Chemical Forums
Specialty Chemistry Forums => Chemical Education and Careers => Topic started by: Faisal on May 17, 2008, 06:26:48 PM
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hi,
I love chemistry but I hate biology.I was planning to study chemical engineering.But then my physics teacher told me many students drop out of chemical engineering even though they loved chemistry.He said that the students said "chemical engineering is different...its not like normal chemistry".What does this mean?Does this mean chemical engineering is like biology where one has to memorise lots of molecules and names?Thank you
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More math, less chemistry.
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Chemical engineering is more geared towards industrial and production, not research.
Lots of math, lots of engineering, with an emphasis on chemistry.
You will have no biology in chemical engineering.
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I am weak in math and pretty strong in chemistry.So you advice me to not go into chemical engineering?
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Forget what you are weak in. You can learn what you need.
What are you more interested in doing?
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My director says, and I agree, that there two types of chemical engineers: The "clean" and the "dirty".
"Clean" engineers consist of managers, directors, supervisors, etc. They spend most of their time allocating work to the "dirty" engineers. You don't need to know a lot be one of these (If you like money, then that's enough)
"Dirty" engineers, like myself, spend about 60% of their in the office working on design or optimisation or whatever. The 40% is spent on site, commissioning the plant and getting it to run well which usually involves 30 - 40hr days with no sleep or food trudging whatever collosal mess you've just made (sludge blow - out, chemical spill, etc). The money is still good, but you have to be willing to push your body hard, and it is essential to have a good knowledge of mathematics and chemistry (although chemistry can be avoided if you're lucky - I'm not so lucky).
In short, chem eng is loads of fun. The satisfaction of seeing a working plant, which serves as a livelihood for the people who work there amongst other things, and best of all legacy of you which will (hopefully) stand for decades, is beyond description.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
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hi, i have the same dilema like Faisal.i like very much chemistry but im not good in math and hate biology.I want to study for chemisty but i don't know which major should i choose:chemical engineering,food chemistry or only chemistry.which are the differentes of them and what kind of job can i do when i have finished any of these majors.what suggested me? thanks..
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I wish I had taken biology. I elected to take biochemistry. My advice for future chemist & chemical engineers: learn some biology, the world is changing. Producing gasoline or making plastics is not the only profession out there. The "Green" movement requires knowledge of the chemistry world and biology world. Just my two cents.
I wouldn't elect for a chemistry degree, because you fear math. Physical chemistry & analytical chemistry require math. You won't be using many differential equations, but calculations are required.