Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Undergraduate Curriculum

The Typical Undergraduate Course of Study

Year 1

Fall Spring
  • MATH 104 Calculus, Part I
  • CHEM 101 General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 053 General Chemistry Lab I
  • CBE 150 Introduction to Biotechnology
  • PHYS 140 Principles of Physics I
    •  or Technical Elective
  • Writing Requirement
    • or Social Science/Humanities/Free Elective
  • CBE 160 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
  • MATH 114 Calculus, Part II
  • CHEM 102 General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 054 General Chemistry Lab II
  • PHYS 141 Principles of Physics II
  • Free Elective
    • or Social Science/Humanity (department recommends EAS 203/Engineering Ethics)

Year 2

Fall Spring
  • CBE 230 Material and Energy Balances
  • MATH 240 Calculus, Part III
  • CHEM 241 Organic Chemistry I
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective
  • Free Elective
  • CBE 231 Thermodynamics of Fluids
  • MATH 241 Calculus, Part IV
  • CHEM 242 Organic Chemistry II
    • or CHEM 251 Principles of Biological Chem
  • EAS 105 Engineering Computer Elective
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective

Year 3

Fall Spring
  • CBE 350 Fluid Mechanics
  • CBE 460 Chemical Process Control
  • CHEM 221 Physical Chemistry I
    • or MSE 221 Quantum Physics of Materials
  • CBE Elective
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective
  • CBE 351 Heat and Mass Transport
  • CBE 353 Advanced Chemical Engineering Science
  • CBE 371 Separation Processes
  • CBE 480 Lab in Biotech & Genetic Engineering
    • or CHEM 223 Exp Physical Chem I
    • or CHEM 245 Exp Organic Chem
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective

Year 4

Fall Spring
  • CBE 400 Introduction to Process Design
  • CBE 410 Chemical Engineering Lab
  • CBE 451 Chemical Reactor Design
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective
  • Technical Elective
  • CBE 459 Process System Design Projects
  • CBE Elective
  • Technical Elective
  • Social Science or Humanities Elective
  • Free Elective

Course Planning Guides:

The Course Planning Guide (CPG) assists the student in planning a course of study to complete the program as expected. A sample CPG is available to assist with planning.

Entering Fall 2017 and later:

Entering Fall 2013 and later:

Entering Fall 2011 & 2012:

Entering Fall 2010 and EARLIER:

NOTE: While the paper CPG is a useful goal-planning tool, all students are required to tally courses taken on the electronic worksheets located at the Penn InTouch Web site.

Additional Information:

CBE Minor

The Minor in  CBE consists of 6 engineering courses in CBE, selected with the approval of the Undergraduate Curriculum Chair.  Detailed information concerning minors in the School of Engineering is available here.

Undergraduate Academic Rules and Regulations

The official academic rules and regulations governing the undergraduate course of study are found in the SEAS Undergraduate Handbook.

In This Section:

Your CBE Contact:

Marissa Tartaglia
Undergraduate Coordinator
Office: 311A Towne Building
Phone: 215-898-8352
Email: mtartag@seas.upenn.edu

Student Resources