MS Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers advanced training for students interested in chemical processes, biochemical systems, materials, energy, and industrial research. With thesis and non-thesis options, the program accommodates students aiming for research careers, industry roles, or further academic study while allowing them to deepen their technical expertise through specialized graduate coursework and research opportunities.

Curriculum Structure:

The M.S. requires 30 semester hours and offers two pathways: a thesis option involving original research and a non-thesis option focused on advanced coursework. Students develop a strong foundation in chemical engineering principles before choosing electives that align with their interests in biotechnology, energy, materials, environmental engineering, and industrial processes.

First Year:

Students typically begin with graduate core courses such as CHEM ENG 5100 – Intermediate Transport Phenomena, CHEM ENG 5110 – Intermediate Chemical Reactor Design, and CHEM ENG 5220 – Intermediate Engineering Thermodynamics. These courses build advanced understanding of heat and mass transfer, reaction kinetics, reactor design, thermodynamic properties, and chemical process analysis.

Second Year:

Students can expand their expertise through electives such as CHEM ENG 5210 – Intermediate Biochemical Reactors, CHEM ENG 5250 – Isolation and Purification of Biologicals, and CHEM ENG 5325 – Carbon Capture Process Engineering. Thesis students complete research credits through CHEM ENG 6099 – Research and prepare and defend a thesis, while non-thesis students complete the required graduate coursework and advanced-level electives.

Focus Areas:

Biochemical and biomedical engineering, biomanufacturing, pharmaceutical engineering, carbon management, energy and environmental engineering, materials and nanotechnology, particle technology and characterization, reaction engineering, transport phenomena, process design, catalysis, sustainable infrastructure, environmental remediation, computational modeling.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop advanced knowledge of chemical engineering principles, apply mathematical and scientific methods to complex engineering problems, analyze chemical and biochemical processes, and strengthen their ability to conduct research, interpret technical data, and communicate engineering findings. Thesis students also gain experience in independent research, scholarly investigation, and defending their work.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

Missouri S&T's undergraduate Chemical Engineering B.S. program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under the criteria for chemical, biochemical, biomolecular, and similarly named engineering programs. This accreditation reflects the department's established professional engineering foundation. The M.S. program itself is not separately identified as ABET-accredited.

Reputation (Employability):

Missouri S&T offers a strong engineering-focused environment with connections to high-tech industries, national laboratories, and research organizations. The university's department lists an estimated starting salary range of $75,000–$105,000 for chemical engineering career pathways, covering areas such as biochemical and biomedical engineering, polymer materials, energy, environmental engineering, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. This is a general estimate rather than a verified salary outcome specifically for M.S. graduates.

The university also reports that its master's graduates earned an average starting salary of approximately $87,217, according to a 2025 university communication covering its graduates overall. This is not a program-specific employment statistic. Missouri S&T's Career Opportunities and Employer Relations office supports students through career fairs, employer connections, internship and co-op opportunities, and career outcome resources.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology offers students opportunities to develop practical expertise through advanced laboratory research, specialized coursework, and faculty-guided projects. The thesis option allows students to investigate chemical and biochemical engineering problems through original research, while the non-thesis option emphasizes advanced technical knowledge through graduate-level courses. Missouri S&T's research environment includes facilities for biochemical engineering, reaction engineering, materials characterization, and energy-related research, helping students connect engineering theory with industrial and scientific applications.

Students can explore practical and research opportunities through the following program-related resources:

Research laboratories: Missouri S&T's Chemical and Biochemical Engineering department provides access to research facilities in the Sustainable Materials Laboratory, Applied Catalysis and Sustainability Lab, Biointerfaces and Bioremediation Laboratory, Translational Diagnostics and Biomaterials Lab, and Advanced Immunoengineering for Translational Medicine Lab. These support research in materials, catalysis, nanotechnology, environmental remediation, medical devices, biomaterials, and drug delivery.
Biochemical and biomedical research: The department's laboratories explore applications such as microbial engineering, contaminant removal, biomaterial development, immune-responsive materials, and nanoparticle-based drug delivery, offering research directions for students interested in biotechnology and biomedical applications.
Computational and experimental facilities: The department has both computational and experimental research infrastructure, enabling students and faculty to investigate specialized engineering problems through modeling, simulation, and laboratory experimentation.
Energy and environmental research: Research areas include carbon management, energy and environment, sustainable materials, and catalysis. These topics connect chemical engineering methods with carbon capture, alternative energy, and environmental challenges.
Research projects and thesis work: Students following the thesis option can work with faculty on original research in their selected area. The department's research is supported by grants and contracts from organizations including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Defense agencies, and industry.
Industry exposure and plant tours: The department's AIChE student chapter hosts industry guest speakers, networking meetings, plant tours, and corporate mixers. These activities provide opportunities to learn about chemical engineering workplaces and interact with professionals.
Student design teams: Missouri S&T's Chem E Car and Chem E Cube teams offer hands-on design experiences. Chem E Car students build small vehicles powered and stopped by chemical reactions, while Chem E Cube participants design and demonstrate a modular chemical plant that fits within a one-cubic-foot space. These are student organization opportunities, not stated M.S. degree requirements.
Specific software and internships: The department's published M.S. requirements do not identify one software package as compulsory or specify a mandatory internship. Software and practical training depend on the selected courses, research topic, and faculty project.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology prepares graduates to apply advanced engineering knowledge to industrial processes, research, and product development. Through specialized coursework and research opportunities, students can build skills relevant to careers in chemical manufacturing, biotechnology, energy, materials, and environmental engineering.

Graduates may pursue roles such as Chemical Engineer, Process Development Engineer, Biochemical Engineer, Research and Development Engineer.

Career development and opportunities include:

Career support: Missouri S&T’s Career Opportunities and Employer Relations (COER) provides resume and cover-letter reviews, mock interviews, individual career advising, LinkedIn profile reviews, and job-search support through Handshake. The university also hosts career fairs each semester, where employers visit campus for networking and interviews.
Employment and salary information: The department lists an estimated starting salary range of $75,000–$105,000 for chemical engineering careers. This is a general estimate, not a verified salary outcome specific to this M.S. program. Missouri S&T has also reported an average starting salary of nearly $90,000 for master’s graduates across the university over a three-year period.
Industry connections and research funding: The department receives research grants and contracts from federal agencies, including the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Department of Defense, along with support from state sources and companies. Students can also connect with employers through career fairs, employer events, and campus visits. Specific industry partnerships exclusive to this M.S. program are not identified in the published information.
Accreditation and graduation outcomes: ABET accreditation generally applies to qualifying undergraduate engineering programs; the M.S. degree is not separately identified as ABET-accredited. The department’s educational objectives emphasize career growth, collaboration, leadership, and lifelong learning. Program-specific graduate employment and placement statistics were not available in the information reviewed.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, students interested in advanced research or academic careers can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering at Missouri S&T or apply to doctoral programs at other universities. Doctoral study can support deeper specialization in biochemical and biomedical engineering, catalysis, energy and environmental engineering, materials and nanotechnology, and transport phenomena.