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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

Application Deadlines

Taught Programmes
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basies but specific programmes have individual closing dates which can be found on our on-line prospectus

Research Programmes
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis for research programmes. The applications for Research programmes are review each month by the Postgraduate Research Committee.