yorkdukes2013: what’s the difference between chemistry and chemical engineering?
I really like chemistry and was wondering what the difference between a chemistry major and chemical engineering major are? I’m good at math too. so basically I’m looking for the difference between them and the types of jobs you can do with each one. if there is anyone with either major who could tell me that would awesome but anyone can answer this. is it possible to double major with both of them?
Answers and Views:
Answer by Hai Hala Eki Jala !
The first one is about knowledge and the second one is about glamour ! :))
Chemists study chemistry – the thermodynamics, kinetics, making novel compounds, modifying existing ones for novel purposes, studying molecular dynamics, electronic properties, etc. A typical job would be a lab technician for Bachelor and Master-level graduate, researcher – either industry or academia – for PhD-level graduate.
Chemical engineers apply the science of chemistry – optimizing reaction yields, reactor conditions, flow rates, adapting a novel reaction into the industrial scale, cost-savings, safety, etc. A typical job would be the junior engineer overlooking a small portion of the production line with a B. A.Sc. You could proceed to do a Masters as well, but much of the training is on-the-job – no to mention you need work experience to be licensed as a full Professional Engineer.
If you want job prospects and job security, chemical engineering is the way to go. It involves much more math than a chemistry major, but be prepared to work a lot harder as well. Engineering is a very demanding field.
If you prefer research, go with chemistry. Much of the math isn’t crucial in chemistry research (depending on the field, of course). You could do research in industry (for pharmaceutical companies, for example) and retain the “glamour.” However, you’ll require a much higher level of education to earn competitive salaries compared to an engineer.
I can’t tell you if you can double major – that depends on your university of choice. However, there is significant overlap in terms of course materials.
Answer by m wyou don’t need to double major in chemistry and chemical engineering. That’s pointless.
**************
You asked several great questions.. Let’s start with education.
Chemical engineering students (ChE’s) take all the same chemistry classes as chemistry students (Chem’s). Including general, analytical, organic, physical, inorganic chemistry, and a few electives in chemistry. ChE’s are not required to do a senior thesis in chemistry.
ChE’s are also required to take more upper level math classes than Chem’s. Statistics, linear algegra, linear programming (this is not computer science programming fyi.. it’s optimizing systems of equations with more unknowns than equations), for examples.
ChE’s also have core chemical engineering courses to take as well. Introduction to ChE, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, mass transport, reactor design, process controls systems, process design, unit operations, etc. All of those courses are essentially differential equations applied to chemical systems and equipment. They are very math intensive and very difficult. Google Bird Stewart and Lightfoot transport phenomena to get a flavor for the math. The math in quantum mechanics (in the Chemistry department) was simple compared to some of the equations we were solving in advanced fluid dynamics.
All of that means this. An undergraduate ChE degree literally contains a Chem degree. On the contrary, a Chem degree does not contain a ChE degree by any means.
***************
So what about jobs and industry and pay and opportunities and what sorts of jobs to Chem’s and ChE’s do?
let’s start with chemists.
A BS degree right out of college with no experience will probably get you a job in a lab making about $ 42k/yr. Your job will be to run tests on samples. You won’t have much say in what samples you test or in what tests need to be run. You’ll be a pair of hands to the team. You will probably get a raise of about 2-3% each year until year 5. At that point, you may get promoted from junior lab tech to lab tech. Maybe at year 10, you’ll be senior lab tech and making about $ 60 to $ 65k / yr MAYBE. Or if you’re one of the really lucky and well liked people, you may get promoted to lab supervisor or lab manager. If you get a six-sigma black belt along the way or an MBA your chances of advancement will be much better.
An MS Chem degree right out of college with no experience will open many other doors. You’ll find yourself out of the lab and managing research efforts. You’ll have say in what experiments to run and where the company needs to go. You’ll have lab technicians working for you. Pay will start at about $ 65k/yr and will go up accordingly. You’ll probably be making $ 85 to $ 90k/yr after 10 years.
A PhD in Chem and you’ll find yourself managing research and managing teams of researchers. Starting pay will be in the $ 75 to $ 80k range and you probably eligible for stock options.
ChE’s on the other hand…
BSChE is treated equivalent to an MSChem on the pay scale and management right out of school. BSChem’s work in 1 of 4 areas usually. 1) process engineering.. managing all aspects of a production line. Everything from scheduling what’s being made when to managing employees to resolving quality control problems to maintenance scheduling. 2) project engineering. ChE’s are almost always involved in capital project engineering. Designing and managing the construction projects to build manufacturing lines and plants. 3) product and process development engineering. ChE’s are almost always parts of teams that develop new chemicals and engineer the processes to make the chemicals. This is different from process engineering. They run the plants. Development engineers design the process. 4) middle to upper management. Almost all chemical companies have ChE’s in middle to upper management. ChE’s are taught to run businesses in college. Especially those who get an MBA along the way. And they get the jobs running the companies. And it pays very well. Speaking of that, ChE’s right out of college will usually start at about $ 65k/yr and will grow to about $ 100k/yr by year 10 unless they go into upper management.
MS and PhD ChE’s will find themselves directing processing and product engineering groups right out of school and corporate VP’s 10 years later.
*************
I have a PhD in Chemical Engineering and have been working in the field for a long time. I’ve traveled the world, built plants everywhere, designed and patented new products. It’s been very lucrative and I wouldn’t change it for the world. Definitely go Chemical Engineering in you can stand it. And definitely make sure you are solid at calculus and differential equations. If you’re looking for a starting place for ChE, get the book Felder and Rousseau “elementary principles of chemical processes” and spend some time reading through and working through some of the problems.
Leave a Reply