My Discipline

BlueRidgeKitties. "Molecular Dance Party" 9/11/2009 via Flickr. Attribution-Non Commercial License.

This blog post will provide a discussion on my major at the University of Arizona, Chemical Engineering, through responses to certain questions about major aspects within this field of study. 

What do students in your program learn how to do?

Students majoring in Chemical Engineering are taught the principles of physical sciences and life sciences, with an obvious emphasis in chemistry, so that they are ready to work as chemical engineers after graduation. They also take mathematics and economics courses so that they can learn how to carry out the main goal of chemical engineering which is to design systems to produce and transport chemicals and energy in the most efficient and cost-effective manner.

What do people who get degrees in this field usually go on to do for work?

Chemical Engineering students graduate to become chemical engineers. Within this field, there are several positions to hold, including designers, researchers, and project managers in workplaces from pharmaceutical development firms to energy production companies. As raw materials become more limited and the environment becomes more of a consideration in any major manufacturing industry, chemical engineers are in high demand in areas like food processing, fertilizer production, and numerous other companies that require an energy input and a consumable output. 

What drew you to this field?

I have always had an interest in chemistry since my beginner high school courses. I was originally a chemistry major but the job opportunities out of college are limited for students who haven't gone to graduate school. The prospect of having a well paying job upon my graduation from the University of Arizona with a degree in chemical engineering enticed me to switch my major. This major incorporates science, math, and economics courses which I have always excelled in, so I will be able to pursue education in the most enjoyable way possible. 

Who are the leaders/most exciting people involved in your field right now? Why? These could be individual people or specific companies, organizations, businesses or non-profits.

Chemical engineers are nothing without their team or firm, therefore specific people are not very prevalent in the field. The top chemical firms in the world today are Exxon, Dow, and BASF due to their domination in sales and increased profit margin over the last decade. While Dow and BASF are mainly textile and chemical manufacturers, Exxon is the main producer and transporter of oil, so it continues to grow substantially as the demand for fossil fuels as a means of producing energy increases world wide.

What are the leading academic/scholarly journals in your field? Where are they published?

Chemical engineering journals are plentiful and their rankings vary from site to site. The most cited academic journals in chemical engineering however, are Chemistry of Materials by the American Chemical Society in the US, the Annual Review of Chemical and Bimolecular Engineering by Annual Review Inc. in the US, and Chemical Engineering Science, by Elvesier in the Netherlands.

Reflection: I read Carter and Ayra's blog posts on their academic pursuits and the options they have after college. Both of them discussed pursuing degrees that I have contemplated at one point or another, as both of their majors are science related like mine. I somewhat envy their undecidedness because they still have time to take classes and continue their search in a passion where I have known my focus for years now. Carter wants to go into a heath profession so he can help people which I think is the most genuine thing I've seen in someone's post collegiate goals. Reading these posts made me realize that it's not all about the money and that I should consider doing what I can do to help others rather than following something that I have always excelled in.