So I am going to be a freshman in August and I’m trying to figure out what classes I should take and make my 4 year plan that will help me out to become a Chemical Engineer. Can someone help me out? I already have one credit, it’s Algebra.
Here is the curriculum guide.
https://www.aliefisd.net//cms/lib/TX01917308/Centricity/Domain/2141/2015-15HSCourseDescriptionGuideFinal.pdf
Thank you.
Lots of math, lots of science. If you can get some of your required core classes out of the way in high school, it might help you. My daughter didn’t major in chemE, but in civil at an ABET program. I think she had 15 required courses, 2 in writing, one in history or civics and some just general. If she could do it again, she would have taken English as a Dual Enrollment to have a few semesters with ‘only’ 14-15 credits.
Start with the high school base curriculum as described above, but particularly emphasize taking math to as high level as you can (probably calculus if you had algebra 1 in 8th grade) and science including both physics and chemistry.
The introductory engineering courses can be a way to check your interest in engineering.
I agree with @ucbalumnus. Chemical engineering is more about physics than chemistry. I would go as far with math and physics and chemistry as you are capable. Once in college you will be required to take math courses through differential equations and linear algebra. Chemistry through O Chem and Physical Chemistry (which is really more like quantum mechanics) and nearly all of your Chemical Engineering courses will be physics based. A good understanding of calculus based physics is necessary.
In HS what you can do is prepare yourself for these courses? If you are able and capable taking the AP courses for calculus, physics (the physics based courses if possible) and chemistry will do you well. If not then be sure to take the most advanced available. Take the courses in sequence and don’t try to rush. Having Calc 3 in HS will probably not advance you as an engineering major. Conversely, if you struggle with your science and math courses in HS, you may find engineering quite difficult in college.
In addition if you are considering taking additional AP courses you might look for those that fulfill general education requirements. Engineering courses are very sequential and on the whole pretty challenging. Being able to reduce your course load is generally helpful. It allows you to focus on fewer courses per semester.
“A good understanding of calculus based physics is necessary.”
Eventually, but not a deal buster if you don’t have it in high school. Physics B was replaced with the 1/2 series. At some schools, that’s all they offer. It is not calculus based. If you can take C, specifically Mechanics, that would be nice, but certainly alright if you can’t. All engineering curricula start at Calc I and Physics I.
Most importantly, don’t view your coursework as something to get out of the way to get to the next step. It’s very important, especially in math, that you master the material. Any weakness in your foundation now will be magnified in the future. It’s probably the top reason why students drop out of engineering.
Good luck!
As stated, as much math and science you can squeeze in without compromising your other requirements for graduation. My daughter (intended chem e major) took her 4 year math sequence, plus AP stats junior year (she felt it was helpful), a year of bio, two years of chem (Honors one year, AP another), two years of physics (Honors and then AP C), organic chemistry, CS, and three pre-engineering classes. If she had been able to squeeze in AP bio she would have but physics and chem were more important for her.
Your school has some amazing offerings! Work with your GC to plan out the four year plan that makes the most sense.
I will also note that my daughter was looking for a very STEM focused college program. Her high school curriculum would not have worked for an LAC but she knew she was taking that off the table.
You’re a bit screwed with all the pre-reqs and grade requirements wrt your advanced science classes. According to that link you’re going to have to wind up taking 6 maybe 7 science classes in 4 years in order to cover AP Biology, AP Chem and AP Physics C, which is a major grind.
9th - pre AP Bio
10th - AP Physics I and pre AP Chem
11th - AP Physics II and AP Chem
12th - AP Bio and AP Physics C
Your math track is pretty set with the pre-AP Geometry, Alg II and PreCalc followed by AP Calc BC (AB if you’re not so great with calculus).
The prereqs for AP Physics C makes little sense IMO only because you have only so many years. My kid, though he struggled a lot at the beginning in AP Chem and AP Physics C, did this sequence, without the beginning Chem and Physics classes.
9th - Honors Bio
10th - AP Bio
11th - AP Chem
12th - AP Physics C
A student at the OP’s high school who wants to take AP physics C can take regular physics as preparation, rather than have to spend two years on AP physics 1 and 2. It also looks like AP physics C covers both mechanics and E&M in one year, which is closer to college pace and a faster pace than AP physics 1 and 2 at the same high school.
So a possible science selection for a student who wants to take AP physics C and AP chemistry could be something like:
9th: biology
10th: chemistry
11th: physics and AP chemistry
12th: AP physics C
Ya that’s what I was alluding to, doesn’t make sense that AP Physics 1 and 2 is a prerequisite OR plain ol Physics is a prerequisite. It also makes zero sense why you have to wait until after 10th grade to take AP Bio (in this case 12th grade if he or she really wanted to challenge herself) when everyone takes regular or honors Bio in 9th grade.
I disagree about the grind aspect. My son took 8 science classes in 4 years and loved every minute of it. It really depends on the student.
My son’s school they took physics 9th grade, chemistry in 10th then bio in 11th and then AP physics C in 12th. Some kids took AP Chem right after Chem etc. Yes… It’s a reverse order and they used college books. All Honors and AP school. They have a reason for doing it this way and it works well for the students. Their Act avg is 31.
DD and DS took almost identical courses in HS. One ME and one ChemE.
Schools look for the highest level of math (no need to take higher than BC cal though) and highest level of physics. What you can fit is determined by the schedule type at your HS. With block scheduling, they were able to take 8 courses per year. Their science track system seems similar to yours with the pre-AP courses. They were very well prepared for college.
Math through BC calc. Started with mutivariable calc first semester of college.
AP Biology.
AP Chemistry
AP Physics C
AP Stat is very helpful for science lab reports
some level of programming (self taught or online instruction)
A high level course that shows your diversity and enhances writing APUSH or APLANG
They did not need to prep for SAT or SAT subject tests (well prepared in math and APUSH is good preparation for critical reading).
That being said, this is a lot of coursework and takes time management and dedication. From the chem eng perspective you might not know what field or concentration you are interested in. Pharma or biomedical would require a base knowledge of molecular biology.
Lab courses are difficult to take online, but STAT and programming classes are a perfect way to fill your summer time. Finding a way to complete health or another requirement in the summer will hopefully give you some space to engage in music, art or another passion during the school year with groups o students outside your class of scientists and mathematicians.
Lay out a potential schedule on paper, visit your guidance counselor and adjust as you explore your interests in HS. Teachers are important, so pay close attention to experiences about the quality of teaching in the classes you show interest. Remember to have fun!!!
You don’t really need pre-calc. Most high schools should let you go straight into Calc AB, which would allow you to take both AB and BC in high school. This isn’t about AP credit as much as it is about having a stronger preparation for whichever math level you start at in college.
Precalc was the class in which my high school taught trigonometry, which is very important for physics and calculus. Not sure if OP’s school does it the same way, but if so, I would not skip precalc.
According to the curriculum guide that the OP posted, the math sequence is the common one:
Algebra I (already taken by the OP in middle school)
Geometry (prerequisite: Algebra I)
Algebra II (prerequisite: Algebra I)
Precalculus (prerequisite: Geometry and Algebra I and II)
Calculus AB or BC (prerequisite: Precalculus; AB is not a prerequisite for BC)
(although Geometry and Algebra II could be taken in either order)
Looks like the honors courses for math below calculus are labeled “pre-AP”.