Undergraduate Programs REDESIGN

Embark on an innovative and interdisciplinary journey

Immerse yourself in cutting-edge research and collaborative learning, equipping you for a future of innovation and leadership.

Take on Grand Challenges

Biological Engineering andÌýChemical Engineering are dynamic, innovative fields at the forefront of biotechnology, therapeutics, renewable and sustainable energy, nanotechnology, carbon reduction and much more.

A background in either of these degrees provides students the broad education to take on many of theÌý.

  • Make Solar Energy Economical
  • Reverse-Engineer the Brain
  • Engineer Better Medicines
  • Advance Health Informatics
  • Provide Access to Clean Water
  • Manage the Nitrogen Cycle
  • Develop Carbon Sequestration Methods
  • Provide Energy from Fusion
  • Engineer the Tools of Scientific Discovery
Your Academic Journey

Our students begin their journey with foundational courses in computing, chemistry, math, biology and physics. In their sophomore and junior years, they delve into engineering fundamentals. These concepts are all applied in their senior-year Capstone Design Course, where students work in small groups each on a different company project with a company liaison.Ìý

Students also take their choices of a variety of technical electives,Ìý

Drug Delivery

Tissue Engineering

Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

Immuno Engineering

Solar Cells

Data Projects

Polymer Engineering

Nanomaterials

IP Law

Because the curricula are so closely aligned, students in one major can easily obtain a minor in the other without adding any time to the degree. Many students from both majors continue their education in graduate, medical, law, pharmacy, or veterinary school.

Bachelor of Science Programs

Chemical Engineering (BS)

A degree in chemical engineering provides students a broader energy and materials education while still allowing students to delve into bio-focused topics through the wide array of allowed technical electives. While they can later apply their problem-solving skills in many different fields, students become especially equipped to tackle the world’s energy and climate change challenges or work on the forefront of materials and microelectronics.

Career opportunities include:

  • Development of new electrical or electronic devices
  • Design of renewable energy equipment or systems
  • Production and quality control of next-generation batteries for electric vehicles
  • Higher education teaching or research

Biological Engineering (BS)

The biological engineering curriculum teaches students to create biological processes and products for application in a myriad of fields, from pharmaceuticals to biomaterials to sustainable biofuels. Students in this major receive the same fundamental engineering education as the chemical engineers but in their junior and senior years focus more on biological systems and applications.

Biological engineers specialize in human health research and applications, including:

  • Biotechnology
  • Sustainable biofuels
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Vaccine development
  • Tissue engineering and regeneration
  • Biomaterials
  • Genome engineering
  • Medical devices
  • Protein engineering
  • Stem cells

Ìý

Biotech 3D printer

Ìý

#11

Public chemical engineering
undergraduate program
U.S. News and World Report, 2025

Ìý

10-20%

of our students continue to medical or graduate school

Ìý

> 25%

of ChBE students study abroad

Ìý

> 50%

of ChBE undergraduate students participate in research

What's the difference?

Biological Engineering vs. Biomedical Engineering

Biological Engineering students utilize aÌýbiochemical engineering core background to create biological processes and products with many medical, energy and climate change applications.

Biomedical Engineering students utilize anÌýelectromechanicalÌýengineering core background to innovate the healthcare industry.

BAM Program and Research Opportunities

Accelerated Master's Degree

Current ¶¶ÒõÂÃÐÐÉä Boulder undergraduates can earn both a bachelor's and master's degree faster through the Bachelor’s–Accelerated Master’s (BAM) program.Ìý

ÌýLearn more


Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Over 50% of our undergraduate students conduct laboratory research, gainingÌývaluable technical and problem solving skills while enhancingÌýtheir resumes.

Learn more

Mentor Programs and Career Resources

PeerandAlumni-Student Mentor Programs

Get matched with a more senior student or alum and gain practical advice on classes, careers and life beyond school.

ÌýPeer MentorÌý Ìý Ìý ÌýÌýAlumni-Student Mentor


ProReady

Prepares engineering students for career success in their chosen field.Ìý
Ìý

Learn more