A Description

of

Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering is the branch of engineering that embraces the development and application of industrial processes which involve chemical and physical changes of material. These processes must be accomplished in a competitive economy and in an environmentally safe manner to create products which are useful and essential to the modern world. Chemical Engineering includes the design, development, and production of many products such as fuels and petrochemicals, plastics, fibers, paper, foods, building materials and pharmaceuticals. A chemical engineering degree is also good preparation for careers in pollution prevention or waste minimization.

This accredited program blends the basic sciences with engineering science and design to focus upon the design, development and engineering of industrial processes and plants. Students are well prepared upon graduation to begin either their professional career or a program of graduate study.

The chemical engineering curriculum in addition to a sound foundation in general education includes basic courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, and materials, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. In addition, coursework in the major includes computer programming, engineering statistics, material and energy balances, transport phenomena, unit operations and processes, thermodynamics, kinetics, reactor design, and pollution abatement. The design aspect of chemical engineering is present throughout the curriculum and culminates in the senior-level, three-quarter capstone design sequence. Senior project opportunities enable students to develop essential planning, experimenting and reporting skills in subjects of their choice. Extensive laboratory and computerized test facilities exist for process and materials investigations, as well as complete pilot plant scale equipment for extended development and confirmatory studies.

Students desiring to major in Chemical Engineering should have a particularly high aptitude for science and mathematics, and first-time college students should have taken substantial college preparatory courses in these disciplines in high school including one year of chemistry. Incoming transfer students should have completed at least one year of college calculus and one year of college physics (with laboratory) prior to beginning the program at Cal Poly Pomona. The community college student planning to transfer into this department should consult a school counselor or this department to determine which courses meet the program requirements.

Chemical and Materials Engineering students are encouraged to become active in the student chapters of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, ASM International and SAMPE. Qualified students are invited to join the student chapter of Omega Chi Epsilon, the chemical engineering honor society.

The Power Industry is a major employer of Chemical Engineers. This is a photo of a power station generator
	While this is a photo of the interior of a beer brewing facility
The pharmaceutical and genetic engineering industry is another employer of chemical engineers of the future
	The food industry uses chemical engineers in this photo of the cheese making process
Chemical Engineering is also involved in the design, development and manufacturing of consumer items in the food industry
	The control of industrial processes is a highly refined and sophisticated area of study within Chemical Engineering