In 1913 Iowa State University was among the first to offer a degree in what was then a new discipline – chemical engineering. Since those early beginnings, the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering rapidly established itself as one of the most highly respected chemical engineering programs that balances excellent undergraduate education with an innovative graduate program and impactful research portfolio. With over 7,400 graduates, the department’s alumni have gone on to work in and rise to the highest levels of industry, academia, and national laboratories.
Our undergraduate program offers student a hands-on practice-oriented education, with more than 60% participating in internships, co-ops, and research experiences. These experiential learning experiences are facilitated by the department’s commitment to offering every core chemical engineering course during both fall and spring semesters, which is important for keeping students on track to graduate without unnecessary delay.
Our graduate program features award-winning faculty addressing critical societal problems related to renewable technologies and biomanufacturing, human health, and advanced materials. The collegial and collaborative atmosphere provides opportunities for faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate research assistants to explore exciting research frontiers and to develop technically and professionally.