Chemical Engineering

For that chemistry

Introduction:

A branch of engineering, chemical engineering is the study of application of chemistry, physics and mathematics to convert raw materials or chemicals into useful forms. The study of chemical engineering involves designing and maintaining chemical plants to improve production. There is a difference between chemical engineering and chemical technology. While the former deals with designing, construction, installation, operation and supervision of industrial plants, the latter deals with the actual production of new substances.

Eligibility:

There are degree as well as diploma courses available in chemical engineering. For admission to graduate courses, Bachelors of Engineering (B.E.) or Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech.), candidates must have completed 10+2 in science stream with mathematics as a subject. The eligibility criteria join a three-year diploma course is 10th standard. Degree courses are of four-year duration. Under the lateral entry scheme, those having completed the diploma course can join 2nd year Bachelors degree. The subjects covered under the Bachelors programme are Industrial Chemistry, Polymer Processing, Polymer Synthesis, Polymer Testing, Polymer Technology, etc. Chemical engineers must be innovative, inventive, possess good designing skills and should be a team worker.

Careers and jobs:

With globalization and the liberalization policies adopted by the government the scope for chemical engineers is bound to grow manifold. As this field is vast and diverse the job prospects and career options are unlimited for a chemical engineer. Their service is required in industries such as petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, food processing industries, agri sector, plastics industries, power sector, environment, waste management, in armed forces, in scientific and research agencies, etc.

Chemical engineers can opt for jobs like operations, processing, manufacturing, R&D, design, construction, teaching, research, marketing. They are employed in the capacity of a supervisor, manager, executives, technical specialist, project manager or project engineers.