Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers process chemicals used to make or improve products used in our daily lives. Through the combination of the science of chemistry and the discipline of engineering, chemical engineers find efficient, economical and effective ways of solving problems. Specifically, as described by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, they improve food processing techniques and methods of producing fertilizers to enhance the quality and increase the quantity of food, construct the synthetic fibers for our clothes, develop methods to produce drugs, find efficient and safe means of refining petroleum products, and remediate and control environmental problems. Don't make the mistake of thinking that chemical engineers only "make things," though. Their expertise is also applied in the areas of law, education, publishing, finance, and medicine, as well as in many other fields that require technical training.
Representative Job Titles and Areas of Specialization
| Process Design Engineer | Project Engineer | | Environmental Engineer | Product Engineer | | Plant Process Engineer | Process Safety Engineer | | Process Safety Engineer | Operations/production | | Technical Sales Person | Material Engineer | | Environmental waste management | Chemical Engineer Technician | | Chemical Plant Technical Director* | Regulatory Affairs Engineer | | Petroleum Engineer | Professor/Teacher* |
*Require advanced degree beyond the bachelor's.
See Training section
Nature of the Work
Chemical engineers solve problems. Some of the problems they address include developing methods of refining petroleum, purifying polluted air and water, discovering more versatile and desirable products, improving methods of recycling, harnessing solar power, producing better and less expensive fertilizers and pesticides, producing safer cosmetics, and developing more efficient pharmaceutical products. Besides their technical expertise, they apply communication and teamwork skills. Job descriptions of many of the job titles listed above may be found on www.aiche.org. Chemical engineers work in an array of industries.
Places of Employment
| Manufacturing | Industrial supplies industry | | Design and construction | Cosmetic companies | | Biotechnology firms | Universities and colleges | | Petrochemicals | Federal government, | | Environmental health and safety industries | e.g., the Environmental Protection | | Electronics | Agency and the Department of Energy | | Advanced materials | Local/state government | | Agricultural industry | Research institutions | | Plastics industry | Food and beverage processing industries | | Pharmaceutical companies | |
Training
Many positions in chemical engineering may be obtained with a bachelor's degree, depending on the type of course work completed and experience gained while in college. There are some opportunities in research and in management for those with a master's degree, while others require a doctorate, such as in teaching and research at the university level.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the Career Center, Veitch Student Center, Northwest Wing, University of California, Riverside, 951.827.3631.
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