Ama B. asked Tamara Floyd-Smith, West Virginia University Institute of Technology

AddedFriday, November 5, 2021 at 11:43 AM

Can I become a chemical engineer with just chemistry in high school?

How did you become an engineer? Did you take any particular classes in high school? Would you recommend that I try to become a chemical engineer even though I have no background in engineering? I???ve only taken chemistry classes in high school. I would love to become an engineer.

  • Tamara Floyd-Smith , West Virginia University Institute of Technology
    Answered Monday, January 31, 2022 at 6:17 AM
    Yes, you can become a chemical engineer with just chemistry in high school.  Of course, this response assumes that you took standard high school mathematics courses or higher.  I became a chemical engineer with the same preparation - chemistry and high school mathematics.  My high school stopped at trigonometry, but I was allowed to sit in the library for one period per day during my senior year and teach myself calculus with a textbook given to me by a math teacher.  The good news is that I made it through Calculus I on my own.
    
    Yes, I would recommend becoming a chemical engineer without "engineering" classes in high school.  Additional preparation is helpful, but all of the engineering content that you need will be taught in your ABET-accredited program in college.   All you need to bring is the same intrinsic motivation that is evidenced in your post.