Program Overview

Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Chemical engineering combines chemistry, physics, and biology with design to create new processes. When you major in chemical engineering, you'll learn to turn raw materials into everyday essentials like fuel, medicine, clean water, and sustainable plastics. You'll apply chemistry knowledge in labs, research, and real-world projects that solve global challenges.

What is Chemical Engineering?

Chemical engineering is a field that applies chemistry knowledge in labs, research, and real-world projects to solve global challenges. From engineering jobs in energy and healthcare to food and materials, this major opens doors to chemical engineering careers that shape the future.

Program Highlights

• World-class Facilities: Use cutting-edge tech to conduct experiments, do research, and solve complex problems like a professional engineer in one of our many labs, including the DOW Chemical Unit Operations Lab — a world-class distillation lab.
  • Engineering Residential College: Live and learn with your peers in a smaller network within the larger campus, offering academic enhancement programs, classes in your residence hall, and corporate sponsored events introducing you to internships and cooperative education programs.
  • Industry Connections: LSU's ties and proximity to one of the world's largest concentrations of leading engineering companies means built-in access to real-world experience — 96% of students participate in internships/co-ops and, 90% receive job offers before graduation.
  • Distinguished Communicator Certification: Learn and successfully prove essential engineering-specific communication skills in leadership roles and community service. This coveted designation will give you a competitive edge in today's job market.

What You Can Do

An LSU degree opens doors to a wide range of career paths and professional opportunities. With a strong academic foundation, real-world learning, and support from a powerful alumni network, you'll graduate prepared for success in today's competitive job market.

Potential Careers

• Process Design Engineer
• Control Engineer
• Production Engineer
• Plant (Operations) Engineer
• Safety Engineer
• Field Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Energy Engineer
• Water Treatment Engineer
• Consultant
  • Data Analyst
  • Process Data Scientist
  • Project Manager
  • Pharmaceutical Engineer
  • Bioprocess Engineer
  • Materials Engineer
  • Software Developer
  • Automation Engineer
  • Machine Learning Engineer
  • Tech Sales

Workplace Settings

• Petrochemical Plant
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility
• Environmental Engineering Firm
• Food & Beverage Processing Plant
• Biotechnology Research Lab
• Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility
• Consumer Goods Company
• Energy Sector R&D Center
• Academic or Government Laboratory
• Engineering Consulting Firm

Salary Information

The average alumni Chemical Engineering salary 5 years after graduation is $73,000.

Building Skills

• Precision Analytics: Spot trends and patterns in complex data and uncover logical insights to drive decisions.
• Problem Solving: Solve real-world problems by diagnosing root causes and designing solutions.
• Data Analysis: Examine numbers and trends to turn raw information into real strategies.
• Complex Reasoning: Apply logic and structured thinking to predict outcomes and guide action.

Post-graduate Education

LSU offers competitively ranked post-graduate programs designed to help you innovate and lead in your field. Engage in advanced coursework, contribute to impactful research, and learn from expert faculty who are solving real-world challenges across Louisiana and beyond. Whether you're looking to deepen your expertise, pivot into a new industry, or accelerate your career, LSU's graduate programs open the door to a world of opportunity.

• MS in Chemical Engineering
• PhD in Chemical Engineering

Related Majors

• Biological Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Petroleum Engineering
• Chemistry