Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
52 courses · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
CBE 1 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
- Units
- 1
Helps new students successfully transition to UCI, build a sense of community in the department, develop networking and professional skills, and introduce a variety of industries who employ chemical engineers through a series of guest lectures.
CBE 40A Chemical Processes and Material Balances
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2B and PHYSICS 7C and (CHEM 1B or CHEM H2B)
Introduction to chemical engineering and the industries where chemical engineers play vital roles. Problem-solving skills and techniques. Quantitative calculations and applications using mass and energy balances. Stoichiometric equations, multiple bypasses, and others in process industries.
CBE 40B Process Thermodynamics
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 40A with a minimum grade of C- and (MATH 3A or I&C SCI 6N)
Principles of thermodynamics: definitions, basic concepts, and laws; property relationships; construction of thermodynamic charts and tables; energy balances; phase and chemical equilibria; combined mass and energy balances.
CBE 40C Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ENGRMAE 10 and MATH 2D and CBE 40B with a minimum grade of C-
- Corequisite
- ENGRMAE 10
Elements of chemical engineering thermodynamics, including equilibrium and stability; equations of state; generalized correlations of properties of materials; properties of ideal and non-ideal mixtures; thermodynamics of real solutions; ideal and non-ideal phase equilibria; chemical equilibria for ideal and non-ideal solutions.
CBE 100 Introduction to Numerical Methods in Engineering
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 40C
An introduction to the fundamentals of numerical analysis and the computer algorithms in MATLAB for the solution of engineering problems, with emphasis on problems arising in chemical engineering thermodynamics, transport phenomena, and reaction engineering.
CBE 105 Engineering Physical Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1C and CBE 40C and (PHYSICS 7D or PHYSICS 7E)
Provides an integrated view of both classical and molecular perspectives on thermodynamics, thermodynamic potentials, entropy, and the second law. Students learn how to use statistical mechanics to create a bridge between the quantum mechanical world and the familiar macroscopic one.
CBE 110 Reaction Kinetics and Reactor Design
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1C and MATH 3D and CBE 40B with a minimum grade of C- and CBE 40C with a minimum grade of C- and CBE 100
Introduction to quantitative analysis of chemical reactions and chemical reactor design. Reactor operations including batch, continuous stirred tank, and tubular reactor. Homogeneous and heterogeneous reactions.
CBE 120A Momentum Transfer
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 40C with a minimum grade of C- and MATH 3D
Fluid statics, surface tension, Newton's law of viscosity, non-Newtonian and complex flows, momentum equations, laminar and turbulent flow, velocity profiles, flow in pipes and around objects, piping systems design, pumps and mixing, and other applications to chemical and related industries.
CBE 120B Heat Transfer
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 120A with a minimum grade of C-
Principles of conduction, radiation, and convection of heat; phenomenological rate laws, differential and macroscopic energy balances; heat transfer rates, steady state and unsteady state conduction, convection; applications to chemical and related industries.
CBE 120C Mass Transfer
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 120B and CBE 100
Molecular and continuum approaches to diffusion and convection in multi-component mixtures; steady state, quasi-steady state and transient mass transfer; effect of reactions on mass transfer; convective mass transfer; simultaneous mass, heat and momentum transfer; applications to chemical and related industries.
CBE 130 Separation Processes
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 40B with a minimum grade of C- and CBE 40C with a minimum grade of C-
Application of equilibria and mass and energy balances for design of separation processes. Use of equilibrium laws for design of distillation, absorption, stripping, and extraction equipment. Design of multicomponent separators.
CBE 140A Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 110 and CBE 120C
Experimental study of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat and mass transfer. Operation and evaluation of process equipment, data analysis.
CBE 140B Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 130 and CBE 145 and CBE 140A
Continuation of the CBE 140A covering mass transfer operations such as distillation, absorption, extraction, etc. Rate and equilibria studies in simple chemical systems with and without reaction. Study of chemical process. Materials Fee
CBE 145 Chemical Process Control
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 110 and CBE 120B and CBE 120C
Dynamic responses and control of chemical process equipment, dynamic modeling of chemical processes, linear system analysis, analyses and design of feedback loops and advanced control systems.
CBE 150A Chemical Engineering Design I
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 110 and CBE 120C and CBE 130
Introduction to process design; flow sheets for chemical processes; synthesis of multicomponent separation sequences and reaction paths; synthesis of heat exchange networks; computer-aided design and simulation of processes and components pacts.
CBE 150B Chemical Engineering Design II
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 150A
Application of chemical engineering basics to practical design problems; process economics; process safety; environmental impacts; a major team design project with progress reports, oral presentation, and technical report with engineering drawings and economics.
CBE 160 Engineering Biology
- Units
- 3
First-principle introduction to the modern biochemistry, molecular biology, and cell biology with an engineering language. The goal is to demonstrate that the vastly diverse biological phenomena can be explained by a set of fundamental principles in chemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics.
CBE 161 Introduction to Biochemical Engineering
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CBE 110 and CBE 160 and (CHEM 1C or CHEM H2C) and MATH 3D
Application of engineering principles to biochemical processes. Topics include microbial pathways, energetics and control systems, enzyme and microbial kinetics, and the design and analysis of biological reactors.
CBE 163 Kinetics of Biochemical Networks
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 120A and CBE 160
Principles from statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics applied to biochemical systems, from fundamental processes such as receptor-ligand binding and enzyme catalysis, to complex cellular functions including signal transduction and gene regulation.
CBE 172 Applied Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CBE 40C and CBE 105 and MATH 3D
Designed to teach fundamental principles of spectroscopy and their application to photon and electron spectroscopies of the gas and condensed phases. Covers theoretical principles of rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopies. Specific topics include infrared and Raman spectroscopies, Auger, X-ray, etc.
CBE 175 Electrochemical Engineering
- Units
- 4
Introduction to fundamentals of electrochemical engineering and its application to variety of energy conversion- and storage-technologies. Planned topics include: electric double layers, reaction kinetics, transport, batteries, fuel-cells.
CBE 176 Nuclear and Radiochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM M3C or CHEM 1C or CHEM H2C or CHEM M2C) and MATH 2D
Advanced treatment of nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactive-decay processes. Introduction to nuclear activation analysis, isotope effects, radiation chemistry, hot-atom chemistry, nuclear age-dating methods, nuclear reactors, and nuclear power.
CBE 181 Polymer Science and Engineering
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ENGR 54 and (CBE 110 or MSE 165)
An introduction to physical aspects of polymers, including configuration and conformation of polymer chains and characterization techniques; crystallinity, viscoelasticity, mechanical properties, polymer alloys, processing, and application.
CBE 183 Surface and Adhesion Science
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CBE 110 or MSE 165C) and (MSE 141 or MSE 69)
Structure, thermodynamics of, kinetics, and reactions on surfaces. Surface electronic and mechanical properties and characterization of all classes of materials including metals, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers, and soft materials. Adhesion between different materials is also addressed.
CBE 195 Special Topics in Chemical Engineering
- Units
- 1-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Chemical Engineering. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
CBE 197 Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Internship
- Units
- 2-12
Students majoring in CBE may receive credit for an approved internship, working at a company under the supervision of an industry mentor and a faculty advisor. Enables students to gain valuable experience in a professional setting and enhance their skills.
CBE 198 Group Study
- Units
- 1-4
Group study of selected topics in engineering.
CBE 199 Individual Study
- Units
- 1-4
For undergraduate engineering majors in supervised but independent readings, research, or design. Students taking individual study for design credit are to submit a written paper to the instructor and to the Undergraduate Student Affairs Office in the School of Engineering.
CBE 199P Individual Study
- Units
- 1-4
For undergraduate Engineering majors in supervised but independent reading, research, or design. Students taking individual study for design credit are to submit a written paper to the instructor and to the Undergraduate Student Affairs Office in The School of Engineering.
CBE 200 Applied Engineering Mathematics I
- Units
- 4
Analytical techniques applied to engineering problems in transport phenomena, process dynamics and control, and thermodynamics.
CBE 210 Reaction Engineering
- Units
- 4
Advanced topics in reaction engineering, reactor stability analysis, diffusional effect in heterogeneous catalysis, energy balance, optimization of reactor operation, dispersed in phase reactors.
CBE 214P Batteries I: Fundamentals
- Units
- 4
Batteries are electrochemical energy storage devices. Batteries are found in mobile devices as well as transportation or stationary applications. Introduces fundamentals of batteries and organic electrochemistry, operation principles, device limitations, and power densities.
CBE 220A Transport Phenomena I
- Units
- 4
Continuum modeling and analysis of heat and mass transfer from an integrated viewpoint. Scaling concepts, relevance of characteristic time- and length-scales, steady- and unsteady-state processes, bounded and unbounded problems, and convective transport, with applications to chemical and biological processes.
CBE 240 Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics
- Units
- 4
Introduction to modern thermodynamics and applications, with a focus on aspects relevant to chemical and materials engineering. Mathematical tools; equilibrium and stability; microscope rigorous equations of state; molecular-level thermodynamics of real mixtures; and phase and chemical equilibrium.
CBE 244P Electrolyzers: Fundamentals and Applications
- Units
- 4
Hydrogen has potential to decarbonize many sectors, including grid, transportation, chemicals production, and agriculture. Electrolysis is a process where electricity is used to produce hydrogen by splitting water, with no resulting carbon emissions. Several types of electrolyzers are covered.
CBE 249 Special Topics in Chemical Engineering
- Units
- 1-4
- Prerequisite
- Prerequisites vary
Studies in selected areas of Chemical Engineering. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
CBE 250 Research Methods and Technical Communication
- Units
- 4
Intended for Ph.D. students to develop critical research skills in creating archival papers, intellectual property and technical proposals, and in analysis of the scientific literature.
CBE 261 Molecular Biotechnology
- Units
- 4
Engineering and biological principles important in recombinant cell technology. Host/vector selection; plasmid propagation; optimization of cloned gene expression; metabolic engineering; protein secretion; experimental techniques; modeling of recombinant cell systems.
CBE 262 Metabolic Engineering and Synthetic Biology
- Units
- 4
Synthesis of chemicals from renewable carbon and energy sources using metabolically engineered biological systems represents one of the most promising solutions to the global problems of energy crisis and climate change.
CBE 264 Drug Delivery
- Units
- 4
Introduction to design of drug delivery systems. Includes physicochemical and pharmacokinetic considerations in drug formulations, types of therapeutics, routes of administration, biomaterials, and novel drug delivery systems.
CBE 271 Catalysis
- Units
- 4
Establish the microscopic thermodynamics of rate constants and develop quantitative rate laws to model multistep reaction kinetics typical of catalyzed reactions. Common elementary chemical transformations and characteristics of catalytic materials are discussed, citing reactions from industry and current research.
CBE 272 Applied Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
Designed to teach fundamental principles of spectroscopy and their application to photon and electron spectroscopies of the gas and condensed phases. Covers theoretical principles of rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopies. Specific topics include infrared and Raman spectroscopies, Auger, X-ray, etc.
CBE 276 Nuclear and Radiochemistry
- Units
- 4
Advanced treatment of nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactive-decay processes. Introduction to nuclear activation analysis, isotope effects, radiation chemistry, hot-atom chemistry, nuclear age-dating methods, nuclear reactors, and nuclear power.
CBE 277 Detection and Measurement of Radiation
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 233 with a minimum grade of B- or CBE 276 with a minimum grade of B-
Basic principles of detection and measurement of ionizing radiation; both theory and practical aspects of measurement techniques for alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation, properties of different detector materials, electronics and data treatments, and analysis.
CBE 280 Advanced Polymer Science and Engineering
- Units
- 4
The synthesis, characterization, microstructure, rheology, and properties of polymer materials. Polymers in solution and in the liquid, crystalline and glassy states. Engineering and processing properties, including viscoelasticity and rheology. Forming and processing methods. Environmental issues.
CBE 283 Surface and Adhesion Science
- Units
- 4
Structure, thermodynamics of, kinetics, and reactions on surfaces. Surface electronic and mechanical properties and characterization of all classes of materials including metals, semiconductors, ceramics, polymers, and soft materials. Adhesion between different materials is also addressed.
CBE 295 Seminars in Engineering
- Units
- 1-4
Seminars scheduled each year by individual faculty in major field of interest.
CBE 295P Special Topics in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
- Units
- 4
Studies in selected areas of Master of Engineering. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
CBE 296 Master of Science Thesis Research
- Units
- 1-16
Individual research or investigation conducted in preparation for the thesis required for the M.S. degree.
CBE 297 Doctor of Philosophy Dissertation Research
- Units
- 1-16
Individual research or investigation conducted in preparation for the dissertation required for the Ph.D. degree.
CBE 298 Seminars in Engineering
- Units
- 2
Presentation of advanced topics and reports of current research efforts in chemical engineering.
CBE 299 Individual Research
- Units
- 1-16
Individual research or investigation under the direction of an individual faculty member.