ChemE Facts

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering is a broad discipline based on mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology that applies principles of chemical engineering science and process systems engineering to the development and commercialization of new products and processes.  Chemical engineering science provides experimental and theoretical models for understanding and controlling flow and heat transfer in materials and the chemical reactions that take place in mixtures .  Process systems engineering provides methodologies for the systematic design, control and analysis of processes, as well as their economic evaluation, and safety and environmental assessment. 

What do Chemical Engineers do?

The chemical engineering profession offers challenging and well-compensated careers in the process industries, including high-technology areas.  Chemical engineers supervise the operation of chemical plants, redesign chemical processes for pollution prevention, and develop new products and processes.  Chemical engineers are also found in industries associated with polymers (plastics and resins) and coatings (paint, integrated circuits, magnetic tapes).  Traditionally, in the petroleum industry, chemical engineers develop catalysts and new reaction and separation units to improve yields in the production of fuels.  The pharmaceutical industry recruits chemical engineers who possess expertise in both process engineering and biochemistry/molecular biology.  In the semiconductor industry, chemical engineers supervise the processing of complex polymers, chip fabrication and production of thin films.  A growing number of consulting companies seek chemical engineers for finance evaluation of the economic feasibility of industrial projects, and for development of environmental impact computer software.  Also worth noting is the fact that the depth and breadth of coursework promotes chemical engineering as an excellent major for students interested in medical and business schools. (See http://www.aiche.org/careers for specific career examples.)