The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) at UW-Madison was established in 1905. It has a tradition of excellence dating back to its founding and consistently ranks among the best programs in the world. The department has 21 core faculty and 8 affiliate faculty that conduct experimental and theoretical research to address pressing societal, economic, and environmental challenges. Research focus areas include (1) bioengineering and biotechnology, (2) catalysis, surface science, and reaction engineering, (3) materials, polymers, and transport processes, and (4) theory, data science, and systems. Research in CBE benefits from close collaboration among diverse teams of researchers from within the department, across campus, at other campuses, and in industry.

Research on campus is highly interdisciplinary, benefiting from prominent centers such as the Center for the Chemical Upcycling of Waste Plastics (CUWP), Center for Cell Manufacturing Technologies (CMaT), Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), Wisconsin Institute for Discovery (WID), and the Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center.

CBE is strategically located in Engineering Hall at the heart of the science and engineering areas of campus, facilitating interactions with students and researchers in other leading departments.