Future undergraduate students
Frequently Asked Questions
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has carefully compiled responses to common questions from first-year APSC 100 students who are exploring CHBE as a potential specialization. Our goal is to provide clear, thoughtful, and informative answers to help you better understand the program—its academic focus, learning opportunities, and career pathways. We hope this resource supports you as you make informed decisions about your future studies and professional development within engineering.
Chemical and Biological Engineers do amazing things.
Chemical and biological engineering is the application of scientific and engineering principles to develop process solutions to everyday industrial and commercial needs, and the most pressing challenges that humanity faces today.
Applications include the production of:
- Renewable energy systems
- Breakthrough vaccines
- Sustainable consumer products
- Drought resistant crops
- Fuels from carbon emissions
- New products from waste
- Biomaterials
- Novel Batteries
Programs
Chemical Engineering
The Chemical Engineering program focuses on the analysis, design, process control, operation and management of chemical processes to provide society with clean fuels and energy, safe foods and water, improved health, green products, and more.
Chemical and Biological Engineering
The Chemical and Biological Engineering program allows students to combine interests in life sciences with engineering through understanding of biotechnology, chemical and food bioprocessing, environmental services, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical engineering.
Working as a Chemical and Biological Engineer
Chemical and Biological Engineers work in Canada and abroad to innovate sustainable technologies and solutions to provide society with the products and processes required to build a healthy, green, sustainable future. Graduates of our programs pursue careers in industry, research, government and non-government organization or become entrepreneurs.
CHBE Scholars
The Research and Industrial Scholars are unparalleled academic opportunities for small cohorts of elite students. It provides students with deep industry supported training in chemical and biological engineering.
Capstone Design Projects
Fourth Year CHBE Capstone student projects are among the most complex and societally impactful projects of any faculty. Through their Capstone projects, many sponsored by industry, student groups develop engineering packages for the installation and construction of process that tackle all sort of industrial, commercial, or societally needs.
Academics
The CHBE programs share foundations in chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics, a core of engineering science courses and courses on technical communications, and complementary studies. Both programs strongly emphasize sustainability, green engineering practices, and environmental protection.
Why UBC CHBE?
Undergraduate lab tour
Take a virtual tour of our undergraduate labs, where students do hands-on experiments to connect classroom theories with real-world applications.
World Class Educational Experience
Our programs combine classroom instruction with hands-on training in learning laboratories. Students expand their horizons through co-op placements, industrial site visits and research opportunities.
Rewarding Careers
Our degrees open doors to career opportunities in Canada and abroad. Our graduates work in the renewable energy, resources, environmental, food, medical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors.
Learn From the Best
We have passionate, award-winning instructors and researchers. Our research faculty are globally recognised leaders in their fields.
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Career opportunities
Chemical and Biological Engineers work in Canada and abroad to innovate sustainable technologies and solutions to provide society with the products and processes required to build a healthy, green, sustainable future. Graduates of our programs pursue careers in research, government and non-government organization or become entrepreneurs.
Graduates from UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering have critical roles as leaders in….
- Smart and Biodegradable Materials
- Carbon Capture Technology to Reduce GHGs
- Clean Drinking Water and Wastewater Treatment
- Better, More Affordable Healthcare
- Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
- Sustainable Production of Healthy Food
- Sustainable Development Consultant
- Sustainable Forest-based Products
- Systems Engineering
- Zero Carbon Emission Fuels and Energy