MS Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Iowa

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa offers advanced training for students who want to develop expertise in chemical processes, biotechnology, materials, and engineering research. With thesis and non-thesis options, the program suits students aiming for careers in industry, research, or further academic study, while allowing them to build specialized knowledge through graduate coursework and, where applicable, faculty-guided research.

Curriculum Structure:

The program requires a minimum of 30 semester hours and typically takes two years for full-time students. Rather than following a fixed year-by-year sequence, students complete core courses, electives, and additional requirements according to their chosen thesis or non-thesis option.

First Year:

Students build advanced technical and analytical skills through courses such as CBE:5110 Intermediate Thermodynamics, CBE:5120 Data Science in Chemical and Engineering Systems, and CBE:5104 Introduction to Literature Review and Technical Writing or CBE:5105 Introduction to Literature Review and Proposal Writing. These courses develop expertise in thermodynamic systems, computational methods, data-driven engineering, technical communication, and research planning.

Second Year:

Students deepen their expertise through CBE:5115 Transport Phenomena I and electives selected with an academic advisor. Depending on their interests, they can explore areas such as biochemical engineering, polymer chemistry, drug delivery, environmental chemistry, materials, or computational science; thesis-track students also undertake independent research through CBE:5999 MS Thesis Research: Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.

Focus Areas:

Biological and pharmaceutical systems, clean energy and water, air quality and climate, polymers and advanced materials, quantum chemical simulation, machine learning, remote sensing, biochemical engineering, data science, environmental chemistry, drug delivery, materials science.

Learning Outcomes:

Graduates develop mastery of advanced chemical engineering concepts, strengthen their ability to communicate scientific ideas and research results to technical and general audiences, and demonstrate safe and ethical professional practices. Students completing the thesis option additionally gain experience conducting independent research, identifying and solving research problems, critically evaluating findings, and presenting disciplinary knowledge.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The University of Iowa's undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET under its Chemical Engineering criteria. This reflects the department's established engineering education standards and professional foundation. The M.S. degree itself is not separately identified as ABET-accredited, so this accreditation should not be presented as a direct accreditation of the master's program.

Reputation (Employability):

The University of Iowa's College of Engineering reports that 93–98% of its graduates are employed, continuing their education, or not seeking employment within seven months of graduation. The university also provides engineering career services, including employer networking, industry guest speakers, career fairs, mock interviews, resume reviews, and co-op and internship support. These outcomes are college-wide figures and are not specific to Chemical and Biochemical Engineering M.S. graduates.

The department also maintains industry connections with employers such as Cargill, Bayer Crop Science, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, PepsiCo, ADM, DuPont, AbbVie, and 3M, illustrating the range of industries connected to its chemical and biochemical engineering graduates. These are examples of employer connections, not a guarantee of placement or a list of exclusive graduate recruiters.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa combines advanced coursework with opportunities for research, technical analysis, and specialized laboratory work. Students in the thesis option gain hands-on research experience by working with faculty on topics such as biochemical engineering, drug delivery, polymers, environmental systems, and computational modeling. The department's research facilities and interdisciplinary collaborations expose students to experimental techniques, scientific computing, and emerging engineering applications.

Students can develop practical and research skills through the following opportunities:

Thesis research: Students in the thesis M.S. option complete at least 6 semester hours of thesis research, working with a faculty advisor and committee to investigate a specialized chemical or biochemical engineering topic.
Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing: This interdisciplinary research center offers access to facilities and expertise in biocatalyst discovery, bioprocessing, bioremediation, biosensing, and applications for the pharmaceutical, chemical, nutritional, and agricultural industries.
Engineered BioSynthesis Lab: Research in this laboratory explores synthetic biology and engineered biological systems, providing exposure to research at the intersection of biological science and engineering.
Atmospheric and Environmental Research Lab: Students interested in air quality, atmospheric chemistry, and environmental systems can explore research connected to atmospheric processes and environmental modeling.
Polymers and advanced materials: The department's research in polymeric and advanced materials includes work connected to materials characterization, polymerization, and photopolymerization through facilities such as the MATFab Facility and the Central Microscopy Research Facility.
Computational research and digital tools: Research areas include quantum chemical simulation, machine learning, and remote sensing. The university also provides a Research Supercomputing Facility for computational research. Specific software requirements are not published as a standard requirement for all M.S. students.
Interdisciplinary research opportunities: Students can explore projects across biological and pharmaceutical systems, clean energy and catalysis, air quality and climate, and advanced materials, with opportunities to work alongside faculty from related disciplines.
Professional and teaching experience: Thesis-track students are required to complete at least one teaching assistantship and one professional development experience, alongside their research and thesis defense.
Internships, field trips, and group projects: The department's published M.S. requirements do not specify mandatory internships, field trips, or group projects. Research and teaching experiences are more clearly documented as part of the thesis pathway.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa prepares graduates for technical and research-focused careers in industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, advanced materials, environmental engineering, and chemical manufacturing. Through advanced coursework and optional thesis research, students can strengthen their expertise for roles such as Chemical Engineer, Bioprocess Engineer, Research and Development Engineer, and Process Development Engineer.

Graduates can explore professional opportunities with support from the university's career resources, research environment, and industry connections:

Career support: The university's Engineering Career Services offers individual career advising, résumé and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, job-search guidance, employer networking, and internship and co-op support. Students can also attend engineering career fairs held each semester.
Employment and salary information: The department shares a $79,000 median starting salary for new graduates, based on the 2025 AIChE Salary Survey. This is a general chemical engineering figure, not a verified salary outcome specifically for University of Iowa M.S. graduates. The university does not publish a specific employment rate or salary figure for this master's program.
University–industry connections: The department has established connections with employers such as Cargill, Bayer Crop Science, Procter & Gamble, General Mills, PepsiCo, ADM, DuPont, AbbVie, 3M, and International Paper. These connections reflect the program's links to industries in chemical production, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and advanced materials.
Professional accreditation: The University of Iowa's undergraduate Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. This reflects the department's established professional engineering foundation, although the M.S. degree itself is not separately identified as ABET-accredited.
Graduate outcomes: The M.S. prepares students for opportunities in process development, production, plant design and construction, fundamental research, strategic planning, and policy-related work. Faculty mentors and invited seminar speakers also help graduate students explore professional pathways and connect with experts in their fields.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the M.S., students interested in advanced research can pursue a Ph.D. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Doctoral study offers opportunities to conduct deeper research in areas such as biological and pharmaceutical systems, clean energy and water, air quality and climate, polymers and advanced materials, quantum chemical simulation, machine learning, and remote sensing. Students can use this pathway to prepare for research and development careers, academic positions, or specialized technical leadership roles.