The Projects

Both degrees leading to the Bachelor of Science are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), 111 Market Place, Suite 1050, Baltimore, MD 21202-4012, (410) 347-7700. ABET, the recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology, is a federation of 28 professional and technical societies representing these fields.

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department at Mines has two undergraduate degree programs: 1) BS Chemical Engineering and 2) BS Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. Both degree programs are ABET-accredited through 2018.

To be accredited, a program must have educational objectives and associated student outcomes that lead to meeting those objectives. Programs must also have a comprehensive assessment methodology in place that provides continuous feedback and demonstrates that the objectives are being met.

For both degree programs. our objectives for our graduates within three to five years of completing their degree are that they will:

1. be in graduate school or in the workforce utilizing their education in chemical engineering fundamentals; and
2. be applying their knowledge of and skills in engineering fundamentals in conventional areas of chemical engineering and in contemporary and growing fields; and
3. have demonstrated both their commitment to continuing to develop personally and professionally, and an appreciation for the ethical and social responsibilities associated with being an engineer and a world citizen.

In addition to the above objectives, our Chemical and Biochemical Engineering graduates three to five years out will:

1. be applying their knowledge of and skills in biochemical engineering fundamentals.

The Chemical and Biological Engineering Department offers the opportunity to begin work on a master of science (with thesis) degree while completing the requirements of the bachelor’s degree. These combined BS/MS programs are designed to allow undergraduates engaged in research to apply their experience to an advanced degree. An advantage of the combined BS/MS program is that students may apply two classes (6 credit hours) to both their BS and MS degrees. These two classes must be chemical engineering elective courses at the 400-level or higher. The remaining MS curriculum consists of the four core graduate courses (CHEN507, CHEN509, CHEN516 and CHEN518) and 18 thesis credits. It is expected that a student would be able to complete both degrees in five to five and a half years. To take advantage of the combined program, students should be engaged in research and taking graduate coursework during their senior year. For this reason, students are expected to apply to the program by the end of their junior year. Students must have a GPA greater than 3.0 to be considered for the program. Interested students are encouraged to get more information from their advisor or the faculty member in charge of graduate affairs.

Freshman Year, Fall Semester

Freshman Year, Spring Semester

Sophomore Year, Fall Semester

Sophomore Year, Spring Semester

Junior Year, Fall Semester

Summer Field Session

Junior Year, Spring Semester

Senior Year, Fall Semester

Senior Year, Spring Semester

*Not all CBEN courses count as CBEN electives.

Freshman Year, Fall Semester

Freshman Year, Spring Semester

Sophomore Year, Fall Semester

Sophomore Year, Spring Semester

Junior Year, Fall Semester

Summer Field Session

Junior Year, Spring Semester

Senior Year, Fall Semester

Senior Year, Spring Semester

NOTE: Any CHGN or CBEN 3XX course counts as the CHGN or CBEN 3XX elective listed in the spring semester of the junior year. However, only CBEN courses with engineering content count as the CBEN electives listed in the senior year. Those courses include the following:

*If content has sufficient engineering basis, as determined by the department head given the project description, these courses can count as a CBEN elective.

The following CBEN bio-related courses DO NOT have sufficient engineering content and therefore DO NOT count as CBEN electives.

To obtain a Biomedical Engineering minor, students must take at least 18 credits related to Biomedical Engineering. Two courses (8 credits) of biology are required. Two restricted requirements include Intro to Biomedical Engineering (required) and at least 3 credits of engineering electives related to BME. Two more courses (or at least 4 credits) may be chosen from the engineering and/or additional electives. The lists of electives will be modified as new related courses that fall into these categories become available.

Required Courses (11 credits)

Engineering Elective Courses Related to BME
(at least 3 credits)

Additional Elective Courses Related to BME
(two courses or at least 4 credits from the list above or below)