Chemical Engineering: a complex but delightful field of study
Bradford Life Blog

Dear readers, first I will introduce myself. I am Farzi, an international student studying at the University of Bradford. I am currently in the first year of my degree: BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering. In this blog, I will talk about what drew me to this subject, and what my career goals are. I will also share some tips for anyone looking to pursue this subject.

Why chemical engineering?

So, why did I choose it? Well, my story begins when I was young, and just had my first official chemistry class.

It was something completely new for me, and I was blown away by the realisation of just how much of a presence chemical substances have in our world. I would go on to love all aspects of chemistry, (yes, even organic chemistry as difficult as it is), and it slowly became my best subject.

You may be wondering why I didn't choose to do chemistry. That is because at the same time, I was also doing another field of science like physics and mathematics, and I realised how interconnected these subjects were. I became curious about a field that would let me explore all three of these fields. That is when I found out about chemical engineering, which utilises both maths and physics concepts to convert raw materials into functional products we use every day, like shampoo.

How has it been?

It has only been three months since I started my journey and so far, I would say that I am having a blast following my dream.

The materials are highly interesting, and the best part is that I can understand all my classes due to the wonderful lecturers.

One of my favourite moments thus far has been when I had to do a presentation on the evolution of laundry detergents, which led me to understand just how exactly laundry detergents are made, and how they evolved. Another favourite thing about this course is its aim of increasing sustainability for our future. In my particular course, we have a module that solely focuses on sustainable energy!

Plans for the future?

It is obvious to look at possible careers one can get from their degrees. As such, I have looked at my options as well before choosing this course, and I am pleased to inform you that this course can offer you a variety of job opportunities in several fields, with attractive salaries.

For instance, chemical engineers work in industries like pharmaceuticals, food preservation, cosmetics, and fuel. Even if you choose not to go into these fields, you will remain highly employable due to the developed analytical thinking skills you gain from this course.

Personally, my aim is to go into the manufacturing of medicines.

Tips!

So, if you were persuaded to study chemical engineering, what should you look for?

Firstly, be ready for a new and exciting way of looking at the world. The best way to do well in this course is to listen closely to your lecturers and participate in all laboratory-based classes. Also, it can get a little overwhelming at times, so be patient with yourself, and remember practice makes perfect.

Good luck in your future endeavours.

Are you interested in studying BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering? Discover more about course content, entry requirements and how to apply.