Chemical Engineering

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Dec 18, 2023 10:57AM IST

Chemical Engineering Course Overview

Chemical Engineering is the collection of techniques and ideas used to convert ineffective chemicals and raw materials into finished products.  It deals with several methodologies and principles involved in transforming raw chemicals into valuable products such as drinks, clothes, fuel, paint, etc. The Chemical Engineering Syllabus involves Mechanical Operations and Solid Handling, Pollution Control and Industrial Safety, etc.

Admission to Chemical Engineering is done through merit and entrance exams. Candidates who wish to tackle admission to Chemical Engineering courses have to pass class 10+2 from a recognized board with at least 50% marks and a subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Some of the entrance exams that offer admission to candidates in Chemical Engineering are JEE Main, MHT CET, BITSAT, GATE, TS EAMCET, etc.

The top chemical engineering colleges include IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, DTU, Jadavpur University, and Manipal Institute of Technology. The course fee is approximately INR 2,00,000 to INR  5,00,000. After the completion of chemical engineering, candidates are offered jobs in Bharat Petroleum, Essar Group, Hindalco Industries, Hindustan Copper Limited, etc. The average chemical engineering salary ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 6,00,000 per annum.

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Chemical Engineering Course Highlights

The table below shows the overview of the chemical engineering course. 

Particulars Details 
Course Chemical Engineering
Duration
  • Diploma - 3 years
  • B.E/B.Tech - 4 years
  • M.Tech - 2 years
Entrance Exam
  • GATE
  • JEE Main
  • JEE Advanced
  • VITEEE
  • BITSAT
  • TS EAMCET
EligibilityScore 50% in the last qualifying exam from a Science background
Admission ProcessEntrance exam and Merit Based
Course FeesINR 2,00,000 - INR 5,00,000
Career Options
  • Chemical engineer
  • Analytical chemist
  • Site Engineer
  • Fire & Safety Officer
Average SalaryINR 3,20,000 Per Annum
Recruiting Companies
  • Essar Group
  • Hindalco Industries
  • Bharat Petroleum
  • Indian Oil Corporation
  • Bharat Electronics Limited

Chemical Engineering Course Highlights

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Why Choose a Chemical Engineering Degree?

Chemical Engineering is a type of engineering that involves creating and processing chemicals for use in different industries. It is a highly sought-after field, with many people interested in pursuing it because it allows them to experiment with new materials. Chemical Engineering is a great course for those who want to work in the field of applied chemistry. It is a well-established field in India that offers job opportunities in the private, public, and government sectors. The career prospects for this course are good, and it provides many job opportunities in the field.Why Choose a Chemical Engineering Degree?

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What is an Online Chemical Engineering Degree?

An online chemical engineering degree is a program that allows students to study chemical engineering from the comfort of their own homes. This means that they can learn and complete their coursework online, without having to physically attend classes on a campus. This type of degree is great for people who have busy schedules or other commitments that make it difficult for them to attend a traditional college or university. 

Online chemical engineering degrees offer a similar curriculum to on-campus programs, which means that students can learn the same concepts and skills. Even though students don't have access to a physical lab, these programs often include virtual lectures, interactive assignments, and remote laboratory components to ensure students gain practical skills. 

The best part about online chemical engineering degrees is that they're flexible, which means that more people can access higher education. This is especially important for individuals who may not have had the opportunity to attend a traditional, on-campus program.

Online Chemical Engineering Certifications

Candidates can check the list of online chemical engineering certification courses from the table below.

CourseOffered byDurationFee
Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical EngineeringIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Applied Time-Series AnalysisIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Environmental Quality Monitoring and AnalysisIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Fundamental of Fluid Mechanics for Chemical and Biomedical Engineers

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Transport Processes I Heat and Mass TransferIISc Bangalore via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Polymer Reaction Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Renewable Energy Engineering Solar, Wind and Biomass Energy SystemsIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati via Swayam12 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Bioreactor Design and AnalysisIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras via Swayam8 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

Waste to Energy ConversionIndian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee via Swayam8 weeks

Free

(charges required for certificate)

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What is the Difference Between Chemical Engineering and Chemistry?

Candidates are often confused between chemistry and chemical engineering as the name sounds similar. Therefore the basic differences between both the courses have been listed below.

Basis Chemical EngineeringChemistry
Overview Chemical engineering is a field that uses science to create things like medicines, food, and other products we use in our daily lives. Chemical engineers figure out how to make these things efficiently and safely. Chemistry is the study of what things are made of and how they behave. Chemists use this knowledge to create new things and understand how existing things work. They also test things to make sure they are safe and effective.
Job profiles 
  • Quality engineer
  • Process engineer
  • Environmental scientist
  • Lab technicians
  • Assistant chemists
  • Process chemists
  • Pharmaceutical chemists (entry-level)
Industry sector
  • Engineering services firms
  • Research and development
  • Petroleum and coal products manufacturing
  • Pharmaceuticals and medicine manufacturing
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences
  • Testing laboratories
  • Waste management and remediation
  • Government
Salary INR 3,20,000 Per AnnumINR 2,90,000 Per Annum
Skills 
  • Technical skills
  • Project management
  • Compliance
  • Problem-solving and troubleshooting
  • Research
  • Analytics
  • Laboratory skills
  • Communication
  • Product development

Also Check - List of High Scoring Topics in Chemistry for JEE Main 2024

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Types of Chemical Engineering Programs

Chemical Engineering can be divided into several categories. 

  1. B.E./B.Tech in Chemical Engineering - The bachelor's degree in chemical engineering provides candidates with a comprehensive idea of the field with a duration of 3 to 4 years.
  2. M.E./M.Tech in Chemical Engineering- Candidates pursuing chemical engineering at the master level can get deep insights into specific areas of chemical engineering which may involve research or a thesis.
  3. Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering - Candidates who are interested in advanced research and contributing to the field through industry leadership can pursue this course.
  4. Online Chemical Engineering Courses - As mentioned earlier, these programs allow candidates to pursue degrees in chemical engineering through online courses, providing flexibility for working professionals or those with other commitments.
  5. Joint or Dual Degree Programs - Some universities offer joint programs combining chemical engineering with business, law, or environmental science to provide a more interdisciplinary education.
  6. Specialized Programs - Some institutions offer specialized programs focusing on specific areas within chemical engineering, such as biochemical engineering, environmental engineering, or materials engineering.
  7. Integrated Bachelor's and Master's Programs - These programs allow candidates to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree in a shorter time frame than pursuing each separately.
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Chemical Engineering Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who wish to get admitted to chemical engineering are mandated to meet the eligibility criteria of the course as well as institutes. Eligibility criteria can be defined as the benchmarks that the authorities set for the candidates to meet and get admission as per the criteria. Chemical engineering can be conducted at diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. The same can be checked from the following.

Diploma 

Completed Class 10 or equivalent examination with Mathematics and Science as mandatory subjects.

Undergraduate

  • Passed Class 12 or equivalent exams scoring a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects.
  • Qualified for the entrance examination conducted by the universities or institutions to pursue a course in Chemical Engineering.

Postgraduate

  • Have a BE or BTech in chemical engineering degree and a valid GATE score or any other exam accepted by the university.
  • Scored a minimum of 60% aggregate marks in their BE or BTech in chemical engineering degree.

Doctoral 

Completed their ME or MTech in Chemical Engineering with a minimum of 50% marks throughout the semesters

Chemical Engineering Skillset

The skills required to excel in chemical engineering have been listed in the following pointers. 

  • Knowledge of computer-aided design (CAD) software and programming languages
  • Understanding of safety protocols and regulations in chemical processes
  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Strong problem solving and analytical abilities
  • Proficiency in mathematics and scientific principles
  • Attention to detail and precision in experimental work
  • Ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate with colleagues
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies and methodologies
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Chemical Engineering Entrance Exams

Candidates can check the list of entrance exams that offer admission to chemical engineering courses at different levels have been listed below.

Engineering Entrance Exams in IndiaApplication Process StartsApplication Process EndsAdmit Card Release DateExam Dates Announcement of Result
GATEAugust 31, 2023October 20, 2023 January 3, 2024February 3, 4, 10, and 12, 2024March 16, 2024
JEE Main
  • Session 1 - November 1, 2023
  • Session 2 - February 2, 2024
  • Session 1 - December 4, 2023
  • Session 2 - March 2, 2024
  • Session 1 - January 21, 2024
  • Session 2 -  March 29, 2024
  • Session 1 -  January 24 to February 1, 2024
  • Session 2 - April 1 to 15, 2024
  • Session 1 - February 12, 2024
  • Session 2 - April 25, 2024
JEE AdvancedApril 21, 2024April 30, 2024May 17 to 26, 2024May 26, 2024June 9, 2024
AP EAMCETMarch 2024April 2024May 2024
  • MPC stream - May 2024
  • BiPC stream - May 2024
June 2024
TS EAMCETMarch 2024April 2024April 2024
  • Engineering - May 2024
    Agriculture & Pharmacy - May 2024
June 2024
BITSAT
  • Session 1 - January 2024

    Session 2 - May 2024

     
  • Session 1 - April 2024
  • Session 2 - June 2024
  • Session 1 - May 2024
  • Session 2 - June 2024
  • Session 1 - May 2024
  • Session 2 - June 2024
  • Session 1 - May 2024

    Session 2 - June 2024
SRMJEEENovember 10, 2023
  • Session 1 - April 13, 2024
    Session 2 - June 15, 2024

     
(Release on the same day when candidates complete Slot Booking)
  • Session 1 - April 19 to 21, 2024
    Session 2 - June 21 to 23, 2024
  • Session 1 - April 2024
    Session 2 - June 2024
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List of Popular Chemical Engineering Specializations

Some of the popular chemical engineering specializations have been listed below.

  1. Materials & Polymer Sciences - It involves a lot of knowledge of the fundamentals of organic chemistry along with the study of advanced core procedural courses like heat and mass transfer, catalysis, reaction engineering, kinetics, and transport phenomena.
  2. Chemical & Process Technology - Candidates are taught topics such as multiphase reactors, multi-scale modeling, and reactive separation processes.
  3. Energy Economics & Engineering - It covers the technical, economic, and environmental aspects of a product or process. Courses like energy engineering, and energy economics will be core for the students.
  4. Biochemical Engineering - Focuses on using biological processes and organisms to develop products in areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and biofuels.

Some other specializations include:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Food and Beverage Engineering
  • Process Safety Engineering
  • Renewable Energy Engineering
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Chemical Engineering Admission Process in India

If you want to study a Bachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. course, you will need to take an entrance exam like JEE Main, JEE Advanced, COMEDK, GATE, etc. Your admission to the course will depend on your exam scores, and you will need to get a good rank. After the exam, a merit list is prepared based on your scores and other qualifications. Then, you will be called for an interview and based on your overall performance, you may be offered a place at a good college. Finally, there will be a counselling process where you can choose which college you want to attend.

Chemical Engineering Admission Process in India

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Direct Chemical Engineering Admission Process Without Entrance Exam

  1. Before applying for a college course, it is crucial to check the eligibility criteria. In general, the eligibility criteria for most courses require candidates to have scored at least 50% marks in their last qualifying exam, preferably class 10, from a recognized institute. In addition to this, candidates must have a subject combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as their compulsory subjects.
  2. It is important to note that admission to colleges is conducted entirely on the merit of the candidates. Therefore, it is advisable to check the cutoff of the college before applying. The application forms may be available in both online and offline modes. Candidates need to fetch the application form of the institutes they prefer and complete all the application formalities.
  3. After completing the application formalities, candidates are shortlisted and called upon for counseling or personal interviews. Only those candidates who have been shortlisted will be called upon. It is important to note that the counseling or personal interview process may vary from one institute to another.
  4. The next step is document verification, where shortlisted candidates are usually required to submit relevant documents for verification. These documents may include mark sheets, certificates, and identity proofs. It is essential to ensure that all the documents are up-to-date and genuine to avoid any inconvenience during the verification process.
  5. After the verification process is completed, candidates have to pay the prescribed fee within the stipulated time to book a seat in that respective institute. It is advisable to check the fee structure before making the payment. Once the payment is made, candidates can attend orientation sessions and start their classes as per the schedule prescribed by the institute.
  6. In conclusion, it is essential to follow the admission formalities diligently to ensure a smooth and hassle-free admission process.
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Chemical Engineering Fees in India

Candidates can check the chemical engineering fees from the following table.

Minimum FeesMaximum Fees
PrivateGovernmentPrivateGovernment
UGINR 72,000---INR 21,65,000INR 12,25,000
PGINR 74,400---INR 13,20,000INR 10,75,000
DoctoralINR 60,000INR 97,000INR 15,98,000INR 4,85,000
DiplomaINR 22,050INR 3,000INR 4,80,000INR 1,35,000
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Chemical Engineering Syllabus and Subjects

The chemical engineering syllabus consists of subjects that cover heat transfer, and material technology along with domain-related topics. Some of the subjects covered in chemical engineering are Engineering Materials, Physics Laboratory, Chemistry Laboratory, Engineering Chemistry, CAD Laboratory, Physics Laboratory, and Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.

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Top Private Chemical Engineering Colleges in India

Candidates can find the chemical engineering colleges in India along with the fee structure and NIRF ranking 2023.

Chemical Engineering CollegesNIRF Ranking 2023Fees 
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham 19INR 12,00,000
Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani20INR 9,00,000-20,00,000
Chandigarh University38INR 5,00,000-6,00,000
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology39INR 14,00,000
Lovely Professional University (LPU), Jalandhar 46INR 7,00,000-10,00,000
Manipal Institute of Technology6INR 2,00,000-13,00,000
SASTRA University, Thanjavur34INR 3,00,000-8,00,000
SRM University, Chennai18INR 3,00,000-10,00,000
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala40INR 2,00,000-12,00,000
Vellore Institute of Technology17INR 1,00,000-7,00,000
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Top Government Chemical Engineering Colleges in India

The top Chemical Engineering Government Colleges have been listed below. 

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Top Chemical Engineering Colleges Offering Direct Admission in India

Some of the colleges that offer direct admission to chemical engineering have been listed below.

Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), PilaniVellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore
SRM Institute of Science and Technology, ChennaiManipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal
Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, PatialaAmrita School of Engineering, Coimbatore
PSG College of Technology, CoimbatoreSASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur
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Career Options After Chemical Engineering

The career options available after the completion of chemical engineering have been listed below.

Chemical Engineering JobsDescription 
Quality ManagerResponsible for designing, developing, and improving chemical processes.
Chemical EngineersResponsible for designing, developing, and implementing industrial processes involving chemicals.
Development Chemical EngineerResponsible for obtaining and analyzing data on various chemical substances.
Analytical ChemistStudy atoms and use their properties to create the required product or material.
Materials EngineerStudy the properties of atoms to create desired materials or products.
Energy ManagerResponsible for performing audits and analyzing energy consumption, as well as implementing measures for effective energy conservation.
Mining EngineerResponsibilities include developing methods to extract gases, compounds, and elements from beneath the earth's surface.

Chemical Engineering Salary

The salaries offered to the candidates after the conclusion of chemical engineering have been listed below.

Chemical Engineering JobsSalary 
Quality ManagerINR 5,00,000- 8,00,000
Chemical EngineersINR 5,00,000- 7,00,000
Development Chemical EngineerINR 6,00,000- 8,00,000
Analytical ChemistINR 7,00,000- 8,00,000
Materials EngineerINR 6,00,000- 8,00,000
Energy ManagerINR 6,00,000- 9,00,000
Mining EngineerINR 7,00,000- 9,00,000

Top Recruiters of Chemical Engineering

The top recruiters who hire candidates from chemical engineering backgrounds are listed below.

Plastic industryTextiles industry
Chemicals manufacturing industriesCement industry
Food industryAerospace industry
Rubber industryPaper & Pulp industry
Petroleum industryFertilizer industry
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Courses After Chemical Engineering Degree

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FAQs about ChE

Which country has the highest demand for chemical engineers?

India, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Germany, and Japan are some of the countries that offer handsome salaries to chemical engineers.
 

Is chemical engineering harder than chemistry?

Yes, chemical engineering is harder than chemistry.
 

What is chemical engineering?

Chemical engineering deals with the study of the operation, design of chemical plants, and methods of improving production. 
 

Is chemical engineering a good job?

Yes, chemical engineering is one of the most satisfactory jobs in the world.
 

What is the monthly income of a Chemical Engineer?

The average monthly salary of a chemical engineer is INR 42,000.

Is chemical engineering a high paying job?

Chemical engineering is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world, even more than IT. PSUs in India pay chemical engineers INR 16,00,000 per year. The average salary for a chemical engineer at the diploma level is between 8,00,000 and 9,00,000 per year.
 

Is chemical engineering a high paying job?

Chemical engineering is one of the highest-paying jobs in the world, even more than IT. PSUs in India pay chemical engineers INR 16,00,000 per year. The average salary for a chemical engineer at the diploma level is between 8,00,000 and 9,00,000 per year.
 

What are chemical engineers do?

Chemical engineers develop and design chemical manufacturing processes. 
 

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