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which subject do chemical engineers like?
i like chemical substances
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Tiffanie’s Answer
Hi Daniel -
Based on some of the classes that chemical engineers are required to take in their schooling here are some of the classes that are most beneficial to chemical engineers:
Chemical engineers take a variety of classes in school, including math, science, and engineering courses:
Math: Calculus, analytic geometry, and other math courses
Science: Chemistry, physics, biology, and other science courses
Engineering: Introduction to engineering, differential equations, and other engineering courses
Chemical engineering: Polymer science, bioengineering, sustainable energy, experimental biology, biomechanics, atmospheric physics, electrochemistry, drug development, and protein folding
Thermodynamics: Covers the first and second laws of thermodynamics, entropy, equilibrium, and material and energy balances
Based on some of the classes that chemical engineers are required to take in their schooling here are some of the classes that are most beneficial to chemical engineers:
Chemical engineers take a variety of classes in school, including math, science, and engineering courses:
Math: Calculus, analytic geometry, and other math courses
Science: Chemistry, physics, biology, and other science courses
Engineering: Introduction to engineering, differential equations, and other engineering courses
Chemical engineering: Polymer science, bioengineering, sustainable energy, experimental biology, biomechanics, atmospheric physics, electrochemistry, drug development, and protein folding
Thermodynamics: Covers the first and second laws of thermodynamics, entropy, equilibrium, and material and energy balances
Robert Rossi
Many things! But mostly chemistry and chemical engineering
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Robert’s Answer
If you are really into chemical substances, I recommend you aim for chemistry or materials science...because you won't get as much direct interaction with them as a chemical engineer, a field more focused on math and economics. Chemical engineering can be something of a "gotcha" field, because how it is named is not consistent with other engineering fields. Most people assume that chemical engineers design and develop chemicals, the way electrical engineers do electronics and structural engineers do structures (but it's actually chemists who "design and develop" chemicals). Chemical engineers work on mass-production systems and scale-up. They design, develop, and operate large plants and highly integrated systems. Chemical engineering is the most interdisciplinary engineering field of all (save perhaps industrial engineering, which I don't think is really engineering at all: it's management!): the first two years of the ChE degree program are like a liberal arts in the sciences and engineering, but then in the latter half you learn how to size pumps, cooling towers, and reactors. It is very mathematical. The largest single sector in which chemical engineers work is the petroleum industry: refining petroleum, cracking hydrocarbons, and making polymers and pharmaceuticals, but some of my friends work in almost every industry that mass-produces its products, from computer chips and cars to soda pop and potato chips. One of my friends makes Depends undergarments, another makes Velveeta, a third makes laser printer toner. In most cases, a chemical engineer sees a production line through from start to finish: they design the production plant; oversee the acquisition, installation, assembly, and integration of the equipment; and then oversee the line (manage its operation and maintenance) for as long as it remains relevant. ChE pays extremely well and it is easy to get a job in, but you are on call at all hours once the line launches because you are the expert on the big picture, and get called when it isn't working right and nobody else can figure out why in the wee hours of the night. (Some ChE specialize in just design, build, or operate, though.) Research in ChE mostly relates to making production lines (and their construction) more efficient, in terms of speed, reliability, and economics. The vast majority of ChEs work for large companies.
That all said, if you want to go into engineering you will want to take all the calculus-series math classes available to you. (That's Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, Geometry, and if they are available, Pre-Calculus and Calculus.) Secondarily, take any economics, linear algebra, and statistics classes you have as options. For chemical engineering specifically, take all the chemistry, physics, electronics (robotics/circuits) and computer science courses you can, in addition to the suggestions above.
That all said, if you want to go into engineering you will want to take all the calculus-series math classes available to you. (That's Algebra I and II, Trigonometry, Geometry, and if they are available, Pre-Calculus and Calculus.) Secondarily, take any economics, linear algebra, and statistics classes you have as options. For chemical engineering specifically, take all the chemistry, physics, electronics (robotics/circuits) and computer science courses you can, in addition to the suggestions above.
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Daniel,
The subjects chemical engineers enjoy really depend on the person.
Some love chemistry because it explains how materials interact and transform. Others are drawn to math, which helps solve real-world problems. Some even enjoy physics, especially when learning about atomic-level phenomena that lead to chemical reactions (like how molecules behave and interact).
What Do Chemical Engineers Study?
At top universities like MIT, chemical engineering students take a variety of subjects, including:
-Math: Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.
-Science: General chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
-Engineering Principles: Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and process design.
-Specialized Topics: Polymer science, biochemical engineering, and sustainable energy.
For more details, check out the MIT chemical engineering curriculum: https://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/chemical-engineering-course-10/
Skills for the Future (my personal opinion)
I believe it's also essential to learn tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and develop emotional intelligence (EI). Why? Because one of the most rewarding parts of being a chemical engineer is working with people—collaborating with teams, understanding customer needs, and building solutions that truly make a difference.
How to Explore the Field
To figure out what you enjoy most, try:
-Talking to older students: They can share what they’ve learned and what excites them about the field.
-Connecting with professors and professionals: Their experiences and advice can give you a clearer picture of the career.
-Doing internships: Working at different chemical companies helps you understand what you like and which area you'd like to specialize in.
Exploring these opportunities will not only expand your knowledge but also help you discover what excites you most in chemical engineering. It's all about finding your passion while learning and growing!
I hope this helps you, Daniel!
William
The subjects chemical engineers enjoy really depend on the person.
Some love chemistry because it explains how materials interact and transform. Others are drawn to math, which helps solve real-world problems. Some even enjoy physics, especially when learning about atomic-level phenomena that lead to chemical reactions (like how molecules behave and interact).
What Do Chemical Engineers Study?
At top universities like MIT, chemical engineering students take a variety of subjects, including:
-Math: Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra.
-Science: General chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics.
-Engineering Principles: Thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and process design.
-Specialized Topics: Polymer science, biochemical engineering, and sustainable energy.
For more details, check out the MIT chemical engineering curriculum: https://catalog.mit.edu/degree-charts/chemical-engineering-course-10/
Skills for the Future (my personal opinion)
I believe it's also essential to learn tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and develop emotional intelligence (EI). Why? Because one of the most rewarding parts of being a chemical engineer is working with people—collaborating with teams, understanding customer needs, and building solutions that truly make a difference.
How to Explore the Field
To figure out what you enjoy most, try:
-Talking to older students: They can share what they’ve learned and what excites them about the field.
-Connecting with professors and professionals: Their experiences and advice can give you a clearer picture of the career.
-Doing internships: Working at different chemical companies helps you understand what you like and which area you'd like to specialize in.
Exploring these opportunities will not only expand your knowledge but also help you discover what excites you most in chemical engineering. It's all about finding your passion while learning and growing!
I hope this helps you, Daniel!
William