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    • Chemical Engineering
    MJRH-CHENG

    Chemical Engineering

    Undergraduate major

    Expand your range of career options in process engineering industries.

    This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.
    Course outline
    • ATAR

      ATAR

      The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is used to determine eligibility for places in university courses.
      Guaranteed ATAR 80
    • Qualification
      Chemical Engineering Major (BEng Hons)
    • Credit

      Credit

      A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
      600
    Course outline

    Check the application deadline for the parent course

    Course outline
    Chemical Engineering

    Overview

    Overview

    This course page information is for students who enrolled in 2023 and prior. For 2024 course information, visit here.

    Chemical or ‘process’ engineering involves finding the best sequence of chemical and physical processing operations, plus the right operating conditions, to convert raw materials into higher-value products.

    Chemical engineering covers the development, design and management of processes and equipment for the extraction, conversion and upgrading of materials, using physical, chemical and biological operations.

    There are numerous process industries serving a range of societal needs.

    You will select either the Chemical Engineering or Oil and Gas streams to study.

    Chemical Engineering

    In this general stream, you will examine processes for a range of materials.

    You’ll explore the theory and applications of fluid flow, energy transfer, and separation and chemical reaction for the synthesis, design, control and optimisation of general chemical processes.

    Oil and Gas

    In addition to learning chemical engineering fundamentals, you will gain detailed knowledge of the exploration and development of oil and gas resources.

    You’ll explore the behaviour of hydrocarbon reservoirs, offshore drilling and production, the refining of crude oil and processing of natural gas.

    Double degree options
    You can study a Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) with a Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) or Bachelor of Science (Extractive Metallurgy).

    What jobs can the Chemical Engineering course lead to?

    Careers

    • Chemical engineer
    • Process engineer
    • Production/operations engineer
    • Risk and safety manager

    Industries

    • Oil and gas
    • Bioengineering and biotechnology
    • Aerospace and automotive
    • Agrochemical
    • Food processing
    • Mineral and material processing
    • Pharmaceutical
    • Semiconductor
    • Biomass and sugar refining
    • Cement and lime production
    • Industrial and fine chemical production
    • Petrochemical and polymer production
    • Paper and board manufacture
    • Water and wastewater treatment

    Further study

    What you'll learn

    • apply scientific and engineering principles to process engineering design and development, including sound risk management, environmental and OHS practice
    • think critically and creatively to generate innovative and optimum solutions
    • identify, evaluate and synthesise information from a range of sources to optimise process engineering design and development
    • communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose
    • use appropriate information and process technologies (recognising their advantages and limitations) in the design and development of sustainable process systems
    • engage in continuous education, training and research, and take control of their own learning and development
    • recognise and apply international standards and best practice in process engineering
    • demonstrate respect for cultural diversity
    • be ‘career ready’ for the process engineering profession, demonstrate leadership qualities, and work ethically and professionally both within a team and independently

    Why study Chemical Engineering at Curtin?

    Broad career options

    Expand your learning by complementing your chemical engineering degree with a Bachelor of Commerce or Bachelor of Science (Chemistry or Extractive Metallurgy).

    Qualify sooner

    Start working as a professional engineering graduate in just four years.

    Professional recognition

    When you graduate, you fulfil the stage one competencies required by Engineers Australia to be a professional engineer.

    Professional recognition and accreditation

    Graduates fulfil the stage one competencies required by Engineers Australia.

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Select an option that best suits you:

    You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

    • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
    • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

    ATAR pathway

    • Guaranteed ATAR 80

      This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 80

    • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

      • Mathematics: Methods ATAR and at least one of the following: Physics ATAR, Chemistry ATAR and Engineering Studies ATAR, or equivalent.

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

      Mathematics: Specialist ATAR, or equivalent.

    Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp grants additional ATAR points to help eligible students qualify for admission.

    Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

    Alternative pathways

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Not accepted.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.0

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    How others gained admission

    View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

    To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

    You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

    You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

    How we define ‘experience’

    ‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

    Pathways

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Not accepted.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.0

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

    Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

    Pathways

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Not accepted.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.0

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

    Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

    Curtin course switcher criteria

    To switch into this course, you need to have:

    • attained an ATAR of 80 and completed the prerequisites; or
    • if you have studied Maths Applications or equivalent:
      • completed 75 credits within one semester with a semester weighted average (SWA) of at least 70%; or
      • completed 100 credits within one semester with SWA of 65% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR and Physics ATAR and Chemistry ATAR; or
    • if you have studied Maths Methods or equivalent:
      • completed 75 credits within one semester with an SWA of 65%; or
      • completed 100 credits within one semester with an SWA of 60% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR, and Physics ATAR or Chemistry ATAR.

    The Maths Methods prerequisite can be met with:

    • Maths Methods ATAR; or
    • MATH1013 Introductory Mathematics or MATH1005 Pre-Calculus (12.5 credits); and
    • MATH1014 Foundations of Calculus.

    The Physics ATAR prerequisite can be met with:

    • Physics ATAR; or
    • PHYS1006 Foundations of Physics.

    The Chemistry ATAR prerequisite can be met with:

    • Chemistry ATAR; or
    • CHEM1003 Introduction to Chemistry.

    Higher education course switcher criteria

    To switch into this course from another higher education course, you need to have:

    • attained an ATAR of 80 plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR, and Physics ATAR or Chemistry ATAR; or
    • if you have studied Maths Applications or equivalent:
      • completed 75 credits within one semester, with a semester weighted average (SWA) of 70%; or
      • completed 100 credits within one semester, with an SWA of 65% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR, and Physics ATAR or Chemistry ATAR; or
    • if you have studied Maths Methods or equivalent:
      • completed 75 credits within one semester, with an SWA of 65%; or
      • completed 100 credits within one semester, with an SWA of 60% or higher, plus any unit/s assessed as comparable to Maths Methods ATAR, and Physics ATAR or Chemistry ATAR.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.0

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Unsure what option suits you?

    We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

    FAQs

    You might find your answer in our frequently asked questions.

    Ask a question

    Submit your question via our online form and we’ll get back to you.

    Call us

    1300 222 888
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Visit us

    You’ll find Curtin Connect in building 102 on the Perth campus.
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool
    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Submit an enquiry CRL search

    Fees and scholarships

    Please view the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree for indicative fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    Frequently asked questions

    Search our FAQs

    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: MJRH-CHENG
    • Last updated on: 20 December 2024

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    22. The Business of Advertising Specialisation
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    7. Event Management Specialisation
    8. Fashion Marketing Specialisation
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    18. The Business of Advertising Specialisation
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    39. Social Justice Specialisation
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    42. Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
    43. Web Media Specialisation
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