Degree structure

This is a sample course plan and not a guide for enrolment. See the handbook entry to plan your enrolment.

The first year (or part thereof) is only required for students entering from non-Biochemical Engineering backgrounds. Applicants with 100 points of credit and graduates from corresponding University of Melbourne undergraduate pathways enter at second year (Semester 3).

For further information on course structures, subjects and electives:

University Handbook entry

Watch a short video on what your course plan might look like:

How to study Biochemical Engineering

300 point program

Semester 1
	Points
Chemistry: Reactions and SynthesisCore	12.5
Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis This subject covers key concepts associated with the synthesis and design of organic and inorganic molecules, molecular architecture and the energy transformations associated with chemical and physical processes. Topics covered include synthesis of simple polyfunctional organic compounds, thermodynamically controlled reactions of s-, p- and d- block elements and thermodynamics. In the last three weeks of the subject students will be able to choose between lecture modules with a focus on introductory materials chemistry or biological chemistry. These topics have applications in drug discovery, chemical industry, nanotechnology, and energy harnessing through conventional and alternative ene... Detailed Information CHEM20018 Type Core
Material and Energy BalancesCore	12.5
Material and Energy Balances This subject introduces chemical engineering flow sheet calculations, including material balances, energy balances and compositions of mixtures. The concept of conversion of mass is developed as the basis for determining mass flows in chemical processing systems involving chemical reactions and separation systems. Then the concept of conservation of energy is developed as the basis for determining energy flows in and around chemical processing systems, evaluation of enthalpy changes with and without phase change, simplified energy balances for batch, steady-state and adiabatic systems, estimation of heats of reaction, combustion, solution and dilution, energy balances in reacting systems,... Detailed Information CHEN20010 Type Core
Engineering MathematicsCore	12.5
Engineering Mathematics This subject introduces important mathematical methods required in engineering such as manipulating vector differential operators, computing multiple integrals and using integral theorems. A range of ordinary and partial differential equations are solved by a variety of methods and their solution behaviour is interpreted. The subject also introduces sequences and series including the concepts of convergence and divergence. Topics include: Vector calculus, including Gauss’ and Stokes’ Theorems; sequences and series; Fourier series, Laplace transforms; systems of homogeneous ordinary differential equations, including phase plane and linearization for nonlinear systems; second order partia... Detailed Information MAST20029 Type Core
Select either of:	Points
Engineering Practice and CommunicationElective	12.5
Engineering Practice and Communication This subject introduces the nature of engineering work, at the heart of which is communication and problem solving using set criteria. Detailed Information ENGR90021 Type Elective
Creating Innovative EngineeringElective	12.5
Creating Innovative Engineering The aim of this subject is to give participants both practical experience in, and theoretical insights into, elements of engineering innovation. The subject is intense, challenging, experiential and requires significant self-direction. Participants will work on an innovation project sponsored by a local organisation. A key theme is that the individual cannot be separated from the technical processes of engineering innovation. The impact of both individual and team contributions to the engineering and innovation processes will be examined in the context of real world challenges. All project sponsors will require that students maintain the confidentiality of their proprietary information. ... Detailed Information ENGR90034 Type Elective

Semester 2
	Points
Transport ProcessesCore	12.5
Transport Processes This subject covers fundamental concepts of diffusion and conservation within momentum, heat and mass transport. Use of these concepts is integral to the profession of Chemical Engineering. For example, heat exchangers are used throughout Chemical Engineering processes to transfer thermal energy from one stream to another. Knowledge of heat transport and momentum transport (ie fluid flow) is required to design a heat exchanger, other key pieces of Chemical Engineering process equipment, including distillation columns. Similarly, knowledge of mass transport is required to design other key Chemical Engineering processes, such as distillation. Detailed Information CHEN20009 Type Core
Chemical Process AnalysisCore	12.5
Chemical Process Analysis This subject introduces students to important chemical engineering processes both on the large plant-wide scale and at the single unit operation scale. Students learn how to read, process flow diagrams and process and instrumentation diagrams. Process measurement and instrumentation is also covered. Chemical engineering thermodynamics is introduced through some of the most common quantities of temperature, pressure, enthalpy and entropy. Industrially important thermodynamic cycles are included. The importance of phase behaviour and the ability to predict the behaviour of real gases is covered as are the properties of humid air as an example. Students are also introduced to steady-state an... Detailed Information CHEN20011 Type Core
Process Dynamics And ControlCore	12.5
Process Dynamics And Control Continuous chemical processes are inherently dynamic systems – process inputs and outputs change in time. To accommodate this, modern plants require some form of automatic control. This subject equips students with the skills to understand how and why key process variables change in time, and to then design and implement effective control strategies to accommodate this. Students are introduced to the concept of feedback control, with examples of control schemes for common unit operations. Time domain analysis of process dynamics is performed using linear ordinary differential equations, Laplace transforms, and transfer functions. The response of complex process plants to common dynamic in... Detailed Information CHEN90032 Type Core
Fluid MechanicsCore	12.5
Fluid Mechanics This subject concerns the fundamental science of fluid flow relevant to a range of engineering applications, and is essential for specialisations relating to Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering. Detailed Information ENGR30002 Type Core

Semester 3
	Points
Reactor EngineeringCore	12.5
Reactor Engineering This subject introduces students to aspects of reactor system design. Chemical reactors are at the heart of any major chemical process design. Chemical reaction engineering is concerned with the exploitation of chemical reactions on a commercial scale. Chemical reaction engineering aims at studying and optimizing chemical reactions in order to define the best reactor design. Hence, the interactions of flow phenomena, mass transfer, heat transfer, and reaction kinetics are of prime importance in order to relate reactor performance to feed composition and operating conditions. This subject is one of the key parts of the chemical and biochemical engineering curriculum upon which a lot of lat... Detailed Information CHEN30001 Type Core
Heat and Mass Transport ProcessesCore	12.5
Heat and Mass Transport Processes This subject aims to extend the fundamental concepts of heat transfer from that covered in CHEN20009 Transport Processes to include natural and forced convection and two phase systems. Mass transfer concepts are extended to unsteady state mass transfer and Fick's Second Law, prediction of diffusivity and of mass transfer coefficients. These fundamental concepts are then applied to the design of processes and equipment including shell and tube, air-cooled and plate heat exchangers, evaporator systems, membrane devices, binary distillation systems, gas absorbers and cooling towers. Experience in the use of appropriate simulation packages such as HYSYS for exchanger and distillation column d... Detailed Information CHEN30005 Type Core
Chemical Engineering ManagementCore	12.5
Chemical Engineering Management For long term sustainability, a company must focus on its Triple Bottom Line (Financial performance, Environmental performance and Sociological performance). This subject will cover the key parameters needed to manage performance in each of these areas for both new projects and redevelopments.This is the key chemical engineering economics subject which introduces students to process plant economics. It is a key subject that is required to be mastered before the capstone Design Project can be attempted. Detailed Information CHEN90020 Type Core
Bioprocess EngineeringCore	12.5
Bioprocess Engineering Develop an basic microbiology, cell structure and nutritional requirements. Products from microbes and bioprocesses, enzyme kinetics, cell growth kinetics and product formation. Product separation methods. This subject introduces students to the area of bioprocessing, an area growing in importance in the process industries. Detailed Information CHEN90031 Type Core

Semester 4
	Points
Biochemical & Pharmaceutical EngineeringCore	12.5
Biochemical & Pharmaceutical Engineering This subject aims to build on the principles introduced in CHEN90031 Bioprocess Engineering to provide a more advanced understanding of biochemical production processes with a focus on pharmaceutical production. Students will learn about pharmaceutical and biochemical production processes in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Detailed Information BIEN90004 Type Core
Safety and Sustainability Case StudiesCore	12.5
Safety and Sustainability Case Studies This subject provides an introduction to process work in process engineering, focusing specifically on process safety and sustainability. Material taught in other chemical engineering subjects will be reinforced via a series of assignments in which ill-defined and open-ended process engineering problems will be tackled. Both hypothetical and real case studies from the process engineering field are used throughout the subject. Several assessment tasks combine to form a capstone project. Within this project students, in teams of three or four, perform design tasks related to the development of a Chemical Process Engineering facility. This capstone project culminates in an Environmental Eff... Detailed Information CHEN30015 Type Core
Project (select either of)	Points
Biochemical Engineering Research ProjectElective	12.5
Biochemical Engineering Research Project Students will undertake as individuals or as a member of a team a designated investigative project which could involve a critical literature review, experimental research and/or development, theoretical modelling, process simulation and/or the solution of an industrial problem. Rigorous planning and scheduling of the project, time management, written and verbal technical communication, interpretation of results and team work will be required. Lectures will be presented on laboratory safety, and the use of statistical methods for experimental data analysis. Engineering graduates need the ability to research topics and to perform structured investigations. This research project subject prov... Detailed Information BIEN90001 Type Elective
Industry ProjectElective	12.5
Industry Project Candidates will undertake as individuals or as a member of a team a designated investigative project within a suitable industry partner that could involve critical analysis of a topic, experimental research and/or development, theoretical modelling, process simulation and/or the solution of an industrial problem. Rigorous planning and scheduling of the project, time management, written and verbal technical communication, interpretation of results and team work will be required. Working off campus may be also be required, depending on the project. Detailed Information CHEN90028 Type Elective

Semester 5
	Points
Process Equipment DesignCore	12.5
Process Equipment Design Application to the design of chemical equipment. Design of fluid storage and transfer equipment; pressure and non-pressure vessels, pumps and compressors, nozzles, piping, valves. Design of other operational units commonly used in chemical plants; heat exchangers, solid handling devices, fluid processing units. Hydraulic aspects of plate distillation column, packed columns, fluidised beds. Safety and integrity of equipment; safe working stress. Design standards and codes of practice. Flow sheets, plant layout; equipment, piping and site layouts. Detailed Information CHEN90012 Type Core
Process EngineeringCore	12.5
Process Engineering This subject aims to develop critical thinking skills essential for work in the chemical process and other industries. Students will learn by tackling ill-defined engineering tasks, learn to organise and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines and improve their analytical and written communication skills. They will gain an appreciation of the tools and resources used in the design of process plants. Their understanding of issues relating to project management and plant safety will also be deepened.This subject provides grounding in chemical engineering process design and feasibility studies prior to the final design subject CHEN90022. Detailed Information CHEN90013 Type Core
Particle Mechanics and ProcessingCore	12.5
Particle Mechanics and Processing This subject covers many of the aspects related to powder and suspension processing. Initially, the student learns how to describe particles and systems of particles in terms of size, shape and distribution, followed by understanding the basic mechanics of fluid flow around particles. This knowledge is used as the basis for designing unit operations associated with powders and suspensions, including particle classification, particle breakage (comminution) and agglomeration, solid-liquid separation through filtration, centrifugation and thickening, packed beds and fluidisation, flotation and powder storage in hoppers. The combination and variety of topics in this subject provides students ... Detailed Information CHEN90018 Type Core
Food EngineeringCore	12.5
Food Engineering This subject will cover the application of chemical engineering principles to modern food processing. This is a specialised elective subject and part of the Biochemical Engineering course that builds on core chemical engineering knowledge and the material presented in the Bioprocess Engineering subject. In this subject, students will develop a broad understanding of the nature food components and materials and the principles underlying their processing. The subject will allow students to learn how to apply chemical and bioprocess engineering knowledge in the design and implementation of important industrial food processes. The principles and technical knowledge developed in this subject a... Detailed Information FOOD90029 Type Core

Semester 6
	Points
Biochemical Engineering Design ProjectCore	25
Biochemical Engineering Design Project This unit requires the students to undertake a major design task utilising the knowledge gained throughout the Biochemical engineering course. This comprises the following tasks: design of a process to meet a specified requirement; feasibility study of alternative processes which meet the specification; determination of sequence for investigation of a chemical manufacturing project and preparation of a report; consideration of environmental impacts and sustainability issues; preparation of flowsheets; confirmation of effects of market forecasts; economic evaluation; preparation of estimates for the minimisation of capital and production costs; specification of equipment; selection of cons... Detailed Information BIEN90002 Type Core
Electives (select 25 points)	Points
Biochemical Engineering Minor ThesisElective	12.5
Biochemical Engineering Minor Thesis Candidates will undertake as individuals a high level investigative research project which could involve a critical literature review, experimental research and/or development, theoretical modelling, process simulation and/or the solution of an industrial problem. Rigorous planning and scheduling of the project, time management, technical communication, interpretation of results and team work will be required. Lectures will be presented on Laboratory safety, and the use of statistical methods for experimental data analysis. This subject is designed for students who have demonstrated an ability to undertake a research project to a high standard and who wish to continue and extend the proje... Detailed Information BIEN90003 Type Elective
Tissue Engineering & Stem CellsElective	12.5
Tissue Engineering & Stem Cells Students studying Tissue Engineering and Stem Cells will become familiar with the history, scope and potential of tissue engineering, and the potential role of stem cells in this field. This subject will address the use of biomaterials in tissue engineering; major scaffold materials and fabrication methods, scaffold strength and degradation; cell sources, selection, challenges and potential manipulation; cell-surface interactions, biocompatibility and the foreign body reaction; the role and delivery of growth factors for tissue engineering applications; in vitro and in vivo tissue engineering strategies, challenges, cell culture, scale-up issues and transport modelling; ethical and regula... Detailed Information BMEN90011 Type Elective
Advanced Thermo & Reactor EngineeringElective	12.5
Advanced Thermo & Reactor Engineering This subject is divided into advanced thermodynamics (approximately 9 weeks) and advanced reactor engineering (approximately 3 weeks).The laws of thermodynamics, which govern energy and the direction of energy flow, are amongst the most important fundamentals of chemical engineering that students learn during their course. This subject revises and expands the students’ understanding of the conservation of energy, learnt through subjects such as Chemical Process Analysis. In addition the students learn about the concepts of entropy and equilibrium, which form the basis for the topics of phase equilibrium, mixture properties, mixture equilibrium, reaction equilibrium and interfacial equilib... Detailed Information CHEN90007 Type Elective
Minerals, Materials and RecyclingElective	12.5
Minerals, Materials and Recycling The importance of the minerals industry to the Australian economy. Liberation, size reduction, size separation and concentration separations in minerals processing. Extractive metallurgy, including hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy. Aspects of physico-chemical principles of mineral separation processes to produce metals and ceramic products from ores as well as recycled materials and consumer products. The influence of interatomic bonding and material atomic structure on material behaviour. Phase diagrams and equilibria as well as material mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties will be covered. The process of developing material selection criteria and selecting materials for part... Detailed Information CHEN90010 Type Elective
Bioenvironmental EngineeringElective	12.5
Bioenvironmental Engineering This is a specialised elective subject covering a range of environmental and waste treatment topics of key importance to society and of relevance to most chemical engineering industries. The subject builds on core chemical engineering knowledge and is complementary to the material presented in the Bioprocess Engineering subject and the Biochemical Engineering course. In this subject, students will develop a broad understanding of the nature of waste streams and the principles underlying their treatment. The subject will allow students to learn how to apply chemical and bioprocess engineering knowledge in the design and operation of a range of processes used to treat a variety of domestic,... Detailed Information CHEN90011 Type Elective
Engineering EntrepreneurshipElective	12.5
Engineering Entrepreneurship The aim of this subject is to examine the nature of entrepreneurial behaviour and its role in both small and large organisations within an engineering context. By developing their own enterprise proposal within small groups, students will learn various processes by which successful new ventures are created. This subject is available as an elective in many of the Melbourne School of Engineering's Masters programs. It is designed to introduce participants to their potential as technical entrepreneurs. Detailed Information ENGR90026 Type Elective
InternshipElective	25
Internship This subject involves students undertaking professional work experience at a Host Organisation’s premises. Students will work under the supervision of both a member of academic staff and an external supervisor at the Host Organisation. During the period of work experience, students will be introduced to workplace culture and be offered the opportunity to strengthen their employability. Students will undertake seminars covering topics that will include professional standards of behaviour and ethical conduct, working in teams, time management and workplace networking. Detailed Information ENGR90033 Type Elective

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Degree structure

300 point program

Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis

Material and Energy Balances

Engineering Mathematics

Engineering Practice and Communication

Creating Innovative Engineering

Transport Processes

Chemical Process Analysis

Process Dynamics And Control

Fluid Mechanics

Reactor Engineering

Heat and Mass Transport Processes

Chemical Engineering Management

Bioprocess Engineering

Biochemical & Pharmaceutical Engineering

Safety and Sustainability Case Studies

Biochemical Engineering Research Project

Industry Project

Process Equipment Design

Process Engineering

Particle Mechanics and Processing

Food Engineering

Biochemical Engineering Design Project

Biochemical Engineering Minor Thesis

Tissue Engineering & Stem Cells

Advanced Thermo & Reactor Engineering

Minerals, Materials and Recycling

Bioenvironmental Engineering

Engineering Entrepreneurship

Internship