What is Engineering

Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes.



Educational Resources

Who is an Engineer

Engineers are problem-solvers who want to make things work more efficiently and quickly and less expensively. From computer chips and satellites to medical devices and renewable energy technologies, engineering makes our modern life possible. In particular, electrical engineers and computer engineers have a wide range of study options and career paths that let them design, build, and manage those ideas into reality.

Engineering Careers

The field of engineering has become so diverse in recent years that a definition is not easy to come by. Yes, engineers still build skyscrapers, design machinery, and oversee public works. But that's only the beginning. They also address society's needs and problems on a number of other scales with a unique blend of technology and science.



Chemical Engineering Overview

Introduction & Salary

Preperation

Classes Required

Finding the Right University

Major Branches

Career Branches

 

Introduction & Salary

Getting a Chemical Engineer degree is the first step on the road to a highly valued and rewarding career. Chemical Engineers can typically make salaries of over $100,000 a year and are sort after by many vital industries. Material Manufacturing, Food Processing and Energy companies all depend on the technical research and creative scientific advances only a skilled and well educated Chemical Engineer can provide them.


Chemical Engieer Working

Chemical engineer monitoring a chemical plant. One of the many jobs they do!


Preperation

To earn this school degree you must be willing to take a heavy course load. An aptitude for logistical mathematics, science and the study of chemistry is of utmost importance. Exploration and problem solving skills play a large part in this field of engineering study. Individual work endeavor plus the ability to work comfortably within a team project or in a group effort is always necessary.


If you are interested in the field of engineering it helps to start preparing during your high school years. Superior grades and impressive test scores in math and science are key. Plan your high school course selections in these subjects wisely. Consult your school guidance counselor or academic advisor for strategies as early as your freshman year of high school.

 

Classes Required

Essential science studies for the future Chemical Engineer include advanced classes in Chemistry and Physics. Geology and Biology should also be taken if possible in high school. Courses in logistical mathematics particularly Calculus, Geometry, Trigonometry and Algebra are usually a requirement for any engineering program admittance. And contrary to what most future engineering students believe, it will also benefit you to make sure all areas of your high school coursework are admirable.


It is important to maintain above average grades and test scores in English, Language, History and the Humanities. A sharp well-rounded high school student will have a much greater choice of Engineering schools and scholarship opportunities.

 

Finding the Right University

When deciding to obtain this demanding degree you will also want to pick the right college, university, technical school or certification program. Always make sure the school Engineering department is accepted by the Accreditation Board for Engineering. When contacting or visiting an educational institution, always ask pointed questions about their Chemical Engineering degree program and their degree programs as a whole.
Inquire about the staff and faculty members that will be instructing you.


Academic and professional backgrounds are both pertinent to their teaching style. Tour classrooms, labs and computer facilities with a knowledgeable guide while on campus. Be sure to ask about class size, lectures and field experiences offered to students. Extracurricular activities, student internships and a career counseling center will complement any college degree. If a college or university has a fraternal system, look for a chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon, a chemical engineering honor society fraternity.


Students at MTU working on a Chemical Engineering Lab

Students at MTU in a chemical engineering lab.

 

Major Branches

Once you have chosen to pursue this degree, you will want to zero in on a specialty within this major. These can include Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Process Engineering and Materials Engineering amongst others. Many students will complete this degree program to satisfy their Pre-Medical or Pre-Dental undergraduate requirement before graduate school.


There are a host of employment possibilities for the new graduate. A well taught student will have learned how to put chemical composition and analysis to work to tackle scientific and global issues that affect all of us. Private, Commercial, Government and Military based employers have a need to hire Chemical Engineers. The demanding combination of scholastic, experience and devotion to science assures them of an often superlative future employee. It is of this demanding background that future leaders are made.


Career Branches

Career possibilities in this field are constantly expanding. Engineering firms concentrating in Civil Engineering, Hazwoper Training, Nuclear Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and Petrochemical Engineering are always on the lookout for Chemical Engineers. Pharmaceutical, Computer, Paper, Telecommunication and Environmental Protection Industries also appreciate and hire the well educated Chemical Engineer. Seek out a Chemical Engineer degree if you want to weather any economic storm with an education that will lead to results.


Breakdown of Chemical Engineering Branches

All of the major fields, and their sizes.