Skip to main content
Chemical and biomolecular engineering student conducting experiment
Study area_

Chemical and biomolecular engineering

Help preserve the environment and live healthier lives

Chemical and biomolecular engineers research the properties of raw materials in order to design solutions that help manage resources, protect the environment and improve health and safety products and procedures.

What is chemical and biomolecular engineering?

Chemical and biomolecular engineers use chemistry, biology, mathematics and physics to turn raw materials into useful products for everyday life. They research raw materials and their properties as well as design and develop equipment and processes to more efficiently and sustainably manufacture products such as pharmaceuticals, foods, fuels and household and industrial chemicals.

Chemical and biomolecular engineering careers

  • Work in a large-scale plant improving the production of food, plastic, ceramic, pharmaceutical, glass, metal or biomedical products.
  • Protect the environment through pollution control or decontamination projects.
  • Lead innovation in healthcare such as tissue engineering.
  • Become an energy engineer, an environmental consultant, a water treatment engineer or a combustion engineer, among many other career options.
  • Work in the health, government, not-for-profit, production, mining or finance sectors.
  • A broad range of international work opportunities, from providing water in third-world communities to improving energy production in multinational fuel companies.

Specialisations

Why study chemical and biomolecular engineering with us?

There are many reasons to choose our Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular) as your first preference.

  • Our degree combines collaborative learning and research with first-hand industry experience, enabling you to meet the challenges faced by the chemicals, minerals, energy and agriculture, food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • You will learn from leading professionals and researchers in fields including chemical, environmental, energy, food and water engineering and explore the emerging fields of nanotechnology and molecular biology, which are revolutionising energy and storage systems, food production and the healthcare industry.
  • Our engineering degrees are designed to ensure our graduates are best positioned to engineer for the digital age, and are embedded with enhanced foundation studies in data and computation.
  • As part of your degree you will undertake the award-winning Professional Engagement Program enabling you to change your approach to learning through self-reflection, and undertake a six-week internship to gain valuable firsthand experience.
  • Broaden your career prospects by combining your Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular) with a second degree in arts, commerce, science, health science, medical science, laws or project management. Combined degrees range from 5 to 6.5 years in length, with the same annual workload as a single degree student.
  • This degree is accredited by both Engineers Australia and Institution of Chemical Engineers. Our graduates are also recognised internationally through the Washington Accord of the International Engineering Alliance.
Logos of Engineers Australia and the Institution of Chemical Engineers

William North

William North
Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)
“At the University of Sydney, you have the opportunity to be selected for ESIPS, a six-month industry placement in Australia or overseas, with the chance to work in leading companies such as Dow Chemical and BOC. Chemical engineering teaches you a new way of problem solving that applies to many aspects of life, opening the door to a vast range of career opportunities."
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)

Lucy Parsons

Lucy Parsons
Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)
“To be able to provide safe drinking water, inexpensive medicines and cleaner energy is so empowering. I was drawn to the fact there is so much potential for humanitarian engineering using the knowledge gained from this degree.”
Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Chemical and Biomolecular)
 
 
 

Stay informed

Need assistance?

Get our latest application tips and information on courses, scholarships, and upcoming events.

Fill out our enquiry form and our team will be in touch to provide support.