A Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering will teach you how to apply concepts from chemistry, mathematics, physics and biology while dealing with the use and production of chemicals. During the course of your studies, you will learn about chemical processes and reactions, thermodynamics, biotechnology, microbiology, biochemistry, industrial chemistry and process design, etc.
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) takes care of all matters pertaining to accreditation of engineering degree programs. Typical courses that make up a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering degree include pure and applied mathematics, computer aided design (CAD), chemical design, molecular transformations, chemical process design, thermodynamics and kinetics, process engineering, microbiology, biotechnology, industrial chemistry, biochemistry, fluid mechanics and organic chemistry, etc.
If the dynamic field of engineering interests you, then you might want to consider becoming a chemical engineer. And enrolling into a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering degree program is the first step to getting there. Find out what the program entails in this piece.
What Is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering is a multi-faceted branch of engineering that brings together life sciences (biology, biochemistry and microbiology), experimental sciences (physics and chemistry), economics and mathematics to design, create, manage, optimize and oversee the industrial processes that transform raw materials into products of essential use.
What Careers Can You Pursue with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering?
A Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering can open up different possibilities for you. Other than the obvious choice to become licensed chemical engineers, graduates in the field can also seek employment as Analytical Chemists, Petroleum Engineers, Energy Managers, Material Scientists/Engineers, Mining Engineers/Consultants, Manufacturing Engineers, Production and Quality Managers, Biochemical Engineers, Biomedical Engineers and Pharmacists, etc.
The following section includes salary details for some of these occupations.
Chemical Engineers
Chemical Engineers utilize the principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics and biology to take care of problems related to the use of food, drugs, fuel and other products.
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Annual Median Salary, 2019: $108,770
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Annual Mean Salary, 2019: $117,090
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Predicted Growth, 2018-2028: 6%
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State with the Highest Salary, 2019: Texas - $150,510
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State with the Highest Employment, 2019: Texas - 7,260
Petroleum Engineers
Petroleum Engineers are responsible for designing and developing methods of oil and gas extraction from deposits below the surface of the Earth.
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Annual Median Salary, 2019: $137,720
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Annual Mean Salary, 2019: $156,780
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Predicted Growth Rate, 2018-2028: 3%
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State with the Highest Salary, 2019: Indiana - $198,170
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State with the Highest Employment, 2019: Texas - 18,720
Chemists and Materials Scientists
Chemists and Materials Scientists study the interaction of different substances at the atomic and molecular levels.
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Annual Median Salary, 2019: $77,630 (Chemists)
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Annual Mean Salary, 2019: $84,150 (Chemists)
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Predicted Growth Rate, 2018-2028: 4%
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State with the Highest Salary, 2019: District of Columbia, $122,360 (Chemists)
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State with the Highest Employment, 2019: California, 10,130 (Chemists)
Note: These figures have been obtained from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What to Expect from a Chemical Engineering Degree Program?
While studying for a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, you will learn about areas like Chemical Process Design, Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Industrial Chemistry, Fluid Mechanics, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pure and Applied Mathematics, Research Methods in Chemical Engineering, Organic Chemistry, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Molecular Transformations, Biotechnology, Process Engineering and Environmental Sciences, etc.
How to Choose a Chemical Engineering Program?
There are a few important things to consider while choosing a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering program to enroll in. These include curriculum, fee structure, available majors, research opportunities, accreditation, college/university location, etc.
Undergraduate programs in engineering are normally accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). In terms of where to go to school to get your Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering, some good options include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University, University of California – Berkeley (UC Berkeley) and the University of Texas at Austin among others.
Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering Admission Requirements
Entry requirements tend to vary slightly from one school to another. However, some basic criteria are also common for most institutes of higher learning around the country. Getting a High School Diploma or the alternative GED (General Educational Development) Certificate is one of them.
Students should ideally have a strong background in mathematical areas like trigonometry, calculus, algebra and geometry while also having solid foundations in various sciences (physics, chemistry and biology). They may also need adequate ACT (American College Testing) or SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) scores depending on the threshold, if any, established by a particular school of choice.