IBRL is committed to preparing a skilled biomanufacturing and food manufacturing workforce, particularly in the region of Central Illinois where the number of bioeconomy roles is projected to continue increasing. IBRL trains individuals ranging from undergraduates to career employees through a variety of programs and opportunities. Our FASTER Internship and our Professional Science Master’s Program give University of Illinois students hands-on training in our pilot plants. Our Short Courses provide opportunities for professionals to receive targeted, specific trainings in industry-relevant processes. IBRL is committed to preparing a skilled biomanufacturing and food manufacturing
PROFESSIONALS
IBRL offers several different opportunities for industry professionals to upskill or continue their education. These opportunities are led by industry experts and range from webinars and Coursera content to on-site Short Courses where individuals can gain hands-on experience.
INTERNS
Food and Agricultural Science in Technology Education and Research (FASTER) is a paid internship program that provides undergraduate students the chance to work with industry leaders and top researchers from various disciplines. It equips students with hands-on experience in IBRL and the Food Science Pilot Plant.
PROFESSIONAL SCIENCE MASTER’S
The College of ACES offers Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in two programs that frequently collaborate with IBRL: Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, and Food Science & Human Nutrition. The PSM is a non-thesis Master of Science on-campus program. In addition to receiving training and coursework in their respective fields of study, students gain relevant professional experience in business and related topics through coursework and an internship.
Academic Classes Supported by IBRL/Food Science Pilot Plant
IBRL and the Food Science Pilot Plant serve as resources for a number of courses that are offered in the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, the Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, and across the College of ACES more broadly. The level of involvement in the facilities ranges; several classes meet solely in the facility, while others are lecture-based with hands-on modules in the pilot plant.