BSChBE Degree – Biotech Option
Biotech Option Track within the B.S. ChBE Degree at Georgia Tech
In 2005, the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering created two tracks for pursuing a B.S.ChBE degree: Standard Option and Biotech Option. Both tracks require the same number of total credit hours (132). The curriculum during the first two years is similar for both options; the differences between the two options appear in the 21 credit hours taken during the junior and senior years.
Purpose of the Biotech Option
The purpose of the Biotech Option is to provide a more focused emphasis on applications of biology and biochemistry, which allows students to develop specialized skills and graduates to pursue growing opportunities in the areas of biochemicals and biological systems. Potential industries served by the Biotech Option graduates include pharmaceutical or other health care, food-/feed-/crop protection-/fine chemistry-related fields, green chemistry, and biofuels.
Advantages of the Biotech Option Track
The graduates of the Biotech Option retain the flexibility of pursuing career opportunities that are open to graduates of the Standard Option. Additionally, new industries related to the applications of biology and biochemistry broaden the spectra of job opportunities available to these graduates.
Features of the Biotech Option track
Important features of the Biotech Option track are:
1. Students are required to take 38 hours of core ChBE classes (same as for the Standard
Option, with differences as noted below):
• 29 credit hours similar for both options
• 6 credit hours (bio-version, e.g. biounit ops., and bioprocess design)
• 3 credit hours of bioprocess engineering (vs. open ChBE elective for the Standard Option)
Hence, the students pursuing the Biotech Option track are as well-versed in the core
ChBE courses as the students pursuing the Standard Option.
2. Students have to take 6 credit hours in biochemistry and 3 credit hours in cell biology.
These biosciences requirements provide students a strong foundation to build upon
their skills in engineering applications and design.
3. A biotech elective (3 credit hours) from an approved list of courses is required.