Faculty of Applied ScienceUBC Chemical and Biological Engineering

Marc in a hard hat looking up during an chemical plant tour

Future undergraduate students

Are you a high school or college student interested in Chemical and Biological Engineering?

Experience a day in the CHBE Program

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.

Learn more about the profession

Chemical and Biological Engineering Explained

CHBE Scholars

Engineer working with mechanical robotic arm

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.

Industrial Scholars Research Scholars

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.

Project Examples

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.

View curriculum

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.

Explore our programs

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.

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