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Masters in Chemical Engineering
Find postgrad programs in CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGA Masters in Chemical Engineering is a great way to get ahead on your career. Chemical engineering is an applied chemistry, an engineering branch which deals with the design, operation and construction of machines and plants that help to perform chemical reactions with an end result of helping solve problems or make products that will be useful.
What is a Chemical Engineer?
A chemical engineer is an individual who uses sciences such as math, physics and economics to solve problems of a technical nature. If you think this sounds like those with a masters degree in chemical engineering take on a wide variety of roles, you would be correct. Because the scientific and technical mastery of chemical engineers is so broad they are often also known as universal engineers. A few of the things that chemical engineering applies to are various biological processes, the study and creation of fuel cells, studying and preventing the effects of corrosion and nanotechnology.
The main difference between chemical engineers and those who follow other branches of engineering is that chemical engineers apply their knowledge of chemistry in addition to other engineering disciplines. On the surface things, such as a cell and an oil refinery, are very different, a person with a master’s in chemical engineering learns to see and focus on how they are similar. This enables the chemical engineer to improve the methods used by each to transform materials and ingredients into desirable products.
What does a Chemical Engineer do?
Once you've completed your postgraduate masters degree in chemical engineering, it's time to get out there in the real world and apply your knowledge. There are a variety of jobs available for chemical engineers. Some chemical engineers design and invent new chemical processes, while others help to construct or design instruments and facilities. A few areas that chemical engineers have helped in have been atomic science, the development of polymers, the design of drugs, the creation of bio fuels and various parts of food production. 
Basically, in almost any field in which you can devise ways to make products from raw materials or are converting one material into another useful form you will find chemical engineers. You can even find a position in various niches, such as improving the efficiency of various processes or making them more environmentally friendly. The choices and opportunities for a chemical engineer are many and varied.
What skills will help In Chemical Engineering?
In order to become a chemical engineer there are certain skills and personal qualities you must develop in order to become a successful chemical engineer. Skills that should be developed include science and maths skills. You should also concentrate on improving your writing and oral presentation skills, plus problem solving is a huge part of being a chemical engineer. Also, because you are often going to be working on a team, you will want to work on your ability to work with others as well as your people skills.
On a personal level, you will need to develop patience. Because of the nature of the field, you will also want to make sure you can pay great attention to even the smallest details. Assertiveness is also a quality you will find useful in your day-to-day functions as a chemical engineer.
Entry requirements for a Masters in Chemical Engineering
While entry requirements in a postgraduate chemical engineering program may differ from school to school most require high marks in maths and either chemistry or physics. If you are an international student you will also need a good IELTS and TOEFL iBT score. As always, you will want to check with your chosen university to determine exactly what they require.
On average, it takes enrolment in a four-year programme to obtain a postgraduate Masters in Chemical Engineering. During that time, not only will the student participate in classroom activities but in most cases the student will also gain practical experience in a work environment geared towards teaching him or her the how their postgraduate chemical engineering degree may apply in the real world.
What about after graduation?
Regardless of which field you go into after you graduate from your masters degree in chemical engineering, you are certain to have a fulfilling job that will help to make the world a better place in some way. In addition, because the field of chemical engineering is so broad, you should have plenty of opportunities to choose from when deciding what field or what company to work for.
Even better, there is a high demand for chemical engineers in the UK, meaning that it will be easier to find a job after graduating than it might be for some other postgraduate degrees. On average, chemical engineering graduates can command a starting annual salary of around £28,000, making it the third-highest graduate starting salary. In addition to domestic opportunities, postgraduate chemical engineering graduates who are looking to perhaps work internationally will find that even in other countries they will be in high demand.
When all is said and done, chemical engineering is a great field to get into, and it is projected that demand for chemical engineers will only grow in the next several years. A career in chemical engineering is one that is fulfilling, challenging, in-demand and that pays well.
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