Chemical Engineer

Chem Eng

Chemical engineers use chemistry, physics, and math along with engineering tools to solve problems relating to the production and use of chemicals. This includes things like refining gasoline and other fuels from petroleum, purifying of drinking water, treating waste, recovering raw materials, and producing and processing food. They can work in chemical manufacturing, electronics, pollution control, even medicine and food processing.

Examples

Design environmentally friendly cleaning products
Develop chemotherapy that has fewer side effects
Turn seawater into drinking water
Develop ways of mass producing vaccines to ward off epidemics
Reduce pollution by developing cleaner sources of energy

Education

Chemical engineers need a four-year college degree. Most have degrees in chemical engineering, although some have specialized degrees in biochemical, petroleum, metallurgical, or sanitation engineering.

Work Environment

Most chemical engineers work in manufacturing industries, in research and development labs, productions plants, or management. Some provide engineering services as consultants in research and testing, design, or policy. The environment and hours that they work varies with the industry and kind of job.

Salaries

The starting salary for a chemical engineer (2009):

B.S. degree
$65,403

M.S. degree
$66,289

Ph.D.
$90,730

American Chemical Society

American Institute of Chemical Engineers
AIChE's vision is to provide value as: the global leader of the chemical engineering profession, the lifetime center for professional & personal growth, and security of chemical engineers, the foremost catalyst in applying chemical engineering expertise in meeting societal needs.

Chemical engineering

Chemical Engineering Resources

EngineerGirl - Chemical engineering

JETS - Chemical engineering

Sloan Career Center - Chemical engineering

World Wide Learn - Chemical engineering