Chemical engineers invent, design and manage processes that transform raw materials into valuable products by using their knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics.
In this major, you will develop the skills to design and create a diverse range of useful products and processes that enhance the lives of others. Valuable items like petrol, water purification, food processing and productions, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and artificial blood would not exist without chemical engineers.
You’ll learn how to make processing work more efficient, safe, economical and sustainable by producing less waste and energy in your developments.
As a chemical engineer you'll gain a flexible range of skills which will allow you to explore different career options from molecular biology, nanomaterials, chemistry, physics, mathematics and information technology.
Graduate in demand
- You'll develop both traditional and emerging skills and expertise to work in a rapidly changing profession.
- Benefit from the insights and expertise of world-leading researchers and highly-qualified academic staff.
- With practical projects, guest lecturers from industry, internships and placements with leading engineering companies, you will gain the knowledge, skills and industry connections you need to transition from university to the workplace.
- Chemical engineers are employed in environmental protection, management and safety, natural resource use and the energy sector, and petroleum and petrochemical industries. Companies such as Bayer, Unilever, Pfizer, The Dow Chemical Company, Patheon Biologics, Thermo Fisher Scientific, GE Health Care, CSL, Fujifilm Healthcare, Manildra and Dalby Biorefinery employ chemical engineers.
Career possibilities
Our programs prepare you for your first job and beyond. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Chemical engineer
- Process engineer
- Service engineer
- Technical manager
- Environmental engineer
- Petroleum engineer
- Materials engineer
- Chemical process engineer
Average annual salary range
Chemical Engineer
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During my placement with Core Resources I was able to advance my theoretical knowledge of hydrometallurgy, as well as gain valuable experience in the 'real world' side of engineering. Having the opportunity to set up an experiment, whilst simultaneously investigating ways to improve the process chemistry, economics, and scalability, was one of my favourite aspects of the placement.
My interest in chemical engineering was sparked from my experiences in Fiji, after witnessing their living conditions. I wanted to study a course that would give me the knowledge and skills to develop technologies and practices that enrich the quality of life.
I am proud to be a part of the Arnott’s Biscuits family as a Business Improvement leader. I chose the BE/ME program in Chemical Engineering as it helped me develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills aided me in gaining a better understanding of systems and processes that have, and will, build the food manufacturing industry.
During my placement with Core Resources I was able to advance my theoretical knowledge of hydrometallurgy, as well as gain valuable experience in the 'real world' side of engineering. Having the opportunity to set up an experiment, whilst simultaneously investigating ways to improve the process chemistry, economics, and scalability, was one of my favourite aspects of the placement.
My interest in chemical engineering was sparked from my experiences in Fiji, after witnessing their living conditions. I wanted to study a course that would give me the knowledge and skills to develop technologies and practices that enrich the quality of life.
I am proud to be a part of the Arnott’s Biscuits family as a Business Improvement leader. I chose the BE/ME program in Chemical Engineering as it helped me develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These skills aided me in gaining a better understanding of systems and processes that have, and will, build the food manufacturing industry.
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7 April
International Baccalaureate Research Skills Program
9 April
School of the Environment Honours and Postgraduate information session
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Meet the expert: exploring regional and town planning with Stephanie Wyeth
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Study tips
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How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Overseas study
- Research experience
- Seminars
- Studios
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study:
- Chemistry 1
- Engineering Thermodynamics
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