Bachelor of Engineering Honours(Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Project Management

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

The University of Sydney’s Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Project Management combines advanced engineering knowledge with practical leadership and project delivery expertise, preparing students to manage complex engineering projects across industries such as energy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, manufacturing, and sustainability. The program is ideal for students who want to combine technical problem-solving with organisational leadership, strategic planning, and project coordination skills. Campus: The program is primarily delivered at the University of Sydney’s Camperdown/Darlington campus in Sydney, Australia, home to the Faculty of Engineering and the School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

Students develop expertise in chemical and biomolecular systems while also learning how to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage project lifecycles, evaluate risk, and deliver large-scale technical projects. Through laboratory learning, engineering design work, and project management studies, graduates gain both technical depth and professional leadership capabilities valued across global industries.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year establishes strong foundations in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering principles, and project-based thinking. Students typically study core units such as Calculus and Linear Algebra, Chemistry for Engineers, and Introduction to Engineering, while project management studies introduce organisational communication, teamwork, and project planning fundamentals. This early combination helps students understand both technical systems and collaborative project environments.

Year 2

In second year, students begin developing core chemical and biomolecular engineering knowledge alongside project management methodologies. Engineering subjects such as Mass and Energy Balances, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics build understanding of industrial processes and engineering systems, while project-focused studies explore scheduling, budgeting, stakeholder communication, and operational planning. Students also begin applying analytical and technical decision-making to practical engineering contexts.

Year 3

Third year focuses on more advanced engineering analysis and integrated project applications. Students study units including Transport Phenomena, Reaction Engineering, and Process Design, learning how chemical and biomolecular systems are designed, optimised, and controlled in real industrial environments. Project management studies further develop capabilities in leadership, procurement, risk assessment, and project delivery within multidisciplinary engineering settings.

Year 4

Students move into specialised and industry-oriented learning during fourth year through advanced engineering electives and collaborative project experiences. Subjects such as Process Control, Separation Processes, and Sustainable Engineering strengthen technical expertise in industrial operations, environmental systems, and process optimisation. At the same time, project management components focus on strategic planning, governance, and complex project coordination in engineering and infrastructure sectors.

Year 5 and Honours

The final year centres on honours-level research, engineering design, and professional engagement. Students complete significant capstone or research projects while participating in the university’s Professional Engagement Program (PEP), gaining practical exposure to industry standards, workplace communication, and professional engineering practice. By graduation, students are equipped to lead technically complex engineering projects while balancing commercial, operational, and sustainability considerations.

Focus Areas

Chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, process systems, sustainability engineering, reaction engineering, biotechnology, industrial operations, project planning, risk management, leadership, project delivery, engineering management, systems optimisation

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced knowledge of chemical and biomolecular engineering systems; design and optimise industrial processes; apply thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction engineering principles; manage engineering projects from planning to delivery; evaluate sustainability and operational efficiency; lead multidisciplinary teams; communicate technical and strategic information professionally; integrate engineering expertise with project management methodologies.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, supporting international professional recognition for graduates. The project management studies also align with professional project management principles and industry practices relevant to infrastructure, engineering, and operations sectors.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Sydney is internationally recognised for excellence in engineering, technology, and graduate employability. The university consistently performs strongly in global rankings such as QS World University Rankings and is respected by employers for producing graduates with strong technical capability, leadership skills, and industry readiness across engineering and project-based industries.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Project Management at the University of Sydney gives students extensive practical exposure through laboratory learning, engineering design projects, professional engagement activities, and project-based collaboration. Students learn in advanced engineering environments where they apply chemical and biomolecular engineering concepts to real industrial challenges while also developing leadership, planning, and project delivery skills relevant to large-scale engineering operations.

The program combines technical experimentation with project coordination and management training, helping students gain hands-on experience in process engineering, sustainability, systems optimisation, risk management, and industrial operations. Through specialised laboratories, immersive learning technologies, collaborative projects, and industry-connected learning opportunities, students graduate with strong technical and managerial confidence:

Professional Engagement Program (PEP) : Engineering students complete the university’s Professional Engagement Program, where they build workplace communication, teamwork, leadership, and professional engineering skills through practical activities, industry experiences, and reflective learning.
Pilot Plant and Process Laboratories : Students gain operational experience in chemical engineering laboratories and pilot plant facilities involving distillation, heat transfer, filtration, crystallisation, fluid systems, and reaction engineering processes.
Engineering Design Projects : The program includes collaborative engineering design and process optimisation projects where students work in multidisciplinary teams to solve industry-style technical and operational challenges.
Process Simulation Software : Students use engineering process modelling and flowsheet simulation software for process analysis, plant design, optimisation, and systems evaluation within chemical and biomolecular engineering subjects.
Project Management Tools : Students develop practical project delivery skills using scheduling, budgeting, planning, risk analysis, and organisational management frameworks relevant to engineering and infrastructure projects.
Immersive Learning Laboratory : Students have access to the University of Sydney’s Immersive Learning Laboratory, a VR-enabled facility where engineering environments and industrial systems can be explored through simulation-based learning experiences.
Research Laboratories : The Faculty of Engineering provides access to advanced research facilities in areas such as clean energy, advanced materials, fluid mechanics, environmental engineering, and biomolecular systems.
Sydney Nano Institute Exposure : Students benefit from research-connected learning through institutes such as the Sydney Nano Institute, supporting innovation in nanotechnology, biomolecular science, and advanced engineering systems.
Net Zero Institute Engagement : The university’s Net Zero Institute connects students with sustainability-focused initiatives and emerging research related to renewable energy, decarbonisation, and environmental engineering solutions.
Laboratory and Industrial Practice Units : Practical laboratory units allow students to perform experiments, analyse engineering data, evaluate industrial systems, and prepare professional engineering reports.
Group-Based Project Work : Students regularly collaborate in project teams to manage timelines, coordinate technical tasks, deliver presentations, and solve engineering management problems within realistic project scenarios.
Engineering Workshops and Maker Spaces : Students can access engineering workshop environments and collaborative innovation spaces that support prototype development, technical experimentation, and multidisciplinary teamwork.
Libraries and Digital Learning Resources : Students have access to the University of Sydney’s engineering and project management library resources, online databases, digital research tools, collaborative study spaces, and professional software platforms.
Industry-Focused Learning Environment : The School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering maintains strong industry engagement that helps align practical learning experiences with current engineering and project management expectations across manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, and biotechnology sectors.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) and Bachelor of Project Management at the University of Sydney are prepared for careers that combine advanced engineering expertise with leadership and project delivery capabilities. The degree equips students to manage complex engineering operations, sustainability initiatives, infrastructure developments, and industrial innovation projects across sectors such as energy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, consulting, and construction. Typical career outcomes include Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Project Engineer, Engineering Project Manager, Sustainability Consultant, Operations Manager, and Biomolecular Engineer.

The strong integration of engineering practice, project leadership, and industry engagement gives graduates a competitive advantage in both technical and management-focused roles:

Career Development Services : Students receive support through the University of Sydney Careers Centre, which offers resume development workshops, interview coaching, employer networking events, internship guidance, career planning consultations, and access to graduate recruitment programs.
Professional Engagement Program (PEP) : Engineering students complete the Professional Engagement Program, helping them develop leadership, communication, teamwork, ethical practice, and workplace readiness through professional activities and industry-connected experiences.
Industry Collaboration Opportunities : The Faculty of Engineering maintains relationships with organisations across manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, consulting, environmental engineering, and biotechnology sectors, supporting project exposure and professional networking opportunities.
Project-Based Industry Learning : Students participate in collaborative engineering and project management activities that mirror real workplace environments, strengthening practical skills in scheduling, operations, technical planning, and stakeholder coordination.
Graduate Employability Reputation : The University of Sydney is internationally recognised for graduate employability and is highly regarded by employers for producing industry-ready graduates with strong analytical, technical, and leadership skills.
Median Salary : Graduates from engineering and project management-related disciplines at the University of Sydney commonly achieve median full-time salaries ranging from AUD $80,000–$100,000+, depending on industry sector, technical specialisation, and project leadership responsibilities.
Global Engineering Accreditation : The engineering component is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised under the Washington Accord, supporting professional recognition and international career mobility across multiple countries.
Leadership and Management Advantage : The project management component provides graduates with additional expertise in project delivery, strategic planning, procurement, budgeting, and operational coordination, creating pathways into management and executive-track positions.
Research and Innovation Exposure : Students gain access to innovation-focused institutes such as the Sydney Nano Institute and Net Zero Institute, helping graduates build expertise in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and biomolecular technologies.
Graduation Outcomes : Graduates are equipped to work in multidisciplinary engineering and management environments where technical problem-solving, operational efficiency, sustainability planning, and project leadership are essential.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this program, graduates may continue into postgraduate study in areas such as Chemical Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering, Sustainability Engineering, Energy Systems, Project Management, Engineering Management, Business Administration, Biotechnology, or Environmental Systems. Students interested in research and innovation can also pursue Master by Research or PhD programs at the University of Sydney in fields related to clean energy, advanced process systems, biomolecular technologies, industrial optimisation, and sustainable infrastructure development.