Chemical and Biological Engineering

Develop new biodegradable polymers. Use nanomaterials to build next-gen semiconductors and LEDs. Refine lithium-sulphur batteries to make them more energy efficient. Or design sustainable packaging to reduce plastic and food waste.

Explore industrial-scale processes that convert raw materials into commercial products to solve the energy, environmental and healthcare challenges of our times.

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.

Working for an Australian company like Tasty Fresh, as part of the Industry Innovation Program. (IIP) at Monash has been really exciting. Our IIP project involved testing initial designs, and creating a concept and a prototype for refrigeration systems for Tasty Fresh's next generation van."
RAVI GURUNATHAN
Master of Professional Mechanical Engineering Graduate

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:

Engineering design

Want to expand your knowledge of engineering processing in industries like mining, plastics and petrochemicals? Upskill in advanced techniques to convert raw materials into final products and investigate shifts in sustainability needs.
Bioprocessing and food engineering

Get up to speed with the latest breakthroughs and trends in bioprocessing for pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and food production. Extend your knowledge as you engineer products to improve healthcare for all – and develop delicious food and beverages.

Biological Engineering*

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

Advanced bioprocess technology

Learn about producing mRNA vaccines. Work with nanoparticles and explore the wider biotech industry – including manufacturing practices, genetically modified products and international regulations.
Biomass and biorefineries

Explore what’s possible with bioreactors, reaction classes, enzymatics, fermentation and separation processes, carbon cycle, water sustainability and how to minimise by-products.

Advanced biochemical engineering

Get up to speed working with cells, nutrients and bioreactors. Boost production from suspended, genetically engineered and immobilised cultures. Then select the right processes to scale up production for industry commercialisation.
Advanced biopolymers

Cover the latest in lignocellulose fibres, alternative fibre sources and biopolymers like chitosan. Explore biodegradable alternatives to petroleum derived products, new packaging materials and producing fibres from renewable sources

*Chemical engineering specialisation is for the Master of Professional Engineering.
Biological engineering is only available in the one year Master of Engineering degree.