Biology; A New Main Element in Chemical Engineering Transition from “Chemical” to “Chemical and Biological” Engineering Part 1: Necessity, Curriculum's and Research Areas

Abstract

Development of biology has created new fields, such as Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering. The advances in the mentioned fields, which are all interdisciplinary, depend on the activities of chemical engineers who are familiar with science biology. The necessity of chemical engineer`s activities in relevant areas with biology and inevitable use of biological means in confrontation of chemical engineering with environmental, economical and industrial challenges, proved that in the current century the sole familiarity with chemistry is not responsive to the needs of chemical engineering. However, the science of biology must be also considered as an important element of the modern chemical engineering along with the chemistry. In contrast to the developed countries, which have applied this important item in their educational systems, and even changed the title of this field to "chemical and biological engineering", Iranian chemical engineering has not profited biology in confrontation with new challenges; except a few who have educated in this area at graduate levels. This research is conducted with the aim of awareness regarding the necessity of transition from "chemical engineering" to "chemical and biological engineering" where the graduates are chemical engineers being familiar with biology. In this regard, the general educational program of "chemical and biological engineering" field has been reviewed and it has been recommended to update the curriculum of chemical engineering, or to establish such fields, in order to provide the requirements for the new engineering areas and also more efficient confrontation with new challenges.

Keywords

• chemical engineering biology engineering education chemical and biological engineering biomedical engineering biotechnology