利莫利克大学

Why Study Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at UL?

This new programme is the only course of its kind in the Mid-West and Western regions of the country. Process engineering is the central area of expertise underpinning many important, sustainable industries and businesses within both the Irish and global economies. Such enterprises include: biopharmaceuticals, fuels, chemicals, and drug manufacture, energy production, food and beverage processing, environmental waste remediation, and electronic component manufacture.

The Irish pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical industries have been primarily responsible for the recent consistent increases in the national export performance, proving these sectors to be stable and resilient, even in harsh economic conditions.

In all of these areas, the chemical/biochemical engineer is of key importance both in the design and operation of the processing systems, and in the development and manufacture of novel products.

The IChemE accreditation ensures international professional recognition for graduates of the degree.

Course Structure

This four year honours degree programme comprises formal lectures/study, practical laboratories, workshops, training on industry-standard process engineering software, project work, as well as a substantial Cooperative Education period working in an industrial placement.

Years 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive grounding in all of the subjects required for a career as a professional chemical/biochemical engineer. As well as rigorous training in mathematics, process engineering, computation methods, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics, closely allied subjects are also studied, including bioprocess engineering, engineering materials and process design methods.

Beginning in year 2 and continuing throughout year 3, you will gain knowledge in fluid mechanics and heat transfer, reaction engineering and mass transfer separation. The programme also offers some advanced-level modules in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacture, formulation and sustainable methods for energy and fuel production. In year 3 you will take part in Cooperative Education placement - a training period where you will work as a chemical/biochemical engineer on one or more project-related tasks within a company, enterprise or institution.

In year 4 you will undertake a design project, in which you will work as part of a team to carry out the comprehensive design of a sustainable process for the large-scale production of a chemical or biochemical-based product. This project will give you an opportunity to develop and hone your skills in other important areas of professional engineering practice.

Career Prospects

Graduates may enter careers as professional engineers with any company, enterprise or institution involved with the practical application, development, research, manufacture of products, or provision of services that involve chemical or biochemical reactions and processes.

Typical careers might include;

• Pharmaceutical/drug manufacture
• Mineral extraction
• Petro and Agro-chemicals
• Food/Beverage production
• Biorefineries
• Environmental engineering
• Biochemicals/biologics manufacture
• Sustainable fuels/energy production
• Processing of fine and heavy chemicals
• Chemical energy conversion systems

Follow-on Study

You can further develop your competence by undertaking postgraduate research studies.