<p>Chem can be made much easier. For ChemE that isn't possible. Chem has more labs and no chemE courses. The physics requirements are easier. The math requirements are less (no diff eq). Overall, it's just easier. Lots of ChemEs drop into Chem but no Chems go to ChemE. That's the truth. Quote from my 1st chemE prof who is awesomely crazy is this: "I have had 2 majors and 2 minors. The liberal arts minors? Cake! Chemistry? CAKE!! ChemE is will be hard and many of you won't stay in it. But for those of you that do there are many more oppotunities that await you than those other majors. Stick with it. It's worth it."</p>
<p>ChemE has the highest drop-out (out of the major) rate on campus above ECE and others. It's a great major but you've gotta be ready for it. It hasn't let up yet and I'm on my sophomore year.</p>
<p>Here's the curriculums for the majors:
ChemE: <a href="http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem_eng/undergrad/cur4year.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem_eng/undergrad/cur4year.htm</a>
Specialized Chem (B.S.): <a href="http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem/undergrad/curchem.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem/undergrad/curchem.html</a>
Chem (B.A.): <a href="http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem/undergrad/curslet.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem/undergrad/curslet.html</a></p>