Chemical engineers are involved in pharmaceuticals, fossil and biofuels, materials and processes related to many household products.
Chemical engineering is one branch in the field of engineering. Chemical engineering generally focuses on the creation and evaluation of chemical structures and materials, but covers a broad range of technical areas. Industries that employ chemical engineers include pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, electronics, food, clothing, health care, and biotechnology.
While chemical engineering can cover a wide range of topics, a basic education in the field starts with a firm foundation in chemistry, including introductory chemistry courses, and advanced courses such as organic and inorganic chemistry. More detailed courses include thermodynamics and heat transfer, unit operations, and plant design. Newly graduated chemical engineers are among the highest paid in the engineering field, although many bachelor's degree graduates continue on to graduate school.
Some of the branches of chemical engineering include, but are not limited to:
The primary professional society associated with chemical engineering is the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, or AIChE, which is a worldwide organization with over 40,000 members. The society has technical divisions that cover all facets of chemical engineering, from catalyst and reaction engineering to nuclear engineering and transport and energy processes. The society has local sections to encourage engineers to meet and exchange ideas on a local level. The main national gathering for AIChE is the Annual Meeting, held in November each year.
Chemical engineers are involved in so many facets of everyday life, from gasoline to plastics. To learn about other types of engineers and what they do, read Engineering 101: The Basics.
AIChE website
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook website
Worcester Polytechnic Institute Chemical Engineering Department website