Course Details
The basic eligibility criteria to get admitted into BE/B.Tech in Chemical Engineering is 10+2 or equivalent examination, with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. BE / B.Tech in Chemical Engineering courses are of 4 years' duration. Selection into this course is made on the basis of marks secured in 10+2 exam and marks secured in Joint Entrance Exam (JEE) conducted by IITs or All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE) or other state and national level exams.
There are both degree as well as diploma courses. One can go for the 3 year diploma course after the 10th standard (SSC). For M.E or M.Tech in Chemical Engineering one must complete the BE / B.Tech program successfully. Further studies up to Ph.D. level are also an option for anyone interested in Research or Academics.
Career Prospects
Wide employment opportunities await chemical engineers both in the public sector as well as the private sector. They can seek jobs in areas such as manufacturing industries, food processing industries, chemical process industries such as fertilizer, pesticides, specialty chemicals, dyes, dyestuff, paint and lubricants. Candidates with an additional management degree are sought by private industries. In the government sector, chemical engineers are employed to solve environmental problems such as waste and water treatment, on energy sector such as energy conservation and research on alternate energy sources and health-related research projects, defense establishments and atomic power plants.
They are also employed in service industries such as scientific research and development services, particularly in energy and the developing fields of biotechnology and nanotechnology. They are also employed in a variety of manufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing, such as those producing electronics, photographic equipment, clothing, pulp and paper and even in the development of aircrafts. Besides these Chemical Engineers can opt for teaching as a remunerative option.
Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Several institutes in India offer Chemical Engineering as a subject. Prominent among them are seven IITs at Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore and Roorkee. Besides these eighteen National Institutes of Technology located all over the country also provide this course.
There are other institutes like Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad; Indian Institute of Information Technology & Management, Gwalior; Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore; Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi; Anna University, Chennai; Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani; Haldia Institute of Technology Haldia; Lingaya's Institute of Management & Technology, Faridabad; IEC College of Engg and Technology, Greater NOIDA. Moreover there are regional engineering colleges in many states who offer Chemical Engineering courses.
Remuneration
Fresher's can get a starting salary of Rs. 10000 to Rs. 12000 per month. In the government sector, the salary range of diploma holders is Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 9,000 per month. Lecturers in colleges get a starting salary of Rs 12,000-Rs 13,000 a month. With more experience or as an established independent consultant one could earn more. Senior engineers can earn anywhere in between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000 a month. Those at management levels can earn up to Rs 60,000 or even more.
