What is Chemical Engineering?
The future
In Chemical Engineering, advances are being made in:
- Hydrogen storage
- Electronics and communications
- Alternative fuels.
In Biochemical Engineering, research is leading to:
- Better healthcare products
- Safer disposal of toxic waste
- The development of artificial organs and prosthetics.
Chemical and biochemical engineers develop new chemical processes and products, and improve the performance of existing ones.
Their understanding of fundamental science and the properties of materials means they are in demand across the world.
After studying our undergraduate programmes you could be:
- Providing clean water for Third World countries
- Helping to develop spacecraft
- Producing beer or chocolate
- Developing alternative and renewable fuels
- Developing drugs and pharmaceuticals
- Working on new areas of medical science
- Producing vaccines or stem cell therapies.
Why study Chemical Engineering?
A Chemical Engineering degree offers you the flexibility to work in a number of fields, including:
- Research
- Plant management
- Safety
- Pollution prevention and control
- Consultancy
- Technical sales
- Marketing.
Because chemical and biochemical engineers are taught to analyse problems logically and deal with complicated issues, they often manage other professionals in project teams.
What will you earn?
Chemical engineers typically earn more than chemists and other types of engineer. Chartered Chemical Engineers make an average of £50,000, which can rise to £60,000 (IChemE Salary Survey 2010). The average graduate starting salary is £27,500.
