Masters in Chemical Engineering

Chemical Engineering is aimed at transforming raw materials into useful products by studying their chemical processes and composition. It finds application in a wide range of sectors like construction, petrochemicals, paper, cosmetics, food processing, microelectronics, speciality chemicals and fertilizers, to name just a few. Production, design and transformation of energy and materials are at the heart of chemical engineering.
Even though it established itself as a separate discipline only in the 19th century, it has evolved pretty much as a universal discipline since every material has a chemical composition and structure and is involved in or involves various chemical processes.  
Chemical Engineering master’s degree draws from a vast array of pure and applied sciences. It involves the use of principles of life sciences, physics, mathematics and economics besides chemistry. Further, chemical engineers usually do not operate in isolation but work in close association with nuclear engineers, biomedical engineers, process and control engineers, etc.
Chemical engineers can also be found working with design engineers and project engineers in designing industrial plants for industries that involve chemical processes. They decide and also ensure the safety of the functioning of the plants. They also team up with process engineers in industrial or manufacturing units that involve chemical processes to design processes, select appropriate equipment and ensure efficiency. Many sectors that involve fluid dynamics, energy transfer and mass transfer also demand for graduates with a Master degree in chemical engineering.

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What are the main areas of study in a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering?

The course structure of a Master degree in Chemical Engineering can vary vastly depending upon the specialization track chosen. However, like every other discipline, there are few core courses that most chemical engineering programs will cover. Students should see that they choose the best Best course for masters in Chemical Engineering from the electives bundle offered to them. Going by the trend, these may include chemical reaction engineering, polymers, chemical thermodynamics, applied mathematics for chemical engineering and principles of catalysis.

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What are the main Masters in Chemical Engineering requirements?

Students who have not studied science or engineering at the bachelor’s level would not be able to apply for a master’s in chemical engineering. The following list indicates the main criteria for Eligibility for MS in Chemical Engineering:

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Having a bachelor’s degree in CE or a closely-related field could be advantageous for those applying for a master’s program in Chemical Engineering. Some universities might however also entertain applications from graduates from any science discipline provided that they have done the coursework required for CE. In such a case, students would be expected to have completed courses in calculus (including multivariate calculus), differential equations, organic and physical chemistry.

Other Requirements

TOEFL and IELTS

About 60% of the top 20 universities in the world for CE are situated in the English speaking world. The remaining ones too receive a good number of international students and offer English as the medium of instruction. This makes good scores in English language ability tests a necessity for application in most cases. It is always better to check the cut-off scores in the Masters in Chemical Engineering admission requirements section of the official university websites before applying. Also, the test scores should not be more than 2 years old.

GRE 

GRE scores become more relevant in cases where students have not done their bachelor’s in chemical engineering or chemistry. However, it needs to be noted that it is not a necessary prerequisite for application in all cases. Wherever GRE scores are considered, good scores will definitely be an advantage. Institutions have different methods of counting the GRE scores. In some places, total scores are taken into account, while others place a differential weight on the scores from each component. If a subject-specific GRE score is also required, then students must note that the GRE subject for CE is Chemistry.  

Undergraduate GPA

Students with a GPA of less than 3.0 can have trouble getting accepted for a Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering program. Applications with a GPA higher than or equal to 3.5 are normally preferred in most departments.

Letters of Recommendation and Statement of Purpose

Three letters of recommendation are asked by most institutions. Besides, a statement of purpose could also be necessary.