Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Accreditation

The Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (BSE) program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.

Mission

The mission of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania is:

  • to offer educational and research programs of the highest quality that will prepare students for leadership positions in the chemical, biochemical, and materials industries, academia, and governmental laboratories;
  • to help define the frontiers of knowledge in modern chemical and biomolecular engineering through intellectual leadership in research and scholarship;
  • to contribute to the nation’s technological leadership by accomplishing research that stimulates the development of new technologies.

Program Educational Objectives

In accordance with the mission of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, and with the broader missions of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the University of Pennsylvania, the Undergraduate Program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has formulated the following Educational Objectives.

Graduates of the Undergraduate Program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering will:

  • excel in careers in chemical and biomolecular engineering practice and research in the chemical, biochemical, energy, materials, and related industries, having mastered the engineering fundamentals, communication skills, and teamwork.
  • excel in engineering graduate programs and professional schools.
  • make use of the versatility of our chemical and biomolecular engineering program to excel in diverse career paths, including business, medicine, law, government, and education.
  • be recognized as critical, creative, and independent thinkers who direct their technical expertise towards addressing the needs of society.
  • be aware and responsive to the social, ethical, and technical implications of their work as it affects the environment, safety, and health of citizens worldwide.

Student Outcomes

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering seeks to achieve the following 7 outcomes in all of its graduates:

  1. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics
  2. an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors
  3. an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences
  4. an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts
  5. an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives
  6. an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions
  7. an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

Student Enrollments and Graduates

Academic Year Undergraduate Enrollment Undergraduate Degrees Awarded
2024-2025 102 TBD
2023-2024 101 23
2022-2023 112 36
2021-2022 114 28
2020 – 2021 109 23
2019 – 2020 133 40
2018 – 2019 147 29
2017 – 2018 148 35
2016 – 2017 156 32
2015 – 2016 158 42
2014 – 2015 156 34
2013 – 2014 172 35
2012 – 2013 178 46