Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Welcome CBE! 

Welcome to our Undergraduate Announcement and Highlights Page! Your one-stop source for essential updates, events, and resources tailored to your academic journey. Stay connected, informed, and engaged as you navigate your path to success. Explore, discover, and make the most of your time as a CBE Student! 

 

 

Welcome to Spring 2026! 

Upcoming Academic Updates!

 

Upcoming Dates: Last day of classes April 29

 

 

Link to RSVP Form: https://forms.gle/3CmgAtn7UEEWXAQP6

 

Academic Updates

Upcoming Dates: Last day of classes April 29

Message to CBE First Year Students

You Must Obtain Credit for Math 1400

I want to make sure that you are all planning to work towards obtaining credit for Math 1400. You are the first incoming class that AP will not give you credit for Math 1400–you have all instead received credit for 1300–which waives the prerequisite for 1410  but you still owe me 1 cu for 1400.
You should plan to either test out of 1400 (you should still have the option to do that this semester as the placement is schedule for next week here: https://www.math.upenn.edu/undergraduate/make-and-credit-exam-advanced-placement-exams) OR take the class. You do have the option to take the placement more than once. I encourage you all to make this a priority. Retro credit is also no longer an option.
Please reach out with any questions.
Please read the following updates to help you prepare for advance registration: 
1. Math 2400 and Math 2410 will no longer be offered by the Math department. All engineering students are advised to take ENM/ESE 2030 in place of Math 2400 and Math 2300 or ENM 2510 in place of Math 2410. Please note: Math 2200 is not currently approved for engineering students. 
2. CBE 4790 and CBE 4800 will not be offered in the upcoming academic year. Students who planned on taking the biotech option as your tech elective may plan to take ENGR 4500 in Fall ’26 as a substitute prerequisite for CBE 4790; and CBE 5800 in Spring ’27 as a substitute for CBE 4800. All students taking CBE 5800 as their lab tech elective must submit a CBE core substitution form.
You may also take ENGR 5300: Renewable Energy Technologies Lab, Dr. Grundy’s new grad lab course as your tech elective lab option. Students must also submit a CBE core substitution form to have this approved as a tech elective.
3. The current CBE CPG (course planning guide) can be found on the CBE UG Curriculum page here. Each student should be using the “CBE CPG with STEM electives” handout linked on the curriculum page. The CBE curriculum will now include a 2 cu requirement of STEM electives in the tech elective category. This change will be reflected on your degree audit in Path at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. Please review the CBE curriculum page to find out more about the STEM elective requirement and how it offers more flexibility to students.

Important tips to prepare for advance registration:

If you would like to schedule an advising session with Hannah to discuss your course plans etc, please choose a date on calendly here. Walk-in advising is still available every Friday in the CBE office from 9 am- 3pm.

  • Advising holds have been placed on each students’ Path account. In order to have your hold removed, you must meet with your assigned faculty advisor. You will not be able to register if this hold remains on your Path.
  • You may have other holds on your account that you must resolve before you can register. Please see more information on holds, how to find them and remove them here.
  • The current CBE CPG (course planning guide) can be found on the CBE UG Curriculum page here. Every student should be using the “CBE CPG with STEM electives” handout linked on the curriculum page. The CBE curriculum will now include a 2 cu requirement of STEM electives in the tech elective category. This change will be reflected on your degree audit in Path at the beginning of the 2026-2027 academic year. Please review the CBE curriculum page to find out more about the STEM elective requirement and how it offers more flexibility to students.
  • All students applying to the accelerated master’s program must review their course planning sheet with me. I need to verify that your undergrad requirements are met before you receive sign off to apply for the master’s program. Forms submitted via email require a 24-48 hour review period.
  • Please make sure you are choosing your courses carefully, and that they have the proper attributes or are approved courses in the SEAS handbook. Otherwise, you may choose a course that won’t count in your engineering curriculum.
  • A reminder of the Course Load/CU Increase Policy from handbook:
“Students are not permitted to pre-register for more than 5.5 cu during advance registration. (A 6.5 cu maximum may be granted for dual degree students and seniors who need more cus to graduate on time.) Students may only register for more than 5.5 course units at the start of the new semester after grades and course load from the previous semester are available. The department can increase the maximum load from 5 to 6 cu or 5.5 to 6.5 cu (one cu increment) if the student is in good academic standing (a 3.0 gpa or better and no outstanding incompletes).”

 

CBE Events & Announcements

Please join us for our annual end-of-year CBE department BBQ on Tuesday, May 5th, at 3 PM in the Quain Courtyard/Levine Lobby. 
 
This event is limited to the CBE community. 
 
RSVP is required and due by Wednesday, April 15th. 
 
Link to RSVP Form: https://forms.gle/3CmgAtn7UEEWXAQP6

 

 

SEAS Events & Announcements

Night at the Engineering Quad Event

Interested in sharing a bit about your major/club and engineering path to prospective engineering high schoolers? Register to be a speaker for your major at the Night at the Engineering Quad event on 4/20 from 7-8 PM!

SWE Educational Outreach – Panels Committee is hosting Night at the Engineering Quad, a formal event where high schoolers can learn about various types of engineering through presentations by industry professionals at our own E-Quad, followed by a networking session by major/student group in Levine Lobby from 7-8 PM.

Interested undergraduate students can volunteer from 7-8 to speak about their major/club and/or experience and answer questions that students have. (Food will be available from 6:30-7 for volunteers, so you may arrive earlier). The dress code is “dressy formal,” (think long dresses, formal shirts). Volunteers will be asked to arrive around 6:30 to get settled at their designated table.

Dinner will be provided for all attendees and volunteers! Dinner will be available from 6-6:45 PM, before the Networking session.

Students can sign up to volunteer here: [NATEQ Volunteer Sign-Up]. The informational flyer is attached below.

Any questions? Email: aneirav9@seas.upenn.edu

USABE Student Experience Survey

The Underrepresented Student Advisory Board in Engineering (USABE) invites students to complete a brief survey aimed at gathering feedback on their experiences within Penn Engineering. Responses will help guide USABE’s programming, advocacy efforts, and collaborations with faculty and administration.

The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete, and all responses will remain confidential.

Students can access the survey using the link here: https://tinyurl.com/yc7773as 

 

 

Applying to PhDs Panel Hosted by Biotechnology Program

Dear students,
Please join us on 4/21 from 4:30-5:30 PM in Raiser (Towne 225) for a Q&A panel about applying to PhDs! We will have multiple speakers, including current PhDs students and BIOT director, Dr. Bomyi Li. There will also be snacks!
https://forms.gle/hLttHUL7ifGzVL6Z9

USABE In-Person Industry Alumni Panel 

Come hear USABE (Underrepresented Student Advisory Board in Engineering) Alumni speak about their post-Penn experiences this Thursday April 16th from 5:30-6:30 pm! The panel will be held in Greenberg Lounge (Skirkanich RM 114) with catered food to those who RSVP! We are excited to hear from leading engineers with experience at Boeing, Disney, and Coinbase.

 

 

WH2050 Entrepreneurial Communications April 21st Pitch Perfected Event

RSVP HERE: https://cglink.me/2cz/r124312

Penn Engineering Merch

Get your Penn Engineering merch today!! The store is open until April 12 for bulk shipping and May 1 for individual shipping.
Bulk Shipping (all items will be delivered to Penn by May 2, and we will organize a  pick-up location in E-Quad): https://group-orders.freshprints.com/group-order?groupOrderId=177723
Individual Shipping (delivered to your personal address): https://group-orders.freshprints.com/group-order?groupOrderId=177722

Professor Student Coffee Chats at Top Hat | Penn Engineering Council

We are excited to announce that Penn Engineering Council is hosting Professor Student Coffee Chats at Top Hat and all costs are covered by PEC! This is a great opportunity for you to grab a cup of coffee and have a casual conversation with your professors about any questions or interests you may have in their field of study.

 

To sign up, please visit the Google Sheet document provided below. There, you will find available dates and times for each professor. Please note that spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

The event will start Monday 4/6 and run through Friday 5/1. We hope you take advantage of this opportunity to connect with your professors and learn more about your field of study!

 

Professor Times Spreadsheet

Jobs, Internships & Post-Grad Opportunities

Opportunities for Students: Cornell’s M.Eng. Degree

Cornell University, Chemical Engineering Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Info Sessions

February 10, 8am ET – Register Here

March 19, 6pm ET – Register Here

April 14, 7pm ET – Register Here

Are you exploring a future in energy, data science, AI, or biotechnology? Cornell’s Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Chemical Engineering is a fast-paced, one-year (two-semester) degree designed to launch your career in industry. This course-based, non-research program blends advanced technical training with leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Open to students from STEM backgrounds—not just chemical engineering—it prepares graduates to lead at the intersection of technology, business, and policy.

Customize your program of study with focus areas that align with emerging industry needs, including:

  • Data Science & Artificial Intelligence
  • Energy Economics and Engineering
  • Medical and Industrial Biotechnology

M.Eng. students also complete a collaborative capstone project with faculty or industry partners, gaining industry-relevant experience solving real-world challenges. With flexible electives, a supportive cohort model, and a strong alumni network, this program empowers you to make an impact.

 Questions? Contact us at cbe-meng@cornell.edu

 Visit: duffield.cornell.edu/cbe/meng/

LEED Green Associate Certification: 2026 Workshops

Start your year off strongly by becoming a LEED Green Associate professional and show employers your certified knowledge in sustainability before May 2026, when the LEED exam is set to become more challenging. While LEED itself is a scorecard to rate Green Buildings, students and professionals can also become LEED accredited demonstrating their expertise in sustainability.

– LEED: Is the #1 Sustainability Certification and is recognized globally
– Valuable Credential: Adds an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability.
– Open to All: Available for students of all years, with no prior experience required as our workshop has helped over 15,000 pass their exam.
– Time Sensitive: Those who pass before May 2026 will not be required to take the updated and more challenging new exam.
– Affordable: Limited time student discounts are available for you!
– High Pass Rate: Our workshops focus not just on passing the test, but on providing a deep understanding of the material which significantly improves your chances of success, especially considering the exam’s historically low pass rate.

LEED Green Associate (GA) Training – Webinar and Online self-paced options:

I will be offering live webinars that can be streamed on any of the following dates:

1. February 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
2. March 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT
3. April 11 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT – OR –
4. On-demand recordings completed at your own pace


The above options (1-4) are all identical.Register for a live online seminar or start today with our on-demand recorded workshop completed anytime at your own pace here – https://leadinggreen.com/online

Both options offer comprehensive training, practice exams, valuable tips, and required textbooks – all led by a USGBC Faculty member. It’s the most efficient and affordable way to master the material without breaking the bank!Cost: $200 with the coupon code ‘green’ for $100 off! (Non-students $300)Please contact the instructor Lorne directly with any questions at info@leadinggreen.com

Graduation and Senior Updates

Dear CBE Seniors,

All students should have received an email about registering for Tassel–the program used to capture information for all undergraduate students participating in this year’s engineering graduation ceremony. The deadline to complete registration on Tassel is 4/18. If you did not receive information on how to register for Tassel–please email Hannah.

 

Ordering Regalia
Regalia can be ordered online from this website. The deadline to place an order is March 20, 2026.

If you have questions related to the Undergraduate Ceremony, please contact the Office of Academic Services at academic-services@seas.upenn.edu. Additional information about Penn Engineering’s other commencement ceremonies can be found here. Information about the University’s Class of 2026 Commencement, to be held on May 18, 2026, can be found here.

Senior Surveys 
I ask that each of you please complete the 2026 exit survey here. And the 2026 Outcomes survey here.
Our seniors complete these surveys each spring before graduation. Your feedback is helpful and greatly appreciated.
Once you have completed both surveys, grad gift pick up begins on Thursday, April 2nd in the CBE office (Towne 311A). You may drop by the CBE office any day after 4/2 to collect your grad gift, but you must first complete both surveys in order to receive your gift.
Final day for gift pick up is the last day of the spring semester, Tuesday, May 12th. Please make sure to complete your survey and collect your grad gift by 5/12.