Chemical Engineering @ USYD - A Complete overview (1 Viewer)

[undalay]

Hi my name is Jimmy. I'm a '08 HSC grad from FSHS. Currently completing a bachelor of chemical and biomolecular engineering degree (advanced) @USYD. My goal today is to tell you guys about what this course is. I got a UAI of 99.45 and chose Chemical engineering over things like Law / Med / Commerce / Aero Engineering. I apologise for my bad grammar/spelling - I really rushed to get this out so I could focus on other things!

Why Engineering?
Engineering brings together a wide range of different disciplines into something that is physicall conceivable in the real world. If a scientist discovers the photo electric effect, engineers actually apply it to real world products.

It's on average one of the highest paying careers paths. (Chemical esp.)

What is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering is commonly called 'process engineering' in industry. The main role of chemical engineers is to design systems for producing things on a big scale. E.g. If a scientist produces a new drug, chemical engineers focus on how to create 5 tonnes of the drug (per day). That being said, chemical engineers can also design new products (similar role to scientists). Chemical engineers combine chemistry, physics, maths, and a lot of soft skills - such as project management/basic economics.

Chemical engineers:
1. Figure out how to produce products at LARGE levels.
2. Design new products

Why Chemical Engineering?
1. It pays a shit load & really strong demand of chemical engineers http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/24/news/economy/highest_starting_salaries/index.htm
(I know it US but couldn't really be bothered to find an AUS source)
Chemical engineering ranked #1, with petroleum engineering ranking #2 (which is essentially a specialisation of chemical engineering)

edit: Extra AUS data (take it for what you will)
FT Weekly earnings (comparison):
Chemical Engineers $2250: http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=stats&cluster=&code=2331
GP $1800: http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=stats&cluster=&code=2531
Surgeon: $2600
Phamarcy: $1300
Civil: $1600
Solicitors: ~$1600 http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=stats&cluster=&code=2713

2. For an engineering discipline - IT ACTUALLY HAS GIRLS
At the university of sydney, I would say theres about half girls half guys.

3. Very uncompetitive
Law has an cut off of ~99.5. Starting median salary - fairly average.
Chemical Engineering has a cut off of <~90? Starting median salary - one of the best.

If you are technically (math/science) gifted. You can easily get into the cream of the crop in chemical engineering and get IN THE TOP 10 percentile of job/salaries. If you do law, commerce, med, you're going to find it really hard to make it to the top 10 percentile (unless you're exceptional.

Why Chemical Engineering @ USYD (as opposed to UNSW)
First of all, to everyone that says UNSW is better for engineering - just no: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/oceania.html


1. ONE OF THE BEST COURSE STRUCTURES/Easy as shit to pass
The course structure is made up like this:

Year 1: Standard fundamental pure science courses (E.g. First year maths/chem/intro engineering subjects common to all streams/computing)

Year 2,3: 3 Cores, 1 elective.
Out of your three cores, TWO are pass/fail ONLY - no grades.
When half of your subjects are pass/fail it takes a SHITLOAD of pressure off of studies AND leaves heaps of times for job/societies/gaming/whatever floats your boat.

Year 4: Thesis, design, MIPPS.
In the fourth year, typically the top 25% of students are GIVEN A WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT with a scholarship. Work experience + Money. GIVEN. A lot of my other friends in other streams are trying really hard to find work experience on your own. The average skill of the cohort is low, so making the top 25% is easy if you actually try.

2. Advanced Engineering
If you score 98+ UAI (or distinction average) you get invited to the advanced engineering stream (which is basically just advanced engineering electives). These are AMAZING.

Have a look at some stuff I personally did:
First year - A random design project - we built an electric car (from scratch/real size)
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/t...ust-escape-from-the-garage-20090922-g0ml.html
Yes the wheels are made of foam, most of the budget went into the lithium battery + construction of the motor (battery was bought commercially, motor was created from scratch, a civil engineering did the electronics for the motor too)

Second year - Business Planning - we pitched a business plan to real life VCs
Third year - I went to St. Aloysius high school to teach.

Once you complete three years in the advanced stream you get an advanced bachelor (apparently)

Who belongs in Chemical Engineering
1. If you like maths/chemistry/physics
2. If you're about 80-99 ATAR equiv intelligence (my subjective opinion)
3. If you want a really relaxed uni life, and enjoy your friends stressing the hell out!
I have 1 exam this semester - and it's pass fail NOT GRADED.

Who shouldn't do Chemical engineering at USYD

1. If you hate maths/chemistry/physics
You don't belong in science or engineering

2. If you're EXCEPTIONALLY TALENTED. If you're a genius, you belong in something where your gifts can flourish. I recommend IT if you're interested in becoming a billionaire, or Science if you made it into olympiad (look into PhB (science) @ANU)

In conclusion,
If you are talented in science/math and you want a stable, well paying career. Consider chemical engineering. (@USYD)

 

[_deloso]

http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&code=2331

brief overview of what chemical engineering is like in australia... job prospects, earnings, region with job supplies etc.

 

[undalay]

http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&code=2331

brief overview of what chemical engineering is like in australia... job prospects, earnings, region with job supplies etc.

Thank you there kind sir.
Also keep in mind, there's a lot of opportunity to work overseas (two of my uni mates are going to texas for internship this summer)

 

[FrozenSky]

I have been thinking about converting my medical science degree to a regular science degree, so would a major in chemistry from a bachelor of science enable you to also participate in careers similar to chemical engineering?
I had a quick browse through USYD/unsw (forgot which one), and found that they offer 1yr work experience in industrial chemistry for chemistry major.

 

[kaz1]

Why Chemical Engineering @ USYD (as opposed to UNSW)
First of all, to everyone that says UNSW is better for engineering - just no: http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/oceania.html

but that's not for chemical engineering
http://www.topuniversities.com/univ...ect-rankings/engineering/chemical-engineering

30= The University of New South Wales
44= The University of Sydney

In saying that it doesn't matter, both are good unis.

 

[undalay]

I have been thinking about converting my medical science degree to a regular science degree, so would a major in chemistry from a bachelor of science enable you to also participate in careers similar to chemical engineering?
I had a quick browse through USYD/unsw (forgot which one), and found that they offer 1yr work experience in industrial chemistry for chemistry major.

Hi,
Chemical engineering and chemistry are fairly different.

Chemistry doesn't teach the basics of chemical engineering or how to think like an engineer.
Here's a question: If your tap pours out water at a rate of 100mL/s, what's the velocity at which it's coming out?
If you can answer that, I'd be really surprised from a pure science student!

That being said I would think there would definitely be some overlap, and there are always options for postgraduate studies.

but that's not for chemical engineering
http://www.topuniversities.com/univ...ect-rankings/engineering/chemical-engineering


In saying that it doesn't matter, both are good unis.

Thanks for your reply!
Ranking websites differ quite substantially!

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/engineering-and-IT.html
From the NY times one.
USYD - #35
UNSW - <#50

That being said, I agree with you, I believe no matter what uni you go, you will get comparable job prospects and education.
However there are still many other benefits of studying chemical engineering @ usyd

 

[Bobbo1]

whats the advanced engineering program like? are there any real differences? (thinking about civil btw)

 

[undalay]

whats the advanced engineering program like? are there any real differences? (thinking about civil btw)

The advanced engineering program is essentially EXACTLY the same as the normal stream, the only difference is in the whole year, instead of 1 elective, you do 1 advanced engineering subject. In many cases, you may choose to overload the subject (if you have no electives in that year).

So after 4 years, (if you do 4 years of advanced engineering) you do 4 advanced subjects. Advanced engineering program is NOT a different stream. I.e. you can do advanced Year 1, not do it year 2, and then do it year 3, and do it year 4. It's merely an elective offering. You must get distinction average the previous year to get invited.
However like I mentioned earlier if you do any three years you can an advanced degree (according to my lecturers).

The advanced engineering subjects are among the best subjects you will do in uni.
There is basically no formal content.

Most engineering streams have the same advanced program. e.g. Civil and chemical engineers (and pretty much everyone else) will do the common first year advanced subject (which is a research/design). This is amazing. You will be completely thrown into the deep end. THERE ARE NO LECTURES. You get a budget, you get an amazing supervisor, and you build something amazing (with a team).

So there are no MAJOR differences, however the advanced stream offers really refreshing, engaging subjects, (that are marked very generously).

Your civil subjects are going to be learning about stuff like - concrete! or very challenging.

I know aeronautical engineering (space) get their own advanced stream. Something like building land rovers? Or something I heard.

Also for civil @ USYD. They have this ridiculous thing where TWO students do 1 thesis (due to the huge numbers of civil undergrads).

 

[FrozenSky]

Hi,
Chemical engineering and chemistry are fairly different.

Chemistry doesn't teach the basics of chemical engineering or how to think like an engineer.
Here's a question: If your tap pours out water at a rate of 100mL/s, what's the velocity at which it's coming out?
If you can answer that, I'd be really surprised from a pure science student!

That being said I would think there would definitely be some overlap, and there are always options for postgraduate studies.


Thanks for your reply!
Ranking websites differ quite substantially!

http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/world-university-rankings/2011-2012/engineering-and-IT.html
From the NY times one.
USYD - #35
UNSW - <#50

That being said, I agree with you, I believe no matter what uni you go, you will get comparable job prospects and education.
However there are still many other benefits of studying chemical engineering @ usyd

Hmmm, well i've been considering a chemical engineering degree. However I do not want to lose my commerce degree at the same time, thus I was thinking about a science degree with a chem major in conjunction with a commerce degree. I'm a bit worried about the stability of chemical engineering, I understand that chemical engineering is in a boom due to the mining sector. I'm a bit worried that once this boom is over that chemical engineering will die out again (which is another reason why i want a commerce degree as back up). I've also looked into com/engo but 5.5 years seems a bit too long for me... (i will also lose a yr of work for transferring to this degree).
So in the end do you really believe that a science degree will not lead to a life of chemical engineering, even with the work experience provided by uni?

Anyway I had a stab at the question (lol)...
- Calculate the mass of the water via the density of water
- Then chuck it into the F=ma formula to work out the force
- Then chuck in the values into F = d/t formula to solve for distance
- Then finally chuck it into the velocity formula

HSC physics ftw

Edit: oh nvm just realized that my 3rd formula is incorrect... I vaguely remember that there's a formula which describes the relationship between force and distance ...

 

[Amogh]

Hey mate! Can't thank you enough for the help

So anyway, isn't the scope of chemical engineering quite limited, seeing as the manufacturing sector in Australia is...practically dying/dead?
What do you think of the Mechanical (Space) program at USYD?

 

[undalay]

Hmmm, well i've been considering a chemical engineering degree. However I do not want to lose my commerce degree at the same time, thus I was thinking about a science degree with a chem major in conjunction with a commerce degree. I'm a bit worried about the stability of chemical engineering, I understand that chemical engineering is in a boom due to the mining sector. I'm a bit worried that once this boom is over that chemical engineering will die out again (which is another reason why i want a commerce degree as back up). I've also looked into com/engo but 5.5 years seems a bit too long for me... (i will also lose a yr of work for transferring to this degree).
So in the end do you really believe that a science degree will not lead to a life of chemical engineering, even with the work experience provided by uni?

Anyway I had a stab at the question (lol)...
- Calculate the mass of the water via the density of water
- Then chuck it into the F=ma formula to work out the force
- Then chuck in the values into F = d/t formula to solve for distance
- Then finally chuck it into the velocity formula

HSC physics ftw

Edit: oh nvm just realized that my 3rd formula is incorrect... I vaguely remember that there's a formula which describes the relationship between force and distance ...

ENG/Commerce is 5 years @ USYD
Also first year maths/chemistry and second year chem count towards chemical engineering. (and obviously your commerce subs will count towards commerce)

Also your response is a good attempt! But not quite right, I want to know the velocity of the water at the outlet of the tap! There is no "distance" factor.

You can't solve it that way. (Also you don't really need to know any really specific knowledge to answer the question)

 

[undalay]

There is no doubt in my mind that if you do chemical engineering, you will get a job.

How is mechanical at all different from chemical? Both have the same kind of jobs. Design/manufacturing/research/etc. If manufacturing was screwed, so would mechanical.

According to the Australian Government Job outlook
http://joboutlook.gov.au/pages/occupation.aspx?search=alpha&tab=prospects&cluster=&code=2331

Chemical engineers: Future growth: 10/10 (Very strong growth)

Chemical engineering is not aptly named. In industry they are called Process engineers and are even considered to be "universal engineers", because the material covered is by far the most versatile.
They deal with processes. If you don't want to go into manufacturing, you can go design cars (specifically the energy required to drive the cars, combustion system/electric system/hybrid), you can work on water (I designed a water filtration system for Engineers without borders 2009 challenge), you can go into research, consulting, environmental, pharmaceutical, etc.
Still not satisfied? Go do a double degree (It'll only take you 1 more year for commerce/science).

Personally I would say SPACE is the most limited.

I have three friends doing Aero(Space) 3rd years at usyd. One got 99+ UAI, he's dropping the space degree. The other two got 98+ UAI (indication of work ethic/intellgence) both can't find internships. Yes, I know Aero isn't mechanical (but they're similar).

THAT being said. I will give you the biggest piece of advice out there. PICK WHAT YOU ENJOY. The biggest downside of chemical engineering is that its very difficult to make something tangible in undergraduate.

Also something a lot of students don't know. If you use your electives on IT subjects, you can get a minor in IT without having the degree take any extra length. (For any degree not just engineering)

 

[FrozenSky]

ENG/Commerce is 5 years @ USYD
Also first year maths/chemistry and second year chem count towards chemical engineering. (and obviously your commerce subs will count towards commerce)

Also your response is a good attempt! But not quite right, I want to know the velocity of the water at the outlet of the tap! There is no "distance" factor.

You can't solve it that way. (Also you don't really need to know any really specific knowledge to answer the question)

Thanks for your input, guess i'll include engo/commerce in my pref list too

 

[bineal]

FYI nerds, don't listen to OP. Just some paid asshole working for the uni.

Chem eng is a joke for the whole faculty to laugh at.

Chem eng =engineering for women

 

[Peter-Pan]

Hi, mate ... i'm still judging between UNSW and USyd ..... will attend next month. it's really hard to make a choice cuz i live very close to USyd while UNSW is better for Chemical engineering .... some of my firmed told my graduate from UNSW earns much more than USyd. Will the employers consider which uni u graduate from as a big factor ?