Chemical Engineering

            Chemical Engineering is a bit harder to describe than most engineering majors, as it involves a combination of two backgrounds, chemistry and engineering. Thus, some are unsure as to what sort of job they will leave college prepared for, whether it will focus on chemistry or engineering. However, the same thing that makes this major hard to pin down is also what makes it stand out. Chemical engineers are able to use mathematics, physics and engineering to overcome problems, as well as their knowledge of chemistry to solve issues (Wayne Pafko, WorldWideLearn).

            So it as at this point that many students ask, “What will I do as a Chemical Engineer?”  They may be surprised to know that what they really should be asking themselves is “What won’t I do as a Chemical Engineer?” (WorldWideLearn).  Chemical Engineers are involved in almost every aspect of modern life, from healthcare and food production to microelectronics and biotechnology (AIChE, The University of Adelaide), making Chemical Engineers somewhat the Jack of all Trades, or the “Universal Engineer” (Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. D.). The Chemical Engineer can find an engineering job they are qualified for almost anywhere, and have practically unlimited options as to where they want to focus. Chemical Engineering is a fusion of the various subjects that I am interested in, chemistry, math and physics, and it is for those various reasons that I have chosen it as my major.

References

AIChE. What Do ChemE’s do? AIChE.          http://www.aiche.org/Students/CareersWhatDoChemEDo.aspx

Helmenstine, Anne Marie Ph. D. What is Chemical Engineering? What Do Chemical Engineers    Do? About.com. http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistrystudentfaqs/f/chemeng.htm

Pafko, Wayne. What is a Chemical Engineer? History of ChEn. http://www.pafko.com/history/h_whatis.html

The Universty of Adelaide. What do Chemical Engineers do? School of Chemical Engineering. http://chemeng.adelaide.edu.au/programs/chemical/about/

WorldWideLearn. Guide to College Majors in Chemical Engineering. WorldWideLearn. http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/engineering/chemical-engineering-major.htm