Student Interests Spur New Societies
As chemical and biological engineering grows to encompass more and more emerging fields, students are looking to extracurricular groups to enrich classroom learning. While well-established CU chapters of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Society of Women Engineers () continue to be popular, ChBE students are also founding more specialized societies.
The Biomedical Engineering Society (), for example, draws students from disciplines across the university.
鈥淏ecause there is no biomedical major at CU, BMES provides the means to meet with fellow students who share the same interests but have a different background,鈥 says President Mackenzie Belden. 鈥淭he club is full of students with the same motivation 鈥 to improve healthcare.鈥
Students also formed a chapter of the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE) in 2014 to address growing interests in biotechnology.
鈥淭he most valuable part of ISPE is the immense amount of networking opportunities with industry-relevant people and companies,鈥 says President Isabelle LiVigni. 鈥淎lso, members learn more about different parts of the biotechnology field and potential areas to focus in.鈥
One of the largest student groups on campus, the听, was founded in 2009 to bring together students from across campus who share an interest in energy topics. The club hosts a popular annual conference at CU called Energy Frontiers.
Longstanding groups also provide immense networking and learning opportunities to students. The CU chapters of AIChE and SWE both travel to conferences twice a year, host networking events, schedule tours and bring in industry speakers. AIChE also boasts a Chem-E-Car team and a brew team.
Omega Chi Epsilon (OXE), the national chemical engineering honor society, likewise schedules speakers and tours but also emphasizes community service.
Whether through newer or more established groups, students have more opportunities than ever to prepare themselves for careers beyond CU.