College of Engineering offers state's only bioengineering concentration

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has launched a new concentration for chemical engineering majors who envision careers in fields such as the biomedical and pharmaceutical industries, environmental remediation and renewable energy.

Registration is under way for UL Lafayette’s new bioengineering concentration. Courses will begin this fall for the concentration, the only program of its kind in Louisiana.

Dr. Ahmed Khattab, dean of the University’s College of Engineering, said the concentration was created for students interested in a range of careers related to bioengineering, a broad field that encompasses biomedical, biological and biochemical engineering.

“As with all of our engineering degree offerings and programs, the bioengineering concentration is in place to equip our students with knowledge and skills that will enable them to hit the ground running once they graduate,” Khattab explained.

Dr. Rafael Hernandez, head of the college’s Department of Chemical Engineering, said the bioengineering concentration is structured to provide students with expertise that will help them succeed in a range of jobs. Those jobs include creating medical, diagnostic and therapeutic devices, and developing pharmaceutical products, food supplements and preservatives.

“A significant number of our recent graduates have entered the pharmaceutical industry – including some who are contributing to COVID-19 vaccine production. But bolstering employment opportunities in that area isn’t the only impetus for the bioengineering concentration,” Hernandez said.

“It’s also tailored for students who plan to work in wastewater treatment, converting biomass to energy, fermentation operations and many other areas.”

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For more information or questions about the bioengineering concentration, please email Dr. Rafael Hernandez, Department Head of Chemical Engineering at rafael.hernandez@louisiana.edu.

(Photo credit: University of Louisiana at Lafayette)