University of KwaZulu-Natal Chemical Engineering
Welcome to the UKZN’s Discipline of Chemical Engineering website. Here you will find general information about chemical engineering, as well as important information about chemical engineering at UKZN. We look forward to seeing you in our discipline!
Chemical Engineers are concerned with the design, construction, operation and management of industrial plants in which raw materials undergo physical and/or chemical change, e.g. oil refining or beer brewing.
Chemical engineers learn to model the many common features of these processes mathematically, leading to alternative designs, optimal computer control, improved economics or the solution of processing problems.
Study Chemical Engineering
What is the difference between a university (BScEng) and a university of technology (BTech) chemical engineering qualification?
This is a commonly-asked but important question by prospective students in the undergraduate programme. Both qualifications have a prescribed minimum time of 4 years (although at a university of technology, one may qualify with a diploma after 3 years).
A BTech degree has a much higher proportion of its time focused on hands-on “on-the-job” training, while at a university, the focus is on producing both theoretically-strong and practically-minded graduates (in addition to completing all undergraduate modules in our intensive 4-year degree programme, every undergraduate is expected to complete a workshop training course, as well as undertake 12 weeks of supervised vacation work in industry, to graduate).
The advantages of having a university degree are several fold:
- You have a greater chance of being employed in a wider range of career paths.
- Admission into a university postgraduate degree programme (masters or doctoral) is straightforward i.e. you will not need to first study towards an MTech at a university of technology (technikon), before being considered for admission to a university postgraduate degree programme.
- You are eligible to register as a candidate engineer with ECSA and this may ultimately lead to you being awarded PrEng (professional engineer) status. With a BTech, you will be only be eligible for Professional Engineering Technologist status (technikon graduates are formally recognised as engineering technologists rather than as bona fide engineers).
Curriculum
The degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering in the field of Chemical Engineering is an Honour equivalent, professional Bachelors degree that extends over four years. It is offered in the School of Engineering within the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science. Instruction is through lectures, tutorials and laboratory practicals. Extensive use is made of computers in well-equipped facilities.
- In the 4-year program, learning shifts progressively from fundamental science at first year/level to applied science and engineering from third level to fourth.
- 2nd and 3rd year introduces Chemical Engineering science. e.g. the unifying concepts of heat, mass and momentum transfer.
- 4th year includes reactor technology, distillation and enhanced separation techniques, process modelling and optimisation, as well as major laboratory and design projects.
- The use of computers (programming and simulation/process design) is important with introductory courses at first and second year and exit level assessments in third and final year courses.
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Contact details
Mrs Venishree Pillay T&L Administrator Telephone: 031 2603349 Email: pillayve@ukzn.ac.za Mrs Nokhukhanya Ngcobo |
Physical address Discipline of Chemical Engineering Chemical Engineering building Howard College University of KwaZulu-Natal Mazisi Kunene Road Glenwood Durban, 4041 |
| “From atoms and molecules, to discoveries and products.”
The increasing demand for commodities requires large-scale development of our country’s fuel, mineral, and chemical industries. Chemical engineers are required to ”add value” to these materials, and to optimize processes to make them competitive on a world-wide scale. Traditionally, Chemical Engineering draws upon principles from mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and economics; and then combines these ideas to transform low-value materials (chemicals) into high value ones (e.g. converting the simple ethylene molecule into that everyday plastic, polyethylene). In modern times, chemical engineering has adapted to the digital age in which computers now also feature prominently in every aspect of the work of a chemical engineer. Chemical engineers are also concerned with keys issues affecting society and humanity at large; they are involved in the development of advanced materials, finding solutions to the world’s energy problems, global warming, inventing new consumer products and then efficiently manufacturing them, developing novel ways to preserve the environment, and also in the development of new pharmaceutical drugs. |
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| Opportunities abound in a diverse range of careers for graduates with a chemical engineering degree from UKZN, due to its excellent curriculum and quality of teaching. Our programme is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), meaning that when you graduate, you are eligible to register as a candidate engineer, which may lead to you being awarded professional engineer (PrEng) status. | ||
| What does it take to be a Chemical Engineer? | The Role of Chemical Engineers in Society: | |
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| Possible careers paths/ employers: | Chemical Engineering specialist activities: | |
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| Some famous Chemical Engineers: | ||
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