Chemical engineering involves the systematic design, development and operation of process systems for the extraction, transformation and recovery of materials. It is a key engineering discipline, which combines knowledge of basic chemistry and mathematics with engineering principles and real world economic considerations. The scale of operation varies from small to very large, and a principal feature of chemical engineering is the translation of laboratory-scale research results to large-scale commercial production.

Chemical engineering is the discipline that sustains and improves a range of industries as diverse as food processing, petrochemicals, ceramics, petroleum refining, primary metals, plastics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, glass and specialty chemicals.

The first two years of the chemical engineering academic program are spent mostly in building a scientific and engineering foundation, with chemical engineering topics dominating the third and fourth years.

The first two years of the program build a scientific and engineering foundation for the more specialist chemical engineering courses which predominate in the third and fourth years. Students are required to complete 12 weeks of approved work experience.

Chemical Engineering

Graduates of this program have the opportunity to seek national and global careers in an office, in the outdoors or on an industrial plant, or combination of all of these in the one job. Some industries and careers that chemical engineers are involved in include:

• Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries
• Winemaking
• Food production (e.g. beer, milk, cheese)
• Petrochemicals (e.g. gold, rare earths, oil refining, natural gas, plastics)
• Industrial chemicals (e.g. detergents and soaps, chlorine, explosives)
• Mining and minerals processing (e.g. iron ore, steel manufacture, aluminium)
• Environmental engineering (i.e. air pollution control, water and waste-water treatment, waste disposal, resource management)
• Semi-conductors and microelectronics (many chemical engineers work in these areas)
• Nanotechnology (an emerging scientific area utilising very small particles for diverse applications)
• Management consulting (i.e. engineering business and financial management).

Many chemical engineers go on to manage companies, or even start their own business.

The objective of the undergraduate Chemical Engineering programs is to produce graduates with following attributes:

• The ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large.
• In-depth technical competence in at least one chemical engineering discipline.
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance.
• Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams; with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team manager.
• Understanding the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development.
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them; and expectation of the need to undertake lifelong learning, and capacity to do so.
• Ability to focus on the integration of process safety considerations with environmental concerns, waste minimisation, and control system specifications.
• Confidence to tackle real-world problems and issues central to engineering and to work as individuals and cooperatively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
• Enthusiasm and interest for undertaking life-long learning and the continual updating of their engineering skills.

The Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering is accredited by Engineers Australia and IChemE (UK).

Students are required to complete 12 weeks of approved work experience.

Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences

• Engineering Undergraduate Program Information Leaflet
• School of Chemical Engineering
• Undergraduate Scholarships
• University Contact Centre Enquiry Form