Craft processes that propel industries forward.
In almost every facet of our lives, chemical engineers play a crucial role. Their expertise is essential in producing life-saving medications and vaccines; ensuring safe and nutritious food and beverages, and creating cruelty-free cosmetics and high-quality textiles.
Chemical engineers are also at the forefront of many exciting advances, including the development of biofuels, nanomaterials, personalised medicine and much more.
Fascinated with finding out why things work the way they do? Want a career where you can apply your expertise to solve some of the biggest challenges facing our world? Chemical engineering may be the right fit for you.
Discover the formula for a dynamic and interesting career with our Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours).
Learn how we can take raw materials from the world around us and determine how we might turn them into products for daily use. Drawing knowledge and skills from engineering, chemistry, maths and project management, you’ll explore the processes that create the products we rely on – from food, medicines and vaccines, to clean drinking water and alternative energy sources.
Electives allow you to dive deeper into the areas that interest you – whether that’s food engineering, pharmaceutical production, wastewater engineering or electrical and electronic systems.
Apply your learning in real industry settings by completing up to 12 weeks of professional placement under the supervision of experienced engineers. Determine how results in the lab can be scaled up for commercial production by undertaking a major plant design and research project.
Emerge with the knowledge, expertise and qualifications necessary to practice as a chemical engineer.
Learn how to design, operate and optimise chemical processes to convert raw materials into products or energy. Explore electives in pharmaceutical production, food engineering, metallurgical processes and more. Hone your technical skillset in our purpose-built laboratories and workshops. Complete a major honours research project and plant design project. Apply your skills to real industry projects in up to 12 weeks of professional work experience. In the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours), you will complete a range of core courses that provide a solid grounding in key chemical engineering concepts, theories, principles and methods.
Your first year has been designed to provide a comprehensive introduction to general engineering principles and skills. This ensures that, whatever your prior educational experiences, you’ll have every opportunity to excel in your engineering studies at Adelaide University.
In second and third year, you’ll take courses covering the fundamentals of chemical engineering. These include:
Throughout your studies, you’ll have the chance to explore areas of interest through a wide range of electives, in areas like environmental systems and sustainability, food processing, brewery engineering, pharmaceutical production and much more.
In your final years, you will also complete up to 12 weeks of work experience in industry under the supervision of a qualified engineer. Professional practice topics help you hone your professional skillset further, as you work with your peers to engineer a solution to a complex plant design problem. You will also complete a major industry research project.
The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) is also available with a major in Energy Resources Engineering.
Complete 192 units comprising:
Complete exactly 144 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Course name
Engineering Programming
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Course code
COMP1006
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Units
6
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Course name
Engineering Design and Prototyping
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Course code
ENGI1001
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Engineering Materials
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Course code
ENGI1002
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Units
6
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Course name
Engineering Physics
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Course code
ENGI1003
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Engineering Modelling 1
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Course code
ENGI1004
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Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Professional Engineering Practice
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Course code
ENGI1005
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Units
6
|
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|
Course name
Process Engineering
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Course code
ENGP1000
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Units
6
|
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|
Course name
Engineering Mathematics
|
Course code
MATH1016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Engineering Modelling 2
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Course code
ENGI2001
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Units
6
|
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Course name
Engineering Project Management
|
Course code
ENGI2003
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Units
6
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Course name
Fluid and Particle Mechanics
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Course code
ENGP2001
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Units
6
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Course name
Heat and Mass Transfer
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Course code
ENGP2002
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Units
6
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Course name
Process Thermodynamics
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Course code
ENGP2003
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Units
6
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Course name
Engineering Chemistry
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Course code
ENGP2004
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Units
6
|
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|
Course name
Process Systems Design
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Course code
ENGP2005
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Units
6
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Course name
Systems Engineering and Professional Practice
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Course code
ENGI3006
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Units
6
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Course name
Reaction Engineering
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Course code
ENGP3000
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Units
6
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Course name
Process Dynamics and Control
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Course code
ENGP3001
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Units
6
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Course name
Separation Process Engineering
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Course code
ENGP3002
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Units
6
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Course name
Chemical Engineering Laboratory and Data Analysis
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Course code
ENGP3003
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Units
6
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Course name
Plant Equipment Design
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Course code
ENGP3004
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Units
6
|
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Course name
Advanced Chemical Engineering
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Course code
ENGP4000
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Units
6
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Course name
Plant Design Project A
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Course code
ENGP4001
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Units
6
|
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Course name
Plant Design Project B
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Course code
ENGP4002
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Units
6
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Complete one Major from the following:
| Major name | |
|---|---|
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Major
Energy Resources Engineering
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Complete exactly 24 units from the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Course name
Professional Engineer Career Preparation
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Course code
ENGI3900
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Units
6
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Course name
Professional Engineer Engagement with Professional Practice
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Course code
ENGI3901
|
Units
6
|
|
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Course name
Engineering Research Project Part A
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Course code
ENGI4900
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Units
6
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|
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Course name
Engineering Research Project Part B
|
Course code
ENGI4901
|
Units
6
|
Complete 24 units comprising:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Electrical Engineering Systems
|
Course code
ENGE1000
|
Units
6
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|
Course name
Engineering Geology and Surveying
|
Course code
ENGI1011
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
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Course code
ENGM1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Engineering
|
Course code
ENGP2006
|
Units
6
|
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|
Course name
Pharmaceutical Production Processes
|
Course code
ENGP2007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Brewery Engineering
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Course code
ENGP4003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Combustion and High Temperature Processes
|
Course code
ENGP4004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Metallurgical Processes
|
Course code
ENGP4005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Upstream Bioprocessing
|
Course code
ENGP4006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Downstream Bioprocessing
|
Course code
ENGP4007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Drilling Engineering and Well Completion
|
Course code
ENGP4014
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Water and Wastewater Engineering
|
Course code
ENGP4015
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage
|
Course code
ENGP4020
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Environmental Systems and Sustainability
|
Course code
ENGV3003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Food Processing and Safety
|
Course code
FOOD4009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Good Manufacturing Practice, Validation and Regulation
|
Course code
SCIE4000
|
Units
6
|
Chemical engineers design innovative industrial processes to transform raw materials into the products we use every day. This unique expertise makes chemical engineers highly sought-after in a wide range of industry sectors.
You could develop processes that enable production of personalised medicines, tailored to an individual patient’s genetic profile. Maybe you’ll pioneer new and innovative methods for recycling waste materials to create valuable products, reducing our dependence on landfill. Or perhaps you’ll undertake breakthrough work in environmental remediation, utilising nanomaterials to help break down pollutants and toxic substances in air and water.
Whatever your area of interest, career paths are available in a number of sectors including:
Chemical engineers possess a unique skillset that enables them to solve complex problems and optimise processes – making them highly sought-after by a variety of industries. Additionally, rapid advancements in areas such as nanotechnology and biotechnology, alongside increased interest in sustainability, is also contributing to this demand. Projects focused on eco-friendly manufacturing processes, pollution control technology, biopharmaceuticals and process optimisation all rely on the expertise of chemical engineers to come to fruition.
The World Economic Forum (2023) suggests that as industries continue to rely on digital technologies for innovation and growth, demand for chemical engineers is only expected to increase.
Globally and in Australia, there is an engineering skills shortage – with demand for qualified engineers across all sectors continuing to outstrip supply (Engineers Australia, 2023).
Adelaide University is working through relevant approvals for program accreditation ahead of students commencing in 2026.
Explore answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
