Program Overview

The mission of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Chemical and Biomolecular engineering program is to provide qualified students with a foundation in engineering sciences and engineering design methods to prepare them for successful professional careers and to contribute to the needs of society.

Program Educational Objectives
In pursuit of the program’s mission, the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has established the Educational Objectives given below.

Succeeds professionally: Graduates will succeed professionally by making positive contributions to address the needs of society, generating new knowledge, and providing leadership in their respective industry or field.

Solves engineering and scientific challenges: Graduates will use critical thinking and engineering techniques and strategies to develop economical solutions to technical challenges, within practical constraints and limitations.

Communicates effectively to diverse audiences: Graduates will demonstrate respect for different perspectives and use effective communication skills with broad and diverse audiences.

Acts safely and ethically: Graduates will uphold the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Code of Ethics and will influence others to do the same.

Engages in life-long learning: Graduates will engage in self-initiated, life-long learning for professional growth in their chosen career paths.

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering offers a course of study designed for students who plan careers in a wide variety of industries, ranging from the chemical and process industries to biotechnology, electronics, and the environment. Students receive training in the basic subjects of mathematics, English, and physics like other engineering students, but in addition receive extensive training in chemistry. In various courses, the emphasis is placed on the fundamental principles of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, separation processes, thermodynamics, kinetics, and process dynamics, as well as process economics and design of chemical processes.

The instructional laboratories provide opportunities for students to operate experimental equipment, test the theories and correlations developed in the classroom, and design their own experimental equipment for the solution of special problems.

Graduates are qualified to undertake work in research, design, development, production, maintenance, and technical sales in a wide variety of industries including chemicals, petroleum, petrochemicals, rubber, plastics, agricultural chemicals, food, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, paper, fabrics, aircraft, automotive, electronics, energy conversion, and environmental pollution prevention and control.

The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering is located in Othmer Hall. A state-of-the-art unit operations laboratory, used to give hands-on chemical process experience, is located there. Laboratory equipment is provided for the study of fluid mechanics, heat transfer, mass transfer, staged operations, process control, thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, and polymerization. The department operates its own microcomputer facility. Additional research equipment is available for independent and graduate study in several areas.