Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biological Engineering (PhD)

Chemical and Chemical & Biological engineers create and develop processes to change raw materials into the products that society depends on; food, chemicals, fuels, energy, metals, pharmaceuticals, paper, plastics, and personal care products. Chemical and process engineers help to manage natural resources, protect the environment, control health and safety procedures, and recycle materials, while developing and managing the processes which make the products we use.
 

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering was established in 1999 at UBC, and reflects the growing need for engineers in the fields of biotechnology, biomedical and bio-resource engineering. At present there are 24 full-time faculty in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, together with a support staff of 17.
 

We have established a world-class reputation in several areas of chemical engineering science including fluid-solids contacting, pulp and paper engineering, heat exchanger fouling and, more recently, biotechnology.
 

The Department is actively engaged in applied research, CHBE faculty-led research provides innovative and sustainable solutions to pressing local and global challenges to industry and society.
 

• Energy and Fuels: Sustainable clean energy and fuels supply and use
• Natural Resources: Managing and maximizing the value of Canada’s forest and fossil carbon reserves
• Environment: Mitigating climate change/pollution; Clean water and biodiversity security
• Health: Rising medical costs in the face of aging population; Cancer and other deadly diseases
• Industry: Increasing pressure from emerging economies
   

Solutions to the above challenges are inextricably linked to our understanding of complex chemical and biological systems.