Career Options in Chemical Engineering

Unlike Pure chemistry, Chemical Engineering deals with the extended things of experimenting and producing chemicals. Being one of the streams of engineering, it utilizes the works of engineering subjects like Mathematics, Physics or Economics. It also focuses on production management of the chemicals.

There is a great shortage of professionals in the stream. Thus, there is a great demand for chemical engineers.

Courses offered:

Diploma, Graduation and Post Graduation are the main programs in the stream, offered by many major colleges. Few are:

IITs of Mumbai, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Chennai, Gawhati, Varanasi and Roorkela
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
National Institute of Technology
Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers, Chandigarh
Air Control and Chemical Engineering, Ahmedabad
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore

The cost of the Graduation varies from 1.7 lakhs to 5 lakhs for four years. An Integrated five year Post Graduation Course is also offered in the stream.

Passing in class 10 from recognized board is the eligibility to take the entrance test for Diploma in chemical Engineering. Few institutes expect pass in 10+2 with 50% in science subjects – Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry

The eligibility to the Graduation course is passing in 10+2 with 50% in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry and the score in AIEEE or the conducted Entrance Test. For joining in any of the IIT 60% in 10+2 and score in JEE are considered.

To go for Post Graduation, score in GATE (for few colleges) and Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering are to be considered.

The areas which are focused in the programs:

The curriculum, of the four year engineering program, of various universities varies from each other. Yet, the core content remains same. The first year, in many colleges, consist of common subjects. In second and third years the specialization will be detailed with the subjects like chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics etc.

The course also covers Information Technology that could help the engineers in the area of chemical processing.

Job Prospect:

The positions for the Chemical Engineer are majorly found in Chemical plants, Bio companies, Cotton Companies, Paper Production Companies, Plastic Companies, Dairies, Polymer Production Companies, Oil Companies, Fertilizing Companies, Steel Plants, Petroleum Refineries, Gas Corporations and Space Centers like ISRO etc.

Engineering Service Examination by UPSC provide opportunity to attain the job in a Government body.

Researches or those who are interested in teaching go for the CSIR National Eligibility Test, which provide Junior Research Fellowship and eligibility to Lectureship.

The positions in teaching are also very encouraging which provides a scope to continuous research and space to update with contemporary advancements.

The major roles in the field are: