The UBC Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering is one of six departments in the Faculty of Applied Science carrying out engineering studies. Chemical Engineering was established at UBC in 1915 as the first Canadian chemical engineering program west of Ontario, and a separate Department of Chemical Engineering was established in 1954. Biological Engineering evolved from Agricultural Engineering, and Agricultural Mechanics was established at UBC in 1945. In 1975, the name and degree were changed to Bio-Resource Engineering. In 1996, the Department of Chemical and Bio-Resource Engineering was formed from the merger of these two separate departments. In 1999, the name was changed to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and reflected the growing need for biotechnology, biomedical, and bio-resource engineering engineers.
The Department has established a world-class reputation in chemical engineering science, including fluid-solids contacting pulp and paper engineering, heat exchanger fouling and, more recently, biotechnology. Several faculty members have won national and international recognition for their research contributions. In addition, many former students have become leaders in industry and academia in Canada and abroad. The Department's administration is represented by the Department Head, Associate Heads, Manager Administration, Systems Administrator, Secretaries and Financial clerk. Various workshops and store personnel also complement the staff technicians, storekeepers and teaching lab assistants.