Chemical Engineering
Chemical engineers design the complex plants needed to convert a laboratory or pilot-scale experiment into an industrial operation capable of producing tons of material daily.
Chemical engineers supervise the construction of these plants, and are also involved in running and maintaining them. These activities call for a thorough understanding of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and many other skills.
The chemical engineer must understand the physics and mathematics behind the problems of heat and mass flow when large quantities of reacting material must be heated or cooled, and moved from one section of a plant to another. The chemical engineer must understand the properties of the materials available to build the plant, how they tolerate high pressures and temperatures, and how they resist corrosion and wear. In the design and operation of biotechnology or environmental protection processes, the chemical engineer also needs to understand basic biological principles.
Students study the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and mathematics, then learn engineering science and design. Selecting appropriate electives allows students to specialize in oil sands engineering, nanoscale engineering, mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, and polymer materials.
Graduates are equipped to embark on careers in the chemical, petrochemical, food processing, forest products, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries, or work for a government agency.
Learn more about the Chemical Engineering Co-operative program »
Common Work Term Tasks
On their work terms, chemical engineering co-op students can contribute to/perform the following:
- Emission studies
- Performance studies
- Corrosion studies
- Quality control
- Turnarounds
- Process control
- Reservoir evaluations
- Economic analyses
- Process design
- Computer simulation
- Equipment sizing/scale-up
- Process analysis/optimization
- Facility operation and maintenance inspections
- Real-time computer applications
Options
Computer Process Control
With increased use of distributed digital computer control systems in the process industries and microprocessor-based analyzers and instruments, a need exists for process engineers with a background in areas that have traditionally been in the domain of the electrical engineer and computing scientist. This program, which retains all the core chemical engineering courses, provides the necessary background for engineering positions concerned with applying computers to the control of process systems.
In addition to the tasks listed under Chemical Engineering above, computer process control co-op students can contribute to/perform the following tasks:
- Control benefits analyses
- Process modeling and simulation
- Distributed control systems configuration
- Performance monitoring calculations
- Implementation and commissioning control strategies
- Efficiency testing
- Expert system application development
- Advanced data analysis
- Product quality analysis/improvement
Learn more about the Computer Process Control option »
Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing
The Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing option provides students with the specialized skills needed to work at the intersection of chemical engineering and biotechnology. With applications ranging from pharmaceutical production to bio-based materials, this program builds on the foundational chemical engineering curriculum while incorporating advanced knowledge of bioprocess design, production systems and bio-manufacturing technologies. Students will gain expertise in optimizing processes that use living cells and biological materials.
In addition to the tasks listed under chemical engineering above, bioprocessing and biomanufacturing co-op students can contribute to/perform the following tasks:
- Process scale-up and optimization for biotechnological applications
- Bioprocess control and monitoring
- Design and operation of bioreactors
- Downstream processing and product purification
- Bioinformatics and modeling of biological systems
- Sustainable energy production through bioprocesses
- Scale-up of biotechnological production processes
Learn more about the Bioprocessing + Biomanufacturing option »
Clean Energy and Sustainable Process Systems
As the world transitions to more sustainable and low-carbon energy sources, the clean energy and sustainable process systems option provides students with the tools to innovate in the field of energy production and process sustainability. This option integrates core chemical engineering concepts with specialized knowledge in sustainable energy production, efficient resource utilization and process optimization. Students will learn to develop and improve processes that reduce environmental footprints while enhancing energy efficiency, preparing them for careers in industries focused on sustainable energy solutions.
In addition to the tasks listed under chemical engineering above, clean energy and sustainable process systems co-op students can contribute to/perform the following tasks:
- Design and optimization of sustainable energy processes and systems
- Carbon capture and utilization technologies
- Development of alternative fuels and bioenergy solutions
- Energy efficiency audits and process optimization
- Implementation of circular economy principles in energy systems
- Environmental impact analysis of energy projects
- Process design for energy efficiency and waste minimization
- Life cycle analysis and sustainability assessments of energy projects
Learn more about the Clean Energy + Sustainable Process Systems option »