Graduate Degree Programs
M.S., M.P.S. or Ph.D. in Bioprocess Engineering
Program Overview
The graduate program in Bioprocess Engineering provides students with opportunities to pursue advanced study and interdisciplinary research in the sustainable production of fuels, chemicals, materials, and environmental technologies from renewable resources. Research spans biochemical, chemical, and hybrid conversion processes; biorefinery systems; biomanufacturing; separation and purification technologies; process modeling and simulation; systems engineering; and the application of artificial intelligence and data-driven approaches to process optimization. Students develop expertise in bioprocess and product development, experimental and computational methods, and the design, analysis, and optimization of sustainable bioprocess technologies. The overall objective of the program is to educate future leaders capable of developing innovative processes and products that advance circular bioeconomy while addressing environmental, economic, and societal challenges.
Program Degree Offerings
The Bioprocess Engineering program offers three degrees: MPS, MS, and PhD. in
The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) is a non-thesis degree program lasting approximately 1 year. The degree is intended to build professional experience to support careers in the bioprocess or chemical engineering industry. The program requires a minimum of 30 credit-hours, involving at least 24 credit hours of course work (500 + level courses) and 3 to 6 project or internship credits.
The Master of Science (MS) is a thesis degree program. The program requires 30 total credits. This must include at least 18 credit hours of course work (500+ level) and at least 6 (and up to 12) credits of thesis research
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a thesis degree program. The program requires 60 total credits. This must include at least 30 credit-hours of course work (500+ level) and at least 12 (and up to 30) credits of thesis research.
Applicants to all programs of study are required to have a bachelor’s degree in science or engineering and are expected to have completed college level courses in physics, chemistry, calculus, and biology. Students admitted without the necessary background are required to take prerequisite courses that fulfill these baseline requirements.
Students interested in the degree program are encouraged to reach out to faculty to discuss possible research projects and available graduate student positions.
Participating Faculty
- Klaus Dölle; [email protected]
pulp & paper and related environmental topics, design, constructed wetlands,subsurface bioreactors, fossil energy, bioenergy, hydropower, water and waste water treatment, paper recycling, paper development, filler materials, energy savings, renewable energy & processes, engineering, machine & process design. - Ankita Juneja; [email protected]
Biomaterials, food packaging materials, biorefinery, AI/ML based process optimization, Hydrothermal Technologies, Wastewater treatment, microalgal cultivation and valorization, Carbon capture and nutrient cycling - Deepak Kumar; [email protected]
Sustainable bioprocessing, circular bioeconomy, biorefineries, biomass conversion, fermentation, biofuels, biomaterials, bio-based adsorbents, environmental biotechnology, water treatment, process modeling and simulation, techno-economic analysis - Shijie Liu; [email protected]
Fermentation, catalysis, kinetics, enzyme, bio fuel cell, process analysis and optimization, sustainability, renewable chemicals, biomaterials - Bandaru V. Ramarao; [email protected]
chemical engineering, separation processes, adsorption, chromatography, filtration, membrane, depth filtration, columns, cellulosic materials, lignocellulosics separations, hydrolysis, papermaking, paper physics. - Gary M. Scott; [email protected]
biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, paper machine operations, recycling, modeling - Chang Geun Yoo ([email protected])
biorefinery processes; biofuels, biochemicals, and biomaterials; lignocellulose chemistry; green chemistry - Xuechen Zhou; [email protected]
membrane separation, water treatment, resource recovery, electrochemical separations, green hydrogen