Prospective Graduate Students
Graduate Degrees
PhD Programs
Chemical Engineering
Biological Engineering
MS Program
Chemical Engineering
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering offers an innovative graduate program and emphasizes the doctoral degree. The department's outstanding domestic and international students take advantage of the high level of faculty-student collaboration and benefit from access to six interdisciplinary research centers. Department faculty and students have won numerous awards both nationally and internationally.
The department particularly encourages applications from students who would broaden the diversity of our graduate community. We know that diversity is essential to academic and workplace success and we are committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative community.
Funding
Full financial support is available to admitted PhD students in the form of assistantships and fellowships. No additional forms are needed to be considered for this funding.
Students admitted to the MS program are not eligible to receive department financial support.
A significant number of PhD students are supported through external fellowships available through the National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, NASA, etc., and applicants are highly recommended to apply for relevant external fellowships.
How to Apply
Admission is based on overall student qualifications and is independent of research subject area. Department faculty and staff members do not conduct individual recruiting practices for prospective graduate students. Prospective student information will only be reviewed through formal submittal to the Graduate Admissions Committee.
Admission Requirements
All applicants must utilize the online application system.
- Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
- The GRE is no longer a requirement for admission to our graduate program and it is not part of our review process.
- Personal Statement: All applicants must provide a personal statement. In your personal statement, please 1) summarize your educational and research experiences and their implications to your pursuit of a PhD, 2) explain how graduate studies will enable you to realize your professional and personal ambitions, and 3) conclude with why you believe the University of Colorado is an institution that can help you realize your professional goals. Be specific in detailing research experiences and research interests, listing faculty members by name.
- Unofficial transcripts from all attended institutions of higher education. For review and decision purposes you are required to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript(s) in the online application. We require one copy of the scanned transcript from each undergraduate and graduate institution that you attended. This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance, and whether or not courses were completed. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university. ONLY after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts. Read the instructions for uploading unofficial transcripts to your application.
- Three letters of recommendation. You will enter your recommender’s contact information into the online application.
- International Applicants must meet the English proficiency standards set by the University of Colorado Boulder, the Graduate School and specific Graduate Departments to which they are applying. Proof of English proficiency is required for an international application to be reviewed for an admission decision. You can find the acceptable English Language exam information and our department's standard on the English Proficiency Requirement website.
Application Fees
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident
- Applicant must be applying for a PhD program in the College of Engineering and Applied Science
- Applicant must be applying to enroll in Fall 2027
- Applicant must have at least a 3.4 GPA from their accredited undergraduate institution
- Applicant must meet all department requirements for their PhD programs
- Application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on Nov. 15, 2026
- The application fee will not be waived for applicants seeking a terminal master’s degree.
- AmeriCorps (currently serving)
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- GEM Fellows
- Leadership Alliance
- Life Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program (LSSURP)
- Next Gen Pop Fellows (NGP)
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
- Peace Corps (currently serving)
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
- SMART
- Teach for America (currently serving)
Diversity Initiative
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering particularly encourages applications from students of all backgrounds who would broaden the diversity of our graduate community. Diversity is essential to academic and workplace success, and we are committed to creating an inclusive and collaborative community. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder's Office of Graduate Access and Retention.
Next Steps
Applications are reviewed by the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee. Final admissions decisions are communicated to all applicants via the email you provide in your online application. Admitted students who reside in the United States will be invited to visit CU Boulder, at department expense, during one of two weekends in the spring. These visit weekends provide recruits with an overview of the research conducted in the department; meetings with faculty; tours of the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotech Building, lab tours, and campus tours. There will be opportunities to meet with faculty and graduate students in a social setting and participate in activities with graduate students so that you can become acquainted with Boulder and the surrounding area.
The 2026 ChBE graduate recruits took part in a hiking activity as part of their cohort experience.
Department Contact Information
University of Colorado Boulder
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Attn: Graduate Admissions Committee
596 UCB, RM A125
Boulder, CO 80309
Email: chbegrad@colorado.edu
MS Degree
The master of science degree requires 30 hours of approved course work and successful completion of a comprehensive final exam or thesis defense. Students may pursue a thesis or non-thesis plan.
The department emphasizes the PhD degree and does not accept applications from students seeking a terminal master’s degree. Students generally obtain master’s degrees in the course of fulfilling the requirements for the PhD degree.
PhD Degree
The doctor of philosophy degree requires 30 hours of approved course work and 30 hours of dissertation. Students must successfully complete a preliminary examination, comprehensive examination and dissertation defense.
