Chemical Engineering (Industrial) BEng

Program Overview

With an emphasis on practical skills development, project work, and industry exposure, graduates are highly sought-after in various industries, including chemical process, energy, healthcare, and environmental engineering. The program is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and offers pathways in digital manufacturing, energy engineering, materials engineering, and nuclear engineering.

Program Outline

Chemical Engineering (Industrial) BEng | University of Leeds

Degree Overview:

This program addresses global challenges in areas like energy, environment, health, water, and food. It equips students with the skills to design, optimize processes, and solve problems, making them highly sought-after in the job market. The program focuses on developing innovation and leadership to decarbonize industry, manufacture sustainable products, advance healthcare through personalized medicine, and digitally transform the chemical industry.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a strong foundation in core chemical engineering subjects.
• To develop practical skills in chemical engineering practice and design.
• To expose students to advanced topics like digital design, machine learning, intensified processes, and product formulation.
• To prepare students for careers in the chemical sciences and engineering field.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Introductory Science (10 credits):
Depending on entry qualifications, students will take one of four modules: Foundation Mathematics, Foundation Physics, Foundation Chemistry, or Topics in Nanotechnology.
• Professional Engineering Skills (20 credits): Develops professional engineering skills through teamwork, communication, data analysis, engineering ethics, and project management.
• Engineering Mathematics (10 credits): Provides fundamental mathematical methods for solving engineering problems.
• Process, Biochemical and Reaction Engineering Fundamentals (20 credits): Introduces core chemical and process engineering concepts, supported by site visits and a virtual reality plant environment.
• Mass and Energy Balances Fundamentals (20 credits): Covers principles of mass and energy balances and their application to unit operations and processes.
Includes a design project applying chemical engineering concepts.
• Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena Fundamentals (20 credits): Explores physical laws underpinning engineering processes and their application to solving chemical engineering problems.
• Materials Science and Engineering (20 credits): Covers classes and properties of materials, their selection, and processing for various applications.

Year 2:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Advanced Engineering Mathematics and Numerical Methods (20 credits):
Teaches mathematical techniques for modeling engineering phenomena and using numerical methods to solve complex problems.
• Chemical Engineering Practice and Process Simulation (20 credits): Develops practical skills through bench and pilot-scale equipment, industry-standard process simulation software, and a group design project.
• Applied Thermodynamics and Transport Phenomena (20 credits): Builds on Year 1 knowledge to explore complex applications in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer.
• Process Safety and Environmental Engineering (20 credits): Develops core competencies in safety, engineering ethics, and sustainability, emphasizing the broader responsibilities of practicing chemical engineers.
• Chemical Reaction Engineering (20 credits): Studies different types of chemical reactors and their operation to achieve desired process requirements.
• Separation Process Principles (20 credits): Covers theory and performance of various separation process units, applying theoretical knowledge to design mass transfer equipment.

Year 3:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Industrial Placement Year (120 credits):
Students have the opportunity to undertake a paid industrial placement year, extending their studies by one year. This provides valuable practical experience and industry exposure.

Year 4:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Process Plant Design Project (40 credits):
A comprehensive, open-ended process plant design project involving individual and group work. Students apply their chemical engineering knowledge and skills to design a plant considering feasibility, economic viability, and environmental sustainability.
• Engineering Management and Discovery Labs (20 credits): Broadens professional engineering skills with an emphasis on project and supply chain management.
• Process Optimisation and Control (20 credits): Covers process instrumentation, control systems, and strategies to optimize unit operations and processes.
Introduces advancements in digitalization driving Industry 4.0 in the chemical sector.
• Multi-phase Separations and Solids Processing (20 credits): Builds on Year 2 knowledge of separation processes, covering multi-component separations, unit operations for heterogeneous mixtures, and handling and processing of solids and particulates in bio and chemical processes.

Pathways:

• Digital Manufacturing and Processes:
• Sustainability in Process Engineering (20 credits):
• Energy Engineering:
• Energy Technologies (20 credits):
• Materials Engineering:
• Materials Synthesis and Characterisation (20 credits):
• Nuclear Engineering:
• Nuclear Operations (20 credits):

Project Work:

• Students engage in hands-on project work throughout the program, both individually and in teams.

Assessment:

• Modules are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
• Written and online examinations
• In-class and online tests
• Assignments
• Individual and group projects
• Laboratory reports
• Presentations

Teaching:

• The program utilizes an integrated approach to learning and teaching, combining:
• Engineering labs
• Process simulations
• Virtual environments
• Project work
• Industrial visits
• This approach provides students with first-hand experience applying theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.
• Students are taught by expert academics, including lecturers, professors, industry professionals, and postgraduate researchers.
• Personal tutors are assigned to students, providing regular support and guidance.

Careers:

• Chemical engineering graduates are highly sought-after by employers across a wide range of industries, including:
• Chemical process industries (fine chemicals, speciality chemicals, food, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, coatings)
• Energy
• Nuclear
• Electronic and advanced materials
• Biotechnology
• Healthcare
• Petrochemicals
• Environmental engineering
• Resource management
• Finance
• The program develops transferable skills like teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and IT, making graduates desirable to a variety of employers.
• The University's Employability Team provides support with finding work experience, internships, industrial placements, and graduate positions.
• The Careers Centre offers resources and guidance for career planning and job searching.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).
• The program emphasizes ethics in engineering practices, with dedicated modules covering topics like professionalism, codes of conduct, corporate social responsibility, and research ethics.
• The University offers a two-week online taster course on Futurelearn, introducing students to the field of chemical engineering and its role in solving global challenges.
• The program is ranked among the top 100 in the world for Chemical Engineering by QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 and among the top 5 in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2024.

Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25. The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law. Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages. Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26 Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.