Chemical Engineering

Program Overview

Chemical engineering is the primary engineering discipline that is based on the fundamental sciences of chemistry, physics, biochemistry and mathematics, in which processes are conceived, designed and operated to effect compositional changes in materials of all kinds. Chemical engineers play an important role in the development of a healthier environment and safer and healthier industrial workplaces. They develop new industrial processes that are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly and create products that improve quality of life. Chemical engineers are responsible for improvements in technologies and in evaluating and controlling hazards. In addition to the basic sciences, chemical engineers use a well-defined body of knowledge in the application of the conservation laws that determine mass flow and energy relations; thermodynamics and kinetics which determine whether or not reactions are feasible and the rate at which they occur; and the chemical engineering rate laws that determine limits to the transfer of heat, mass and momentum.