Biochemical Engineering utilizes the governing principles of living systems, properties of biological materials and engineering methodology in the processing of biological materials and in processes using biological agents such as cells, enzymes and antibodies.
Students are preparing for careers devoted to engineering biochemical processes which will yield useful products. Graduates of this program will apply their knowledge to developing solutions to problems associated with bio-medicine, pharmaceutical, bio-refinery and bio-environmental systems. The B.S. in Biochemical Engineering can also be considered a pre-professional major (e.g. pre-med or pre-pharmacy). The University of Georgia does not offer a degree with a major in pre-law or pre-medicine, therefore students should work with their academic advisors to choose a specific degree and major.
Educational Objectives | Curriculum | Core Components | Objectives by Academic Year
The educational objectives of the Biochemical Engineering Program at the University of Georgia are to prepare graduates who, after five years of their professional career, have:
- achieved a high level of technical expertise, entrepreneurial thinking and team spirit to recognize, define and innovate design solutions for biochemical processes that require integration of biological, chemical, physical, economic, and environmental constraints.
- established themselves as ethically, socially and culturally perceptive leaders in their profession and their community.
- pursued lifelong learning, such as graduate work or other continuing education.
Biochemical Engineering Curriculum
The curriculum includes courses in basic sciences, engineering sciences, engineering design, social sciences and the humanities. The curriculum is a 130 credit hour, four-year course of study. The curriculum has 47 hours in Math and the Basic Sciences, 56 hours in the Engineering Sciences and Design and 27 hours in the Social Sciences and Humanities.
Core Components
The Biochemical Engineering Curriculum was designed around five core components which are integrated into each year’s program of study within the four-year curriculum.
- Master Technical Content – tools (computer programming, technical writing, graphics), science core (physics, chemistry, biology) and foundational subjects (mathematics, engineering sciences, modeling and simulation, and technical subjects in bio-chemical engineering).
- Social Intelligence – Humanities, Arts, Social and Economic Sciences.
- Build fluency across disciplines through laboratories (gain a better understanding of foundational subjects through hands-on experiences).
- Integrate technical knowledge and social intelligence in real-world design projects.
- Connect with peers and professionals.
Curriculum Objectives for Each Year
Year One: Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills while simultaneously learning the science core.
Year Two: Continue building science core, learn foundational engineering sciences and be introduced to concepts of system/process analysis and modeling.
Year Three: Integrate sciences and mathematics and learn quantitative methods of describing processing of biological materials and use of biological agents for producing useful products.
Year Four: Deepen ability to creatively integrate science, mathematics, best engineering practices for designing processes involving biological materials.