Chemical Engineering

Specialisation overview

Scale up biochemical breakthroughs for industrial production as you collaborate with physicists, chemists and biologists to solve complex problems. Equip yourself with advanced knowledge of thermodynamics, reaction engineering, fluid dynamics, separation processes, enzymes and advanced biotechnology.

With chemical engineering, you might purify contaminated water using state-of-the-art nanomembranes. Support the circular economy to build a zero-waste future. Or engineer full-flavour foods and beverages from plant-based ingredients.

Want to delve even deeper into bioprocesses with biological engineering? You might refine the next gen of mRNA vaccines, develop new biologic drugs to treat rare diseases or produce sustainable fibres from renewable sources.

You could join innovative biotech businesses or multinational pharmaceutical firms. Want to pursue a breakthrough of your own? Monash will provide you with the support and guidance to turn your spark into a start-up.

See the course map and handbook for an outline of the course structures, units and electives.

Careers in Chemical and Biological engineering

Chemical and biological engineers are highly sought after in areas like nanotechnology, renewable energy, food production and biotechnology. While local demand remains strong, Australia seeks to strengthen its sovereign capabilities to produce biochemicals. You might enter industry to:

• Develop cleaner biofuels to protect the environment
• Improve water purification using nanomembranes
• Advance hydrogen storage for vehicles
• Save lives through tissue engineering
• Make smart drug delivery even smarter
• Process wastes to harness energy, recover high-value metals, make fuels and chemicals
• Work with consulting firms to advise biochemical manufacturers
• Drive climate action and inform policy in the public sector
• Support the renewable energy transition through next-gen products
• Craft new beer flavours and develop plant-based food alternatives

What you will learn

Chemical Engineering*

You’ll gain advanced technical knowledge across a range of topics like advanced reaction engineering, advanced thermodynamics, advanced fluid dynamics, advanced separations processes, sustainability and innovation, process modelling and optimisation, and research practice. Then sharpen your skills as you choose from one of two streams:

Biological Engineering*

This specialisation is only available in the Master of Engineering, where you can explore the following units: