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.
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 does not accept students interested in a terminal master’s degree except under special circumstances. 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.
Admission Requirements
- Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
Applications are reviewed by the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee. Final admissions decisions are communicated to all applicants via the email you provide on your online application. Admitted students who reside in the United States will be invited to visit the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, 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; individual meetings with faculty; tours of the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotech Building, chemical engineering labs, and the University of Colorado Boulder campus; opportunities to meet with faculty and graduate students in a social setting; and social activities with graduate students so that you can become acquainted with Boulder, Colorado and the surrounding area.
All applicants must utilize the new online application system.
Minimum Requirements for All Applicants
All applicants must submit an online Graduate Application.
The following items must be uploaded with your online application.
- The GRE is no longer a requirement for admission to our graduate program and not part of our review process.
- Resume
- Statement of Purpose
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This document should briefly describe your past work in your proposed or allied fields of study, including non-course educational experiences, teaching, or other relevant employment, publications, theses, research in progress, other scholarly activities, and your plans for graduate study and a professional career. Please limit your statement to 3 pages or less.
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Although optional, please consider including the following for your personal statement:
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An example of a failure and what was done to overcome it
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A description of what was learned during your undergraduate research and how it advances the field
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An example of a time when you took initiative to tackle a challenging problem
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How graduate school will serve as a stepping stone for your future career, and/or
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Why the University of Colorado Boulder and what ChBE Faculty interest you
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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 submit an official TOEFL or IELTS score to the University of Colorado Boulder. The department requires a minimum TOEFL score of 100 iBT (internet-based exam) or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0. The department will waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement if the applicant has studied at a U.S. institution for a minimum of 1 year or the applicant is a citizen of one of the following countries: Australia, Belize, Botswana, Anglophone Canada, Commonwealth Caribbean, Ghana, Great Britain, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Scotland, Singapore or South Africa
Application Fee
Domestic Applicants
1.) There is a $60 application fee for all domestic applicants. However, between September 1 and December 15, the application fee will be waived for all U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents seeking a PhD and who have an overall GPA of 3.50/4.00 or greater from an accredited college or university. If you are applying to our department and you meet the requirements above, please email our Graduate Coordinator (chbegrad@colorado.edu) a copy of your most recent unofficial transcript. After a review of your transcript, you will receive instructions on how to waive the application fee.
2.) The Graduate School has agreed to waive the application fee for the following:
- Current McNair Scholars
- Active Peace Corps or AmeriCorps volunteers
- Project 1000 applicants
- U.S. military (active duty, veteran, previously served, those in the National Guard, and Those on Active Reserve). All will automatically have their application fee waived.
If you are a McNair Scholar or an active volunteer for the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps, please contact gradadm@colorado.edu for more information before you complete your application.
The application fee will NOT be waived for applicants seeking a Master’s degree.
International Applicants
There is an $80 application fee for all international applicants. However, between Sept. 1 and Dec. 15, the department will consider waiving the application fee for international students seeking a PhD degree who have a GPA greater than or equal to 3.80/4.00, 90/100, 9.0/10, 90% or 18/20 for both bachelor's and master's (if applicable) degrees from an accredited college or university. The GPA requirement is not an average of bachelor's and master's degrees. If you meet the requirement, please email our Graduate Coordinator (chbegrad@colorado.edu) a copy of your most recent unofficial transcript and a resume. After a review of your transcript and resume by the Graduate Admissions Committee, you will receive instructions on how to waive the application fee.
The application fee will not be waived for applicants seeking a terminal master’s degree.
Diversity Initiative
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering 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. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder Diversity Initiative.
Department Contact Information
University of Colorado Boulder
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Attn: Graduate Admissions Committee
596 UCB, RM A125A
Boulder, CO 80309
Phone: 303-735-1975
Email: chbegrad@colorado.edu
Contact graduate coordinator Dominique de Vangel at chbegrad@colorado.edu.
