| What is Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering?
Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering…
...is different from chemistry because it emphasizes the commercial applications of chemical reactions; it involves harnessing chemical reactions to produce things people want
… encompasses all aspects of design, testing, scale-up, operation, control, and optimization, and requires a quantitative understanding of the "Unit Operations", that make these conversions possible.
What does “biomolecular” have to do with it?
Recent scientific breakthroughs in molecular biology are expected to yield even more opportunities for chemical engineers to contribute to pharmaceutical process development, drug discovery, the design and control of bioprocesses, and the general application of chemical engineering principles to biosystems
Some areas of research in our department include:
Polymer Science
Blood-Material Interactions
Molecularly Based Membrane Separations
Fuel-Cell Fuel Processing
Catalysis
Microfluidics
Nanocomposites
Biocompatible Polymers
Colloids and Interfaces
Molecular Self-Assembly
Bioinformatics
Nanobiotechnology
Cell and Tissue Engineering
Neural Prosthetics
Aerosol Science
Nucleation
Process Systems Engineering
Industrial Ecology
Interested in Alternative Energies & Fuel Cells?
View a PPT presentation on Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering
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High School Preparation
A strong background in Chemistry and Math is important to Chemical Engineers. Students should also have some background in physics and enjoy problem solving, hands on work and puzzles. Students should be prepared to utilize an intensive work ethic and expect a large amount of group work.
While in high school, all students should complete as much Chemistry and Math as their high school offers. If your school offers AP courses in any subject, you should strive to take those courses and complete the tests as they can often count towards your college credit. Any coursework that your high school offers in computer programming will also be helpful. If you are interested in the biomolecular option, be sure to take biology and advanced biology courses as well.
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What To Expect
Each new freshman who declares his/her interest in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and is admitted to the College of Engineering is admitted as an engineering-undecided major with an interest area of Chemical Engineering. If you are interested in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering and are not directly enrolled in the College of Engineering, be sure to schedule an appointment with the undergraduate advisor (cbe-ugrad@chbmeng.ohio-state.edu) the first week of classes.
All students will take General Chemistry in their first year. Each student must also begin with four quarters of Calculus (a variety of sequence options will be given to you at orientation) and a first year engineering program (there are two sequences to choose from if you are an honors student). Students will move into physics, chemical engineering and organic chemistry coursework in their second year.
Click to view a video on a nanotechnology design course offered to first year students
Read a recent article about the Nanotechnology projects in the first year program.
In your first quarter at Ohio State, you also participate in University Survey course dedicated to being a chemical engineering major. The course is taught by the department academic advisor and will help students explore course policies, university policies, and general procedures as well as bring in a number of faculty, members of local industry and current students to talk about various aspects of the program and its possibilities.
During the spring of your first year, you can apply to begin the Chemical Engineering program. You will most likely be in a select group of 60 to 70 students that begin the major their second year. Your first year of coursework will often entail large lectures and smaller recitations. As you move into and through the Chemical Engineering program, you will have faculty teaching your courses and you will have class with a smaller number of individuals. You will all form a strong bond and community while in the program.
Ahead will be at least three more years of hard work and hopefully a coop, internship or research experience to boost your marketability. Your on-campus world will become smaller as you interact more and more with your peers and your courses become concentrated in one area of campus. You will have every opportunity available in terms of resources and activities on campus. You will reap great personal and public rewards for your hard work, including integrity in society, financial gain and unmatched problem solving skills.
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The Ohio State University
With more than 58,000 students, 18 colleges, and 170 majors, The Ohio State University offers its students tremendous breadth and depth of opportunity in the liberal arts, the sciences, and the professions. To read all about the great things going on at OSU, please visit: http://www.osu.edu/dosomethinggreat/index.php.
The College of Engineering at Ohio State is ranked in the top 20 nationally among public universities according to US News and World Report. For a LOT of information regarding facts about the College of Engineering, please visit: http://www.eng.ohio-state.edu/overview/quickfacts.php.
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Scheduling a Visit
If you are interested in coming to Ohio State to major in Chemical Engineering, here are a few handy steps to follow. First, schedule a visit with the University. This visit and tour is crucial. You will gain invaluable insight on what OSU has to offer! See: http://undergrad.osu.edu/visit.html to schedule a University tour and Engineering overview. This will provide invaluable insight to the engineering program in general and provide some expectation of what will occur your first year.
Finally, after you have the major tours set up, contact Mary Hoy (hoy.50@osu.edu), in the Chemical & Biomolecular Department to set up about 2 hours worth of time in the department. She will schedule an appointment with her for questions about general information, some time with a faculty member in the department and arrange a building tour conducted by a current undergraduate. Please keep in mind that scheduling an appointment of this type is very difficult during OSU breaks as well as the first and last week of each quarter.
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Campus Outreach Activities
College of Engineering Programs include:
PREFACE (Pre-freshman and Cooperative Education Program): a summer bridge program designed to provide pre-freshman minority students (male and female) with an orientation to the freshman engineering curriculum at The Ohio State University and to expose them to the actual practice of engineering.
Women in Science Day: Women faculty and staff working in science, medicine, engineering, and related fields will lead workshops and demonstrations for students from Central Ohio schools. Girls in grades 7-10 are invited to attend their choice of two workshops at Ohio State University.
College of Engineering Open Houses (Spring & Fall)
Minority Preview Day
Summer Honors Institute for Gifted Students
Click here for a listing of College of Engineering upcoming events
The Women in Engineering Program conducts a number of preview days, camps, workshops, etc... for female students of all ages interested in pursuing Engineering as a profession. Visit their webpage for an up to date listing of activities: http://wie.eng.ohio-state.edu/prospective/outreach.htm
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