Graduate Degrees in Chemical & Biological Engineering

Chemical & Biological Engineering

As one of the top research departments in the United States, the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering seeks to address the next challenges in our world, from renewable and sustainable energy to the creation of functional materials.

Take advantage of the high level of faculty-student collaboration, world-class facilities and abundant research funding to develop new models, processes and technologies to meet human needs.

Degree Types

MS ᐧ PhD ᐧ BAM

Benefit from access to interdisciplinary research centers and labs that serve as nexuses between academic, industry and public research.

Learn from highly qualified educators. Faculty in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering have 16 years of teaching experience on average.

Participate in meaningful research. The research conducted by faculty and students in the department has led to the founding of 12 startup and spinoff companies.

Degree Options & Application Requirements

Chemical Engineering Biological Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Can be completed in 2 years
Requires successful oral defense of the MS thesis
Not accepted as a terminal degree except under special circumstances

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the MS in chemical engineering.

Bachelor of Science and Accelerated Master of Science in Chemical Engineering

Open to currently enrolled CU Boulder undergraduate students
Must declare a track in which to specialize
May double count 6 credit hours toward BS and MS degree

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the BAM in chemical engineering.

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

Must be completed in 6 years
Must complete 30 credits of advanced graduate study and at least 30 dissertation credits
Must complete and pass preliminary and comprehensive examinations

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the PhD in chemical engineering.

Biological Engineering

Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Engineering

Can be completed in 5 years
Must complete 30 credits of advanced graduate study and at least 30 dissertation credits
Must complete and pass preliminary and comprehensive examinations

Application Deadlines & Requirements

To learn about the upcoming term application deadlines, please visit the Graduate School website.

For program details, review the course catalog for the PhD in biological engineering.

Research Areas

Biological Engineering
Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Computational Engineering
Energy
Interfaces & Catalysts
Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology
Polymers & Soft Materials
Protein Engineering & Synthetic Biology
Transport & Separations

Learn More About Research Areas at CU Boulder

Funding Opportunities

We understand funding opportunities play a major role in helping you to decide whether a program is right for you. At CU Boulder, PhD students are supported through research and teaching assistantships. Students are also encouraged to apply for their own sources of funding.

Explore General Funding Explore Department-Specific Funding

Graduate Student Resources

Student success is best met with holistic support and resources. CU Boulder offers robust resources, programming and opportunities to help students establish meaningful connections, adjust to graduate student life and find assistance when they need it. Whether it’s academic, social, or health and wellness support, the university provides an array of resources to meet the diverse needs of our students.

Graduate Student Organizations