Chemical Engineering is a discipline which advances new knowledge in chemistry and processing technology to practical application. A chemical engineer often works in industries that produce advanced materials, energy, fuels, or pharmaceuticals in the design and operation of chemical processes. Chemical engineering is broader than chemistry, in that it also involves the handling and processing of materials by unit operations such as gas scrubbers, distillation, chemical extraction, filtration and so forth. Chemical engineering students are trained in process safety, process control, management, and economics. Chemical engineers are involved in the manufacture of such commodities as synthetic fibres, plastics, paper, fertilizers, detergents, foods, minerals, alloys and ceramics. Chemical engineers are key to the solution of environmental problems, often developing new non-polluting processes rather than simply treating wastes. Areas of increasing demand include biotechnology, biorefining, mineral processing, and petroleum.

Why choose Chemical Engineering? 

Above all, chemical engineers are versatile. The excellent education in problem solving skills is very transferable. It can be argued that Chemical Engineering has the broadest scope of any engineering discipline, applying the principles not only of chemistry but also those of physics, mathematics, computer science, economics and biology. If from high school you have a strong background and interest in chemistry, physics and mathematics, and an inclination towards practical application, then chances are you are suited to Chemical Engineering.

The Faculty of Engineering offers a uniquely designed 4-year Bachelor of Engineering degree program in Chemical Engineering which is accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB).  A co-op education/internship Bachelor of Engineering degree is also available. 

Students can enter the first year of the Bachelor of Engineering degree program directly from high school, or if additional academic preparation is required, by successfully completing the Common Year in Applied Science.  The structure of this program permits students to complete the requirements of an Engineering Technology Diploma in Chemical Engineering by the end of the second year of the Bachelor of Engineering degree program. At this stage;

• You may continue in the degree program, with or without the co-op/internship option, to earn a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Chemical Engineering in two more years of study,
• You may choose to obtain work experience since you have graduated with marketable skills from an accredited Chemical Engineering Technology program. After acquiring valuable work experience, you may apply to return to Lakehead University to complete your engineering degree, or
• You may choose to enter the workforce as a Chemical Engineering Technologist. 

Qualified engineering technology graduates from accredited Canadian technology programs can enter the degree program in third year after completing post-diploma transition courses offered in the summer session prior to third year. The summer program is designed to assist qualified engineering technologists from other institutions make the transition to university studies.

Faculty members of the Department of Chemical Engineering are specialists in their fields of endeavour and offer current information related to theory and practice by conducting research and their liaison with organizations on a local, provincial, national, and international basis.

The Department of Chemical Engineering strongly supports the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE) and encourages students to become active members of the Lakehead University student chapter.

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