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What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering is a vast field that applies to every aspect of physical sciences (physics and chemistry) and life sciences (biology, biochemistry and microbiology). The engineers in this field are more versatile and are involved in development, management, invention, design and processes in the industries. They work in several fields like food processing, healthcare, specialty chemicals, electronic and advanced materials, biotechnology, microelectronics, design, construction, environmental health, manufacturing, polymers, business services, among others.

How to be a chemical engineer?

To be a chemical engineer, a candidate needs to qualify 10+2 schooling with more than 50% aggregate score. The candidate has to appear for the entrance exam that is conducted by IIT JEE and also by other universities and boards. If a candidate scores the required marks needed by the board, the student will be admitted to the particular university. The IIT JEE scores are also accepted by other universities.

To be a chemical engineer, you have to complete an undergraduate engineering course of four years. Post-graduation is another two years. One can also complete a diploma of three years in chemical engineering.

Qualification 

The eligibility to get into a degree college is to have a 10+2 passing certificate, with 50 % marks in each: math, chemistry and physics.

For diploma course, one should get at least 50% marks in 10th class.

Academic program

Since chemical engineering involves extensive study of various aspects of physical and life sciences, the curriculum is comprised of various subjects taught in different years of the course. Therefore, the syllabus too is elaborate and diverse. The whole program comprises eight semesters in the degree course and six semesters in the diploma course. Every year there are two semesters and candidates have to pass each semester.

The syllabus includes main subjects like math I and II, engineering mechanics, engineering graphics, humanities, engineering physics, engineering chemistry, computer programming, engineering physics laboratory, chemical processes, mechanical technology, etc.

Scope and career

The work of a chemical engineer involves construction, design, operation, installation, and maintenance of plants; manufacturing chemical products; supervision of chemical plants; gauging problems; extracting chemicals; developing processes; and many more things.

There are many opportunities for a chemical engineer, either in India or abroad. Jobs are available in public as well as government sectors. Chemical engineers get lucrative employment opportunities in large companies that manufacture food, fertilizer, specialty chemicals, paints, pesticides, plastics, polymers, pharmaceuticals, etc. One can also take up teaching as a career or go for research in other branches like atomic power plants and defense establishments. One can see the particular demand-rise in fields like nanotechnology and biotechnology.

The salaries of chemical engineers are very lucrative. However, it is based on the company you work for. Freshers can get an average salary of Rs. 25,000 per month to Rs. 30,000 per month, depending on the qualification, experience, ability and facility. Those holding a diploma degree will earn a little less than the degree-holders.

If you get a post-graduation degree in chemical engineering, you can earn a lot more and you get to enter new fields of interest as well.

Some of the companies who recruit chemical engineers are: Essar Oil Ltd, Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd, Gujarat Gas Company Ltd, Indo Gulf Fertilizers Ltd. You can also go abroad to try out new avenues and expand your earning potential.