Master's Program

CBE Huh Lab

At the University of Pennsylvania, the M.S.E. in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is primarily a degree for students who wish to prepare themselves for research and development activities by obtaining a more solid foundation in the principles of chemical and biomolecular engineering.

The primary goal of the Penn CBE master’s program is to provide students with a customized curriculum designed to prepare them to function creatively and independently in industry, research, and development, government, or academia.

 


The master’s degree program provides rigorous and advanced training in engineering allowing for limited specialization in one of several fields, including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, control, design, bioengineering, polymer engineering, heat transfer, scientific computing, and computer applications.

The flexible curriculum allows students to select their own graduate coursework in math, chemical engineering, and other science and engineering disciplines. The University of Pennsylvania has a “one university” philosophy, and students may register for courses from any School in the University.

CBE master’s degree candidates select either the thesis or non-thesis degree track during their first year, in consultation with the Graduate Group Chair. Students typically complete their degree program in twelve to eighteen months.

Graduate Tracks

Advanced Materials & Nanotechnology

Overview

This field focuses on the development and application of new materials with unique properties at the nanoscale. It includes nanomaterials, smart materials, and materials with enhanced mechanical, electrical, or thermal properties.

Chemical and biomolecular engineers work on creating and characterizing advanced materials for use in a variety of applications, from electronics to biomedical devices.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5250 Molecular Modeling and Simulations Fall
CBE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology Fall
CBE 5310 Nano-Transport Fall

Related Faculty

Primary

Sue Ann Bidstrup Allen
Sue Ann Bidstrup Allen
Dennis E. Discher
Dennis E. Discher
Lorena Grundy
Lorena Grundy
Dohyung Kim
Dohyung Kim
Daeyeon Lee
Daeyeon Lee
Chinedum Osuji
Chinedum Osuji
Robert A. Riggleman
Robert A. Riggleman
Talid Sinno
Talid Sinno
Kathleen J. Stebe
Kathleen J. Stebe
John M. Vohs
John M. Vohs
Karen I. Winey
Karen I. Winey

Secondary

Mark Allen
Mark Allen
Russell J. Composto
Russell J. Composto
David Issadore
David Issadore
Eric Schelter
Eric Schelter
Shu Yang
Shu Yang

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
BE 5850 Materials for Bioelectronics Spring
BIOM 5350 Introduction to Bioinformatics Fall
CAMB 6090 Vaccines and Immune Therapeutics Fall
CAMB 7520 Genomics Spring
CHEM 5431 Advanced Organic Chemistry 1 Fall
CIS 5350 Introduction to Bioinformatics Fall
ENGR 5040 Fundamental Concepts in Nanotechnology Fall
ESE 5230 Quantum Engineering Spring
ESE 5360 Nanofabrication and Nanocharacterization Spring
IMUN 6090 Vaccines and Immune Therapeutics Fall
MEAM 5370 Nanotribology Spring
MSE 5360 Electronic Properties of Materials Spring
MSE 5450 Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Fall
MSE 5760 Machine Learning and Its Applications in Materials Science Spring
MSE 5850 Materials for Bioelectronics Spring
MSE 6400 Optical Materials Fall or Spring

Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

Overview

This field focuses on the application of biological systems and processes to develop new drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools. It includes drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and the development of biopharmaceuticals.

Chemical and biomolecular engineers contribute to this field by designing and optimizing processes for the production of pharmaceuticals, developing new biomaterials, and advancing techniques for drug delivery and diagnostic applications.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5080 Probability and Statistics Summer
CBE 5170 Principles of Genome Engineering Spring
CBE 5270 Advancements and Applications in Genome Editing and Engineering Fall
CBE 5400 Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering Fall or Spring
CBE 5540 Engineering Biotechnology Spring
CBE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology Fall
CBE 5570 Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery – Soft Matter Fundamentals Spring
CBE 5620 Drug Discovery and Development Fall
CBE 5640 Drug Delivery Systems: Targeted Therapeutics and Translational Nanomedicine Spring
CBE 5800 Masters Biotechnology Lab Fall or Spring
CBE 5801 Laboratory in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Spring

Related Faculty

Primary

John C. Crocker
John C. Crocker
Scott L. Diamond
Scott L. Diamond
Dennis E. Discher
Dennis E. Discher
Xue Sherry Gao
Xue Sherry Gao
Daniel A. Hammer
Daniel A. Hammer
Bomyi Lim
Bomyi Lim
Ravi Radhakrishnan
Ravi Radhakrishnan

Secondary

Cesar de la Fuente
Cesar de la Fuente
David Issadore
David Issadore
Chris Madl
Chris Madl

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
BE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology Fall
BIOL 5062 Biological Foundations for Bioengineering and Biotechnology: Cellular and Molecular Biology Fall
CAMB 6090 Vaccines and Immune Fall
CHEM 7470 Bioanalytical Chemistry Spring
ENGR 5500 Modern Biotechnology for Engineers Fall
IMUN 6090 Vaccine and Immune Therapeutics Fall
MSE 5250 Nanoscale Science and Engineering Fall
REG 6120 Introduction to Drug Development Fall

Computational Sciences & Machine Learning

Overview

This category includes the use of computational methods, simulations, and machine learning to solve complex problems in chemical and biomolecular engineering. It involves modeling chemical processes, predicting material behaviors, and analyzing large datasets.

Computational tools and machine learning techniques are increasingly used to accelerate research, optimize processes, and design new materials by providing insights that are difficult to obtain through experimental methods alone.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5060 Introduction to High-Performance Scientific Computing Fall or Spring
CBE 5140 Data Science and Machine Learning in Chemical Engineering Spring
CBE 5440 Computational Science of Energy and Chemical Transformations Fall or Spring
CBE 5590 Multiscale Modeling of Chemical and Biological Systems Not offered every year
CBE 6010 Deep Learning for Scientists and Engineers Spring

Related Faculty

Primary

Scott L. Diamond
Scott L. Diamond
Amish J. Patel
Amish J. Patel
Ravi Radhakrishnan
Ravi Radhakrishnan
Robert A. Riggleman
Robert A. Riggleman
Talid Sinno
Talid Sinno
Aleksandra Vojvodic
Aleksandra Vojvodic

Secondary

Andrea Liu
Andrea Liu

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
BE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Biology Fall
BIOL 5536 Fundamentals of Computational Biology Fall
CIS 5150 Fundamentals of Linear Algebra and Optimization Spring
CIS 5350 Introduction to Bioinformatics Fall
CIS 5360 Fundamentals of Computational Biology Fall
CIS 6250 Theory of Machine Learning Fall
CIT 5900 Programming Languages and Techniques Spring
CIT 5920 Mathematical Foundations of Computer Science Fall
ESE 5410 Machine Learning for Data Science Spring
GCB 5360 Fundamentals of Computational Biology Fall
MEAM 5530 Atomic Modeling in Materials Science Fall

Energy, Sustainability, & Environment

Overview

This category encompasses research aimed at addressing energy challenges, environmental impact, and sustainability. It includes the development of renewable energy sources, efficient energy storage, and technologies to reduce environmental pollution.

In chemical and biomolecular engineering, these efforts are crucial for developing processes and materials that support sustainable practices and mitigate environmental harm. Research in this area often involves designing new catalysts for energy conversion or systems for carbon capture and recycling.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5050 Carbon Capture Spring
CBE 5215 Energy and Sustainability: Science, Engineering and Technology Fall
CBE 5300 Electrochemistry Fundamentals, Practices, and Analysis Spring
CBE 5430 Sustainable Development of Water Resource Systems Spring
CBE 5450 Electrochemical Energy Conversion and Storage Fall or Spring

Related Faculty

Primary

Lorena Grundy
Lorena Grundy
Dohyung Kim
Dohyung Kim
Peter Psarras
Peter Psarras
John M. Vohs
John M. Vohs
Aleksandra Vojvodic
Aleksandra Vojvodic
Jennifer Wilcox
Jennifer Wilcox

Secondary

Eric Schelter
Eric Schelter

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
CHEM 7640 Materials Chemistry
EAS 5010 Energy and Its Impacts: Technology, Environment, Economics, Sustainability Fall
EAS 5020 Renewable Energy and Its Impacts: Technology, Environment, Economics, Sustainability
EAS 5030 Energy Systems and Policy Fall
ENGR 5215 Energy and Sustainability: Science, Engineering, and Technology Fall
ESE 5180 Battery and Super-Capacitor Systems
ESE 5210 The Physics of Solid State Energy Devices
ESE 5550 Electrochemical Engineering of Materials
MEAM 5020 Energy Engineering in Power Plants and Transportation Systems Fall
MEAM 5030 Direct Energy Conversion: from Macro to Nano
MEAM 6900 Advanced Topics in Thermal Fluid Science or Energy
MSE 5450 Materials for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Fall

Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Overview

This category covers activities related to the commercialization of new technologies, startup ventures, and innovative business practices. It includes developing business strategies, securing funding, and bringing new technologies to market.

Engineers in this field leverage their technical expertise to create and scale new technologies and products. This involves translating research innovations into viable commercial products and navigating the entrepreneurial landscape to drive industry advancements.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5150 Chemical Product Design Fall
CBE 5460 Fundamentals of Industrial Catalytic Processes Spring
CBE 5560 The Biochemical Engineering of Wine Spring

Related Faculty

Secondary

Mark Allen
Mark Allen

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
BE 6080 Medical Entrepreneurship: Commercializing Translational Science Fall
EAS 5430 Engineering Entrepreneurship Fellows II Fall
EAS 5450 Engineering Entrepreneurship I Fall or Spring
EAS 5460 Engineering Entrepreneurship II Fall

Process Control & Design

Overview

This area involves the development and optimization of processes used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It includes designing efficient and safe chemical reactors, separation processes, and systems for monitoring and controlling manufacturing operations.

Effective process control and design are essential for scaling up laboratory discoveries to industrial production. Engineers in this field work on improving process efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5150 Chemical Product Design Spring
CBE 5460 Fundamentals of Industrial Catalytic Processes Spring
CBE 5560 The Biochemical Engineering of Wine Spring

Related Faculty

Primary

Sue Ann Bidstrup Allen
Sue Ann Bidstrup Allen
Warren D. Seider
Warren D. Seider

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
ESE 6050 Modern Convex Optimization Spring

Soft Matter & Complex Fluids

Overview

This field focuses on the application of biological systems and processes to develop new drugs, therapies, and diagnostic tools. It includes drug delivery systems, tissue engineering, and the development of biopharmaceuticals.

Chemical and biomolecular engineers contribute to this field by designing and optimizing processes for the production of pharmaceuticals, developing new biomaterials, and advancing techniques for drug delivery and diagnostic applications.

Related CBE Courses

Course Title Semester
CBE 5080 Probability and Statistics for Biotechnology Summer
CBE 5170 Principles of Genome Engineering Spring
CBE 5270 Advancements and Applications in Genome Editing and Engineering Fall
CBE 5400 Principles of Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering Fall or Spring
CBE 5540 Engineering Biotechnology Spring
CBE 5550 Nanoscale Systems Fall
CBE 5570 Stem Cells, Proteomics and Drug Delivery – Soft Matter Fundamentals Spring
CBE 5620 Drug Discovery and Development Fall
CBE 5640 Drug Delivery Systems: Targeted Therapeutics and Translational Nanomedicine Spring
CBE 5800 Masters Biotechnology Lab Fall or Spring
CBE 5801 Laboratory in Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering Spring

Related Faculty

Primary

John C. Crocker
John C. Crocker
Daniel A. Hammer
Daniel A. Hammer
Daeyeon Lee
Daeyeon Lee
Chinedum Osuji
Chinedum Osuji
Kathleen J. Stebe
Kathleen J. Stebe

Secondary

Paulo E. Arratia
Paulo E. Arratia
Zahra Fakhraai
Zahra Fakhraai
Andrea Liu
Andrea Liu
Shu Yang
Shu Yang

Electives & Research Areas

Course Title Semester
MEAM 5750 Micro and Nano Fluidics Spring
MSE 6100 Transmission Electron Microscopy Fall