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. Students are able to choose from three specialisation streams: Energy and Environment, Process and Product Engineering, and Food, Wine and Biomolecular Engineering.
Related Programs
Master of Engineering (Advanced) (Chemical Engineering - Energy & Combustion)
Master of Engineering (Advanced) (Chemical Engineering - Environment & Sustainability)
Master of Engineering (Advanced) (Chemical Engineering - Food & BioProcessing)
You must not have completed more than 4 years full time equivalent university study (96 units). You must have gained a 'Recorded Achievement' in four SACE Stage 2 HESS (Higher Education Selection Subjects) General subjects (or interstate/International Baccalaureate equivalents). For a full list of SACE subjects and their HESS status please refer to the SATAC Tertiary Entrance Booklet. You compete for a place with your Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).
You must have completed at least half a year full time equivalent higher education study. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA.
You must meet the following criteria: you must be 21 years or over on January 1st of the year that you will be studying*, you must not hold a completed higher education level award, and if you have been enrolled in a course leading to a higher education level award in the last 3 years, you must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study. If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is weighted such that the verbal component contributes 35% and the quantitative component contributes 65% to your overall score. Personal Competencies (PC) and Employment Experience (EE) statements may also contribute to your rank. If you submit a PC or EE statement, and one of these ranks higher than your STAT score, then the highest ranking statement will contribute 50% to your overall rank and the STAT will contribute the remaining 50%. If you do not submit a PC or EE statement, or if the statements have a lower rank than the STAT, then you will compete for a place on the basis of your STAT result only. *The age restriction is 19 years or over if you have completed either the Flinders Foundation course or the UniSA Foundation Studies program or the UniSA Program for Adult Learners. Indigenous applicants may be eligible for entry through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Access Scheme. See Wilto Yerlo for further information.
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:
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.
Graduate Attributes
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 University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
Last updated:
Monday, 22 Dec 2008
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Chemical Engineering in the 21st Century
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The modern discipline of chemical engineering encompasses much more than just process engineering. Chemical engineers are now engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products, as well as in commodity and specialty chemicals.
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