Chemical Engineering Major

Chemical Engineering is the application of chemistry and physics to design industrial chemical processes. It is a major within Engineering & Technology.

Chemical engineering is the field of applying chemistry and physics to solve practical industrial problems. Chemical engineers design, build, and improve the processes that transform raw materials into useful products—everything from pharmaceuticals and plastics to fuels and food additives. The major focuses on questions like: How do we scale up a chemical reaction from a laboratory beaker to a factory tank? How can we make a process safer, faster, or less wasteful? What materials can withstand extreme temperatures or pressures? Students develop skills in understanding how substances behave, predicting how reactions will proceed, and solving real-world problems within constraints like cost, safety, and environmental impact.

Students who choose chemical engineering typically enjoy both chemistry and mathematics and are interested in how industrial systems work. The major usually begins with foundational coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, establishing core principles of how matter and energy behave. As students progress, coursework becomes more specialized, applying these fundamentals to chemical processes, reactor design, and separation technologies. The field emphasizes both theoretical understanding and hands-on problem-solving, often combining classroom learning with laboratory work and design projects that prepare students to tackle industrial challenges.

Typical coursework

Course requirements vary by school, but a Chemical Engineering program commonly includes topics such as:

• Material and energy balances
• Thermodynamics
• Transport phenomena
• Reaction engineering
• Process control
• Separation processes

Most programs also include general-education requirements and, in many fields, a capstone project, internship, or research experience.

Degree levels

Chemical Engineering is commonly offered at these levels:

• Bachelor's
• Master's
• Doctoral

Availability differs by institution, and program names can vary (for example, a Bachelor of Arts versus a Bachelor of Science track).

Common career directions

Graduates with a Chemical Engineering background pursue a range of paths. Some roles related to this field of study include:

• Chemical engineer
• Process engineer
• Production engineer
• Quality engineer

Many careers require additional steps beyond the major — such as a graduate degree, a license, or a certification — and many graduates work in fields unrelated to their major. What you study is one factor among many in where your career goes.

General career information is drawn from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook. Career paths vary widely by person, school, and region; this is not a list of guaranteed jobs or earnings.

Other majors in engineering & technology

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