In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, its major research areas, how it differs from the Department of Chemistry, and the various career paths available, while highlighting the appeal of the fusion of chemistry and biotechnology.
First, let’s take a brief look at the history of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Beginning with the establishment of the College of Engineering in 1946, the department underwent several name changes—including the Department of Industrial Chemistry and the Department of Applied Chemistry—before finally being renamed the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2005. It boasts a tradition and history spanning approximately 80 years.
I’d like to briefly touch on one of the topics you’re likely most curious about: the research fields within the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. One of the fields in which the largest number of professors conduct research is polymers. Polymers are already being utilized in industry not only in the chemical field but also in physics, semiconductors, and the biological and biochip sectors, as well as serving as materials for various everyday items. To be more specific, examples include alignment layer materials and polarizing film materials used in liquid crystal displays, polymer electrolytes used in batteries, and polymer membranes used in fuel cells.
Furthermore, professors specializing in biotechnology within the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering are expanding their research scope. Given the growing global interest in the biotechnology field and the close relationship between chemistry and biology, the department is moving beyond the confines of pure chemical engineering. By increasing the number of professors and laboratories focused on biotechnology, it aims to foster integrated research that bridges chemistry and biology. There are also laboratories conducting collaborative projects with the School of Medicine. As such, biotechnology can be considered one of the key areas the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering prioritizes for its future development. The decision to rename the department from the Department of Applied Chemistry to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in 2005 is also consistent with this direction.
Systems, safety, and plant design are areas that have been key research focuses since the department’s inception. In the real world, chemical plants consist of complex units and processes that produce nearly all the materials used in daily life. Because these processes involve many variables and operate in complex ways, it is not easy to predict their outcomes. Furthermore, even a slight design flaw can lead to a major accident. Therefore, training outstanding engineers capable of planning chemical plant systems and designing appropriate processes is also one of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s key roles.
Nanotechnology is also an indispensable field. Nanoscale particles exhibit physical, chemical, and optical properties that differ from those of materials we are generally familiar with. In other words, phenomena observed in the experimental environments we typically encounter may appear differently when viewed from the perspective of the nanoworld. Indeed, the value and potential applications of nanotechnology—the technology for handling these nanoparticles—are virtually limitless. Manufactured nanoparticles can be used in a variety of everyday products, and from a more specialized perspective, they can be utilized in drug delivery systems or as catalysts in chemical reaction processes.
A great deal of research is also being conducted on energy and catalysts, and as environmental engineering gains increasing prominence, there are professors and laboratories conducting research on water treatment and biofilms.
Because the academic fields related to and encompassed by the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering are so diverse, the career paths of our graduates are equally varied. Some work as engineers at large corporations, while others take positions at government agencies such as the Korean Intellectual Property Office or the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, start their own businesses, or conduct research at national and public research institutions like the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). There are even those who enter the field of basic medical research, combining the knowledge they acquired as undergraduates with medical science. As such, the career paths of graduates from the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering are incredibly diverse, and they are making significant contributions to society by entering a wide range of industrial sectors.
The question I was asked most frequently while studying in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering was this: “What is the difference between the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and the Department of Chemistry?” I would like to address this question. I believe that the basic curriculum in the early years of undergraduate study is not significantly different between the two departments. This is because, before determining whether the field falls under engineering or the natural sciences, students must first master the theoretical concepts and principles of chemistry itself. Starting in the upper undergraduate years, there are slight differences in the curriculum. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering places greater emphasis on this area because its goal is to acquire knowledge that can be directly applied to industry using the discipline of chemistry. In contrast, the Department of Chemistry allows students to study the discipline of chemistry itself in greater depth than the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, rather than focusing on industrial applications or technical aspects. In fact, this distinction corresponds to the difference between engineering and the natural sciences. Consequently, among graduates of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, far more pursue careers as engineers at various companies—such as S-OIL, LG Chem, Amorepacific, Lotte Chemical, and Dongjin Semichem—than engage in pure scientific research.
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering allows students to study both chemistry and biology, and by integrating or appropriately fusing the overlapping areas between these disciplines, it produces a wide range of innovative outcomes. I often find myself wondering if this process of integrating different academic fields is not, in fact, the very process that creates new technologies and knowledge in the truest sense. The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is undoubtedly a fascinating and attractive program, as it allows students to use the knowledge gained from studying both chemistry and biology to create technologies and services that can be applied in the real world.
