Asking Imperial Chemical Engineering Students Questions You Are Too Afraid To!

ChemEngWeekly
14 Jul 202314:04
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this video, Imperial College London's chemical engineering students share their insights on the discipline, discussing its blend of chemistry, physics, and engineering. They highlight the challenges and rewards of the course, emphasizing the importance of math and problem-solving skills. The students also offer advice for prospective students and discuss potential career paths, from pharmaceuticals to renewable energy.

Takeaways
  • πŸŽ“ The video is a part of 'Commons Weekly', focusing on chemical engineering students at Imperial College London.
  • πŸ‘©β€πŸŽ“πŸ‘¨β€πŸŽ“ Students from various years (first to third) are interviewed, sharing their perspectives on chemical engineering.
  • πŸ” Chemical engineering is described as a blend of engineering, chemistry, and other sciences, with a focus on large-scale processes and practical applications.
  • πŸ§ͺ There is a common misconception that chemical engineering is similar to chemistry, but students clarify that it involves scaling up chemical processes for mass production.
  • 🏭 Students discuss the importance of learning subjects like thermodynamics, reactor design, and plant design to ensure safety and environmental friendliness.
  • 🌐 Chemical engineering is seen as a broad discipline that can lead to careers in various industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and water treatment.
  • πŸ’‘ Students emphasize the value of chemical engineering in solving real-world problems and creating new technologies, such as alternative energy sources.
  • πŸ“š The course is acknowledged to be challenging, with students rating its difficulty between 5 to 10 out of 10, depending on personal experience and perspective.
  • πŸ€” Students advise prospective chemical engineering students to be good at math and physics, enjoy problem-solving, and be prepared for a demanding but rewarding course.
  • 🌟 The video concludes with students expressing a range of potential career aspirations post-graduation, from research and development to finance and clean energy.
Q & A
  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is to explore the opinions and experiences of Imperial College London's chemical engineering students about their field of study.

  • Where is the video filmed?

    -The video is filmed in front of the Royal Albert Hall, opposite Imperial College London.

  • What is the general misconception about chemical engineering according to the students?

    -The general misconception is that chemical engineering is very similar to chemistry, but in reality, it involves scaling up chemical processes for mass production.

  • What skills do chemical engineering students learn?

    -Chemical engineering students learn a combination of hard skills like using Matlab and Aspen, and soft skills such as communication and teamwork.

  • How do the students describe the relationship between chemical engineering and chemistry?

    -They describe chemical engineering as a discipline that combines elements of chemistry, physics, and engineering to solve problems on a larger, more practical scale.

  • What advice do the students give to those considering chemical engineering?

    -The students advise that if you are interested in solving problems, creating real-world applications, and enjoy math and science, chemical engineering might be a good fit. However, they also warn that it is a challenging field.

  • How do the students rate the difficulty of chemical engineering on a scale of 1 to 10?

    -The students generally rate the difficulty of chemical engineering as an 8 out of 10, acknowledging its challenging nature.

  • What are some potential career paths for chemical engineering graduates mentioned in the video?

    -Potential career paths include working in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, biofuels, renewable energy, and even finance due to the problem-solving skills developed in the field.

  • What is the students' view on the importance of math and physics in chemical engineering?

    -The students emphasize that being good at math and enjoying calculations is crucial, as is having a strong foundation in physics.

  • How do the students feel about the workload and stress in chemical engineering?

    -While acknowledging the intensity and stress, the students also express that the field is rewarding and that managing time effectively is key.

  • What is the students' perspective on the diversity of opportunities in chemical engineering?

    -The students highlight that chemical engineering allows for a wide range of opportunities, from energy and manufacturing to food production.

Outlines
00:00
πŸŽ“ Introduction to Chemical Engineering

The video script begins with an introduction to the topic of chemical engineering, filmed in front of the Royal Albert Hall opposite Imperial College London. The host engages with Imperial chemical engineering students to gather their perspectives on their field of study. Students from various years share their names and their current academic standing, ranging from first to third year. The conversation delves into what chemical engineering entails, with students describing it as a blend of engineering and chemistry, focusing on scaling up processes from lab to industrial levels. They discuss the importance of designing and managing large-scale processes in various industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and water. The students highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the field, incorporating elements of mathematics, physics, and chemistry.

05:00
πŸ€” Reflections on Chemical Engineering

In this segment, the students continue to discuss their experiences and thoughts on chemical engineering. They emphasize the importance of having a strong foundation in mathematics and physics, as these subjects are integral to the coursework. The students also mention the use of technical tools like Matlab and Aspen in their studies. Opinions vary on the difficulty of the course, with some rating it as high as an 8 out of 10, acknowledging the challenging workload and the need for good time management. The conversation touches on the misconception that chemical engineering is purely chemistry, clarifying that it is more about applying chemical principles on a larger, more practical scale. The students also provide advice to prospective students, encouraging them to pursue their interests and not be deterred by others' opinions, especially for those considering a career in the field.

10:02
🌟 Future Aspirations and Opportunities in Chemical Engineering

The final paragraph of the script focuses on the students' future aspirations and the diverse opportunities available in the field of chemical engineering. Students express uncertainty about their exact career paths but mention interests in areas such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, biofuels, and renewable energy. Some are considering roles in research and development, while others are drawn to business-oriented positions in finance. The students highlight the versatility of a chemical engineering degree, which can lead to careers in various industries, from energy and nuclear to manufacturing and food production. The video concludes with a call to companies to hire the students and a reminder for viewers to engage with the content by liking, commenting, and sharing the video.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Chemical Engineering
Chemical Engineering is a branch of engineering that combines elements of chemistry, physics, and mathematics to solve problems related to the production or use of chemicals. In the context of the video, it is described as a field that involves designing processes, scaling up production, and ensuring safety and environmental friendliness. It is also mentioned as a discipline that combines various engineering disciplines and parts of math, chemistry, and physics to solve problems.
πŸ’‘Process Engineering
Process Engineering is a sub-discipline of chemical engineering that focuses on the design, operation, and control of processes that convert raw materials into finished products. The video script mentions it as a combination of process engineering and environmental engineering, emphasizing the importance of designing large-scale processes involving energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and water.
πŸ’‘Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy. In the video, it is mentioned as a subject that chemical engineering students learn about, which is crucial for understanding how energy is transferred and utilized in various chemical processes.
πŸ’‘Reactor Design
Reactor Design is a key aspect of chemical engineering that involves designing systems where chemical reactions take place. The script mentions this as part of the curriculum, indicating its importance in ensuring that chemical reactions are carried out efficiently and safely.
πŸ’‘Plant Design
Plant Design refers to the planning and construction of industrial facilities where chemical processes are carried out. The video script highlights the importance of plant design in making sure that these facilities are safe and environmentally friendly.
πŸ’‘Environmental Engineering
Environmental Engineering is a discipline that focuses on creating solutions to environmental problems, particularly those caused by human activities. In the video, it is mentioned as part of chemical engineering, emphasizing the role of chemical engineers in designing processes that minimize environmental impact.
πŸ’‘Mathematics
Mathematics is a fundamental tool in engineering, including chemical engineering. The script repeatedly mentions the importance of being good at math for those considering chemical engineering, as it is used extensively in calculations and problem-solving.
πŸ’‘Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals is an industry that involves the development, production, and marketing of drugs. In the video, some students express their interest in working in the pharmaceuticals sector after completing their chemical engineering degrees, indicating the broad application of chemical engineering in this field.
πŸ’‘Energy
Energy is a central theme in the video, with students discussing their interest in working in the energy sector, particularly in renewable energy technologies. Chemical engineering plays a crucial role in designing and optimizing processes for energy production and distribution.
πŸ’‘Problem Solving
Problem Solving is a core skill in chemical engineering, as it involves identifying and solving issues in the design and operation of chemical processes. The script highlights the importance of this skill, with students mentioning that chemical engineering involves a lot of problem-solving and thinking like an engineer.
πŸ’‘Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy refers to energy sources that can be replenished naturally and sustainably, such as solar, wind, and hydro power. The video script mentions renewable energy as an area of interest for some students, reflecting the growing importance of sustainable energy solutions in the field of chemical engineering.
Highlights

Students discuss their experiences and perspectives on chemical engineering at Imperial College London.

Chemical engineering is described as engineering chemistry, scaling up processes for mass production.

It's a combination of process engineering, environmental engineering, and aspects of farming.

Chemical engineering involves designing large-scale processes in industries such as energy, pharmaceuticals, food, and water.

The field focuses on designing processes and incorporating technologies like alternative energy sources.

Chemical engineering is seen as a link between the perfection of chemistry and real-world practicalities.

Students learn a lot about thermodynamics, reactor design, plant design, safety, and environmental friendliness.

Chemical engineering is recommended for those who enjoy maths, problem-solving, and have an interest in science.

The course is described as intense and stressful but rewarding, with a broad scope for solving problems.

Students emphasize the importance of understanding what engineering involves beyond just liking chemistry and maths.

Chemical engineering is a macro-scale discipline compared to the micro-scale focus of pure chemistry.

Students are advised to consider their objectives and interests in problem-solving and creating real-world applications.

The difficulty of chemical engineering is rated as an eight out of ten, with varying opinions based on personal experience.

Advice for prospective students includes being good at maths, enjoying calculations, and considering the real-world impact.

Students discuss potential career paths in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, biofuels, and renewable technology.

Some students are considering roles in finance or business-oriented positions due to the problem-solving skills gained.

Chemical engineering allows for exploration of various professional opportunities within the production industry.

Students are encouraged to think like engineers, focusing on process analysis and problem-solving.

The transcript ends with a humorous appeal for job opportunities from companies watching the video.

Transcripts
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