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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2026-2027

Chemical and Life Science Engineering

College of Engineering

Concentration(s):
Chemical Engineering, Life Science Engineering
Program description

Chemical and life science engineering represents the formal interaction of chemical engineering with the life sciences.


Life science engineering — with interest areas including pharmaceutical engineering, stem cell and stem cell-derived tissue engineering, biosciences/biotechnology, cellular engineering, biochips and biosensors, bioinformatics and molecular biocomputing, genetic and protein molecular engineering, environmental life science engineering, and molecular- and cellular-based therapeutics — is the fastest growing of all industries that currently employ engineers.


Chemical engineering and life science engineering share a broad range of common foundational knowledge bases, including the principles of mass and energy balances, transport phenomena and thermodynamics, surface and interfacial science, and reaction science and engineering. Strong academic and research programs in chemical and life science engineering will provide a wealth of exciting professional opportunities for successful graduates of the VCU program.

Career opportunities

Chemical engineers work in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, design and construction, pulp and paper, petrochemicals, food processing, specialty chemicals, polymers, biotechnology, and environmental health and safety industries, among others.  Within these industries, chemical engineers rely on their knowledge of mathematics and science, particularly chemistry, to overcome technical problems safely and economically. And, of course, they draw upon and apply their engineering knowledge to solve any technical challenges they encounter.


Chemical engineers also work in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing energy, electronics, food, clothing, and paper. Chemical engineers apply principles of physics, mathematics, and mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as chemistry. Some may specialize in a particular chemical process, such as oxidation or polymerization. Others specialize in a particular field, such as nanomaterials, or in the development of specific products.

Change of major requirements

VCU GPA of 3.0 or greater, with a minimum of 12 VCU credit hours earned. Completion of MATH 200, 201, and any of CHEM 101, CLSE 101, or ENGR 101, all with a grade of "B" or higher. If attempted, MATH 200, MATH 201, MATH 301, MATH 307, PHYS 207, PHYS 208, CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEZ 101, and CHEZ 102, must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or greater. All attempted engineering courses must be completed with a GPA of 3.0 or greater.

Bachelor-level job titles
  • Biochemical engineer
  • Biofuels engineer
  • Business consultant
  • Manufacturing engineer
  • Patent examiner
  • Process engineer
  • Product development engineer
  • Project engineer
  • Research chemical engineer
  • Sales engineer
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • College Professor
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Manufacturing/Product Development Engineer
  • Process & Quality Engineer
  • Research & Development Engineer
  • Research Scientist
  • Senior Product Development Engineer
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
  • MATH 307
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • No
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA, 2.0+ major GPA
Transfer Maps

Contact information

Department name:
Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering
Building/room location:
601 West Main Street, Room 403
Phone:
(804) 828-7789
Email:
chemicalengr@vcu.edu
https://egr.vcu.edu/departments/chemical/
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
  • Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
  • Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
  • Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Create a draft engineering resume and meet with a career advisor in Engineering Career Services to discuss it.
  • Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP and DURI.
  • Take ENGR 395 Professional Development and gain key skills for finding internships, co-op’s, or research opportunities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Continue progression in engineering, math, chemistry, and physics.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!
  • Consider leadership roles in a student organization.
  • Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Identify ways in which you are culturally uninformed. Begin to learn the historical and current events that have shaped cultures to which you have been underexposed.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Work with Advising and Career Services to incorporate a co-op, internship or VIP Team into your curriculum.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Consider attending a national career fair (SWE, SHPE, NSBE) to gain exposure to more employers.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your advisor to discuss track selection.
  • Attend or present a poster at a scientific meeting or conference.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Design a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
  • Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Update your engineering resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Work for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Consider becoming a mentor through AICHE.
  • Participate in culturally diverse events both at VCU and beyond.
  • Practice communication and interpersonal skills that embrace cultural differences, particularly in professional settings.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Volunteer, intern, earn credit or get paid to work in a faculty lab.
  • Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Engineering Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Research graduate programs to determine the competitive applicant profile, including GPA, prerequisite coursework, and entrance exam scores.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Choose Engineering electives relevant to your preferred post-graduation opportunities.
  • Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit (Math, Chemistry.)
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
  • Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
  • Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy.
  • Consider working as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Continue to explore cultures beyond your own through scholarly and recreational avenues.
  • Visit the Museum District’s many offerings, such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2026-2027

Chemical and Life Science Engineering

College of Engineering

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
  • Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
  • Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
  • Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
  • Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
  • Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
  • Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
  • Create a draft engineering resume and meet with a career advisor in Engineering Career Services to discuss it.
  • Learn about research opportunities through V.I.P Teams, UROP and DURI.
  • Take ENGR 395 Professional Development and gain key skills for finding internships, co-op’s, or research opportunities.
  • Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
  • Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
  • Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
  • Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
  • Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.
Experience Year 2
  • Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
  • Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
  • Continue progression in engineering, math, chemistry, and physics.
  • Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
  • Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
  • Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
  • Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!
  • Consider leadership roles in a student organization.
  • Consider working for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Identify ways in which you are culturally uninformed. Begin to learn the historical and current events that have shaped cultures to which you have been underexposed.
  • Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
  • Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
  • Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
  • Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
  • Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
  • Work with Advising and Career Services to incorporate a co-op, internship or VIP Team into your curriculum.
  • Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
  • Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
  • Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
  • Consider attending a national career fair (SWE, SHPE, NSBE) to gain exposure to more employers.
Year 3
  • Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
  • See your advisor to discuss track selection.
  • Attend or present a poster at a scientific meeting or conference.
  • Design a community-engaged research project.
  • Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
  • Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
  • Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
  • Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
  • Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
  • Update your engineering resume to include how you have developed your communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
  • Work for the College of Engineering as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Consider becoming a mentor through AICHE.
  • Participate in culturally diverse events both at VCU and beyond.
  • Practice communication and interpersonal skills that embrace cultural differences, particularly in professional settings.
  • Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
  • Update your ePortfolio.
  • Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
  • Volunteer, intern, earn credit or get paid to work in a faculty lab.
  • Attend the Senior Capstone Expo in April.
  • Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
  • Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
  • Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year. 
  • Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
  • Talk to advisors, faculty, and Engineering Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
  • Research graduate programs to determine the competitive applicant profile, including GPA, prerequisite coursework, and entrance exam scores.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.
Excel Year 4
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
  • Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
  • Choose Engineering electives relevant to your preferred post-graduation opportunities.
  • Declare any possible outstanding minors for which you may already have credit (Math, Chemistry.)
  • Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
  • Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
  • Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
  • Volunteer at an organization devoted to the arts, environment, education, or policy.
  • Consider working as a tutor in your strongest subjects.
  • Continue to explore cultures beyond your own through scholarly and recreational avenues.
  • Visit the Museum District’s many offerings, such as the VMFA and the Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
  • Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
  • Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
  • Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
  • Attend Engineering Internship/Career Fairs.