Biochemical

Overview

Biochemical engineers explore the development of large scale processes using microbial, plant or animal cells. Career opportunities for biochemical engineers exist in specialised biochemical industries such as the pharmaceutical and food industries but also encompass more traditional chemical engineering fields including petrochemical, minerals and energy, environmental consulting and fertiliser, paint and detergent manufacture.

Last updated: 15 February 2025

Structure

300 credit points

Subject Options

Total 300 points - 262.5 points core (compulsory) plus 37.5 points elective subjects from the list below. Students must complete all 300 points of subjects, including all core subjects, or have advanced standing or exemption.

The core and elective subjects are those listed below. The order of subjects below is one way of progressing through the course - students who meet subject requisites may tailor their individual study plan to take into account advanced standing and their study load. Students plan their study online and can seek further advice from Stop 1 on individual study plans.

Suggested first 100 points:

Suggested study plan for the first 100 points:

• 87.5 points core subjects from the list below (including one selective):

• Selective (choose one) - University of Melbourne pathway students are recommended to take ENGR90034

AND 12.5 points of elective subjects chosen from the list below.

Suggested second 100 points:

Suggested study plan for the second 100 points:

• 100 points core subjects including 75 points from the list below:

• AND a 25 point project subject from the list below:

(Note: enrolment in CHEN90028 Industry Project is subject to approval from the Course Coordinator)

Suggested third 100 points:

Suggested study plan for the third 100 points:

• 75 points core subjects from the list below:

• AND 25 points elective subjects chosen from the list below

Electives

Note:

• Students may opt to complete a second 25 point project subject to account for the 25 points in elective subjects;
• Students completing the first 100 points prior to 2013 will have completed ENGR30001 Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics instead of ENGR30002 Fluid Mechanics. Credit cannot be obtained for both subjects;
• Credit cannot be obtained for both BIEN30001 Bionanoengineering and BMEN90012 Soft Matter Engineering;
• From 2013, CHEN90031 Bioprocess Engineering has replaced CHEN90008 Biology for Engineers. Credit cannot be obtained for both CHEN90008 Biology for Engineers and CHEN90031/BTCH90006 Bioprocess Engineering;
• From 2014, BIEN90004 Biochemical & Pharmaceutical Engineering has replaced CHEN90016 Metabolic Engineering. Credit cannot be obtained for both subjects;
• Credit cannot be obtained for both ENGR90033 Industry Based Learning and CHEN90028 Industry Project;
• From 2015, CHEN20010 Materials and Energy Balances and CHEN20011 Chemical Process Analysis has replaced CHEN20007 Chemical Process Analysis 1 and CHEN20008 Chemical Process Analysis 2.

Notes

This specialisation of the MC-ENG Master of Engineering was previously known as the Master of Engineering (Biomolecular).

Links

http://www.eng.unimelb.edu.au/study/degrees/master-engineering-biochemical

Last updated: 15 February 2025