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

Future undergraduate students

How to apply

SPECIAL EVENT: High School Visits

High School students are invited to visit the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia. This year, there are two dates to choose from: Saturday November 29, 2025 or Saturday February 28, 2026. This program is FREE but space is limited.

This one day visit includes:

  • Fun, interactive workshops to better undsertand how engineers work together to solve real-world problems
  • Short lectures to experience what it’s like to be a Chemical and Biological Engineering student at UBC
  • Tour of the teaching laboratories
  • Q and A with professors and current students
  • Lunch and snacks


Apply to High School Visits

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

Engineers working in front of a screen

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

Students studying

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

Students studying

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

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.

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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

Keep exploring