University of Kentucky - College of Engineering - Chemical Engineering

From wonder drugs to circuit boards

When it comes to producing life-saving pharmaceuticals or devising ways to fabricate the very small circuits required by modern electronic devices, chemical engineers are intimately involved in helping improve the quality of life for people around the globe.

It’s all elemental

As a chemical engineer, you’ll take what chemists do in a laboratory and apply fundamental engineering to solve problems involving the production or use of chemicals and biochemicals. Chemical engineers are involved in the production of everyday products like plastics, paints, detergents and fertilizers, and are exploring new fields like nanotechnology and biomedical products.

Designing the process

It’s one thing to come up with a chemical product in a lab – but how can a company make a lot of it quickly and economically? That’s where chemical engineers come in. Going from a small-scale pilot plant to full-on production, chemical engineers figure out all the little details in the process of making commercial products.

Cleaner and cleaner

Chemical engineers are at the forefront of environmental progress. Looking to reduce emissions, neutralize hazardous chemicals in the environment or minimize the environmental impact of large-scale consumer manufacturing? Chemical engineering might be the place for you.

Chemical engineering graduates have a high level of flexibility when choosing a career path. In addition to traditional engineering careers, many of our graduates have entered law or medical school. Some have even worked at NASA.