Chemical and Biochemical Engineering


Why study Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at Western?

Chemical and biochemical engineers design, develop, and operate chemical and biochemical processes in a safe, economical, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to ensure our society enjoys a safer environment and a higher standard of living. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to high-quality teaching and excellent research with international co-operation and influence.

Apart from the research-based master’s and doctoral curriculum, the Chemical and Biochemical Engineering department has several innovative programs, such as the Accelerated Master’s program, or programs that involve internships in industry.

Degree Options

Learn more about the degree options available to you.

Master of Engineering (MEng)

  • Admission average: Minimum 70%
  • Course based: 10 graduate courses
  • Project based: Eight graduate courses and a research project
  • Time to complete: One year (three terms)
  • 4-term (16-months) combined MEng and Graduate Diploma option

Master of Engineering Science (MESc)

  • Admission average: Minimum 78%
  • Funded program (supervisor required)
  • Four graduate courses and a thesis
  • Time to complete: Two years (six terms)

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

  • Admission average: Minimum 78%
  • Funded program (supervisor required)
  • Eight graduate courses and a thesis
  • Time to complete: Four years (12 terms)

Areas of Specialization

The Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering has the following areas of research and graduate education. 

Biomaterials and Biochemical Engineering

Research focus areas include: 

  • Bio-separation, bio-remediation, bio-pharmaceuticals
  • Bio-polymers, bio-sensors, bio-reactor design
  • Tissue engineering, materials for biomedical applications, and drug delivery

Faculty members specializing in Biomaterials and Biochemical Engineering:

Amarjeet Bassi, Lauren Flynn, Beth Gillies, Dimitre Karamanev, Kibret Mequanint, Lars Rehmann, Amin Rizkalla, and Jin Zhang

Environmental and Green Engineering

Research focus areas include:

  • Green energy from agriwaste and hydrogen production
  • Biofuel cells, bio-refinery
  • Green solvents and materials development
  • Chemical and biological wastewater treatment

Faculty members specializing in Environmental and Green Engineering:

Amarjeet Bassi, Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Paul Charpentier, Hugo de Lasa, Jose Herrera, Dimitre Karamanev, Naomi Klinghoffer, George Nakhla, Anand Prakash, Ajay Ray, Mita Ray, Lars Rehmann, Ying Zheng, and Jesse Zhu

Particle Technologies and Fluidization

Research focus areas include:

  • Fluidization (gas-solid, liquid-solid, multi-phase, circulating fluidized bed)
  • Industrial crystallization
  • Coating, drying and high shear granulation

Faculty members specializing in Particle Technologies and Fluidization:

Amarjeet Bassi, Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Lauren Briens, Hugo de Lasa, Andrew Hrymak, Anand Prakash, Mita Ray, Sohrab Rohani, Jin Zhang, and Jesse Zhu

Macromolecular and Materials Engineering

Research focus areas include: 

  • Production, manipulation, characterization and application of advanced materials
  • Fundamental research in controlling polymer and nanostructures using various synthesis and advanced characterization techniques
  • Functional biomaterials, light weight composites and materials needed in alternative energy application

Faculty members specializing in Macromolecular and Materials Engineering:

Paul Charpentier, Jose Herrera, Beth Gillies, Andrew Hrymak, Kibret Mequanint, Lars Rehmann, Amin Rizkalla, Sohrab Rohani, Charles Xu, Jin Zhang, and Jesse Zhu

Reaction and Process Systems Engineering

Research focus areas include: 

  • Development of new catalytic materials and innovative reactor design for multiphase and multifunctional reactors
  • Optimization and advanced control of multi-scale process systems, ranging from molecular level to the enterprise level

Faculty members specializing in Reaction and Process Systems Engineering:

Paul Charpentier, Hugo de Lasa, Jose Herrera, Andrew Hrymak, Anand Prakash, Ajay Ray, Mita Ray, Sohrab Rohani

Water and Energy

Research focus areas include: 

  • High-rate wastewater treatment technologies
  • Combined sewer overflow treatment
  • Water Reuse; microbiology & ecotoxicity

Faculty members specializing in Water and Energy:

Amarjeet Bassi, Franco Berruti, Cedric Briens, Paul Charpentier, Hugo de Lasa, George Nakhla, Anand Prakash, Ajay Ray, Mita Ray,Lars Rehmann, Ying Zheng, and Charles Xu

Research Facilities

Institute for Chemicals and Fuels from Alternative Resources (ICFAR)

  • Leader in the development of technologies and processes for production of chemical and fuels from alternative resources
  • Specializing in biomass and waste conversion, fluid-coking technologies
  • Learn more 

To learn more about the key research areas in Western Engineering, visit Western Engineering's Research webpage.

Next steps...

question-symbol.pngHave questions? To learn more about the research and degree specializations offered in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, visit the department's website, or contact the department’s Graduate Office at cbegrad@uwo.ca for more information and application deadlines.  

money-symbol.pngCurious about funding opportunities? Learn more about financial planning for graduate school and discover scholarships available to you. 

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