Chemical Engineering

[Carbon]

Well I just wanted to ask a few opinions on people that know what they're doing. I recently gave up my job as an assistant manager of a local convenience store I had been working at and decided that it was time to go back to school. I had originally stopped going to school because I (played too much ffxi lol) didn't really know what I wanted to do with my schooling and didn't really care (I'm referring to college, of course).

Anyway, it's midterm now and I'm taking 14 credit hours and kicking serious ass. Straight As all the way through, math being my strongest and oddly most enjoyable subject. So, I decided that it was time to make a goal for myself so I wouldn't be tempted to fall off of the boat again.

Just recently, a week from last Monday, I changed my major at the community college I go to to Pre-Engineering, Associate of Science. I took an interest in this when a representative from Iowa State University (well reknowned in the US for its engineering school) came to Kirkwood and was handing out packets. My original plan was to finish at Kirkwood by the Summer semester and head out to ISU by Fall of 2007 and start attending school there. Since I have half my credits already from previous schooling, I would have gotten my Liberal Arts degree.

That's when I found out that Kirkwood had a pretty reputable Pre-Engineering program. I had to choose, however, which area of study in Engineering I wanted to do. I chose Chemical Engineering mostly because I like science, and none of the other areas of Engineering really sounded incredibly appealing. I decided that I would stay at Kirkwood another year and earn my degree before heading to ISU, for reasons that it's about 1/4 the cost of ISU, the class sizes are about 30 students, and it's closer to home. I will be taking Classical Physics I & II, Precalculus I & II, Calculus I, II & III, Gen. Chem I & II, Organic Chem I & II, Engineering I & II, Materials Science, Linear Algebra for Engineering, and Statics, all the way straight through, every semester (including both summers) where I would graduate by Summer 07/08 and head to ISU in Fall of 2008.

My question really is, what sort of options are available to me, if anyone really knows in taking Chemical Engineering? I've been trying to get some outside opinions before I dig too deep and find myself gasping for air.

If you could post any opinions, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thank you!

[Lasitha]

If you're interest is science, choose any engineering, just not Industrial Engineering (if that's it's name in english). Physics engineering being one of the most interesting. Maybe.

Chemical Engineering is all about ... Chemistry!

As a chemical engineer you'll be able to study chemical processes and chemical plants, analize their financial outcomes and possibilities.

Design equipment for said processes.

Elaborate mathematical models and simulate processes.

You'll be able to deal with planning, operation and administration of industrial projects, both private and public.

R&D of products. Etc.

And of course Chemistry is fun. I find it fun anyway.

The range of work possibilities is ample, and the pay is good if you're good.

But if you want true engineering I'd suggest going into Electronic Engineering or Biomedical Engineering (What I study), or dare I say Physics Engineering.

I had written a nice Biomed Description but I lost it somehow so I'm lazy to type it again. Here's a link to it. BME.

Responsible for designing hospital equipment, administering hospital resources, prosthetics, solution to health problems through technology (For example Stents), and machinery to rehab the body. (Along with a lot of nifty stuff like software, electronics, etc, etc, etc.) Too many things to name.

One specialty both BME and CE share, is Molecular Engineering for example. Take a look into these links and I think you'll find them to be a lil helpful in your decission.

[Lbelle]

Do you mean when you graduate what kind of job options will be available to you? And what kind of salary a chemical engineering program might offer you?

I ask because several of my friends are taking the chemical engineering route, and will most likely be able to give you very good feedback. If you can be more specific about what you want to know regarding the field, classes, and anything else, I'd be happy to ask them for you.

[Carbon]

Do you mean when you graduate what kind of job options will be available to you? And what kind of salary a chemical engineering program might offer you?

Pretty much, yeah. Lasitha summed up the other half.

Thanks!

[Zigma]

Classical Physics I & II, Precalculus I & II, Calculus I, II & III, Gen.

fuck college.

[XaocRamuh]

Calc and Physics classes are fun in college though :wink: I , however; stopped attendin college when I had to do the 'serious' "need these to get your degree" classes like English and shit. I don't mind reading and writing things on my own, but I just can't stand having to force myself to read/write things for credit.

[Heian]

Classical Physics I & II, Precalculus I & II, Calculus I, II & III, Gen.

fuck college.

Those are the only hard ones. Cal I is cake, I am rusty though. (haven't had to touch it in three years.)

[Eaglestrike]

Calc and Physics classes are fun in college though :wink: I , however; stopped attendin college when I had to do the 'serious' "need these to get your degree" classes like English and shit. I don't mind reading and writing things on my own, but I just can't stand having to force myself to read/write things for credit.

So true, I even had a good english teacher but I can't stand being forced to write. I used to get into a bunch of political debates and stuff on forums and write 'papers' there but I'm a responsive person by nature, I don't just think up stuff to say, have to do things in response to others which is why I can write so much on forums.

I'll eventually get back into school, don't think I'll go to 4 year school just because I hate having to take so many classes that I already know and/or won't ever need/use for my profession. I'm thinking of going to tech school and just getting computer certs.

[Zigma]

Classical Physics I & II, Precalculus I & II, Calculus I, II & III, Gen.

fuck college.

Those are the only hard ones. Cal I is cake, I am rusty though. (haven't had to touch it in three years.)

yep, i know.

[Avvesione]

Someone that did Chemical Engineering got a job at NASA. Dunno how that's going.

[Quicklet]

Classical Physics I & II, Precalculus I & II, Calculus I, II & III, Gen.

fuck college.

Those are the only hard ones. Cal I is cake, I am rusty though. (haven't had to touch it in three years.)

yep, i know.

lolmath.

[Bratt]

Carby, if you have to take all that stuff you listed, get your Pre Cals and Cals out first, Chem and Physics will be easier on you if you do. They are also probably pre reqs anyway so ummmmm good luck. I am halfway thru most of those courses so if you wanna cry to me later about them, go for it.

[Neosutra]

Chemical Engineers are some of the highest paid engineers out of college, on par with Electrical Engineers. I would give you a list of possible jobs you could have, but its just to damn big. If you want just pure money, then you can do petroleum engineering when you graduated making about 80k a year out of college. If you want to do research then youll be going for your Phd(probably want this anyways). Other then that, textiles, ceramics, medicine, chemical processes, nasa, nsa, private defense industry. Chem. Eng. is a very good degree, but dont go into it unless you like studying while your friends are out partying.

[BIGSTIC]

Well my dad got a degree in Chem Eng back in '74. His was the first class from his university to be allowed to use a calculator. He started out working for Eili Lili(sp) and then moved onto another company. After 30+ years he is more of a Construction Engineer than a Chem Eng. I know this cause i got a degree in Construction Engineering and he does the same thing i did.

I guess what i am trying to say is an engineer is an engineer. Over time you can roll you knowledge of the chemical process into the ability to design plants that make the chmical you started studying. I on the other hand have switched to the electrical side of the engineering field. For the most part if you got the "engineer" in our title you can OPEN ALOT of doors for yourself down the road when it come to jobs.

And if you want $$$ go into the oil/gas industry.

[Jujubie]

My husband has a BSME. Recently looking for a new job and there is a lot of openings in Electrical Engineering. Whatever engineering you do, stay far far far away from the automotive industry.