforming substances on a large scale to produce products or energy for the improvement of society. Such processes are the fundamental core of the chemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries. Chemical Engineers work in a variety of segments within these industries, including processing, manufacturing, research and development, management, environmental compliance, and business. Chemical Engineering differs from Chemistry in that Chemical Engineers produce products on a large scale, so that they are affordable and available to as many consumers as possible. In this way, Chemical Engineering emphasizes fundamentals required to design, optimize, and operate chemical processes as safely and efficiently as possible.
The first two years of the Chemical Engineering curriculum provide a strong foundation in basic sciences through Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, an introduction to what Chemical Engineers do, and the fundamental basis of Chemical Engineering (Mass and Energy Balances and Thermodynamics.) In the third year, students delve deeper into more specialized Chemistry courses such as Physical and Analytical Chemistry, while exploring fundamental Chemical Engineering courses such as Momentum Transfer, Separations, and Reactor Design. The Senior year incorporates all of this learning through high level technical electives, Process Control, Capstone Lab, and Capstone Design courses. It is through the lab and design class that students apply everything they have learned in previous Chemical Engineering courses to real-world team projects and presentations.
The Chemical Engineering specialized curriculum provides two concentrations: Chemical Engineering and Biomolecular Engineering. Each concentration is based on a strong fundamental understanding of Chemical Engineering, however the Biomolecular concentration’s technical electives focus more on bio-applied processing and technology.
Areas of Concentration
- Chemical Engineering: The chemical engineering concentration is designed to prepare students for careers in the energy, chemical, food, energy, pharmaceutical, semiconductor processing, personal care, fiber and materials industries.
- Biomolecular Engineering: The Biomolecular Engineering concentration builds upon the traditional principles of chemical engineering, but specializes in biological and biotechnological systems in order to better prepare students who are interested in or seek employment in the food, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries.
Overview of Curricular Requirements
The curriculum requires 129 hours for graduation and is organized as shown below
A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, excluding military training, is required to be eligible to take CHBE 430, 431, and 440.
Orientation and Professional Development
These courses introduce opportunities and resources the college, department, and curriculum offers students. They also provide background on the Chemical Engineering curriculum, what chemical engineers do, and the skills to work effectively and successfully in the engineering profession.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1 | CHBE 121—CHBE Profession1 |
| 0 | ENG 100 - Engineering Orientation1 |
| 1 | Total |
1. Required of incoming freshmen only; waived for transfer students.
Foundational Mathematics and Science
These courses stress the basic mathematical and scientific principles upon which the engineering discipline is based.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
3 |
CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I1 |
2 |
CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I |
3 |
CHEM 204—Accelerated Chemistry II |
2 |
CHEM 205—Accelerated Chemistry Lab II |
4 |
MATH 221—Calculus I2 |
3 |
MATH 231—Calculus II |
4 |
MATH 241—Calculus III |
3 |
MATH 285—Intro Differential Equations3 |
3 |
MATH 415—Applied Linear Algebra |
4 |
PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics |
4 |
PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag |
2 |
PHYS 214—Univ Physics: Quantum Physics |
37 |
Total |
1. Students who do not place into CHEM 202, or who do not satisfy the mathematics prerequisite for CHEM 202, may substitute the sequence CHEM 102, 103, 104, 105, 222, and 223 for CHEM 202, 203, 204, and 205.
2. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
3. MATH 441 may be substituted for MATH 285. MATH 286 (4 hours) may be substituted for MATH 285 (3 hours).
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Technical CoreThese courses stress fundamental concepts and basic laboratory techniques that comprise the common intellectual understanding of chemical engineering and chemical science.
For Both Concentrations
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHBE 221—Principles of CHE |
| 4 | CHBE 321—Thermodynamics |
| 4 | CHBE 421—Momentum and Heat Transfer |
| 4 | CHBE 422—Mass Transfer Operations |
| 3 | CHBE 424—Chemical Reaction Engineering |
| 4 | CHBE 430—Unit Operations Laboratory |
| 4 | CHBE 431—Process Design |
| 3 | CHBE 440—Process Control and Dynamics |
| 4 | CHEM 236—Fundamental Organic Chem I |
| 2 | CHEM 237—Structure and Synthesis |
| 2 | CHEM 315—Instrumental Chem Systems Lab1 |
| 2 | CHEM 420—Instrumental Characterization |
| 4 | CHEM 442—Physical Chemistry I |
| 3 | CS 101—Intro to Computing: Eng & Sci |
| 3 | IE 300—Analysis of Data |
| 49 | Subtotal for both concentrations. See additional technical core requirements below. |
1. Students must register in one of the Chemical Engineering-specific CHEM 315 lab sections.
For the Concentration in Chemical Engineering
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 436—Fundamental Organic Chem II or |
| 3 | Subtotal |
| 52 | Total for the Concentration in Chemical Engineering |
For the Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 3 | MCB 450—Introductory Biochemistry |
| 3 | Subtotal |
| 52 | Total for the Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering |
Technical Electives
These courses stress the rigorous analysis and design principles practiced in the major subdisciplines of chemical engineering embodied in the chemical engineering and biomolecular engineering concentrations.
For the Concentration in Chemical Engineering
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 19 to include at least: | Selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Chemical Engineering Technical Electives, satisfying these distribution requirements: |
| 6 | 400-level ChBE courses, with not more than 3 hours being CHBE 4971 or 4991 |
| 3 | Any 400-level course from List1 |
| 6 | Any courses from List1 |
| 4 | Any 400-level course from List2 |
| 15 | Total |
1. A maximum of 10 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit.
For the Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 19 to include at least: | Selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Biomolecular Engineering Technical Electives Categories A and B, satisfying these distribution requirements: |
| 9 | Any courses from Category A1,2 |
| 6 | Any courses from Category B2 |
| 4 | Any 400-level course from List2 |
| 19 | Total |
1. A maximum of 3 hours from this Category may be undergraduate research credit.
2. A maximum of 9 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit.
Social Sciences and Humanities
The social sciences and humanities courses ensure that students have exposure in breadth and depth to areas of intellectual activity that are essential to the general education of any college graduate.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 16 | Electives in social sciences and humanities satisfying the campus general education requirements for social sciences and humanities, including cultural studies western and non-western components. |
Composition
These courses teach fundamentals of expository writing.
| Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|
| 4 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition |
| Advanced Composition (satisfied by completing the sequence CHBE 430 and CHBE 431 in the Chemical Engineering Technical Core). | |
| 4 | Total |
Suggested Sequence
The schedule that follows is illustrative, showing the typical sequence in which courses would be taken by a student with no college course credit already earned and who intends to graduate in four years. Each individual’s case may vary, but the position of required named courses is generally indicative of the order in which they should be taken. The first three semesters of the Suggested Sequence is the same for all chemical engineering students. The fifth through eights semesters vary with the Concentration chosen. Refer to the appropriate sequence continuation below.
First Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHEM 202—Accelerated Chemistry I1 |
| 2 | CHEM 203—Accelerated Chemistry Lab I |
| 0 | ENG 100—Engineering Orientation2 |
| 4 | MATH 221—Calculus I3 |
| 4 | RHET 105—Principles of Composition |
| 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 |
| 16 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 1 | CHBE 121—CHBE Profession2 |
| 3 | CHEM 204—Accelerated Chemistry II |
| 2 | CHEM 205—Accelerated Chemistry Lab II |
| 3 | CS 101—Intro to Computing: Eng & Sci |
| 3 | MATH 231—Calculus II |
| 4 | PHYS 211—University Physics: Mechanics6 |
| 16 | Total |
Second Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 3 | CHBE 221—Principles of CHE |
| 4 | CHEM 236—Fundamental Organic Chem I |
| 2 | CHEM 237—Structure and Synthesis |
| 4 | MATH 241—Calculus III |
| 4 | PHYS 212—University Physics: Elec & Mag6 |
| 17 | Total |
Concentration in Chemical Engineering
For the Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering, see below
Second Year
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 321—Thermodynamics |
| 3 | CHEM 436—Fundamental Organic Chem II or |
| 3 | MATH 285—Intro Differential Equations7a |
| 3 | MATH 415—Applied Linear Algebra |
| 2 | PHYS 214—Univ Physics: Quantum Physics6 |
| 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or Technical Elective8a |
| 18 | Total |
Third Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 421—Momentum and Heat Transfer |
| 2 | CHEM 315—Instrumental Chem Systems Lab9 |
| 2 | CHEM 420—Instrumental Characterization |
| 4 | CHEM 442—Physical Chemistry I |
| 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or Technical Elective8a |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 422—Mass Transfer Operations |
| 4 | CHBE 424—Chemical Reaction Engineering |
| 3 | IE 300—Analysis of Data |
| 7 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or Technical Elective8a |
| 17 | Total |
Fourth Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 430—Unit Operations Laboratory10,11 |
| 3 | CHBE 440—Process Control and Dynamics |
| 9 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 16 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 431—Process Design10,11 |
| 10 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 14 | Total |
Concentration in Biomolecular Engineering
Second year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 321—Thermodynamics |
| 3 | MCB 450—Introductory Biochemistry |
| 3 | MATH 285—Intro Differential Equations7b |
| 3 | MATH 415—Applied Linear Algebra |
| 2 | PHYS 214—Univ Physics: Quantum Physics6 |
| 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 18 | Total |
Third Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 421—Momentum and Heat Transfer |
| 2 | CHEM 315—Instrumental Chem Systems Lab |
| 2 | CHEM 420—Instrumental Characterization |
| 4 | CHEM 442—Physical Chemistry I |
| 3 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 15 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 422—Mass Transfer Operations |
| 3 | CHBE 424—Chemical Reaction Engineering |
| 3 | IE 300—Analysis of Data |
| 7 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 17 | Total |
Fourth Year
| Hours | First Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 430—Unit Operations Laboratory10,11 |
| 3 | CHBE 440—Process Control and Dynamics |
| 9 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 16 | Total |
| Hours | Second Semester |
|---|---|
| 4 | CHBE 431—Process Design10,11 |
| 10 | Elective in Social Sciences or Humanities4,5 or |
| 14 | Total |
1.Students who do not place into CHEM 202, or who do not satisfy the mathematics prerequisite for CHEM 202, may substitute the sequence CHEM 102, 103, 104, 105, 222, and 223 for CHEM 202, 203, 204, and 205.
2. The CHBE 121 and ENG 100 requirement will be waived for students who transfer into the chemical engineering curriculum after their freshman year. Under no circumstances will this requirement be waived for students who are in the chemical engineering curriculum during their freshman year.
3. MATH 220—Calculus may be substituted, with four of the five credit hours applying toward the degree. MATH 220 is appropriate for students with no background in calculus.
4. At least 16 hours must be taken. All Campus General Education requirements must be satisfied, including those in approved course work in the Humanities/Arts, Social/Behavioral Sciences, and Cultural Studies, including the Western, Non-Western and/or U.S. Minorities components. The requirements for the Campus General Education categories Natural Sciences/Technology, Quantitative Reasoning I and II, Composition I, and Advanced Composition are fulfilled through required course work in the curriculum.
5. Three semesters of college credit in one foreign language is required. Three years of high school credit in one foreign language are equivalent to three semesters of college credit and satisfy the requirement.
6. Under no circumstances will PHYS 101-102 be accepted as a substitute for any part of the Physics sequence.
7a. MATH 441 may be substituted for MATH 285. MATH 286 (4 hours) may be substituted for MATH 285 (3 hours).
7b. MATH 441 may be substituted for MATH 285. MATH 286 (4 hours) may be substituted for MATH 285.
8a. At least 19 hours must be selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Chemical Engineering Technical Electives, satisfying these distribution requirements:
a) 6 hours must be 400-level ChBE courses, with not more than 3 hours being CHBE 497 or 499.
b) 3 hours a 400-level course from List1
c) 6 hours any courses from List1
d) 4 hours any 400-level courses from List2
A maximum of 10 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit. The List of Approved Chemical Engineering Technical Electives may be obtained in 209 RAL or from the department Web site.
8b. At least 19 hours must be selected from the departmentally approved List of Approved Biomolecular Engineering Technical Electives Categories, satisfying these distribution requirements:
a) 9 hours must be from Category A
b) 6 hours must be from Category B
c) 4 hours must be 400-level courses from List2
A maximum of 3 hours from Category A may be undergraduate research credit. A maximum of 9 total hours of undergraduate research may be counted toward Technical Elective credit. The List of Approved Biomolecular Engineering Technical Electives may be obtained in Room 209 RAL or from the department Web site.
9. Students must register in one of the Chemical Engineering-specific CHEM 315 lab sections.
10. Enrollment in CHBE 430 is limited. Thus CHBE 430 may need to be taken in the second semester and CHBE 431 and/or additional electives taken in the first semester instead. Students in their final semester will have priority for getting into CHBE 430 and CHBE 431.
11. The sequence CHBE 430 and CHBE 431 satisfies the General Education Advanced Composition requirement.
Minor in Biomolecular Engineering
Biomolecular Engineering is a broad, interdisciplinary field with its main goal of engineering value-added biomolecules and biomolecular systems for applications in medical, chemical, agricultural and food industries. Its practice ranges from fundamental study of biomolecules and biomolecular systems to the design of cellular factories and artificial organs. The Biomolecular Engineering minor is designed to better prepare non-chemical engineering students for careers in the food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and biotechnology industries. This minor is not open to students majoring in chemical engineering. Those students should instead take the biomolecular engineering concentration if they are interested in biomolecular engineering coursework.
Students may fulfill the requirements for a minor in biomolecular engineering by completing the following course sequence. For further information, please contact the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Hours Required Courses 3 MCB 450-Introductory Biochemistry 3 CHBE 221-Principles of Chemical Engineering 3 CHEM 232-Elementary Organic Chemistry I 9 Biomolecular Engineering Electives1 3 Technical Electives2 21 Total 1. Students must take at least three "Biomolecular Engineering" courses offered by the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (for example, including CHBE 471, 472, 473, and 474). Students may obtain a current list of courses that may be used to satisfy this requirement in Room 209 RAL.
2. Course to be selected from a departmentally approved list of biomolecular engineering related technical electives.
For more information regarding to the Biomolecular Engineering minor, contact the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department Office, 114 Roger Adams Laboratory, (217) 244-2021, chbe-advising@scs.illinois.edu.