Overview of Biochemical Engineering

Biochemical engineering is an interdisciplinary field that combines the principles of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics to design, analyze, and manufacture biological systems and products. It applies the principles of engineering to biological systems, allowing for the creation of large-scale, automated systems to do a variety of tasks. The core of biochemical engineering is understanding in detail the biochemical processes that occur in living systems and then designing, constructing, and testing systems to replicate and/or modify these processes.

Career Opportunities Associated with Biochemical Engineering

Careers in Biochemical engineering range from laboratory assistant jobs, custom product design, plant operations and engineering, fermentation management, and process control. Biochemical engineers are also needed to work on pharmaceutical products and food production. Additionally, biochemical engineers can be found in industries focused on agriculture, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, food processing, airport security, environmental science, and homeland security.

Internship or Co-op Opportunities Related to Biochemical Engineering

Internships or co-op experiences related to biochemical engineering can be found with a variety of employers ranging from biotechnology firms to food manufacturers. Hands-on experience working with a specific discipline of biochemical engineering is one of the best ways to gain the practical experience and skills necessary for careers in this field. These internships may involve working with research & development teams, helping to develop new products, and supporting daily laboratory operations.

Specialized Tracks or Concentrations within Biochemical Engineering

Specialized tracks of biochemical engineering include synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, biochemistry, fermentation technology, and bioinformatics. Synthetic biology focuses on using Biological parts, such as genes, to design and build new biotechnological systems and devices. Metabolic engineering focuses on understanding and modifying the metabolic pathways of living cells. Biochemistry focuses on understanding and using biochemical reactions in the laboratory. Fermentation technology applies the principles of biochemical engineering to optimize the use of fermentation in the production of drugs, chemicals, and fuels. And finally, bioinformatics applies computer science and engineering in the storage, retrieval, analysis and sharing of large amounts of biological data.

How Biochemical Engineering Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education

Biochemical engineering prepares students for graduate school by teaching them analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills as well as communication and comprehension techniques. These skills are necessary for working with teams in order to develop improved processes and solve problems. Additionally, biochemical engineering programs provide the fundamental knowledge of chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics topics as well as classes in computer science, materials science, and engineering topics. This broad education gives students a competitive edge in their pursuits of graduate school admission.

Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Biochemical Engineering

Artificial intelligence has had a significant impact on biochemical engineering. It enables the use of data-driven components in order to develop biochemical processes as well as analyze large datasets. Artificial intelligence algorithms can help create more efficient processes by predicting which parameters are more important, identify patterns to succeed processes, and control parts of a biochemical engineering procedure.

The Career Outlook for Biochemical Engineering?

The outlook for careers in biochemical engineering is very good, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expecting the field to grow by 6.3% between 2018 and 2028 – significantly higher than the average growth for all occupations during this period. This growth is especially promising given the dynamic nature of biochemical engineering, with advancements in technology, science, and bioinformatics resulting in new opportunities for biochemical engineers.

Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Biochemical Engineering:

University of Colorado Boulder, Salary: $48,106

For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Biochemical Engineering.