Concentration in Biochemical Engineering
For Chemical Engineering students who are interested in the interface of engineering and the life sciences
The Concentration in Biochemical Engineering provides specialized training and curriculum to prepare you for work in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, which constitute a large portion of the Massachusetts and broader New England jobs in chemical engineering.
Students with core training in a traditional area of engineering and a specialization in bioengineering have a high job placement rate and are well prepared to work in biotechnology. Our graduates who complete the concentration often go on to work in bioprocess engineering, hold jobs at biotechnology companies, or pursue post-graduate studies related to biological engineering.
The concentration is set up to fit within the requirements of the major. Typically, students pursuing the Concentration in Biochemical Engineering from the beginning of their studies do not need to take additional credits beyond those required for the Chemical Engineering BS degree. Completing the concentration requires a specific subset of elective courses that will also fulfill the advanced Chemistry and Engineering elective requirements for the Chemical Engineering BS degree.
Benefits list
Hands-on experience
Students have the opportunity to perform biological engineering research with faculty through independent study projects, senior theses, or specialized laboratory courses focusing on biochemical engineering. Faculty associated with the concentration are widely recognized innovators in their fields.
Featured faculty
Lauren Andrews
Marvin and Eva Schlanger Faculty Fellow, Chemical Engineering
Uncovering how to program and engineer living bacterial cells and synthetic bacterial communities using predictive design and synthetic biology.
In the spotlight
"The Biochemical Engineering Concentration gave me the opportunity to tailor my education to exactly what I wanted to do. Working in industry, I use the information and skills I learned in my courses for the concentration daily, proving the classes to be extremely useful and applicable."
Application information & deadlines
You may sign up for this concentration any time after declaring a Chemical Engineering major. Students are encouraged to sign up early, ideally during the Fall semester of their sophomore year.
Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineering students at UMass Amherst work diligently to develop new vaccines, discover alternative fuels, and create innovative materials.