Biochemical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines chemical engineering, biology, and other sciences to address challenges in medicine, food, and energy. The minor in biochemical engineering focuses on learning how to design and optimize biological processes and products that utilize enzymes and microorganisms as catalysts, and provides a strong credential for careers in biopharmaceuticals, food and beverage, biofuels, environment, and other biotechnology fields. Students in any program can take the minor but may have difficulty without a strong engineering math background and basic chemistry and biology knowledge.

This program prepares students to:

• Demonstrate broad-based skills and understanding of problem solving, sustainability, and social awareness in biochemical engineering to excel as recognized leaders in their profession.

Student Outcomes

By the time of graduation, students will be able to: 

• Identify and address biochemical engineering problems using basic principles of engineering, science, and mathematics. 

• Design biochemical engineering units and processes using basic concepts, tools and methods of material and energy balances, thermodynamics, transport phenomena, bioconversions, enzyme kinetics, cell growth models, and bioseparations. 

• Assess alternative designs for biochemical engineering systems incorporating considerations of global, economic, safety, health, environmental, and societal impacts.