Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) prepares students to design, optimise, and manage industrial processes involving chemicals, energy, food production, pharmaceuticals, minerals, and sustainable technologies. This program is ideal for students interested in chemistry, mathematics, sustainability, and engineering innovation, with a strong focus on solving complex industrial and environmental challenges through advanced process engineering.

The program is delivered at the North Terrace Campus in Adelaide, South Australia, where students gain access to advanced engineering laboratories, pilot-scale process facilities, collaborative STEM learning environments, and research-driven engineering innovation spaces.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In the first year, students establish strong foundations in engineering science, mathematics, chemistry, and physics. You’ll study core subjects such as Engineering Computation, Engineering Design and Innovation, and Chemical Principles, developing analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills essential for engineering practice. This year introduces how chemical engineering contributes to sustainable industrial systems and modern manufacturing.

Year 2

Year 2 focuses on building technical engineering capability through subjects including Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Process Systems Engineering. Students begin analysing industrial process operations while strengthening their laboratory and computational engineering skills. Practical engineering applications and systems thinking become increasingly important during this stage.

Year 3

In Year 3, students move into advanced chemical engineering studies such as Heat and Mass Transfer, Chemical Reaction Engineering, and Process Control and Dynamics. Learning focuses on industrial process optimisation, sustainable engineering systems, and advanced systems analysis. Students also undertake collaborative engineering projects reflecting real-world industrial challenges.

Year 4

The final year centres on honours-level engineering design, research, and professional practice. Students complete advanced studies in Process Plant Design, Engineering Management, and Sustainable Process Engineering, alongside a major honours research or design project. This year prepares graduates for professional engineering leadership and innovation-focused technical careers.

Focus Areas

Chemical process engineering, sustainable manufacturing, energy systems, process optimisation, industrial systems, reaction engineering, process control, and environmental sustainability.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates develop the ability to design, analyse, and optimise industrial chemical processes while applying innovative and sustainable engineering solutions to complex technical challenges. You’ll gain strong analytical, laboratory, computational, engineering design, and project management skills suited to a wide range of engineering industries.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) is accredited by Engineers Australia, supporting international professional recognition through the Washington Accord.

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

University of Adelaide is internationally recognised for engineering excellence, advanced research, and strong graduate employability outcomes. The university consistently performs strongly in global university rankings and is respected for producing highly skilled engineering graduates with strong industry and research capability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University of Adelaide, the Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) combines advanced engineering theory with extensive laboratory practice, industrial problem-solving, and research-driven learning. Based at the North Terrace Campus in Adelaide, students gain hands-on experience in modern engineering laboratories, pilot-scale processing environments, and collaborative research facilities designed to mirror real industrial operations. The program places strong emphasis on sustainability, process innovation, and professional engineering practice through practical learning experiences:

Chemical Engineering Laboratories : Students undertake practical experiments in thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, reaction engineering, and process control using advanced engineering laboratory equipment.
Pilot-Scale Process Facilities : Access to industrial-style process systems and engineering plant equipment allows students to understand real-world manufacturing and production operations.
Engineering Simulation & Process Modelling Software : Students use industry-standard computational and simulation tools for process optimisation, plant design, systems analysis, and engineering modelling.
Research-Led Learning Environment : Teaching is supported by engineering research activities connected to energy systems, sustainable manufacturing, minerals processing, and advanced industrial technologies.
Collaborative Engineering Projects : Team-based design projects help students solve complex industrial and sustainability-focused engineering challenges while developing leadership and communication skills.
Honours Research & Capstone Projects : Final-year students complete advanced engineering design or research projects involving industrial process optimisation, sustainability systems, or emerging engineering technologies.
Industry Exposure & Professional Practice : Students engage with industry-informed coursework, engineering seminars, networking opportunities, and practical professional engineering applications.
Digital Engineering & Technical Computing Tools : The program incorporates computational engineering software, technical analysis systems, and digital engineering resources throughout all stages of study.
Libraries & Engineering Research Resources : Students have access to extensive engineering journals, scientific publications, technical databases, and Australian standards through the university’s library network.
Engineering & STEM Innovation Facilities : Access to interdisciplinary STEM learning environments and engineering innovation spaces encourages experimentation, technical collaboration, and applied research activities.

These practical experiences ensure graduates develop strong laboratory capability, industrial systems understanding, advanced analytical skills, and professional engineering competence highly valued across engineering industries.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the University of Adelaide Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical) (Honours) are highly prepared for careers in industries such as energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, food production, environmental management, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable processing. The program develops strong technical, analytical, research, and professional engineering skills, enabling graduates to contribute to complex industrial systems and emerging sustainability-focused technologies worldwide.

Typical career pathways include chemical engineer, process engineer, environmental engineer, production engineer, and energy systems engineer.

With strong global industry relevance and professional preparation:

Career & Employability Services : Students have access to the university’s dedicated career services, including career planning, internship guidance, networking events, employer engagement programs, resume workshops, and graduate recruitment support.
Industry-Focused Engineering Experience : Laboratory training, engineering design projects, and honours-level research activities help students graduate with strong practical and professional engineering capability.
Industry & Research Partnerships : The university maintains strong engagement with industries connected to energy, defence, mining, manufacturing, sustainability, and advanced engineering research sectors across Australia and internationally.
Professional Accreditation Advantage : The program is accredited by Engineers Australia, supporting international professional recognition through the Washington Accord and improving global engineering career mobility.
Strong Graduate Employability : Engineering graduates from the university are recognised for advanced technical expertise, research capability, and industry readiness across engineering and technology sectors.
Salary Outlook (Australia – indicative) : Chemical engineering graduates commonly begin with salaries around AUD $75,000–$105,000+ per year, with strong long-term opportunities in technical leadership, consulting, industrial operations, and research-intensive careers.
Graduate Outcomes : Graduates are valued for their strong analytical thinking, engineering design capability, sustainability knowledge, and ability to solve complex industrial engineering problems.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, graduates may continue into advanced study such as a Master of Engineering, Master of Sustainable Energy, Master of Environmental Engineering, or PhD research programs. These pathways can support careers in advanced engineering specialisation, research and development, university research, industrial innovation, consulting, or executive engineering leadership roles.