Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering BE

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Dublin

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering at University College Dublin teaches you how to turn scientific principles into real-world solutions, designing and operating processes that transform raw materials into essential products, from pharmaceuticals to renewable energy systems. It’s perfect for students who enjoy maths and science and want a hands-on, rigorous engineering degree that opens doors in global industries like biopharmaceuticals, energy, environment, and materials production.

Curriculum Structure

First Year:
In the first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in core sciences and engineering principles. You’ll study calculus, physics, chemistry, mechanics, energy engineering, linear algebra, and engineering computing, alongside projects like creativity in design. This prepares you for problem-solving in engineering contexts and lays the groundwork for your Chemical & Bioprocess pathway.

Second Year:
Second year deepens your understanding of engineer-focused sciences and introduces you to core chemical and bioprocess concepts. Modules include organic chemistry for engineers, transport phenomena, chemical and bioprocess engineering laboratory, and computers in chemical and bioprocess engineering. You will learn how materials behave, how processes are measured and modeled, and how chemical systems are analyzed and controlled.

Third Year:
In the third year, you focus on chemical engineering design and analysis with courses like chemical and bioprocess reaction engineering, thermodynamics and kinetics, commercial pharmaceutical and bioprocessing technology, and unit operations. These subjects teach you how reactions, flows, separations, and systems work at scale, which is vital for careers in chemical, energy, and biopharmaceutical industries.

Fourth Year:
The final year tackles advanced and applied engineering challenges. You will study advanced separation processes, environmental engineering, process control, bioprocess scale-up and technology transfer, and chemical and bioprocess engineering design. These modules develop your design leadership skills, systems perspective, and real-world engineering judgment, preparing you to graduate ready for industry or further study.

Focus Areas:

Chemical and bioprocess design, reaction engineering, thermodynamics and kinetics, process control, environmental engineering, biopharmaceuticals, and scale-up.

Learning Outcomes:

Apply maths and science to solve engineering problems, design and operate chemical and bioprocess systems, analyze process performance, communicate professionally, and uphold safety and sustainability standards.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The degree is accredited at the Master’s level by the Institution of Chemical Engineers, meeting international engineering standards and supporting future chartered status.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

UCD is ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide, and Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering graduates are highly recognized by industry leaders for their technical expertise and professional skills.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At UCD, studying Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering means you won’t just be learning from lectures — you’ll be learning by doing. From the start, you’ll work in dedicated laboratories where you apply theory to experiments, use modern tools, and develop practical problem-solving skills. You’ll gain experience with industry-relevant software, collaborate on group projects, and handle real process data, preparing you for both professional practice and research environments. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

What you’ll do and where you’ll learn:

Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering Laboratories: You’ll complete lab-based modules such as Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering Laboratory 1 and Biochemical Engineering Labs, conducting experiments, analyzing data, and writing technical reports. These labs focus on teamwork, safe handling of instruments, and interpreting real process results.
Advanced Lab Projects & Simulation: In higher-level labs, you’ll tackle complex unit operations and process simulations using professional software, helping you design experiments, interpret results, and communicate findings effectively.
Group Projects & Teamwork: Many labs include structured group work where you collaborate on experiments, prepare presentations, and solve engineering challenges together — mirroring real-world industry environments.
Lab Summer School & Industry Exposure: UCD offers an optional Lab Summer School where you work in small teams on unit operations and bioprocess experiments and visit real pharmaceutical plants to see large-scale bioprocessing in action.
Research & Study Abroad Opportunities: You can engage in research placements or study abroad programs that place you in active research groups, giving early exposure to both academic and industrial research.
Library & Digital Tools Support: UCD Library provides access to specialized datasets, journals, and software that support your lab work, projects, and assignments.

Facilities:
You’ll learn in well-equipped engineering labs on UCD’s Belfield campus, designed for hands-on chemical and process experimentation, with computing and data analysis tools to support modern engineering workflows. A full list of UCD’s engineering facilities is available through the university’s official resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with a BE in Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering from UCD opens doors to a wide range of exciting careers, as employers highly value your analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills. Many graduates go on to work as process engineers, chemical engineers, bioprocess design engineers, or environmental compliance specialists, contributing to industries from pharmaceuticals and energy to environmental services and consulting. UCD’s strong reputation and practical focus help ensure that graduates are well-prepared and highly employable:

Career Support Services: UCD Careers Network offers personalised guidance, including career planning appointments, CV reviews, interview preparation, and access to job fairs. The CareersConnect platform allows students to book consultations specifically tailored to engineering fields.
Employment Statistics & Salary Expectations: UCD chemical engineering graduates are highly sought after. Typical starting salaries for chemical engineers range from around €30,000 to €45,000 per year, with higher earning potential as experience grows.
University–Industry Connections: The programme maintains strong links with industry, ensuring that your learning is relevant to the workplace and that employers recognize the quality of your degree.
Accreditation Value: The degree is accredited at the Master’s level by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), which aligns with international professional standards and supports your pathway toward Chartered Engineer status.
Graduate Outcomes: Alumni find roles in consulting firms, multinational manufacturers, energy producers, and biopharmaceutical companies. Many also pursue further study or research, supported by UCD’s strong research presence in chemical and bioprocess engineering.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BE in Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering, you have several options to continue your studies. You could pursue a taught or research Master’s degree in areas such as Chemical Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Engineering, or Environmental Process Design, which provide deeper technical expertise and enhance career prospects. For those interested in research or academia, there is also the option to progress to a PhD. UCD’s postgraduate programmes are closely connected to research institutes and industry, offering a smooth pathway from undergraduate to advanced study.