Course summary

Isaac Asimov observed “Science can amuse and fascinate us all, but it is engineering that changes the world!” In the past chemical engineering has quietly (or sometimes noisily!) served the material and energy needs of society. But in the 21st century, in the face of global challenges of climate change and fossil fuel depletion, the need is for chemical engineers to change the world by changing the ways in which we meet our needs for food, water, energy and materials. In particular, we need to do this in more joined up ways that produce the right products more cleverly and effectively, understanding the full environmental implications of processing choices, and exploiting interactions for efficiency to give minimum impact and maximum benefit.

• Chemical engineering can be viewed as the most applied of the applied sciences, and with opportunities to make a difference in the world.

• Chemical engineers transform the visions of chemists and biochemists into industrial-scale reality, to make the benefits of new products and processes available to the world.

• Our course is strong on systems thinking and on practical skills, as well as an emphasis on nurturing transferable and employability skills.

• We offer you the opportunity to gain strong, in-depth and industry-relevant chemical engineering knowledge to help you play a valuable and rewarding role in this industry and beyond.

• Our teaching staff are educated to doctoral level in their respective subject areas and have expertise in specialist areas of chemical engineering, as well as recognised higher education teaching qualifications and awards for excellent teaching. You'll have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience using scientific instrumentation in our modern chemical sciences labs and pilot-scale rigs in our dedicated chemical engineering labs. So if you’re looking for a career in oil, fine chemicals, materials, food, pharmaceutical and many other industries, this could be just the course for you.