Introduction to Chemical Engineering

What is Chemical Engineering?

Have you ever wondered how raw materials are transformed into car parts, what is
involved in the production of high tech materials such as Teflon®, how materials that
are used in medical applications are designed or how one would build a fuel cell? Have
you ever thought about how all of these processes are so much more environment friendly
than processes of 50 years ago? It is likely that chemical engineers have played
a big role in the answers to these questions.  Chemical engineers use the basic principles
of chemistry, mathematics, physics ,biology and economics, combined with computer
technolgy to design, operate and trouble shoot processes that are used to manufacture
the materials that are the building blocks of almost everything around us.

What do Chemical Engineers do?

A better question might be “what don’t chemical engineers do?” Chemical engineers use
their expertise to develop what seems like an almost infinite supply of products and materials.
They are involved in the manufacture of our contemporary fuels like gasoline, natural gases
and propane, and in the development of new state-of-the-art clean energy systems
like fuel cells.  They make waterproof clothing, safety suits that do not burn, and even
the soles of your shoes.  They manufacture silicone chips to store huge volumes of information. 
They are involved in the production of the food that we eat – everything from breakfast cereals to
cookies.  Chemical engineers are at the forefront of resolving environmental problems by
improving the efficiency of processes or developing new better processes, and monitoring
and controlling environmental emissions.   They are involved in medical and pharmaceutical
industries through the development of new materials and the manufacture of drugs and
medical devices.  They even produce the paper that this is written on and the printing inks
and toners are used!  

Chemical Engineering graduates have gone on to work in a variety of industries including: Nova
Chemicals, Elsag Bailey, Zenon Environmental, Dow Chemical, Dofasco, Proctor and Gamble,
3M, Uniroyal, Xerox Canada, DuPont, HEMOSOL, Huntsman Corporation,  AstraPharma,
Petro Canada. 

Other students have completed advanced degrees including Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc),
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Doctor
of Philosophy (Ph.D.)  Chemical engineering graduates can also be found pursuing
careers in medicine, dentistry, law, business or teaching.