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Chemical Engineering

WHAT IS CHEMICAL ENGINEERING?

Chemical Engineering uses a foundation in chemistry, biology, physics, and math to focus primarily on chemical production and the manufacture of products through chemical processes. This includes designing equipment, systems and processes for refining raw materials and for mixing, compounding and processing chemicals to make valuable, environmentally friendly, and economically viable products.

WHAT DOES A CHEMICAL ENGINEER DO?

Chemical Engineers work in a wide variety of industries with most jobs falling into one of two categories, 1) the design, manufacture, and operation of plants and equipment; and 2) the development of new or adapted substances and materials. Some common tasks include: 

  • Improving existing and developing new manufacturing processes and equipment 

  • Performing tests to monitor production processes

  • Ensuring safety and environmental compliance for people, chemicals, equipment, and processes

  • Creating procedures using chemical processes in order to separate liquid and gas components or to produce electrical currents

  • Identifying and correcting issues within manufacturing operations

CONCENTRATIONS

Although not required, MSU Chemical Engineering majors can add a concentration to align with a specific academic or career interest. Concentrations include:

Biochemical Engineering

Bioenergy & Bioproducts

 Biomedical Engineering

Environmental

Food Science

Polymer Science & Engineering

TOP INDUSTRIES

Explore the most common industries associated with MSU Chemical Engineering graduates. Determine which industries fit you best in order to guide your search for job titles and companies you may want to work for!

Manufacturing

Automotive

Consumer Packaged Goods

Food and Beverage

Utilities and Renewable Energy

Internet & Software

Pharmaceuticals

Oil & Gas

Number of ChE graduates placed per industry from 2018-2020. 

COMMON JOB TITLES

Learn about some of the most common job titles among MSU Chemical Engineering graduates. Utilize Handshake to search for the specific job titles that interest you the most and see the specific skills and experiences employers are looking for so that you can start developing them now!

Process/Production Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Associate Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Field Engineer

Quality Engineer

Project Engineer

Number of ChE graduates placed for each of the top job titles from 2007-2020. Descriptions via The Center

TOP EMPLOYERS

Discover the most common employers of MSU Chemical Engineers. See which companies interest you the most and start connecting with them via Handshake, LinkedIn or on their website!  

General Motors

Dow

Mars, Inc.

Gerdau

Epic

Whirlpool

Cargill

Amway

PepsiCo

General Mills

Number of ChE graduates placed for the top full time employers from 2018-2020. Descriptions via LinkedIn and Handshake

DESTINATION DATA

Learn about the specific data associated with Chemical Engineering graduates so that you can better understand the average compensation and placement rates within the major. (Represents 2023 data.)  

97.8%
Placement Rate
(Employment/Education)

$77,315
Average Starting
Salary

$23.34/hr
Intern Average
Hourly Wage 

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