Chemical engineering degree programs require strong math and science skills, and are available at many universities. Graduates can find well-compensated jobs in various industries, but the program is highly competitive. When selecting a program, consider the school’s other engineering programs, faculty quality, research opportunities, and alumni employment rates. Tuition is higher than for a Bachelor of Arts program, and the course load is heavy, with specialized courses and laboratory work in the second year. Graduates must pass a licensing exam to become a Professional Engineer.
A chemical engineering degree requires a combination of math and science skills. This four-year program is available at a wide range of universities. Chemical engineering focuses on creating and manipulating chemical structures to meet the needs of industry and consumers.
To earn a degree in chemical engineering, you will need to select a school, gain admission, complete the program coursework, and pass the licensing exam. Chemical engineering programs are highly competitive. Job opportunities for graduates cover a wide range of industries and are generally well compensated.
When selecting a chemical engineering degree program, look at the other programs offered by the college of engineering at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Determine whether the school offers a graduate program in chemical engineering, as this will have a huge impact on faculty quality, research opportunities and industry connections. Talk to the career center and discuss the employment rate of program alumni.
Tuition for engineering programs is generally higher than for a Bachelor of Arts program, as it is considered a professional program, clearly leading to a career. Review the student aid opportunity, including student aid, grants, and scholarships. Explore multi-year scholarship opportunities to reduce your overall student debt.
The first year of engineering school has a standard curriculum for all students. These courses include chemistry, physics, calculus, English and technology. The course load is very high and many schools advise students not to work part-time as they will not have enough time to study.
In the second year, courses become more specialized, focusing on chemistry, chemical structures, organic and synthetic chemistry. Laboratory work becomes more important and many students start working on their own research projects. The difficulty level is very high in this program, due to the large volume of detailed information that must be absorbed. Take advantage of student services to learn advanced study skills.
Upon graduation from a chemical engineering degree program, students can obtain employment in manufacturing companies, engineering services, government agencies, and laboratories. To become a licensed engineer, you must complete the exam administered by the American Engineers Association. A combination of work experience and completion of an exam is required before you can earn the Professional Engineer or P.Eng designation.
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