Chemical Engineering vs Chemistry

ptontiger16
Wed, 01 Aug 2012 18:48:36 +0000

I was in a very similar situation a month ago. I am trying to decide between ChemE and Chem and have compiled a lot of information about both. Here’s some of what I have so far:

ChemE deals with chemistry on an industrial scale. Chemical engineers perform a variety of functions such as figuring out how to optimize a process to drive down cost, making a process more efficient, or designing a chemical plant. It definitely pays better than Chemistry. It can also be a so-called “terminal” degree. While you can go back to school for an MS in engineering, you only need your BSE to enter the workforce as a full-fledged chemical engineer.

On the other hand, Chemistry deals with processes at the singular level. Chemists work on the bench to try to invent a new drug or chemical that serves a practical use. They do this without regard to how much the new chemical would cost to produce or how they would mass produce it (that’s for chemical engineers).

In my opinion, you can’t do much with a BA in Chemistry - it would serve you better to return to school for a PhD - while you can do a lot with a BSE in ChemE. Anybody correct me if I’m incorrect and feel free to add to this. I hope I helped!