The University of Colorado at Boulder is a premier research institution in the heart of Boulder, Colorado. Our institution proudly houses research labs of four Nobel Prize winners and was recently ranked sixth in the top 10 Cleantech Universities. The University of Colorado at Boulder also holds the honor of being ranked fifth on the list of best value public colleges by USA Today. The University is also ranked 6th in the Top 10 Cleantech Universities.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at CU Boulder is ranked 19th for Top Engineering Graduate School Departments by USA Today. In the past five years the department faculty have been elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine, and have won numerous national and international awards. Our department is excited about our move to the new biotechnology building which is currently being designed to support cutting edge research that will help us recruit the best students and faculty and create new centers of excellence.
Student Testimonials
"I like that the ChBE department is an open department. I wouldn't feel nervous about knocking on any professor's door with a question" - Stephanie Malone
"The school is highly ranked, so I know that my degree will be looked at with respect when I leave here. The ChBE department cares about its graduate students' progression as scientists." - Nicholas Sandoval
How to Apply
Please note: Although the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering does not require all application materials to be submitted at once, the reviewing process is expedited when materials are submitted simultaneously.
Apply online (Recommended)
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering encourages all applicants to utilize the new online application system in order to streamline the application process. To apply online, please visit The Graduate School website.
Prospective students unable to complete the online application can email
chbegrad@colorado.edu to obtain a PDF file of either the Domestic or International Graduate Admissions Application.
Download the supplemental
Departmental Questionnaire.
Apply via Mail
Domestic Applicants:
For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and USPS Express, send to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553
For Overnight or Express Mail (DHL, Fedex, UPS) send to:
Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street - 553 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058
USA
All International Applicants
For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and USPS Express, send to:
Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado at Boulder
3100 Marine St. Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065
USA
For Overnight or Express Mail (DHL, Fedex, UPS) send to:
Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
303-492-6301
Apply via Email
Please send any additional application materials to chbegrad@colorado.edu
Application Deadlines
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering does NOT follow the December 1 deadline. Our department accepts applications for admission on a rolling basis, however, we do encourage students to submit applications as soon as possible. Students are accepted to the department during both fall and spring semesters.
Application Materials
• Online Application
• Departmental
Questionnaire
(Supplemental Department Information)
This form is unique to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Please download the Departmental Questionnaire from the departmental website, complete and return via email or mail.
• Official Transcripts
One official transcript should be submitted from each undergraduate or graduate institution attended. This includes community colleges and any school attended for which credit has been awarded.
• Official GRE Scores
The University of Colorado at Boulder school code is 4841. There is no need to input a department code for GRE scores. Please contact the testing service to have official scores sent directly to the University of Colorado at Boulder. Unofficial scores will not be accepted.
• Official TOEFL/IELTS Scores (International Students Only)
Please make sure to contact the testing service to have official scores sent directly to the University of Colorado at Boulder. Unofficial scores will not be accepted. The TOEFL/IELTS requirement is waived for students who qualify under the following conditions: a) the student’s native language is English, or b) the student has completed at least one year of full-time study at a U.S. Institution (or at an institution in a country where English is the native language), at the time of submission, or within two years from the desired admission term. Students with questions as to whether they qualify for the TOEFL exemption should email
chbegrad@colorado.edu. The minimum TOEFL for our department is 100 (IBT) and the minimum IELTS score is 7.0.
Letters of Recommendation
Applications are considered complete with three letters of recommendation, although many students choose to submit four. Letters of Recommendation help the Graduate Admissions Committee learn more about the qualifications and experiences of prospective students. Applicants should chose recommenders that can help relay a holistic view of his or her past experiences. Many students elect to have former professors, supervisors or industry colleagues submit letters on their behalf.
Application Fee
There is a $70.00 for all international graduate applicants. Application fees are payable by credit using the online application. Visa or MasterCard are accepted.
Application Fee Waived for All Domestic
Applicants!
If you are from a US Institution, and submit your application between September 1st and January 31st, the department will waive your fee. Simply fill out your application online and indicate that you will pay by “check or moneyorder”, and your fee will be waived.
Applications submitted between February 1st and August 31st will be subject to the $50.00 domestic application fee. Please contact chbegrad@colorado.edu with any questions.
Notification Process
Application Status: An application for admission will only be considered complete upon receipt of all of the materials listed above. Letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and official testing scores must be signed or stamped as official on the envelope seal. Upon the receipt of all parts of the application for admission, files are submitted for review by the Graduate Admissions Committee. The committee considers all aspects of the graduate application for admission. Once the committee has made a complete assessment of the application, the prospective student will be contacted and informed of the final admissions decision.
Diversity Initiative
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering particularly encourages applications from members of underrepresented minority groups. Click here to learn more about the University of Colorado at Boulder Diversity Initiative.
Funding & Financial Aid
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers full departmental financial aid (including tuition, a monthly stipend, and partial health insurance) for all students accepted to the PhD program. No other forms are needed to be eligible for departmental financial assistance. Students automatically receive aid if accepted to the department as a PhD student. Most students work as Teaching Assistants (TAs) or Research Assistants (RAs) to earn this financial assistance while in the department. Students accepted to solely the MS program or on a part-time basis are not eligible to receive any departmental funding.
Additional Resources
• Bursars Office
• The College of Engineering and Applied Science
• The Graduate School
• Financial Aid Office
• International Student Scholar Services (ISSS)
• Registrar
• Visit CU Boulder
