<p>In your opinion, what do you think are the most important chemical engineering courses to lay a solid foundation for a career as a chemical engineer? What about graduate studies? For the courses that you think are important, how often are they used?</p>
<p>Chemistry classes. Engineering classes. Math Classes.</p>
<p>Core classes:
Thermodynamics
Fluid Mechanics
Heat and Mass Transfer
Separation Processes
Reactor Design
Process Control</p>
<p>All are used pretty much all the time, or else they wouldn’t be core. Graduate studies involve much of the same, but take a more microscopic/nano approach, since that’s where research is heavy in these days</p>
<p>Well, I heard that people don’t use much of what they learn in university, which is why I asked how much they’re used.</p>
<p>well…maybe not the formulaes in books but the whole concept is the same</p>
<p>The reason why ppl tell you that is because some ppl don’t learn anything in college and therefore, have nothing to use. In my internship last summer, I was working on a floor with many Ph.D’s and it was a different story.</p>
<p>For a solid foundation as you, there is no better substitute than experience. Chemical engineering is one of those programs where the academic part is not nearly complete without significant field expierence in operations and as mentioned, there is no substitute for this. Grad studies do not really help you with this either. Today in chemical engineering, co-op is the way to go and hopefully you will get good field placements. Chem Eng is a discipline where bridging from theory to practice is very difficult and can only be done with good experience. Since all plants these days are highly automated an excellent co-field of study is electronics. I know the University of Alberta has a chemical engineering option program that involves significant electrical courses.</p>
<p>cherrybarry, could you expand on that please? I’d definitely like to know more about what is or isn’t used in a research setting.</p>
<p>toronto_guy, seeing how you’re more than likely from Toronto, you should be aware of the University of Waterloo, which is where I’m at. I just started out first year so I’m not too familiar with the whole co-op placement thing. Can you explain how much of the academic portion is integrated into work as a chemical engineer?</p>
<p>Co-op is general is a work-study program where you alternate semesters of school with semesters of internship/work at a company.</p>
<p>toronto_guy, do you know if McGill is big into the co-op?</p>
<p>Dr.Mambo, I really do not know. Are you considering going there?</p>
<p>Steevee, as feenotype says co-op simply involves alternating between academic and work terms. I think the class is divided into 2 groups and one group is on work-term while the other is taking the academics. At the end of term this situation is reversed. Waterloo is an amazing school (Canada’s MIT!) and the chance to work for different employers while in co-op is priceless for the contacts it affords. Naturally, a lot of co-op placements turn into full time jobs.</p>
<p>I know how co-op works. I’m just not familiar with the type of work you generally do during the work term and how the things you study in class are integrated into that work you do.</p>
<p>It will depend on the placements you obtain. Some will have a strong connection and others more light. Certainly any research position will have a stronger connection into the theoretical work. </p>
<p>I do not believe that the work terms are meant to necessarily shadow the material covered in the classroom.</p>