BEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering (Environmental Engineering)

Chemical engineering requires a complete and quantitative understanding of both the engineering and scientific principles underlying technological processes that enables appropriate plant design and practical problem solving in industries. The first three years of this 4-year degree programme provides an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the design, development and operation of chemical processes and plants together with their proper management and optimum resource use; it focuses on specific chemical engineering modules like chemical thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, unit operations, chemical process design, reaction engineering and process safety. In the third and fourth year, it subsequently provides the learners with the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired so far in designing a complete commercial chemical processing plant, and to concurrently specialize in environmental engineering by acquiring knowledge in specific modules like solid waste engineering, wastewater management and engineering, and industrial ecology. This programme thus combines the wide range of core chemical engineering modules including those focusing on multidisciplinary knowledge. It includes the essential academic structure to provide the undergraduates with an excellent foundation for careers in the chemical and/or environmental engineering industry. It typically prepares them to meet the challenges in the chemical processing industries such as the sugarcane industry involved in the production of sugar, bioethanol, electricity and other by-products; food and allied industries; textile industry; soap, detergents and paint industries; fertilizer production plants; amongst many others. The programme also extends opportunities in the environmental area, in particular the solid waste, water and wastewater treatment sectors as well as the management of other environmental resources. The programme has been developed to meet the requirement of Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).