What is Chemical Engineering ?
Chemical Engineering is the stream that deals with the planning and maintenance of chemical plants along with the advancement of chemical processes to convert raw material into useful materials. This stream mixing with the knowledge of both chemistry and engineering from a different of fields like biotechnology, nanotechnology, synthetic fibers, mineral processing, petroleum refining plants etc.
How we can get admission in Chemical Engineering Courses?
In India, there are a lot of indigenous chemical industries. A plenty of multinational firms are also setting up in India. This trend shows the improvement of opportunities for candidate in the stream of chemical engineering. This stream is one of the broadest fields from the perspective of research and advancement. And also, given the wide range of industries that given job opportunities to chemical engineers, several candidates have shown great interest in the stream. Thus, many universities and colleges have started offering this course as a part of their academic programs.
Career scopes for Chemical Engineers
Chemical Engineers are commonly known as ‘Universal Engineers’ for their deep knowledge of both the stream of engineering and chemistry. Their work mainly contain converting the natural or waste materials into useful or less harmful chemical products. Their educational background offer them with an prospect to work in a different of industries. Like, for example, oil and gas industries, energy industries, chemical and allied products, utility firms, food industries, pharmaceuticals, government departments etc.
Best Job Profiles for Chemical Engineers
Architectural and Engineering Managers – Architectural and engineering managers design, direct and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering firms.
Chemical Technicians – They utilize special instruments and techniques to help chemists and chemical researchers to enhance, manufacture and test chemical products and processes.
Biomedical Engineers – This stream mixing engineering principles with medical sciences to plan and create equipment, computer systems, computer software, etc used in the healthcare industries.
Nuclear Engineers – Nuclear engineers research and improve the processes, instruments and systems utilized to derive the benefits from radiation and nuclear energy. For example the equipment utilized in medical diagnosis and its treatment.
Chemical Material Scientists – The chemical and material scientists learn substances at the atomic and molecular levels to examine the ways in which the substance interact with one another. They utilize the knowledge to enhance new products and to test the quality of the produced goods.
Chemical Engineering Courses
The Latest advancement in the stream of chemical engineering has led to a development of a lot of advanced fields like nanotechnology, bio-molecular engineering, bio-engineering, material processing etc. And given the increasing importance of this stream in our everyday life, the courses in chemical engineering have earned a lot of popularity among candidate today. The various level course offered in chemical engineering are as listed below –
- Diploma Courses – This course given to the candidates a polytechnic diploma in chemical engineering. The time period of this course is of three years
- Undergraduate Courses – This course given to the candidates an undergraduate degree i.e. B.Tech (Bachelor’s in Technology) in Chemical Engineering. The time period of this course is of four years.
- Post-graduate Courses – This course given to the candidate a master degree i.e. M.Tech(Masters in Technology) in chemical engineering. The time period of this course is of two years.
- Doctoral Courses – This is a research-based course that led to a doctoral degree of Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in Chemical Engineering.
Some universities and colleges also given integrated degree programs that led to M.Tech (Master of Technology) degree in Chemical Engineering. The time period of these courses of five years, and they can be followed after finishing of class 12th.
Main Subjects Covered in Chemical Engineering
Some of the main subjects covered in a chemical engineering course are as mentioned below –
| Environmental Pollution Control and Safety Management | Chemical Process Industries |
| Chemical Engineering Economics and Plant Design | Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer |
| Instrumentation and Process Control | Introduction to Numerical Analysis |
| Chemical Reaction Engineering | Air Pollution Control Engineering |
| Introduction to Electrical and Electronics Circuits | Fertilizer Technology |
Sub-Specialisations given to the Chemical Engineering
Some major specializations in the stream of chemical engineering are as mentioned below –
- Biomedical Engineering – This stream applies the principles and ideas of engineering to the stream of biology and health care. Bio engineers employ closely with doctors, therapists and researchers to enhance systems, equipment and devices in order to solve medical issues.
- Process Engineering – Process engineering specialize on designing, control, operation,physical and biological processes, optimization and intensification of chemical. Process engineering contain a vast range of industries, like chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical,mineral processing, agriculture, food, software development, advanced material, automotive, and biotechnological industries.
- Food Processing – This stream contains the learn of techniques that are utilized to convert raw materials into useful food products. It also deals with working out new ways and enhancing the earlier ones for conserving, preserving, and processing food. The subjects of quality control procedures, adulteration and controlling the nutritional value of the food products all come under this stream.
- Electrochemical – This stream deals with the application of electrochemical phenomena such as electrosynthesis of chemicals, electrochemical separations, electrowinning and corrosion.
- Polymers – Polymer engineering is the stream that deals with advancement and testing of plastics or related processes and equipment.
Top Recruiters for Chemical Engineers
Some of the major recruiters for chemical engineers are as listed below-
Government firms
| Central Institute Of Mining And Fuel Research (CIMFR) | Indian Oil Corporation Limited |
| GAIL Limited | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) | HLL Lifecare Limited |
Private firms
| Nirma | Piramal Healthcare Limited |
| Ranbaxy Laboratories Limited | Pfizer Inc. |
Major 10 Institutes for Chemical Engineering
In India, ‘Indian Institutes of Technologies’ i.e. IIT’s are considered to be the top colleges for following engineering courses. And also, the popular 10 UGC recognized engineering colleges in the country as per the NIRF rankings 2018 are as listed below –
| Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Bombay | Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee |
| Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur | Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur |
| Anna University, Chennai | Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Madras |
| Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Hyderabad | Jadavpur University, Kolkata |
| Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Delhi | Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati, Guwahati |
Salary for Chemical Engineering
Salary for Chemical Engineering candidates get an average salary of about Rs three lakhs to Rs. four lakhs per annual. However, with experience you can earn higher and better salaries like for example someone with of around five years of experience in the stream can get about Rs six lakhs to Rs seven lakhs annual.
Entrance Exams for chemical engineering courses
Entrance exams are conducted at national, state and university levels for getting admission into various disciplines of engineering. Some major exams that candidate must appear for are as listed below –
For Undergraduate courses
| Joint Entrance Exam – Advanced (JEE Advanced) | Uttar Pradesh State Entrance Exam (UPSEE) |
| The Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHTCET) | VIT Engineering Entrance Examination (VITEEE) |
| Joint Entrance Exam – Mains (JEE Mains) | Birla Institute of Technology and Science Admission Test (BITSAT) |
For postgraduate courses
| Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) | Birla Institute of Technology & Science Higher Degree Exam(BITS HD) |
| VIT University Master’s Entrance Examination (VITMEE) |
Qualification Criteria for different Chemical Engineering Courses
- Diploma Level – Candidates can take this courses after class 10th. However, having appeared for the subjects of science, mathematics and English in the qualifying exams is a strictly requirement.
- Graduation Level – For getting admission into UG program, the candidate should have passed the class 12th with at least average marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics as the core subjects. Candidates also have to sit for the different entrance exams held by the state, central and private universities.
- Post-graduate Level – For getting admission to PG program, the candidate must have a degree in Bachelor of Engineering in related a stream. Also, a best score in the needed entrance exams.
- Doctoral Level – For getting admission into the doctoral program, the candidate should have a postgraduate degree i.e. M.Tech in Chemical Engineering from a recognized university.
