Biochemical Engineering Degrees

There are scientists right now who are developing ways to make melons smell better, so when you are shopping in the grocery store, looking for a ripe melon, you’ll buy the melons that have been engineered to be the most appealing. Those scientists are biochemical engineers who work in the food, feed, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and water treatment industries.

Jobs & Salaries

Careers in biochemical engineering are expected to grow at an average rate over the next ten years, but the variant of biomedical engineering (biochem used to create medicine) is expected to see much faster growth. Cities hire engineers to work in water treatment, but the agricultural, construction, and manufacturing industries hire the most biochemical engineers. Engineers earn some of the highest salaries of any occupation, ranging from more than $80,000 for agricultural engineering to around $54,000 for bioengineering and biomedical engineering according to national averages. Engineers engaged in fruit and vegetable preserving and food manufacturing make averages of $76,000 to $83,000.

Degree Requirements

A degree in biochemical engineering requires at least a 4-year Bachelors degree in chemical or biological engineering. The coursework often combines engineering, biology and chemistry classes, with many specializations available. Sometimes, biochemical engineering itself is a specialization under an engineering, chemistry or biology major.