Chemical Engineering

Overview

Overview

Chemical or process engineering involves developing the best sequence of physical, chemical and biological processing steps, and the right operating conditions, to convert raw materials into higher value materials – safely, economically and on a large scale.

Hydrocarbon products and metals production are among the most recognised applications of chemical engineering, although the discipline encompasses diverse products that serve the changing needs of society.

These include the emerging hydrogen economy and battery technologies, as well as polymers, advanced materials, speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

They also include consumer products such as food and beverages, paper, cosmetics, agrichemicals, cement and clean water.

You’ll graduate with the expertise for diverse careers in process engineering industries.

This course gives you the flexibility to study specialisations, to either deepen your knowledge in the field of chemical engineering or broaden your expertise in other disciplines. See the full list of specialisations.

Parent degree

This course is a major in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree.

Double degrees

You can extend your expertise and career opportunities by studying Chemical Engineering as a double degree with Chemistry, Extractive Metallurgy or Commerce.

All Chemical Engineering double degrees at Curtin are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

What you'll learn

• Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering, GC1
• Solve complex chemical engineering problems of industrial and societal significance through the application of discipline-specific and integrated bodies of knowledge, design and sustainability principles, GC1
• Make decisions related to the design and implementation of solutions to engineering problems in a safe, ethical, and climate-responsible manner adhering to legal and professional standards and through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens, GC4, GC5
• Apply systems thinking for innovative solutions to global chemical engineering challenges, discern knowledge and undertake applied research in a discipline of chemical engineering, GC2
• Select and use current and emerging technologies to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems, GC3
• Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond, GC6