Advanced Chemical Engineering with Biotechnology

This programme offers students an introduction to fundamental and emerging issues in biotechnology, while helping them to strengthen their understanding of chemical engineering. Students take a minimum of four biotechnology modules, six "free" modules (up to two business courses), follow the professional skills workshops and join one of our research focus areas specialised in biological processes for a year-long research project. This programme is ideal for students interested in the interface between chemical engineering and the life sciences.

The programme aims/objectives are to:
 produce graduates equipped to pursue careers in Biotechnology in industry, the public sector and non-governmental organisations;
 provide the basis for the recognition and understanding of the major features of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering;
 develop an understanding of how this knowledge may be applied in practice in an economic and
 environmentally sustainable fashion;                                                                                                                                                                      foster the acquisition and implementation of broad research and analytical skills related to Biotechnology;
 attract highly motivated students, both from within the UK and from overseas;
 develop new areas of teaching in response to the advance of scholarship and the needs of vocational training;
 offer a means to provide an introduction to the subject for students from other disciplines

Term one:
All students attend an induction week, which includes an introduction to the Department, Safety
sessions and a two-day professional skills workshop facilitated by external consultants. In this period
the students begin to consider their lecture modules and project. In addition, they have the
opportunity to meet with the Postgraduate Tutor who acts as their Personal Tutor during the initial
phase of the course. The students are required to select preferred projects by the end of the first
month. Research projects are then confirmed within six weeks of the start of term and supervisors
and projects are allocated in this period. Students are required to formally notify the Postgraduate
Office of their module options for examination by February. Students are encouraged to begin to put
in place those arrangements that are deemed appropriate for their research projects during this period
and especially to focus on developing an understanding of the research problem. Those students
with perceived English language deficiencies are encouraged to at this stage to seek remedial
support from the English Language Support Unit.
Term Two:
Students continue to follow selected lecture courses, and dedicate the equivalent of approximately
one day a week to their independent research project. At this stage it is hoped that the students have
a full understanding of the nature and needs associated with the project. The students submit a
Literature Review (maximum 6,000 words) in mid-February. The Literature Review is assessed in the
first instance by the supervisor.
Term Three:
All examinations are conducted during this term. Students can dedicate themselves full-time to their
research project after the final examinations, and give a poster presentation in mid-September.
Overall research assessment is based primarily upon a written dissertation which students submit by the 3rd week of September. The dissertation is assessed by the supervisor and an internal assessor.
Further scrutiny is provided the External Examiners and the Board of Examiners (comprising a Chair
and a number of appointed Internal Examiners).

The minimum qualification for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree in
chemical engineering from a UK academic institution or an equivalent overseas qualification, or an
Upper Second Class Honours degree in another engineering discipline or a science-based subject
from a UK academic institution or equivalent overseas qualification with relevant experience. All
applicants must meet the College’s English Requirement for Postgraduate Applicants.

All application document including academic transcripts will be assessed by the College Registry
upon submission. Applications that have met the College minimum requirement for PG admissions
will be considered by the Postgraduate Admissions Tutor. Decision on acceptance is mainly based on
the academic performance in previous degrees taking account of academic references and relevant
work/research experience. All UK applicants (and where possible overseas applicants) are
encouraged to visit the College Postgraduate Open Day and are welcome to visit the Department
throughout the year by prior arrangement.

Departmental MSc Scholarships

The Department of Chemical Engineering will award 4 scholarships of £6,000 to outstanding MSc students. In order to be considered for one of these awards for 2015/16, you will need to submit your online MSc application no later than 28 February 2015. There is no separate application process. Awards will be made on the basis of academic excellence. 

Royal Academy of Engineering and Petrofac Scheme

Imperial College London is one of the selected institutions through which MSc students can apply for the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering and Petrofac Fellowship scheme. Awards of £9,000 are to cover the fees of full time Masters’ second degrees in subjects that will enable them to take on specialist roles in the oil and gas industry, with any remainder as contribution towards living costs.

The eligibility criteria for the scheme are as follows:

• be qualified to degree level in engineering or a closely related discipline.
• have an offer of full time study for one of the eligible programmes.
• not be in receipt of any industrial, charitable or public sector funding to study the course.
• have membership (at any grade) of the Institution of Engineers of Ireland or a professional engineering institution accredited by the Engineering Council as a licenced member institution

*Applications for 2014-15 are now closed

Statoil Scholarships

The Department has two full scholarships, funded by Statoil, available for outstanding MSc students.

The awards will cover full fees (regardless of fee status) and a tax-free contribution to maintenance.

All successful applications to the  MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering programme (including specialisations) at the time of the closing date will automatically be considered. 

Applications for 2015-16 are now open.  Please submit your online MSc application no later than 28 February 2015.