What is Chemical Engineering?
Students in chemical engineering degree programs learn how to use the natural sciences, especially chemistry, to design, create, test, and implement new products for businesses, industries, the military, the healthcare industry, consumers, and the government. Chemical engineers invent, develop, test, and perfect products ranging from antibiotics to semiconductors to artificial limbs.
Is Chemical Engineering a Good Major / Degree for Me?
Do you enjoy your lab science classes? Are you good at math? Are you a strong communicator? Do you enjoy critical thinking? Are you a lifelong learner? Do you enjoy doing research? Do you often have ideas about how to make things better? Are you a hands-on learner? If you answered yes to some of these questions, then a degree in chemical engineering might be for you!
High School Classes Needed for a Chemical Engineering Degree in College:
- 4 English Credits
- At least 4 Math Credits
- Biology with a Lab
- Chemistry with a Lab
- Physics with a Lab
- 3 Social Studies Credits
- 2 Foreign Language Credits
- If your high school offers the following courses, take advantage:
- AP Biology
- AP Chemistry
- AP Calculus
Common Chemical Engineering Courses in College:
- Biochemistry
- Bioengineering
- Calculus
- Chemistry
- Computer Programming
- Energy and Material Balances
- Engineering Economics
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Engineering
- Microbiology
- Organic Chemistry
- Physics
- Statistics
- Technical Writing
- Thermodynamics
Similar Degree Programs You Might Want to Explore:
- Biochemistry: the study of the chemical processes occurring in organisms
- Biotechnology: the study of utilizing microorganisms and biological substances in industry and manufacturing
- Chemistry: the study of matter
- Computer Science: the study of computation and computer technology
- Environmental Science: the study of the environment, including physics, biology, chemistry, and geology
- Mathematics: the study of the measurement and properties of and the relationships between quantities and sets
- Physics: the study of the basic laws of nature
- Pulp and Paper Technology: a branch of chemical engineering that specializes in producing paper from wood
- Statistics: the study of the collection, organization, and interpretation of numerical data
Chemical Engineering Careers:
The field is wide open for chemical engineers. Individuals who earn degrees in chemical engineering can go on to graduate school for further education and specialization, or they can go on to work as:
- Consultant Engineers
- Design Engineers
- Environmental Engineers
- Plant Managers
- Power Engineers
- Process Engineers
- Researchers
In addition, students who study chemical engineering today will have job opportunities tomorrow that we haven’t yet heard of.
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