Welcome to the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering at Syracuse University.
As chair, I believe an engineering education should give students the chance to solve problems that matter, working alongside faculty who take their ideas, contributions, and development seriously. That belief shapes how we teach, mentor, and involve students in research.
One place this shows up is our year-long senior capstone design course, where biomedical engineering and chemical engineering students each take on projects within the same course structure, working from problem definition through design and evaluation. Faculty mentor these teams closely throughout, and members of our Industry and Academic Advisory Board, experienced engineers, researchers, and industry leaders, serve as judges and offer direct feedback. Across both programs, students learn to apply engineering principles to practical challenges and communicate their solutions to professional audiences. Our graduates pursue careers in engineering and research, while others continue their education through graduate or medical school.
Our faculty's research clusters around two connected challenges. The first is engineering solutions for human health, where faculty use tools like stem cell engineering, tissue engineering, and computational modeling to address problems from cardiac development to neurological disease. The second is materials and energy innovation, where faculty design new catalysts and biomaterials for renewable fuels, water treatment, and infection control. Undergraduates gain exposure to these same computational and data-driven methods, including machine learning, through project-based coursework and research involvement, alongside core chemical and biomedical engineering fundamentals. Our students work on projects funded by federal agencies and foundations that bring in millions of dollars annually.
Students can pursue this work at every level, in both chemical engineering and biomedical engineering: a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. Master's students can choose a path built around advanced coursework and professional preparation, or one centered on a research thesis, depending on their goals. We also offer accelerated pathways from the bachelor's to the master's degree. We welcome students from non-engineering backgrounds into our master's programs and partner with a growing network of colleges to help their graduates transition into ours. Our graduate programs offer opportunities to deepen technical expertise, pursue research, and learn alongside faculty and peers with complementary interests.
Our Ph.D. students are central to the department's research and mentoring, leading projects, publishing alongside their advisors, and mentoring undergraduates in the same labs. Their paths after graduation include faculty positions, industry research roles, and technical leadership.
I encourage you to explore our programs and faculty research and reach out to learn more. We would be glad to talk with you, welcome you for a visit, or answer your questions as you consider your next step.
Best,
Shikha