Department of Chemical
and Biological Engineering
From its inception at Colorado School of Mines in 1944, the Chemical and Biological Engineering Department has focused on education and basic and applied research aimed at problems of national interest. Our undergrads pursue degrees that are consistently shown to have some of the highest lifetime returns on investment for a public US university in an engineering department that is unique in that it delivers freshman biology in a state-of-the-art studio environment.
Want to know what makes a great department?
Our 75-year history was written and composed from student and faculty interviews, surveys of the Oredigger yearbook and commencement bulletins, department records, and registrar data, among other sources. The book can be found under our department history tab or by clicking here.
Mines@150
In 2024, the year of our 150th anniversary, we will celebrate Colorado School of Mines’ past, present and possibilities. By celebrating and supporting the Campaign for MINES@150 you will help elevate Mines to be an accessible, top-of-mind and first-choice for students, faculty, staff, recruiters and other external partners. When you give, you are ensuring Mines becomes even more distinctive and highly sought-after by future students, alumni, industry, and government partners over the next 150 years. We look forward to celebrating Mines’ sesquicentennial with you and recognizing the key role you play in making the MINES@150 vision a reality through your investments of time, talent and treasure.
Chemical & Biological Engineering Newsletter
Stay up-to-date with the most recent news
Excellent teaching, cutting-edge research
Our Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering program is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, https://www.abet.org/, under the commission’s General Criteria and Program Criteria for Chemical, Biochemical, Biomolecular, and Similarly Named Engineering Programs.
Our curriculum offers increased flexibility in elective options and provides optional specialty tracks in Process Engineering and Biological Engineering for those who want to focus their degree.
In addition, we maintain a high-quality, well-funded research program ($7-8 million per year in research awards) with strong participation from students at both graduate and undergraduate levels. About 80 graduate and postdoctoral students study within a broad research menu, including major programs in conventional and renewable energy, soft materials and biotechnology, catalysis and separations, simulation and modeling and pedagogy with top-notch faculty, including one PECASE award winner and seven NSF CAREER Award winners.
These research and educational activities take place in one of the most scenic locations in the United States. With over 300 days per year of sunshine and the proximity to Denver and the Rocky Mountains, this area provides a combination of year-round cultural, recreational and entertainment opportunities that are virtually unmatched anywhere.
News
- Mines researcher receives $1.7M NIH grant to improve understanding of Type 1 diabetes
Dr. Nikki Farnsworth, assistant professor of chemical and biological engineering, will use biomaterials to mimic the environment of the pancreas and study insulin secretion from pancreatic islets in b … - Stephanie Kwon wins NSF CAREER Award for research to design new catalytic materials
Kwon’s focus is on bottom-up designing catalysts to increase their effectiveness in converting raw biomass molecules to higher-value fuels and chemicals. - Mines faculty-founded biomaterials company wins inaugural Mines Venture Fund I investment
GelSana was founded in 2020 by Dr. Melissa Krebs, associate professor in chemical and biochemical engineering at Mines. GelSana’s first product is a novel polymer-based gel called Cleragel, designed t … - Two Mines students named Koerner Family Foundation Fellows
KFF Fellows each receive $12,000 in unrestricted funding to support their pursuit of careers in research.