What do you learn in Chemical Engineering?
June-July is the time when a horde of students decide upon what course to consider for college education. I am currently pursuing my B.Tech in Chemical Engineering. Lately I have been receiving several queries regarding colleges and the courses that can be considered. It seems that not many are interested in Chemical Engineering. I remember how I ‘chose’ this course. I actually didn’t choose Chemical Engineering, I got it.
Since it is my course and now am happy that I got this, I thought it would be best to write down about this course, what it is, what you learn in it and the job prospects.
First thing to understand is that there is a difference between Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. And Chemical Engineering is NOT purely Chemistry. It is a good mixture of Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. Concepts of Physics includes Fluid Mechanics, Mass and Heat Transfer. There is also usage of Computers and Computer Programming.
I have completed now 2 semesters of Chemical Engineering, and my opinion is that it isn’t strenuous and most of the concepts are easy to study and understand. There is always a Practical connection. Chemical Engineering is not entirely science. It is a based on science and experience.
Let me answer one important question. Why are chemical engineers needed? Chemical engineers design, construct and operate plants and industrial process. They are mainly involved in the either converting raw materials or seperating raw materials to obtain useful products.
It is a good course with very good opportunities for Higher education abroad and also has very good job offers, thanks to the Petroleum industries, ever rising demand for petroleum fuels, pharmaceutical industries, the every day battle against pathogens, chemical manufacture industries, narcotics testing in customs etc.
At the moment I do not have enough data to explain to you and prove the demand for Chemical Engineers in today’s world. I will update this post with campus recruitment data form the National Institute of Technology Trichy for Chemical Engineering as soon as possible.
