What do chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers deal with the transformation of raw materials into useful products that have an impact on virtually every facet of human life.

Many of these products are commodities obtained from oil and natural gas, such as soaps, detergents, cosmetics, liquid and gaseous fuels, synthetic fibers and plastics. While the petrochemical industry will continue to provide employment for many scientists and engineers, chemical engineers must be prepared to participate in the development of the newer and emerging technologies, such as those based on ceramics, biochemicals, and electronic materials.

Also, chemical engineers work on problems of energy conservation and environmental pollution.

See an excellent description of all the different kinds of work that chemical engineers do and the different kinds of careers open to chemical engineers, prepared by the Sloan Career Cornerstone Center.

See what our alumni say about what they do as chemical engineers.