MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Pennsylvania

Program Overview

The MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania is designed for students seeking advanced preparation for research and development, combining chemical and biomolecular engineering principles with opportunities for focused study in areas such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, process control, bioengineering, polymer engineering and computer applications. The program requires 10 course units and can be completed through either a thesis or non-thesis pathway, making it suitable for students targeting advanced industry roles or further doctoral research.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build the program's advanced engineering foundation through CBE 6180: Advanced Molecular Thermodynamics, CBE 6400: Transport Processes I, and ENM 5100: Foundations of Engineering Mathematics - I, developing expertise in molecular thermodynamics, transport phenomena and mathematical methods for engineering analysis. They then progress to CBE 6210: Advanced Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design, supported by two engineering electives that allow them to begin developing a more specialized academic direction.

Year 2: Students use the second year to deepen their chosen area through three elective course units in the fall and one additional elective in the spring in the non-thesis pathway. Students choosing the thesis option replace part of this elective study with CBE 9990: Master's Thesis, allowing them to undertake a substantial research project and develop independent research skills.

Focus areas: Biotechnology and Pharma, Catalysis, Energy and Environment, Computational Science and Simulation, Process Control and Design, Soft Matter.

Learning outcomes: Advanced understanding of chemical and biomolecular engineering principles, quantitative engineering analysis, research and development methods, and specialized knowledge applicable to areas such as process design, biotechnology, energy, computational science and soft materials.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official Penn sources reviewed identify the MSE as a graduate professional degree but do not state separate ABET accreditation for the MSE program; therefore, no additional program-specific accreditation claim is made here.

Reputation (employability rankings): Penn Engineering states that graduates of the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering MSE progress into leadership roles across oil, chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics industries, while some continue to doctoral study at leading universities. A program-specific QS, Guardian or other official employability ranking is not stated on the University's official program pages reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania combines advanced engineering training with practical problem-solving in areas including fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, process design, bioengineering, polymer engineering, heat transfer and scientific computing. Students can build applied expertise through Penn Engineering’s research environment and interdisciplinary facilities, with opportunities to work with computational tools, advanced laboratory equipment and research groups addressing areas such as sustainability, renewable energy, biotechnology and materials.

Research & laboratory experience: Penn’s Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering environment supports research spanning areas such as chemical engineering, biomolecular engineering, biotechnology, energy and materials, giving graduate students opportunities to engage with faculty-led research and advanced experimental work.
Scientific computing: The MSE curriculum specifically includes scientific computing and computing, allowing students to develop computational approaches for solving complex chemical and engineering problems.
Interdisciplinary facilities: Students can access Penn Engineering research infrastructure and collaborate across engineering, science and medical disciplines, particularly where chemical and biomolecular engineering intersects with biotechnology, pharmaceutical applications, energy and materials research.
Bio-MakerSpace: The George H. Stephenson Foundation Educational Laboratory & Bio-MakerSpace provides access to more than 50 types of equipment and over 500 supplies for molecular biology, chemistry and microfluidics, together with Instron mechanical-testing systems, electronic prototyping equipment, 3D printers and a laser cutter. The facility is open to Penn students for coursework and personal projects.
Research-grade materials tools: Penn’s MSE Departmental Laboratory provides research-grade equipment for materials processing and characterization, including X-ray diffraction, spin coating, thermal evaporation, electrospinning, sonication, centrifugation, glove boxes, furnaces and microscopy. These resources can be particularly relevant to CBE students working across polymers, materials and energy-related research.
Digital analysis software: The MSE Laboratory provides Panalytical X’Pert HighScore Plus with the ICCD PDF-2 database and Rigaku SmartLab Studio II with a crystallography open database for X-ray diffraction data analysis; microscopy facilities also use Olympus PRECiV and LEXT software for image capture, stitching, z-stack and 3D analysis.
Industry-linked projects: Penn CBE’s established product and process design sequence uses real-world design problems supplied largely by consultants from local chemical industry, who work with student teams during the design process. This documented group-project model belongs to the department’s CBE curriculum, although the official MSE program page does not state that it is a mandatory component of the MSE degree.
Equipment training: Access to shared laboratory equipment requires registration and training from laboratory staff, giving students structured experience with research instrumentation and laboratory procedures.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania is designed to build advanced engineering expertise for research and development, with opportunities to specialize in areas such as biotechnology and pharma, catalysis and energy, computational science, process control and soft matter. Penn Engineering notes that graduates move into leadership roles across industries including oil, chemical, pharmaceutical and electronics, while some continue to doctoral study.

Typical job roles: Chemical Engineer, Process Engineer, Research & Development Engineer, Pharmaceutical Engineer.

Career Services: Penn Engineering Master’s students have access to the Penn Engineering Career Development Hub, with specialized career advising; Penn also provides Handshake for job and internship searches, networking through MyPenn and LinkedIn, employer events, career fairs and resources for resumes, interviewing and negotiation.
Employment statistics & salary: The official Penn sources reviewed do not publish a current program-specific employment rate or salary report for the MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. Penn's older 2016 CBE survey reported an average salary of $69,923, with a $59,500–$75,072 range, for 12 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering respondents; this is historical undergraduate survey data and should not be treated as a current MSE outcome.
Industry partnerships: Penn's Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering activities include collaborations involving industry and applied research. For example, Penn participates in the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub (MACH2) with academic, industry and community partners, while CBE research collaborations have included companies such as Corning and Amgen in interdisciplinary research projects.
Industry engagement: Penn's CBE design education has also incorporated industrial consultants who provide real-world design problems and technical guidance, giving students exposure to practical chemical-product and process-development considerations.
Accreditation value: The official program information identifies this as a graduate MSE program but does not state that the MSE in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering itself carries separate ABET accreditation. Therefore, no specific professional accreditation claim is made for this master's degree.
Graduation outcomes: The MSE requires 10 course units, including Advanced Molecular Thermodynamics, Advanced Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design, Transport Processes I, engineering mathematics, CBE electives and additional electives. The curriculum is intended to prepare students for research and development and advanced industry roles, while Penn specifically notes that some master's graduates continue to doctoral programs at leading universities.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MSE, students can pursue a PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering or a related doctoral field, depending on their research interests and academic preparation. The MSE's focus areas—including biotechnology and pharma, catalysis/energy/environment, computational science and simulation, process control and design, and soft matter—can provide a foundation for further research in specialized doctoral programs.