Building the Next Generation of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineers
The Unit Operations Laboratory in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of South Alabama provides students with hands-on experience using the equipment, measurements, and process systems that form the foundation of modern chemical engineering.
As part of the renovation of the Science Laboratory Building, the Unit Operations Laboratory is being redesigned to create a modern, flexible, and highly visible learning environment. The renovated laboratory will support experiential education, industry-relevant training, collaborative projects, and engagement with partners throughout the Gulf Coast region and beyond.
A Modern Laboratory for Experiential Learning
Chemical and biomolecular engineers design, operate, analyze, and improve processes that transform raw materials into valuable products. These processes are essential to industries including chemicals, energy, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food production, advanced materials, environmental engineering, and manufacturing.
The Unit Operations Laboratory allows students to move beyond classroom theory and work directly with process equipment. Through laboratory exercises and team-based projects, students will learn to:
- Operate pilot-scale engineering systems safely and effectively.
- Measure temperature, pressure, flow, concentration, and other process variables.
- Compare experimental results with engineering models.
- Analyze equipment performance and process efficiency.
- Use modern instrumentation and data-acquisition systems.
- Troubleshoot processes and communicate technical findings.
- Work collaboratively in an environment modeled after professional engineering practice.
The renovated laboratory will help prepare students for internships, cooperative education assignments, graduate study, and engineering careers.