Chemical and Process Engineering
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 250 in the world for Chemical Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020)
Download Brochure
Scholarships
Ranking
Top 250 in the world for Chemical Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020)
Download Brochure
Qualifications
Overview
Engineers revolutionise the world. With a Chemical and Process Engineering degree, you will do so by tackling some of society’s greatest challenges:
- supplying clean, safe drinking water
- creating sustainable energy opportunities
- improving society’s health and well-being
- providing a sustainable food supply.
Chemical and process engineers transform raw materials into processed, marketable products by chemical, physical, or biological means. They take science experiments performed in the laboratory and operate them on a commercial scale, taking into account economics, safety, and sustainability. Others are involved in the research and development of new products and processes, such as those in nanotechnology, biotechnology, or advanced materials.
It is the only traditional Engineering discipline that explicitly builds on Physics, Chemistry, and Biological Sciences, along with the mathematical rigour required of all engineers.
Minors in Bioprocess Engineering and Energy Processing Technologies
If you are interested in Biological Sciences as well as Engineering, the Bioprocess Engineering minor is worth considering. Bioprocess Engineering uses biology for sustainable and more effective processes, and design of products, such as protein, alcoholic beverages, vitamins, dairy products, detergents, confectionery, processed foods, and clean water.
For those keen on sustainable engineering harnessing energy from natural resources, the Energy Processing Technologies minor will allow you to gain skills tackling environmental issues raised by extracting raw materials such as fossil fuels, and renewable energy.
- The Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Chemical and Process Engineering offered by UC is fully accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) as well as Engineering New Zealand.
- UC is ranked in the top 250 universities in the world for Chemical Engineering (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2020).
- See the Engineering subject page for many other reasons why UC's College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha is a world-class destination for engineering studies.
UC offers Chemical and Process Engineering as a discipline within the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours.
Students may also choose to complete a minor alongside their discipline in either Bioprocess Engineering or Energy Processing Technologies.
Intermediate Year (first year)
The first year of the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours is called the Engineering Intermediate Year. For Chemical and Process Engineering students, this is made up of:
Five compulsory courses taken by all Engineering students:
- ENGR 100 Engineering Academic Skills (0 points, no fees)
- ENGR 101 Foundations of Engineering
- EMTH 118 Engineering Mathematics 1A
- EMTH 119 Engineering Mathematics 1B
- PHYS 101 Engineering Physics A: Mechanics, Waves, Electromagnetism and Thermal Physics
Plus courses specific to Chemical and Process Engineering:
In addition you must complete another two 100-level optional courses. Check with the College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha Student Advisor for suggested options.
More information:
- To see how this qualification is structured, see the degree diagram on the Bachelor of Engineering with Honours page.
- For guidance on how to structure your Intermediate Year, visit the Intermediate Year webpage.
The Professional Years (2nd–4th years)
Once you have completed the Engineering Intermediate Year and successfully applied for entry into Chemical and Process Engineering, you will study that discipline within the three professional years.
First Professional Year
- ENCH 199 Workshop Training Course for Chemical and Process Engineering (0 points, no fees)
- ENGR 200 Engineering Work Experience (0 points, no fees)
- ENCH 241 Engineering Chemistry 2
- ENCH 281 Principles of Biology for Engineers
- ENCH 291 Mass and Energy Balances
- ENCH 292 Heat and Mass Transfer Operations
- ENCH 293 Fluid Mechanics 1
- ENCH 295 Chemical Engineering Professional Practice
- ENCH 296 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
- ENCH 298 Chemical Engineering Mathematics
Second Professional Year
- ENCH 390 Process Engineering Design 1
- ENCH 391 Process Systems and Control
- ENCH 392 Thermodynamics and Chemical Reaction Engineering
- ENCH 393 Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer
- ENCH 394 Process Engineering Design 2
- ENCH 395 Process Engineering Laboratories
- ENCH 396 Chemical Engineering Separations 1
Plus one of:
- ENGR 404 Renewable Energy Technologies and Management
- ENGR 405 Industrial Pollution Control
- ENGR 407 Bioprocess Engineering 1
- ENCH 486 Special Topic in Chemical and Process Engineering
Third Professional Year
- ENCH 494 Process Engineering Design 3
- ENCH 495 Research Project
- ENCH 496 Advanced Separations
- ENCH 497 Process Management
Plus one of:
- ENGR 404 Renewable Energy Technologies and Management
- ENGR 405 Industrial Pollution Control
- ENGR 407 Bioprocess Engineering 1
- ENCH 486 Special Topic in Chemical and Process Engineering
Plus one of:
Chemical and process engineers work in areas such as renewable energy, biofuels, environmental control, fermentation, waste treatment, food industry, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
The petrochemical industry continues to grow and employs chemical engineers at oil refineries and a number of gas processing plants. Managing these and other precious resources provides excellent career opportunities for our graduates in the manufacture of aluminium, steel, and fertilisers.
Alternative career paths for our graduates include operational and asset management, finance, research, consulting, and marketing. Some of our graduates ultimately take company leadership positions.
Graduates are eligible for membership of both IChemE and Engineering New Zealand after a period of experience as a practising engineer.
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Chemical and Process Engineering.
Contact us
Department of Chemical and Process Engineering
Phone +64 3 369 3784
Email engdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz
Location
See the Department's website for up-to-date contact details.
Postal address
College of Engineering | Te Rāngai Pūkaha
University of Canterbury | Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Private Bag 4800
Christchurch 8140
New Zealand
Browse related subjects to Chemical and Process Engineering
Choose an area that you are interested in and learn how UC's extensive range of study options can let you study what you want to.
Engineering
Engineering is a challenging and exciting field that uses physical science and mathematics to solve complex problems. Engineers must enjoy design work, thinking ...
Chemistry
Chemistry is the central science. It deals with the composition, structure, and behaviour of the atoms and molecules that make up all forms of matter. ...