Chemical Engineering Degrees

In chemical engineering, you apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve different problems that involve the use of fuel, drugs, food, and other products. You would work in offices and laboratories and spend time at industrial plants, refineries, and other locations.

Associate’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

While a bachelor’s degree is usually a must for finding a good chemical engineering type job, getting your associate’s degree can help prepare you to get your four-year degree. This could be an option for you and would take around two years.

Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

A bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering will give you a broad understanding of the field. You would learn about molecular to macroscopic transformations and other complex phenomena. Many of the courses you would take would be about physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Some of the classes you might take would be an introduction to chemical engineering, organic chemistry, and fluid mechanics. The program should take you four years, two if you had your associate’s degree before you started.

You should be able to find either an in-person or online bachelor’s degree program to study chemical engineering. For online programs, Stanford University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Columbia University all have highly rated programs. For in-person programs, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California at Berkeley, and the Georgia Institute of Technology all have highly rated programs.

Jobs with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

• Chemical Process Engineers, who are responsible for the equipment, system, and methods used in a manufacturing facility to transform raw ingredients to their final form, have an average salary of $74,822, according to Glassdoor as of June 2020.
• Plastics Engineers, who test new plastics, and work with the processing, design, development, and manufacturing of plastic products, have an average salary of $68,327 according to Glassdoor, as of May 2020.
• Research and Development Chemical Engineers, who are responsible for researching, developing, and applying necessary chemical processes to create a wide range of items for both commercial and industrial uses, have an average salary of $45,382, according to Glassdoor as of February 2019.

Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

Getting your master’s degree in chemical engineering includes extensive research components, and you would specialize in a more specific area such as thermodynamics, nanotechnology, biotechnology, or biomedical engineering. You might take classes in advanced chemical engineering, advanced separation processes, or semiconductor processing technology. A master’s degree would typical take around two years.

You should be able to find either an in-person or online master’s degree program to study chemical engineering. For online programs, Auburn University, Missouri University of Science and Technology, and North Carolina State Univerity all have highly rated programs. For in-person programs, the University of California at Berkeley, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and the Georgia Institute of Technology all have highly rated programs.

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering

• Environmental Scientists, who work to protect the environment and human health, work to determine data collection methods for research projects, investigations, and surveys, and collect and compile environmental data from samples of air, soil, water, food, and other materials for scientific analysis, have an average salary of $52,700, according to Glassdoor, as of June 2020.
• Chemists, who work with research and development, look at the composition and structure and properties of various types of matter and scientific laws associated with them, and educate fellow scientists and laboratory technicians on the process associated with chemical testing and processing, have an average salary of $51, 280 according to Glassdoor, as of June 2020.
• Research Scientists, who gather knowledge, usually work in an academic setting, perform experiments, make observations, and create detailed papers of their findings for peer review, have an average salary of $77,173, according to Glassdoor as of June 2020.