Why Choose CU Chemical and Biological Engineering?

Our program has a strong reputation for active engagement with the students.  Our students have significant contact with other ChBE students and faculty every semester of the curriculum.  More than 2/3 of our undergraduates work with faculty members to perform cutting-edge research, either as part of independent study, senior thesis, discovery learning apprenticeships, or for hourly pay. ChBE faculty use a variety of innovative teaching tools that emphasize active learning.  Our department’s Cooperative Education Program allows interested students to alternate semesters at school and work, allowing students to better understand applications of classroom topics while earning money for school.

Focus on Teaching

Our faculty have been recognized for excellence in teaching with numerous teaching awards:

• University of Colorado President’s Teaching Scholar
• CMA Catalyst Teaching Award
• 3 ASEE Outstanding Teaching Awards
• Research Corporation Cottrell Teacher/Scholar Award
• ASEE AT&T Award for Education
• 2 Boulder Faculty Assembly Teaching Awards
• 5 Hutchinson College of Engineering and Applied Science Teaching Awards
• 2 Peebles College of Engineering and Applied Science Teaching Innovation Awards

The department maintains a unique emphasis on the use of innovative teaching methods that have proven more effective in student learning. For many of the department’s core courses, there is a real emphasis on in-class problem solving and interactive learning. For example, many classes allow students to use wireless “clickers” to answer multiple-choice questions during the lecture period; after an initial answer attempt by students, students and instructors discuss the problem in more detail. Instructors in the department are also using web-based methods for increasing interaction between faculty and students. For instance, in several classes students use a web-based form to submit questions on the assigned reading to the instructor. The instructor can then reply directly to the student with an answer, or address key questions during the lecture period.

Accreditation

The undergraduate program in chemical engineering is accredited by ABET.  The chemical and biological engineering degree program will be accredited in 2009-2010 as the first students graduate with this new degree.  Whis is this important?

Undergraduate Research

The department is also unique in that most our undergraduate students participate in experiential learning by working in one of the department’s research groups. For junior and senior students, the department has recently renovated its unit operations laboratory, and senior students in our program are required to complete a major design project that requires collaboration with an industrial partner.

Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program (Co-op Program) alternates academic semesters with co-op work semesters to provide students with real professional experience while completing the course requirements for the chemical engineering undergraduate degree.