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Chemical and Biochemical ENGINEERING Degree Plan

Concentration Advisor:
Prof. J.M. Calo, B&H 255, x3-1421, Joseph_Calo@brown.edu

Educational Objectives:

The educational objectives of the undergraduate Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Program focus on both the general knowledge and the specific skills and attitudes that graduates should possess upon completion of the program. These are specified in terms of the educational objectives of the common engineering core and additional objectives specific to the Chemical and Biochemical  Engineering Program, which are to:

  1. Provide students with a broad knowledge of the principles and fundamentals of chemical and biochemical engineering and their application, including societal impacts, such as safety and environmental aspects; to prepare them to practice as professional chemical engineers, enroll in graduate programs of study or professional schools; or to pursue other professional careers that involve the application of the engineering method.
  2. Provide students with the skills necessary to successfully perform in the multidisciplinary environment of the 21st century, such that they will readily be able to readily adapt to emerging and evolving technologies and career opportunities.
  3. Provide students with the foundation required, and an appreciation for the value of continuing professional development in maintaining their professional competence.

Concentration Requirements:

The concentration is composed of the following courses:

  1. Common core program for the Sc.B. (excluding Engineering 0310 and Computer Science 0040); plus Biomed 0200.
  2. An upper level, seven course sequence, including: Engineering 1110, 1120, 1130, 1140 and 1710 (Note: Engineering 1110 and 1120 are offered in alternate years,); plus Chemistry 0350, organic chemistry; plus one additional, approved elective chemistry course with a significant laboratory component beyond Chemistry 0330 (e.g., Chemistry 0360, 0400, 0500, 1160, 1170, etc.); and
  3. One approved, upper level elective course in the natural sciences, to be selected from the four specific areas of chemistry, physics, life sciences, and materials science. For suggestions of acceptable courses that fulfill this requirement, see the Concentration Advisor.

Program Options:
For students who desire further specialization, attention is drawn to the following thematic groupings of elective courses (Note: some of these suggested courses may require additional prerequisites):
Biochemical Engineering/Biotechnology:
Engineering 1210, 1220, 1230, 1490; Biomed 0200, 0470, 0530, 0800, 1050, 1080, 1090, 1170, 1890, etc.
Computer Applications in Chemical Processing:
Engineering 1570, 1580, 1640, 1740; Computer Science 0150, 0160, 0220, 0310, etc..
Electronics Applications in Chemical Processing:
Engineering 1590, 1600, 1620, 1630, 1680, 1690.
Energy Production and Conversion:
Engineering 1700, 1720.
Environmental Issues and Pollution Prevention:
Engineering 1340, Environmental Studies 0110, 0120, 1410; Biomed 0420; Economics 1350 (ECON 1350); Geological Sciences 0220, 0580 (ECON 0580), 1370 (ECON 1370), 1580 (ECON 1580), 1600 (ECON 1600).
Materials Processing and Synthesis
Engineering 1410, 1420, 1440, 1450, 1470, 1480; Physics 0790.

Special Note for Students Interested in Medical School:

The standard Chemical and Biochemical Engineering Program itself affords an excellent opportunity for students to pursue in-depth study of relevant chemistry courses, such as organic chemistry, and also permits study of biology subjects as introductory and/or advanced science courses within the standard program. It is for this reason that over the years a number of students have chosen Chemical and Biochemical Engineering as a pre-medical concentration. A list of some of the courses from which relevant electives may be chosen has been given above, but additional options are also certainly possible. Students interested in pursuing this aspect of the program are advised to consult the Concentration Advisor as early as possible, in order to allow maximum flexibility in designing a course of study.

See the Undergraduate Guide for more information.