Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Sydney

Program Overview

This degree is designed for students who enjoy chemistry, biology, and problem-solving and want to apply them to real-world challenges like sustainable energy, pharmaceuticals, and advanced materials. Over four years, you’ll gain strong technical foundations, hands-on experience, and industry-relevant skills that prepare you for a global engineering career.

Curriculum structure

Year 1 – Foundations
You’ll build core engineering and science knowledge through subjects like Engineering Computing, Chemistry 1A and 1B, and Introduction to Chemical Engineering. These units help you understand how chemical principles are applied in real engineering systems.

Year 2 – Core chemical engineering skills
Second year focuses on applying theory to practice with subjects such as Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Engineering Modelling and Analysis, and Separation Processes. You’ll start thinking like an engineer—analysing processes and solving practical problems.

Year 3 – Advanced and applied learning
In third year, you move into specialised areas including Biochemical Engineering, Process Plant Design, and Risk Management. The emphasis is on real industrial systems, safety, and sustainable engineering solutions.

Year 4 – Honours and design
Your final year centres on major design projects and an Honours Thesis. Through Chemical Engineering Design units, you’ll tackle complex, real-world challenges and graduate with strong professional and research skills.

Focus areas

Chemical process design, biomolecular and biochemical engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, sustainability, industrial plant design, risk and safety engineering

Learning outcomes

Design and analyse chemical and biological processes, apply engineering principles to complex systems, develop sustainable solutions, work effectively in teams, and communicate professionally in an engineering environment

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The degree is professionally accredited by Engineers Australia and internationally recognised, allowing graduates to pursue engineering careers in Australia and overseas.

Reputation (employability)

The University of Sydney is part of Australia’s leading Group of Eight universities, and its engineering graduates are well regarded by employers across industries such as energy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and advanced manufacturing.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At the University of Sydney, chemical and bio-molecular engineering is learned by doing. From your early years, you’ll spend time in specialist engineering labs where you operate real equipment, analyse data, and see how chemical processes work beyond the classroom. As you progress, practical units and design projects help you connect theory to real industry challenges, so you graduate confident in both your technical and professional skills.

That hands-on experience is supported through dedicated facilities and structured learning activities:

Chemical engineering laboratories where you carry out experiments in heat transfer, fluid flow, separation processes, and reaction engineering using industry-standard equipment
Advanced analytical facilities that allow you to study materials and chemical systems using professional-grade instruments commonly used in research and industry
Laboratory and industrial practice units that focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and applying engineering principles to real process scenarios
Collaborative group projects where you design, analyse, and improve chemical and biochemical systems while building communication and leadership skills
Summer research internships that let you work alongside academic researchers on real engineering projects during semester breaks
Modern engineering spaces within the University’s engineering precinct, designed specifically for hands-on experimentation and multidisciplinary work

This practical, experience-driven approach ensures you don’t just understand chemical and bio-molecular engineering — you know how to apply it in real-world environments from day one.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) at University of Sydney are prepared to enter high-impact industries where science, chemistry, and biological systems are used to design and improve real-world processes. You graduate with strong capability in designing industrial-scale chemical and biological systems, making you well-suited for roles such as Process Engineer, Biomolecular Engineer, Energy Systems Engineer, and Research & Development Engineer.

Career progression & industry outcomes:

University employability support services: Students are supported through the University of Sydney Careers Centre, which offers career coaching, employer networking events, internship matching, resume preparation, and interview training tailored specifically to engineering students.
Employment outcomes & salary outlook: Engineering graduates from the University of Sydney report strong full-time employment outcomes through national graduate surveys, with chemical and biomolecular engineering graduates typically entering well-paid STEM roles in energy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and manufacturing sectors.
Industry partnerships & real-world exposure: The program is supported by strong connections with major engineering, energy, pharmaceutical, and biotech organisations, enabling internships, industry-linked projects, and exposure to real industrial challenges during the degree.
Professional accreditation value: The degree is accredited by Engineers Australia, ensuring international recognition as a professional engineering qualification and supporting global career mobility.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates develop advanced expertise in chemical and biological process design, data-driven engineering analysis, and sustainable system development, enabling them to work across traditional chemical industries and emerging biotechnology sectors.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the degree, students can continue into postgraduate study such as a Master of Professional Engineering, Master of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular), Master of Biotechnology, or specialised research degrees (MPhil/PhD). These pathways allow graduates to move into advanced engineering design roles, academic research, or highly specialised careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable energy systems.