Chemical Engineering (BS): Biomolecular Concentration

The Chemical Engineering (BS): Biomolecular Concentration at North Carolina State University gives students a strongly hands-on pathway into biotechnology, medicine, agriculture, food production, environmental applications, and energy. Students build practical molecular-biology and chemical-engineering skills through laboratory courses, independent research, senior design, internships and co-ops, while the concentration also fulfills the requirements for a Minor in Biotechnology.

The practical experience is built directly into the curriculum through courses such as BIT 410: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA, BIT Laboratory Modules, CHE 330: Chemical Engineering Lab I, CHE 448: Bioreactor Design, and CHE 452: Biomolecular Engineering. Students can also undertake CHE 497: Chemical Engineering Projects I, work with faculty and research mentors, and complete senior design projects addressing real engineering problems.

Key opportunities include:

• Molecular biology laboratories: The Biomolecular Concentration provides hands-on laboratory training in molecular biology, particularly relevant to pharmaceutical, medical, engineering and agricultural applications.
• Recombinant DNA experience: BIT 410: Manipulation of Recombinant DNA gives students practical exposure to molecular biotechnology techniques, complemented by dedicated BIT Laboratory Modules.
• Chemical engineering laboratories: CHE 330: Chemical Engineering Lab I provides laboratory-based chemical engineering experience, while later coursework includes CHE 448: Bioreactor Design and CHE 452: Biomolecular Engineering.
• Independent research: Through CHE 497/498: Chemical Engineering Projects, undergraduate students can conduct semester-long research under the guidance of faculty, graduate students or postdoctoral researchers and may work for academic credit or compensation.
• Senior design projects: Students apply their engineering knowledge through CHE 450/451: Chemical Engineering Design I & II or the Engineering Entrepreneurship Senior Design I & II pathway, giving them experience developing solutions to practical problems.
• Internships and co-ops: NC State’s Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering connects students with internships and co-ops involving major industry partners, providing direct exposure to professional engineering environments.
• Biotechnology facilities: NC State’s Biotechnology Program operates teaching and laboratory facilities supporting hands-on education in molecular biotechnology, with more than 400 students enrolling annually across its biotechnology courses.
• Biological research infrastructure: The Biological Infrastructure Core Facility (BioCore) provides access to BSL-2 bacterial and cell-culture facilities, robotic liquid handling, microplate readers, phosphorimaging and automated protein-purification systems for biological research.
• Genomics and computational tools: The Genomic Sciences Laboratory provides infrastructure for advanced genomics research, while NC State’s High-Performance Computing Core Facility supports computationally intensive research.
• Industry and government projects: Department researchers and students work with government and industry partners across biotechnology, microfluidics, nanotechnology, polymer science and green energy, giving students opportunities to see how engineering research is applied beyond the classroom.

The Chemical Engineering (BS): Biomolecular Concentration at North Carolina State University prepares graduates to apply chemical engineering principles to pharmaceutical, medical, biotechnology, agricultural, and related industries. The concentration adds hands-on molecular biology laboratory skills and fulfills the requirements for a Minor in Biotechnology, creating pathways into both engineering careers and advanced study.

Typical job roles: Chemical Engineer, Biomedical Engineer, Biochemist, Process Engineer.

Career support and employment preparation:

• Career services: NC State’s Career Development Center supports students and graduates with career goals, while the department provides access to internships, co-ops, career fairs, on-campus interviews, and company information sessions.
• Industry experience: The department’s industry network supports internships, co-ops, research collaborations, sponsored senior-design projects, and employment opportunities.
• Employment outcomes: The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering reports that more than 90% of its students go directly into full-time employment or graduate school.
• Salary information: NC State does not provide a current program-specific starting-salary figure for the Biomolecular Concentration on its official program page. A College of Engineering young-alumni survey found that 43% of respondents reported starting base salaries of $50,000–$69,000, although this survey covered engineering alumni broadly rather than this specific program.
• University–industry partnerships: The department works with companies including Pfizer, Merck, GSK, Novo Nordisk, Roche, Bayer, BASF, Dow, 3M, Procter & Gamble, Shell, and Syngenta, supporting research collaborations, recruitment, internships, and other student opportunities.
• Industry-connected environment: NC State’s Centennial Campus hosts more than 70 government and industry partners, providing a setting for research collaborations, sponsored projects, facilities, and student opportunities.
• Accreditation value: The Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET and has maintained continuous accreditation since 1948. NC State states that ABET accreditation helps employers identify graduates prepared to enter the profession and can be used by registration, licensure, and certification boards when screening applicants.
• Graduation outcomes: Program educational objectives prepare graduates for professional engineering and entrepreneurship across biomanufacturing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, advanced materials, energy, environmental engineering, and other industries, while also preparing them for advanced study in areas such as research, medicine, business, and law.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS, students can continue into NC State’s MS, Master of Engineering, or PhD pathways in Chemical Engineering, with graduate research spanning areas such as biomolecular engineering and biotechnology, computational biology, biofuels, green engineering, catalysis, and molecular simulation. High-performing undergraduates can also pursue the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) option, which allows up to 12 credits to be double-counted and can lead to a non-thesis master’s within 12 months or a thesis-based master’s within 18 months after completing the bachelor’s requirements.