<p>Hello everybody, I'm a senior at my highschool and I am considering majoring in chemE when I go to college. I was just wondering how much math and physics in really used in chemE? Even though I'm better in chemistry( I have a 99 in chem 2), I still really enjoy math classes( I have a 95 so far in precal) and always have since I was little, and I'm taking a duel credit physics class and I think I will enjoy it as well judgeing by the problems I have seen. So what I am wondering is does chemE have a descent amount of math and physics used in the work place? Because I would really enjoy being able to do all 3 things instead of just settleing for just one. Thanks in advance :)</p>
<p>Btw I know in college you have to take a lotta math and some physics in a chemE major but I’m curious if you get to use math and physics as well when you actualy get a job.</p>
<p>Just wondering, why are you in Chemistry 2 instead of AP Chemistry and Precalculus instead of AB/BC Calculus?</p>
<p>ChemE is more physics than chem…thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, physical chemistry…</p>
<p>alot. like UCBChemEGrad said, there is alot more physics. but if you’re solid in physics you should be good to go. if not, take the 1st semester of college and brush up on it</p>
<p>When you get a job more likely than not you wont be doing much math or physics other than some simple calculations here and there. But as far as classes go there is a much heavier emphasis on physics and math than chemistry.</p>
<p>To “HelpWithSchools” my school doesn’t offer any AP classes. We just have a few duel enrollment classes since we are not a very big school but we are state funded even though we are small lol we don’t really have enough students for AP classes.</p>
<p>I took one chemical engineering course when I was an undergrad. It was very difficult, LOTS of math and physics!! It can be done but takes a whole lot of dedication; I spent 40 hours per week on homework alone for that one class, so it was like a full-time job in itself. </p>
<p>You do need a healthy amount of knowledge of chemistry (like balancing chemical equations/stoichiometry in order to solve mass transport problems, for instance). Some topics in my beginners chemical engineering course included: pressure in pipes, gas law, phase diagrams, mass/energy balances, enthalpy, equilibrium, flow rates, etc. Thermodynamics, transport, dynamics, and kinetics are a large part of a chemical engineering curriculum. </p>
<p>Looking back now, I wish that I’d had a full year of college engineering physics and calc III/ differential equations before taking chem engineering. But I’m considering going back into it after a three year hiatus (and after advancing my math knowledge). I’m also reading the book: “Basic Principles and Calculations in Chemical Engineering,” 7 ed, by David M. Himmelblau and James B. Riggs, which is REALLY helpful. I wish I had had this book when I took the course a few years ago! Our required book was “Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes” by Felder and Rousseau. It’s not that great of a text and I’d recommend the Himmelblau text instead if you want to get a clear idea of what it’s all about.</p>
<p>Be prepared to find a group of people to work with to do homework problems. And become their best friend. It will be a tough ride, and one thing I liked about the engineering classes is that everyone is going through it together and serve as kind of a support system. This can vary from class to class, person to person, but this is what I noticed in general.</p>
<p>If you have the dedication, the drive, and a specific goal in mind about what you want/expect to get out of this major, (and you’re good at math/physics), you should do very well! Good luck!</p>
<p>oh, and about the workplace: chemE’s go into a variety of disciplines, from medical school to pharmaceutical companies, to law school, to process plants, etc. So it really depends on what you want to do, whether you’ll use lot of math/physics or not.</p>
<p>To “MarkTwaineWuzHere” thanks! I aapperciate the advice :). As far as the chemistry goes from what you said is needed to know for chemE I actualy have already learned about 70 percent of that you mentioned just not the classes like thermodynamics and stuff like that lol do you care to tell me where you bought that first book you was talking that you wish you had read before going into that chemE class? Because id love to read that before I go into college to get more of an idea of how chemical engineering is going to be. Thanks again :)</p>
<p>It’s pretty expensive on amazon for the newest edition. I got it brand new (paperback) for less than $30 through BIGWORDS.com by entering the ISBN: 0131406345. The site works by searching the web for the cheapest books on the market and gives you a list of various vendors and their prices. I ended up going through TextbooksRus and they were really good. I’d recommend paying with Paypal if you plan on going this route since it’s a bit more secure that way. I think all the books listed for this particular book are International Editions, which is what makes them cheaper I guess. </p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>It does help! Thanks! :)</p>