Undergraduate Studies
What is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical engineering deals with the application of chemistry, physics and mathematics to the process of converting raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. Chemical engineering also involves design of valuable new materials and chemical products. Chemical engineers are engaged in the development and production of a diverse range of products including high performance materials needed for aerospace, automotive, biomedical, electronic, environmental and military applications. The modern discipline of chemical engineering is intertwined with biology and biomedical engineering.
What does the Chemical Engineering program focus on?
The primary areas of focus within ASU's Chemical Engineering program are:
- Novel methods for the production of advanced materials
- Environmentally-benign processing of chemicals
- Biological applications of chemical technology
- Air pollution control
- Air and water purification
- Process control
What type of work can Chemical Engineering graduates expect?
Chemical engineers are involved in the manufacturing of a wide variety of products including plastics, petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, computer chips, specialty chemicals, and bioproducts. Due to the diversity of the processes with which chemical engineers are well versed, they find employment opportunities in the widest range of industries of any engineering discipline. Some of the largest sources of career opportunities for chemical engineers at ASU are in the fields of semiconductor processing/computer chip manufacturing, bioseparations, environmental remediation, specialty chemical processing industrial pollution prevention, and in the control of chemical manufacturing processes. At the undergraduate level, most chemical engineers find careers closely linked to chemical manufacturing. Specifically, they find work in petroleum refineries, computer chip fabrication facilities, pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, and specialty chemical manufacturing facilities. CNN Money has reported that among all engineering graduates, Chemical Engineering graduates received the highest entry-level salaries in the past ten years.
For more information on ASU and Chemical Engineering go to our Undergraduate Resources & Forms page.