Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students are encouraged to learn more about current faculty research topics and reach out to professors with whom they would like to work. Omega Chi Epsilon (or OXE), the National Honor Society for chemical engineering, organizes an annual research fair to help pair undergraduate students with research groups. OXE also organizes a research symposium every spring to showcase undergraduate research accomplishments.

Generally, undergraduate researchers earn course credit to satisfy technical elective requirements in the department, though opportunities for paid positions are sometimes available. Students who are interested in pursuing graduate school after graduation are particularly encouraged to seek out research opportunities.

Course Credit for Independent Research Projects

Undergraduates can earn up to a maximum of 10 hours of undergraduate research credit to satisfy degree requirements for the chemical engineering concentration, and a maximum of 9 credit hours to satisfy degree requirements for the biomolecular engineering concentration. A maximum of 3 credit hours can be used to fulfill the 400-level chemical engineering elective requirement. This includes CHBE research credit (CHBE 297, 397, 497, 499) and research credits through other departments.

As a general guideline, students are expected to spend 4 to 5 hours/week in the laboratory for every credit. Students arrange their research project topic through their research advisor and must obtain approval from the head advisor of chemical and biomolecular engineering for all independent research projects.  

The department's independent research courses must be conducted under the supervision of a professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Undergraduates may also obtain research credits to satisfy technical elective credits through research projects completed in other departments; however, these projects must be approved prior to the beginning of each semester and generate credit through the department in which the undergraduate works. Without prior approval, credits will not count toward the completion of degree requirements in chemical and biomolecular engineering. Under no circumstances will research credits earned in other departments count as chemical and biomolecular engineering electives. 

  • CHBE 297: independent study for sophomores
  • CHBE 397: independent study for juniors
  • CHBE 497: independent study for seniors

CHBE 499 is the senior thesis course for undergraduates working in laboratories. CHBE 499 projects involve a minimum of 5 hours and a maximum of 10 hours of undergraduate research credit and require the undergraduate to write a formal thesis at the completion of the project. The total credits may be spread over two or more semesters. While it is possible to complete a 5-hour CHBE 499 project in a single semester, this represents an exceptional case. Under no circumstances will more than 5 hours of research credit be approved in one semester.

Students seeking approval for their independent research projects — either in labs within or outside the department — must fill out the Independent Research Projects Form below. 

Independent Research Projects Form

Note: Research credits will not be awarded to individuals doing research off-campus (such as at companies).

Recognition of Research Distinction for ChBE Undergrads

This is a department process which is independent of “Distinction, High Distinction, Highest Distinction” (Latin) honors which are based on GPA and administered through the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Students recognized for Departmental Research Distinction will receive a certificate or letter signed by the research advisor and the department head of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering. A PDF of that certificate/letter recognizing the Research Distinction will be archived in the student’s UGRAD RECS file so the CHBE department can verify the distinction at any future date as requested by student. 

The Research Distinction will NOT appear on Diploma as the Office of the Registrar has noted that space issues limit recognition to College level distinctions only (based on GPA).

Requirements for the Research Distinction

Meet either of the following criteria:

  1. Completion of Undergraduate Thesis in CHBE with a minimum of 5 hours of academic credit in CHBE 499.  Thesis must be submitted to college of LAS fulfilling all college requirements.
  2. Completion of a minimum of 5 hours of CHBE undergraduate research credit, or equivalent time through, for example summer REUs, as documented by credit in a combination of any of the Independent Study courses CHBE 297, CHBE 397, CHBE 497 or CHBE 496 (Undergraduate Research Abroad). Only credit assigned to individual research, and not ChemE car, count towards these credit hours. This category of research is documented in the online Independent Study course registration form. AND: Participation in CHBE Undergraduate Research Symposium or regional or national meeting with an Oral Presentation or Poster Presentation as recognized by a certificate of participation from the Organizing Committee and approved by the department head.