What Is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering majors learn to change raw materials into economically viable products. By solving technological problems, chemical engineers create innovations that impact our lives in surprising ways.

A college degree in chemical engineering can cut across a variety of academic paths, combining:

* Chemistry
* Mathematics
* Physics
* Engineering
* Biology

What Do Chemical Engineers Do?

In a world that tries to feed more people using less farmland, where citizens are concerned about environmentally safe production and where manufacturers demand more efficiency in order to remain competitive, it might be easier to ask, "What doesn't a chemical engineer do?"

Consider how the work of a chemical engineer affects your life from the moment you wake up in the morning. Your toothpaste, your makeup, the soles of your shoes, the breakfast cereal you eat, the fuel used to drive to work or school--each of these involves the work of a chemical engineer. Chemical engineers develop everything from fibers used for clothing and rope to artificial organs for human transplant. Chemical engineers act as the bridge between the lab and the consumer, between science and manufacturing. The field's broad application to so many industries provides a graduate with opportunities to pursue work in almost any field of interest.

Chemical engineers often find practical applications for discoveries they make in the lab. This requires understanding the principles of chemistry and biosciences-as well as management and economics--to create a solution.

The work of a chemical engineer is not the same as the work of a chemist. A chemist is responsible for creating the chemical reactions needed for a product. Chemical engineers are then responsible for making the process happen in a way that is cost effective, safe, and environmentally sound.

Chemical engineering is a lifelong learning experience because the field is constantly evolving. Later in their careers, chemical engineers might find themselves working in an industry that did not exist when they graduated.