Chemical and Biological Engineering
Transform raw materials into valuable products, mastering processes that impact industries and improve lives.
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Department Spotlight
Prepare to lead in solving today’s critical challenges—from sustainable energy to advanced pharmaceuticals—with Illinois Tech’s graduate chemical and biological engineering programs.
- Pioneering Research Focus: Engage in innovative research addressing crucial issues such as sustainable energy, environmental remediation, clean water solutions, and advanced drug delivery technologies.
- Exclusive Pharmaceutical Engineering Program: As the only program of its kind in Chicago, our master’s in pharmaceutical engineering equips you with specialized knowledge for the evolving pharmaceutical industry.
- Rigorous, Real-World Curriculum: Gain deep expertise in essential engineering principles, such as thermodynamics, kinetics, and process design, with courses crafted to mirror industry applications.
- Renowned Research Centers: Collaborate with leading researchers at centers such as the Wanger Institute for Sustainable Energy Research (WISER), focusing on forward-thinking energy solutions and complex systems.
- Career-Ready Skills: Graduate with the knowledge and experience needed to tackle complex global issues, supported by faculty expertise and opportunities to work on impactful, real-world projects.
- Specialized Graduate Degrees: Explore master’s degrees in chemical engineering, pharmaceutical engineering, and biological engineering to develop innovative skills for solving today’s most pressing global challenges.
Quick Snapshot
In Nine Engineering Specialities
Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Materials, Mechanical, and Aerospace. —U.S. News & World Report 2024
Illinois Tech is #1 in Illinois for Best Salaries of Graduates
Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025
Research Centers and Labs
Faculty Showcase
Mohammad Asadi, assistant professor of chemical engineering at Illinois Tech, has secured $1.5 million in funding from the Department of Energy’s ARPA-E program to advance his groundbreaking solid-state lithium-air battery design. This technology, a promising option for exceeding 1,000 watt-hours per kilogram, has the potential to revolutionize electric transportation by achieving the energy density needed to decarbonize aviation, shipping, and heavy-duty trucking. Partnering with Argonne National Laboratory and Raytheon, Asadi aims to make safer, cost-effective batteries that could also enhance existing electric vehicle technologies.
Your Career Paths
About Illinois Tech
At Illinois Tech, innovation and achievement is a story more than 130 years in the making. At Chicago’s only tech-focused university, you’ll learn to speak the language of innovation. Join the ranks of our graduate alumni who have changed the course of human history, giving us the cell phone, the Pentium microprocessor, Linksys, the telestrator, architectural marvels, and many other innovations that have revolutionized the world.
We offer future-oriented degrees in rapidly growing fields such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, design, and business analytics. These programs are designed to equip you with advanced skills that enable you to anticipate and drive change. At Illinois Tech, you’ll be prepared to thrive at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future and making a significant impact.