Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Telephone: (302) 831-2543
Department website: https://cbe.udel.edu/
Faculty Listing: https://cbe.udel.edu/people/faculty/

Overview

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering offers graduate programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Master of Chemical Engineering (MCHE) in Chemical Engineering. The Department is also the academic home for the Biopharmaceutical Sciences (MS) which is administratively run out of the National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL). The purpose of the Department’s graduate programs is to provide the guidance and opportunity for students to develop the quantitative skills of engineering and science, and the acumen to apply these skills for the welfare of modern society. Students in the program naturally have a broad range of interests and career objectives, and it is the philosophy of the Department to expose them to a variety of fundamental and applied research problems that will hone those engineering skills necessary in any career, whether in industry, academia, or government.

These learning opportunities involve a combination of graduate core courses in chemical engineering and applied mathematics as well as advanced science and engineering electives. The PhD and research MCHE degrees also incorporate independent (thesis) research conducted with the guidance and mentorship of a chemical engineering faculty member. A non-thesis option is also available for the MCHE degree. The Biopharmaceutial Sciences MS incorporates an extended, industry-sponsored, part-time internship.

Research

A PhD education is the development of the skills necessary to conduct and present independent research. The PhD dissertation should demonstrate that the student has (1) acquired the skills necessary to conduct high-quality research, including the ability to think creatively and critically, and (2) completed a coherent piece of independent research that makes a meaningful contribution to engineering scholarship. The length of the actual dissertation, the number of associated publications, and the time required, will necessarily vary, depending on the abilities and effort of the student, the details of the project, and the philosophy of the dissertation advisor. The department does not prescribe, a priori, how long any given student will remain in residence. However, the PhD program is a transition period, one that provides students with an opportunity to expand their intellectual horizons, to learn how to conduct research, and to be creative. The transitional nature means that students should progress as rapidly as possible toward completion of all of the objectives and requirements of the PhD degree.

Educational Goals (PhD)

Graduates of the doctoral program in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering will be able to:

Identify important scientific questions and technological goals in chemical and biomolecular engineering and develop research approaches to address them.
Conduct research, critically analyze and evaluate research findings in chemical and biomolecular engineering, and demonstrate the willingness and discipline to learn new knowledge and develop skills required to solve new problems.
Communicate orally and in writing effectively with a diverse range of audiences.
Work independently and with others, lead multidisciplinary teams, and mentor younger peers.
Understand the impact of chemical and biomolecular research in modern society, considering the public’s welfare and cultural, ethical, social, environmental, and economic factors.

Financial Aid

Please refer to Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships for more information. Most PhD students are fully supported, and most MCHE students need to be self-supported or externally-supported. Most Biopharmaceutical Sciences MS students are fully supported.

Chemical Engineering (PhD, MCHE)

Requirements for Admission

The minimum requirements for admission to degree programs in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering are listed below:

A baccalaureate degree in the field or in a closely allied field of science or mathematics.
An undergraduate grade-point average in engineering, science, and mathematics courses of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
A minimum of three letters of strong support from former teachers or supervisors.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for students whose first language is not English and who have not received a degree from a college or university in which English is the sole language of instruction. (Minimum score: 600 paper based TOEFL; 250 computer based TOEFL; 100 IBET TOEFL.)
For chemical engineering applicants the scholastic index of 3.0 in the major field is computed from the previous undergraduate work and from graduate work done in mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, and engineering courses. In exceptional circumstances, it may be possible to obtain provisional admission if one or more of the above criteria has not been satisfied. Admission to the graduate program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Delaware is selective and competitive based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission. On the other hand, on rare occasions, those who fail to meet those requirements can be granted admission if they offer other exceptional strengths.

Undergraduate preparation consisting of a bachelor’s program in chemical engineering leads most directly into the graduate program. However, students and practicing industrialists with a background in chemistry will also profit from this graduate program, since chemical engineering provides for the application of their scientific skills to solutions of technological problems in industry and society. Graduates of other disciplines are also encouraged to apply; some remedial work may be required and is discussed on an individual basis. Apply using the central UD graduate application.

Biopharmaceutical Sciences (MS)

Requirements for Admission

Admission to graduate programs at the University of Delaware is selective and based on the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty, infrastructure, and facilities. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet some of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths. We encourage applicants to highlight their accomplishments that make them suitable for this training as well as the reasons for their interest in careers in the biopharmaceutical industry. Finalists may also be asked to interview with industry partners sponsoring internships in order to support internship placements.

Minimum admission requirements (in brief):

·A baccalaureate degree in chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, materials science and engineering, biochemistry, biological sciences, or a closely related field.
·A minimum undergraduate grade-point average in engineering, science, and mathematics courses of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
·A minimum of three letters of strong support from a former teacher or supervisor.
·Non-native speakers of English (international students) are required to achieve a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based TOEFL (PBT) and 100 for iBT.
·Essays focused on motivation/preparation to enroll in graduate studies, and career interests as they relate to biopharmaceutical sciences.
·A resume outlining work and academic experience.

Applicants for the Master’s Program must apply during the fall semester prior to the summer semester of intended matriculation.

Dual degree and accelerated 4+1 degree programs

See details below.

Programs

Master’s

Doctorate

Dual Degree

Chemical Engineering (MBA/MCHE)

4+1

Chemical Engineering/Biopharmaceutical Sciences 4+1 (BChE/MS)