The University of Iowa Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering offers both thesis and non-thesis Master's of Science programs, a Doctor of Philosophy program, and a five-year U2G program. Graduate students in the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering gain an understanding of the principles of engineering science, with a focus on a chosen research area.

Information for Graduate Students

Student Learning Outcomes

MS graduates will:

  • Demonstrate a mastery of core chemical engineering concepts;
  • Effectively communicate scientific concepts and/or research results in both written and oral formats to scientific and general audiences;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to safe and ethical behavior through adherence to best safety practices and academic integrity principles.
  • Students completing the program with thesis will additionally demonstrate the abilities to:
    • Demonstrate the ability to perform independent research, critically identify and solve research problems, summarize disciplinary information, evaluate research findings.

PhD graduates will:

  • Demonstrate a mastery of core chemical engineering concepts;
  • effectively communicate scientific concepts and/or research results in both written and oral formats to scientific and general audiences;
  • Demonstrate the ability to perform independent research, critically identify and solve research problems, summarize disciplinary information, evaluate research findings;
  • Demonstrate knowledge of and commitment to safe and ethical behavior through adherence to best safety practices and academic integrity principles.

Contacts

Eric Nuxoll

Eric Nuxoll

Director of Graduate Admissions

Associate Professor, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The director of graduate admissions recruits and serves as the first point of contact for prospective graduate students.

Alec B. Scranton

Alec Scranton

Director of Graduate Studies

Professor, Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The director of graduate studies is an advocate for graduate students and their success. He advises incoming students, coordinates the research advisor selection process, monitors and tracks student progress, and is a point of contact for graduate program questions.

Jun Wang

Jun Wang

Departmental Executive Officer

Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering

The departmental executive officer is the academic administrator the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering.

Sara Hartman

Sara Hartman

Graduate Program Specialist

The graduate program specialist is a contact for prospective, incoming, and current students for anything related to the academic program.

Amanda Jensen

Amanda Jensen

Department Administrator

The department administrator is a point of contact for anything related to graduate student human resources, finance, travel, and administrative odds and ends.

News Highlights

cbe 100 logo

CBE centennial celebration concludes, highlighting more than a century of innovation, education 

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
The University of Iowa (UI) Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) will mark the conclusion of its year-long centennial celebration with a reception at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Annual Meeting on Nov. 10 in Minneapolis.  
Three cyclists ride loaded touring bikes across a rocky volcanic landscape in Iceland, following a dirt track with a large flat-topped mountain visible in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

From hand-built bike to the edge of space, UI student discovers the breadth of an engineering education

Wednesday, October 14, 2026
For University of Iowa chemical and biochemical engineering PhD student Jackson Begolka, the past year has taken him far beyond the traditional boundaries of an engineering education. 
3D rendering of a nitric acid molecule (HNO₃) floating above a blurred green agricultural field. Red, blue, and white spheres represent oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen atoms connected by white bonds, with the molecular structure shown prominently in the foreground.

UI engineering professor leads DARPA project to make nitric acid from air and water

Monday, October 5, 2026
A University of Iowa-led engineering research team is developing a new way to produce nitric acid using only air, water, and electricity.