Chemistry vs. Chemical Engineering: Which bachelor's to study
Suppose you’re standing at the crossroads of academia, holding a beaker in your hand and a miniature distillation column in the other. The siren call of science beckons, but which path to choose? Chemistry? Chemical Engineering?
These two titans of the scientific world sometimes get lumped together, but the hidden truth is, while they're definitely related, they're distinct disciplines with unique focuses and career trajectories.
So, choosing between them can feel like navigating a complex chemical reaction – one wrong move and you could end up with something completely unexpected!
Sharing with you, get ready to discover which field truly sparks your scientific passion!
Subject explanation:
Bachelor's in Chemistry (B.S. Chemistry)
Definition:
A science degree covering the study of matter and its properties, composition, reactions, structure, behaviour, and the changes it undergoes due to the reaction with other matter on a molecular level.
A bachelor's in chemistry provides base knowledge on how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances and in what ways a substance can interact to form energy. In short, chemistry is the scientific study of the properties and behaviour of matter.
Studying chemistry subjects at the university level can provide you with academic knowledge on different types of chemical properties, such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry.
Focus Area:
The practice of chemistry is to research and understand the reason for what constitutes a matter and why this matter exists. It is the foundational study of science, where you learn about the basic alphabet and grammar of the materialistic life that we live in.
Chemistry aims to find and explain the fundamental laws that drive the behaviour of matter, starting from simple molecules to a complex biological system.
Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering (B.S. Chemical Engineering or ChE)
Definition:
Chemical engineering is the engineering practice that engages with the application of chemistry to processes and production. In simpler words, it is the process of applying the physical properties of chemistry to produce or construct products such as food, chemicals, and drugs for recreation or medical purposes.
Chemistry and chemical engineering in undergraduate studies overlap each other in many proportions. However, after achieving basic foundational knowledge in science and mathematics, students who wish to build their careers in chemical engineering further go on to study laboratory processes, product design, and advanced engineering in science.
If you like to work on a large-scale, seek higher earning potential, enjoy process design, and solve practical problems by teamwork, then bachelor's in chemical engineering should be the appropriate subject for you to pursue.
Focus Area:
Applying chemical and scientific principles to "how" to make things on a large scale, efficiently, and safely. It's about taking the "what" and "why" from chemistry and theoretically applying them to solve real-world problems through process design and optimisation.
You can think of chemical engineering as using different types of spices and edible ingredients of chemistry and using various cooking/engineering tactics, such as mixing ingredients of appropriate amounts and controlled heat, creating a reaction at a molecular level to produce mouth-watering delicious cuisine.
In simpler terms, chemical engineering is the practice of creating complex products or outcomes using the fundamentals of chemistry. If you are drawn to laboratory work, research & discovery, and passionate about understanding the fundamental science of matter, then choosing chemistry subject for your bachelor's should be your priority.
Key differences: Chemistry vs Chemical Engineering
| Aspect | Chemistry (B.S.c) | Chemical Engineering (B.Eng./B.Sc.) |
| Purpose | To learn the fundamentals of theoretical and experimental chemistry | To learn how to apply chemistry in industrial platforms for mass production. |
| Subject area | Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Spectroscopy, Quantum Chemistry | Chemistry (Organic, Inorganic, Physical), Chemical Thermodynamics, Transport Phenomena (Fluid Mechanics, Heat Transfer, Mass Transfer), Chemical Reaction, Engineering, Process Control, Process Design, Chemical Engineering Economics, Plant Design & Safety |
| Perspective | Understanding chemistry at the molecular level, Conduct scientific scientific inquiry, and Research discovery | System-level thinking, Process efficiency, Economic feasibility, Safety and Environmental impact |
| Speciality | Theoretical understanding, Laboratory skills, Research methods, Analytical techniques, In-depth study of chemical principles | Practical application, Problem-solving in process systems, Design and optimization, Scale-up, safety, economics, systems thinking |
| In maths | Basic calculus and statistics | Advanced knowledge in calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, statistics, and numerical methods |
| In physics | Strong foundation in general physics. | In-depth knowledge of general physics, engineering physics, and thermodynamics. |
| Laboratory-based work | Primarily focused on: Chemical synthesis, Analysis, Characterization, and Research experiments at a smaller scale | Lab work includes: Chemistry labs but also process engineering labs, Pilot plants, simulations, Focusing on larger-scale systems and Process operations |
| Design Projects | May involve research projects but typically does not emphasise large-scale process design. | It mostly includes important model projects, process simulations, and capstone design courses that are mainly focused on creating industrial-scale chemical processes. |
Benefits & advantages
Studying Chemistry:
- In-depth understanding — By studying chemistry in the undergraduate level, you can gain fundamental knowledge of the principles of the chemistry subject. Learning the basis of chemistry is crucial for any chemist to conduct in-depth research and specialised test fields.
- Enhances research knowledge — Learning chemistry can greatly increase molecular property-based knowledge, enhancing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills through extensive coursework studies and in-house laboratory experiments.
- Encourages to discover — Successfully completing a bachelor's in chemistry prepares you to conduct various research and discovery. Hence, helping you build your career by excelling in scientific knowledge on various fields.
- Wide range of use — Chemistry is a subject that is linked with so many other subject matters. It is called the central science and has more applicability on a day-to-day basis. A degree in chemistry opens doors to diverse fields beyond pure chemistry, including biology, medicine, materials science, environmental science, and more.
- Career flexibility — Chemistry graduates have greater flexibility in choosing their career path. After graduating with a chemistry major, it's easier for you to shift to other scientific fields. You can choose to start your career in research and development or quality control. Medical, pharmaceuticals, environmental science, and many more.
Studying Chemical Engineering:
- Wider job platform — Chemical engineers are regarded as technical persons who possess expert skill and can work in a wide range of industries, including research labs, large-scale chemical factories, cement factories, pharmaceuticals, and many other sectors relating to energy, materials, and environmental sectors.
- A demandable position — at present, there is a high demand for chemical engineers. They are needed for almost every production sector. There are abundant job opportunities available as technology keeps improving and lifestyles are changing.
- Higher average salary — Chemical engineers are valued and offered more than that of chemistry graduates. A chemical engineer typically earns between $65,000 and $120,000 per year, with top earners making over $150,000 in a year.
- Real-world complex problem solver: Chemical engineering focuses on solving practical, complex problems related to process efficiency, safety, and sustainability. You apply scientific and engineering principles to design and optimize systems that have real-world consequences.
- Team collaborative work: Chemical engineering often involves working in teams on design projects and in industrial settings. Giving them a collaborative workplace to helps develop valuable communication skills. An advantage that many consider to be an important aspect for considering a career as a chemical engineer.
Career Routes and Future Prospects:
Both chemistry and chemical engineering overlap with each other in many work scenarios. Students who are seeking to study either of the subjects will have a large number of career routes available for the students after they successfully graduate.
Here are some of the popular platforms that you can pursue after your graduation.
For chemistry graduates:
In Research & Development (R&D) sector :
- Industries such as pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, materials science firms, biotechnology companies, food and beverage companies, environmental firms, Wine distilleries, Alcoholic beverage factories, etc.
- Public and private universities, academic foundations, and research institutions.
- Government-run research labs, national labs (e.g., tea research labs national energy labs, national health institutes), forensic labs, and environmental protection agencies.
Pharmaceuticals & Medicine Invention: You can work under departments of drug development, medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical analysis and also become a quality control assurance personnel.
Materials Science: Developing new materials with specific properties for various applications (e.g., polymers, composites, nanomaterials).
Analytical Chemistry: work for forensic science, environmental testing, quality control in industries.
Environmental Science: get chance to work in environmental monitoring, pollution control, remediation, sustainability.
Biochemistry & Biotechnology: Conduct research in biological systems, genetic engineering, biopharmaceuticals.
Education: You can also become a teacher and deliver knowledge on chemistry at high school or college level.
Science Writing & Communication: Journalism, technical writing, science outreach.
Consulting: Environmental consulting, scientifi c consulting.
Sales & Marketing (Technical): Selling scientific equipment, chemicals, or services.
For chemical engineering graduates
Process Industries:
- Chemical Manufacturing sectors specialise in designing and operating chemical plants to produce various chemicals, plastics, fertilizers, etc.
- Oil & Gas refineries need chemical engineers to guide them in refining crude oil, natural gas processing, and petrochemical production.
- Modern-day pharmaceuticals cannot design and operate drug manufacturing facilities without the help of chemical engineers. They also help to process development, process optimisation, and scale-up medicine quality.
- Food & Beverage sectors hire multiple chemical engineers to operate effective food processing, beverage production, quality control, and packaging.
- Materials Science & Manufacturing: Production of specialised materials, ceramics, semiconductors, and composites.
Energy Sector: Renewable energy (solar, wind, biofuels), traditional energy (fossil fuels), energy storage, energy efficiency.
Environmental Engineering: You can work as an officer for pollution control, waste management, water treatment, and air quality control and work in the development of sustainable process design.
Biotechnology & Biotreatments: Get access to bioreactor design, fermentation processes, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and genetic engineering on a manufacturing scale.
Flourish in management: With experience, chemical engineers often move into project management, plant management, operations management, and executive leadership positions within process industries.
Governmental jobs: such as regulatory agency work, environmental protection agencies, and natural resource safeguard programs.
Annual salary comparison:
| Context | Chemistry (B.Sc.) | Chemical Engineering (B.Eng./B.Sc.) |
| Average Salary in US Dollar | Yearly $40,000–$90,000 | $65,000–$120,000 |
| Highest Earning Potential | $120,000+ (Ph.D. or specialized fields) | $150,000+ (management, oil & gas, advanced process engineering) |
Both fields offer exciting career paths and valuable skills, but chemical engineering tends to have higher earning potential and broader industrial applications.
Final verdict
So, choosing between the subjects of ’Chemistry’ and ‘Chemical Engineering’ isn’t about which is better—it’s about what fits you best. Both fields have their uniqueness, challenges, and rewards.
If you love exploring the fundamental nature of fundamental science, research, and lab work, Chemistry might be for you. But if you’re drawn to applying chemistry on a large scale, working on the designing processes, and optimising production, then chemical engineering could be your perfect match.
At the end of the day, it’s your career, your passion, and your effort that will shape your future. So, select the study path that excites you the most, because true success comes from working hard in a field you genuinely enjoy.
So carefully consider your interests and career aspirations to determine which path is the best fit for you. Also seek advice from your professionals in both fields and explore university program curricula in detail and make the right choice.
FAQ
What is the primary difference between chemistry and chemical engineering?
Chemistry focuses on studying the composition, properties, and reactions of matter, while chemical engineering applies principles from chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology to design and optimize processes for large-scale production and transformation of materials.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in chemistry?
With a degree in chemistry, you can work in research and development, quality control, pharmaceuticals, forensics, environmental science, and education. Careers include roles such as lab technician, analytical chemist, forensic scientist, and quality control analyst.
What kind of jobs can I get with a degree in chemical engineering?
A degree in chemical engineering opens up opportunities in industries such as pharmaceuticals, energy, materials, and environmental sectors. Potential roles include process engineer, field engineer, research scientist, and project manager.
What skills do chemistry graduates gain?
Chemistry graduates develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills, experimental design, data analysis, and a deep understanding of chemical reactions and properties. These skills are valuable in various scientific and industrial roles.
What skills do chemical engineering graduates gain?
Chemical engineering graduates gain expertise in process design, optimisation, and control, as well as knowledge in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and material science. They also develop problem-solving, project management, and teamwork skills.
Is it possible to switch from a chemistry major to chemical engineering?
While it is possible, switching from a chemistry major to chemical engineering may require additional coursework in engineering principles, mathematics, and related subjects. Consulting with academic advisors can help plan the transition.