April 2007, Issue #57
Chemical Engineering
What do toothpaste, gasoline, medicines, plastics, environmental protection, skin care products, and clean drinking water have in common? All draw on the knowledge and resources of chemical engineers to make them available. As one of the four main branches of engineering, chemical engineering is a broad field that provides a wide array of career choices. Subspecialties include biochemical engineering, food engineering, petroleum, heat transfer and energy conversion, nanotechnology, petrochemical engineering, and consumer products, such as plastics, detergents, paint, and man-made fibers.
Virtually every product that is manufactured is touched by a chemical engineer along the way. In addition, chemical engineers can specialize in an aspect of chemical production such as oxidation, evaporation, or polymerization (joining molecules together into long chains).
While chemists are responsible for creating the chemical reactions to produce a product, chemical engineers apply principles of chemistry to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals and biochemicals. This includes research and development, as well as converting scientific discoveries into marketable products. Chemical engineers may also be involved in chemical production, equipment design, developing the processes for large-scale chemical manufacturing, or the operation of a manufacturing facility itself.
Often they are involved in environmental quality or recycling or proper disposal of the byproducts of the manufacturing process. They can also work to prevent or clean up water, air, and soil pollution, or develop equipment or processes to store or transport chemicals safely. Many chemical engineers work to ensure product quality or develop instruments and control systems to produce the highest quality product most economically.
Chemical engineers, or ChemEs as they are often called, work in a variety of industries including energy production, electronics, food, clothing, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, developing artificial organs for transplant, specialty chemicals, microelectronics, advanced materials, environmental health and safety, cosmetics, healthcare, and paper. They also work in healthcare, biotechnology, and business services.
ChemEs often work closely with scientists and other engineers as members of a team, using the team's extensive background to find solutions for environmental or biomedical problems. In addition to technical positions, chemical engineers may also be employed in management positions overseeing chemical processes or related manufacturing.
Educational Requirements
A Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering is the most common requirement. Some research, teaching, or consulting positions also require a master's degree. In addition, chemical engineers interested in working as consultants are required to pass a state board exam given by the Department of Consumer Affairs.
High school students interested in chemical engineering should take as many math and science courses as possible. They should also develop their communications skills and ability to work in teams.
For More Information
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
345 E. 47th Street
New York, NY 10017
(212) 705-7338
http://www.aiche.org
Information for students: http://www.aiche.org/Students/Careers/index.aspx
American Chemical Society
1155 16th Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 872-4600
http://www.acs.org
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/ engineering/chemical-engineering-major.htm
