According to a paper published by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), the retention rate for chemical engineering programs is 41%, which is lower than that for most engineering fields.
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign further indicates that only 54% of C.E. students were able to graduate from their chemical engineering program within four years.
Let’s discuss why students find chemical engineering so challenging and why it is often considered one of the toughest engineering majors.
Strict Expectations Set By The ABET
The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has set strict objectives for chemical engineering students.
Here are the objectives outlined by ABET:
- In-depth understanding of subjects such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, chemical reaction engineering, process control, and process design.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Design solutions for actual-world applications.
- Experiment and data analysis skills.
Universities and colleges craft their curriculum to fit these expectations and ensure that students will be accredited by the ABET.
Complex Concepts C.E. Students Need to Master
Being a chemical engineering aspirant is like a jack-of-all-trades, and you need to know a bit of everything – from math to communication skills.
1. Advanced Mathematical Concepts
ABET specifies that the curriculum for chemical engineering and related programs must allow students to apply mathematics to engineering problems.
Chemical engineers must understand complex mathematical concepts such as partial differential equations (PDEs) for modeling heat and mass transfer, numerical methods for solving these equations and simulating processes, and linear algebra for process modeling and control systems.
These complex mathematical concepts allow chemical engineers to effectively design, optimize, and control intricate chemical processes.
A study regarding student retention barriers for chemical engineering also discussed how a poor background in mathematics might lead to higher tendencies of shifting out or dropping out of the program.
2. Understanding of the Scientific Method
Certain principles and concepts in physics are a must-know in chemical engineering, such as thermodynamics, process operations, and fluid mechanics.
These concepts allow you to design and manipulate processes like distillation.
ABET also requires advanced levels of physics for chemical engineering.
Meanwhile, knowledge of biology is important for those who go into industries like pharmaceuticals or biotechnology.
3. Basic Understanding of Computer Science
Computer programs and applications like Computer-Aided Design (CAD) are essential in synthesizing designs. They also allow the simulation of ideas, which makes implementation easier.
A study even explored having students take these classes earlier, given their importance and complexity.
4. Engineering Methods Applied to Chemistry
Engineering science is about design, analysis, and control.
They must master process design and simulation techniques, using software tools to create and optimize chemical processes and separation processes to purify products.
Additionally, they must be proficient in process control and instrumentation to maintain optimal operating conditions, as well as safety and hazard analysis to ensure processes are conducted in a safe and sustainable manner.
These methods integrate engineering principles with chemical knowledge to solve complex industrial challenges.
The Bottom Line
Compared with other easier engineering degrees, chemical engineering is not a piece of cake.
It is a broad field covering nearly everything from chemistry, mathematics, physics, and other subject areas.
Besides grit and determination, one would need science and technical skills that take much effort to learn.
However, it is not as impossible as it seems – many have endured and survived, and others can do the same. It takes both dedication and brains to become a chemical engineer, but all other fields also need those, so if you’re willing to put in the work, you can succeed.
Although It Is Difficult to Earn a Degree in Chemical Engineering, It May Be Worth It
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for chemical engineers and chemistry students will grow by 9% within the next decade, with around 1,800 jobs expected to open yearly.
Retired chemical engineers can also work in related fields.
So, C.E. graduates have many job opportunities. They can work in many industries, including petroleum, food, and manufacturing.
You may also find yourself working in an office or laboratory or traveling to inspect plants and factories.
