It is an exciting time to be a chemical engineer. We live in a technological society where the benefits of technology are readily apparent: computers, the internet, medical technology, and a dazzling array of consumer products including contact lenses and cell phones. Our society must address critical problems that have strong technological aspects; these problems include:

• meeting energy requirement
• safeguarding the environment
• ensuring national security
• delivering health care

Clearly, the successful resolution of these problems will require engineering research and development, as well as enlightened policy choices.

 

Chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to make major contributions to these and other important problems. Like other types of engineers, chemical engineers have a strong background in mathematics, physics, and computing. The UCSB curriculum also includes required courses in advanced chemistry and bioscience that typically are not required for other engineering majors. It can be argued that chemical engineers are uniquely qualified to deal with critical problems concerning energy, environment, national security, and healthcare.

 

If you enjoy math, science, computers, and solving problems, you should consider majoring in chemical engineering.

 

Chemical engineers develop processes and products that transform raw materials into useful products. Because of their broad technical background, chemical engineers are employed in a wide variety of industries that include: chemical manufacturing, energy conversion, plastics, biotechnology, pulp and paper, and semiconductor processing. Job functions include research, development, design, manufacturing and technical management. As a chemical engineer, you might:

• create new catalysts for alternative energy sources
• develop improved security techniques for detecting dangerous substances
• design pharmaceutical processes to manufacture life-saving drugs
• develop improved manufacturing processes with reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Most of our B.S. graduates are employed in industry or government agencies; approximately 15-20% go to graduate school. Some enroll in business school, medical school, or law school.