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    • Chemical Engineering
    MJRH-CHMEN

    Chemical Engineering

    Undergraduate major

    Gain the expertise for diverse careers in process engineering industries.

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    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.
      500
    Course outline

    Select your preferred degree

    This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

    Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Engineering (Honours), Bachelor of Innovation Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)
    Course outline
    Chemical Engineering

    Overview

    Overview

    This course is a major in the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) degree.

    Chemical or process engineering involves developing the best sequence of physical, chemical and biological processing steps, and the right operating conditions, to convert raw materials into higher value materials – safely, economically and on a large scale.

    Hydrocarbon products and metals production are among the most recognised applications of chemical engineering, although the discipline encompasses diverse products that serve the changing needs of society. These include the emerging hydrogen economy and battery technologies, as well as polymers, advanced materials, speciality chemicals and pharmaceuticals. They also include consumer products such as food and beverages, paper, cosmetics, agrichemicals, cement and clean water.

    This course gives you the flexibility to study specialisations, to eitherdeepen your knowledge in the field of chemical engineering or broaden your expertise in other disciplines. See the full list of specialisations here.

    Double degrees

    You can extend your expertise and career opportunities by studying Chemical Engineering as a double degree with Chemistry, Extractive Metallurgy or Commerce.

    All Chemical Engineering double degrees at Curtin are accredited by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

    What jobs can the Chemical Engineering course lead to?

    Careers

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

    Industries

    • Energy, including oil, gas and energy storage
    • Bioengineering and biotechnology
    • 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 manufacturing
    • Water and wastewater treatment

    Further study

    What you'll learn

    • Demonstrate a conceptual understanding of fundamental science, mathematics, data analytics, information science, and computing underpinning the broad field of engineering, GC1
    • Solve complex chemical engineering problems of industrial and societal significance through the application of discipline-specific and integrated bodies of knowledge, design and sustainability principles, GC1
    • Make decisions related to the design and implementation of solutions to engineering problems in a safe, ethical, and climate-responsible manner adhering to legal and professional standards and through respectful partnerships with local First Peoples and other diverse cultures as globally responsible citizens, GC4, GC5
    • Apply systems thinking for innovative solutions to global chemical engineering challenges, discern knowledge and undertake applied research in a discipline of chemical engineering, GC2
    • Select and use current and emerging technologies to develop and communicate effective and innovative engineering solutions to complex problems, GC3
    • Demonstrate lifelong learning habits, teamwork and leadership abilities, project management skills, and the ability to identify opportunities for career-wide professional growth, necessary for advancing a career in engineering and beyond, GC6

    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

    Curtin’s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia and recognised internationally. This course is also accredited by the Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) and is accredited in Malaysia by the Board of Engineers Malaysia. In addition, graduates are eligible for membership of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

    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

    • Minimum ATAR 80

      This course has a minimum 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 courses: Physics ATAR, Chemistry ATAR or Engineering Studies ATAR.

       

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

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

      There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

    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

    • Indigenous applicant

      If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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), Bachelor of Commerce degree for indicative fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    How to apply

    Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

    Apply now

    • 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.

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    • Curtin course code: MJRH-CHMEN
    • Last updated on: 25 March 2025

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