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University of Limerick

Chemical Engineering

Overview:
Are you thinking about broadening your career prospective by becoming a chemical engineer, even though your first degree is not in chemical engineering?

If your answer is YES - then this is the right course for you this specially designed one-year full-time programme offers rigorous training in chemical engineering profession and converts non-chemical engineering graduates to recognised chemical engineers. Graduates of this programme will gain significant improvement of their professional versatility and employability in both Irish and EU chemical/process industries.

Programme Content
The programme is a full time course which spans an academic year plus an additional six week project period (Summer Semester: late May to mid July). Students study five taught modules in Autumn Semester, five taught modules in Spring Semester, and complete the design project during summer semester.

As well as learning the relevant theory, students are given laboratory training on the practical aspects of processing operations, and they also have the opportunity to gain expertise in the use of a number of industry-standard chemical engineering design and simulation software packages.

The programme includes a series of one-day plant visits, where students get a chance to tour chemical processing facilities and to interact first-hand with chemical engineering professionals. In order to ensure relevance to the needs of the job market, the design and development of the programme is carried out in close consultation with Irish chemical and pharmaceutical companies. A medal and prize is awarded each year by Merck Sharp & Dohme Ltd for the student graduating with highest marks.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally have a primary degree (QQI Level 8) with a minimum result of a 2H2 (Second class honours, grade 2) in a relevant branch of science or engineering (e.g. Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry or Biochemistry, Physics, Biotechnology, Environmental, Food or Materials Science, Mechanical, Environmental or Food Engineering). They must also show evidence of proficiency in chemistry and mathematics, particularly in differential and integral calculus and differential equations. Applications from graduates with work experience are especially welcome.

What to include with your application:
Qualification transcripts and certificates
English language qualification if English is not your first language
Certified English translations of your transcripts/certificates where the originals are in a language other than English.
A copy of your birth certificate (long document)

English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria below (no longer than two years prior to application):

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:
Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
Irish Leaving Certificate English Ordinary Level Grade D or above
TOEFL 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
IELTS Minimum score of 6.5 with no less than 6 in any one component.
English Test for English and Academic Purposes (ETAPP) Grade C1
GCE O level English Language/GCSE English Language Grade C or above
University of Cambridge ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C / Certificate in Advanced English - Grade A
GCE Examination Boards Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate School Certificate Pass 1-6 / University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council School Certificate Pass 1-6

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.

Duration

1 year full-time.

Careers or further progression

Graduates of this course are in high demand by major Irish and multinational companies for employment as chemical/process/project engineers in a wide range of process industries: pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical, oil and gas, healthcare, food and drink, water, consumer goods etc.. Graduates have been employed also by companies making equipment or components for the process, biomedical or IT industries. There is also opportunity for graduates to pursue research Master and PhD.

Graduates of the programme will display a firm grasp of the fundamental principles underlying the field of chemical engineering and practical engineering experience in the operation of chemical process. They will also be able to perform a chemical process design with the knowledge of using common industrial software packages and the ability of defining problems and identifying constraints in design work. They should also show a good understanding and appreciate the safety, health and environment as well as the sustainability, economic and ethical issues in engineering profession.

Further enquiries

Course Director, Dr Erzeng Xue,
Tel: 061-213092
Fax: 061-202568,
Email: erzeng.xue@ul.ie
Web: More Information on Chemical Engineering Grad Dip

Subjects taught

Autumn
Principles of Chemical Engineering
Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer
Chemical Reaction Engineering
Mass Transfer Separations
Advanced Engineering Maths.

Spring
Fluid Process Control
Batch Processing Engineering
Plant & Process Management
Advanced Transport Processes
Chemical Engineering Design Methods

Summer (Jun / July)
Chemical Engineering Design Project

Comment

This is a conversation course specifically designed for the graduates who have obtained a primary degree in a science or engineering discipline (other than Chemical Engineering) and wish to develop a career in the process or pharmaceutical industries. This course provides a firm grasp of the fundamental principles underlying the field of chemical engineering and practical engineering experience in the design and operation of chemical process. It offers an exceptional opportunity for science and engineering graduates to obtain a recognised qualification in the Chemical Engineering profession in only one year of full-time study.

Application date

Taught Programmes - Application Process
All applicants apply through the online application system by choosing a programme from one of the five faculties. If Non-EU applicants wish to contact the International Education Division first before completing an online application, they can do by filling out the International Education Division Enquiry Form. For more information visit the International Office website.

International Office:
Tel: +353 61 202414
Fax: +353 61 213062
email: international@ul.ie.

Visit the International Office website

What to include (upload) with your application
Certified results for all examinations mentioned on your application form and/or confirmation of the award of your qualification(s).
Evidence of English language proficiency.
Certified translations of your award and transcripts if they are not in English
A copy of your birth certificate or passport

Please note that certain programmes request additional documentation such as personal statements and/or references. Please check the programme entry requirements to ensure you have included the required information.

What happens after I apply?
Once you submit your application online, you will receive an email acknowledgement. It is important that you upload all your documents at the time of application as you will not be able to upload these at a later stage. If you do not have your documents at the time of application, you will need to mail them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office once they become available.
Your application will then be passed to the Course Director who will decide whether or not to offer you a place. Some programmes require interviews and you will be notified of the date, time and venue.

Decision Letter
You will receive one of the following letters from the Postgraduate Admissions Office:
An unconditional offer. You satisfy all of the academic conditions required and we are offering you a place.
A conditional offer. You do not yet satisfy the academic conditions required before entry but you propose to do so. The conditions are listed in the offer letter and may include English language tests as well as degree results.
Letter of regret. We are unable to offer you a place.

Please note that a decision is authoritative and official only if it has been sent in writing from the Postgraduate Admissions Office.

Accepting a place at the University of Limerick
To accept your offer you must pay your acceptance deposit and send in the course acceptance form, stamped by the bank, to the Postgraduate Admissions Office. On receipt of this acceptance form/deposit, the Postgraduate Admissions Office will change the status of your application to Firmly Accepted. You will receive an orientation pack in August. The orientation pack will provide you with full details of orientation and enrolment.

Deferring your offer
You cannot defer a place on a taught postgraduate programme without the permission of the Course Director. If you are offered a deferral, you will receive a letter from the Postgraduate Admissions Office confirming that a deferral has been granted. You should then contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office before March of the following year to confirm that you will be accepting your place. If you are not offered a deferral, then you must re-apply for the programme the following academic year.

Contacts
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Graduate School
Foundation Building
University of Limerick
Tel: +353 61 234377
Fax: +353 61 233287
Email: postgradadmissions@ul.ie