What exactly is chemical engineering, and what are the duties of chemical engineers?
The field of chemical engineering uses knowledge of mathematics, chemistry, and other natural sciences acquired through study, practice, and application to develop wise uses of resources like energy and materials for the benefit of humanity.
Chemical engineers create processes for producing chemicals and goods like gasoline, synthetic rubber, plastics, detergents, cement, paper, pharmaceuticals, and electronic components as well as the equipment for chemical plants.
Chemical engineers help make products and processes faster, safer, and more reliable while doing so in an energy-efficient and sustainable manner.
In the chemical engineering undergraduate program, you will learn the fundamentals of physical sciences, math, and chemical engineering and how to apply them to benefit society. Participate in a present lab sequence that involves solving problems in a variety of industries.
Practical Knowledge That Sets You Apart
Being a successful engineer requires having a solid knowledge base. But what you really want to do and what will set you apart is to put that knowledge to use in real-world situations by finding solutions to challenging problems. You’ll develop your engineering skills at Alabama by gaining practical experience:
Four distinct labs for chemical engineering.
- Course on Process and Product Design – During your senior year, you will create a specialty product formulation and a full-scale chemical processing plant.
- Internships and Co-ops – Through paid work experiences at organizations like American Crystal Sugar, Hess, Cargill, 3M, Chevron, and Dakota Gasification Company, our students gain valuable work experience.
- For students interested in working on cutting-edge research projects or later pursuing graduate studies, faculty-supervised undergraduate research is available.
- The curriculum makes extensive use of professional industry software packages for statistical analysis, numerical methods, and chemical process simulation.
Chemical Engineering Degree with Customization
Your degree in chemical engineering can even be further customized based on your interests by selecting one of three optional concentrations. Upon finishing the curriculum, the concentration will be noted on your transcript.
- Sustainability
To help combat climate change, rising energy prices, and the security of water, energy, and food, train for a career in sustainability and sustainable energy technologies.
- Energetics
Study concepts greatly used in security applications, space discovery, counter-terrorism, fire inhibition and public protection innovations, vehicle airbags, and sparklers.
- Energy Engineering
Learn about the exploration, drilling, and production of oil and gas resources upstream.
Bachelors Degree
A Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering is available from the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
126 credits must be earned to graduate with a chemical engineering undergraduate degree. Before graduating, chemical engineering students must pass the Fundamentals of Engineering examination for that discipline in Alabama or another state. The student’s advisor must approve each elective.
Master’s degrees
The Master of Science in Chemical Engineering program is offered by the Department of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, and department faculty can also provide guidance to students pursuing a doctoral degree. The study plans are made to give students knowledge of contemporary engineering theories and methods, to prepare them for practicing engineering at a level of proficiency beyond what is possible with a bachelor’s degree, and to prepare them for doctoral study at the master’s level.
Features of the Master’s Program
- Chemical kinetics, molecular thermodynamics, and biochemical engineering are among the fundamental courses in chemical engineering.
- Choosing elective courses in topics like entrepreneurship, optimization, energy, or applied mathematics allows you to pursue your own interests and goals.
- A part-time, fully online format that is adaptable. Perfect for working professionals seeking additional chemical engineering education.
- Certificate in graduate-level chemical engineering
Best Chemical Engineering Schools in Alabama
| Institution | Category | Location | website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn University Department of Chemical Engineering | University department | 212 N Ross St | https://www.eng.auburn.edu/chen/ |
| College of Engineering | University department | 245 7th Ave | http://eng.ua.edu/ |
| College of Engineering, University of South Alabama | College | Shelby Hall, 150 Student Services Dr #2114 | https://www.southalabama.edu/colleges/engineering/ |
| University of Alabama Birmingham - School of Engineering | University department | 1075 13th St S | http://www.uab.edu/engineering |
| Samuel Ginn College of Engineering | Public university | 345 W Magnolia Ave | http://www.eng.auburn.edu/ |
| The University of Alabama | University | +1 205-348-6010 | http://www.ua.edu/ |
| Tuskegee University | University | 1200 W Montgomery Rd | https://www.tuskegee.edu/ |
| University of North Alabama | University | 1 Harrison Plaza | http://www.una.edu/ |
| Auburn University | University | +1 334-844-4000 | http://www.auburn.edu/ |
| The University of Alabama in Huntsville | Public university | Shelby Center for Science and Technology, 301 Sparkman Dr NW | http://uah.edu/ |
| Alabama A&M University | University | 4900 Meridian St N | http://www.aamu.edu/ |
| University of Montevallo | University | 75 College Dr | http://www.montevallo.edu/ |
| The University of South Alabama Gulf Coast Campus | Public university | 19470 Oak Rd W | http://www.southalabama.edu/gulfcoast |
| Alabama State University | Public university | 915 S Jackson St | http://alasu.edu/ |
| University of Alabama Graduate School | University department | 103 Rose Administration Building | http://graduate.ua.edu/ |
| UAB Heersink School of Medicine | Medical school | 1670 University Blvd | http://www.uab.edu/ |
| University of South Alabama | Public university | 307 N University Blvd | http://www.southalabama.edu/ |
| University of Alabama at Birmingham | Public university | 1720 University Blvd | http://www.uab.edu/ |
| Auburn University College of Architecture, Design and Construction | College | Dudley Hall and Commons, 362 Duggar Concourse | http://cadc.auburn.edu/ |
| Raymond J. Harbert College of Business | College | Edward L. and Catherine K. Lowder Business Building, 405 W Magnolia Ave | http://harbert.auburn.edu/ |
The mission for Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The department’s goals are to offer students a quality, affordable undergraduate and graduate chemical engineering education, prepare graduates for professional careers and lifelong learning, encourage the creation and dissemination of knowledge, serve society through professional practice and community outreach, and act as a catalyst for economic and technological advancement, all in line with the overall missions of the College of Engineering and the University.
What role chemical engineering plays in a wide range of industries?
How to handle commercial issues and spot fresh chances in the fields of biotechnology, energy, and the environment.
How to succeed in harder applied math, biochemical engineering, biochemistry, and other topics.
Salary of Bachelor’s Degree Chem Engineering Graduates
The median salary of chem eng students who receive their bachelor’s degree at UA is $65,209. This is less than the $66,101 national median for bachelor’s degree recipients who majored in chemistry and engineering nationwide.
A Career in Chemical engineering
A career in chemical engineering could lead you to work in some of Alabama’s largest industrial facilities!
- Start your career with a degree from one of the five chemical engineering programs offered in Alabama. The fifth school only confers Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees; the other four grant Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. degrees. Tuition generally runs $6,600 per semester.
- Working as a chemical engineer entails handling a variety of potentially harmful chemicals, so it’s crucial to finish a thorough education program before you begin your career.
- Most employers demand a bachelor’s degree or higher. The 120 credits needed for a bachelor’s degree can usually be finished in about four years.
- You could enroll in courses like Principles of Chemical Engineering, Material & Energy Balance, and Biomass Refinery Operations. You should anticipate spending a fair amount of time in the engineering lab. This gives you the opportunity to handle various chemicals safely.
