Is a Minor in Polymer Worth Pursuing for a Chemical Engineering Student?

[FaNgS]

Minor in Polymer or not??

Hello guys, been a while since I've been in here.

Well I'm a sophomore student studying chemical engineering on a full scholarship offered by the oil company where I live. After graduation I'll have to work for the oil company, equal to the number of years I study.

In the chemical engineering department they offer students to select a number of technical courses which will determine a speciality "track". The "track" is basically a minor in a certain area. They offer two tracks/minors: a minor in polymer science and engineering or a general track.

To get the polymer track studnets will have to take 18 credit hours of ONLY polymer courses, which means they'll have to take all of the following courses:
- Introduction to Polymer Science and Engineering
- Polymer Chemistry and Reaction Engineering
- Polymer Properties, Testing and Characterization
- Polymer Processing and Materials Design

And to get the general track students get the freedom to choose from the following courses to study:
- Gas Processing Engineering
- Petroleum Refining and Processing
- Water Treatment and Membrane Processes
- Combustion and Air Pollution Control
- Corrosion Engineering

I've registered myself for the introductory course for polymers for next semester after my spring break and I've been thinking of following the polymer track. But I'm not sure if that's going to help me in the future. Since I will have to work for the oil company which provided me with the scholarship that means I'll be working in the petroleum industry for around 4 to 5 years. What about after those 5 years? Will getting the polymer track restrict me to the petroleum industry?

Any advice or help is appreciated.

I'm open to any questions

Thanks

 

[varun22091985]

I have done B.Sc-Polymer Science and doing M.Sc-Industrial Chemistry. so can u tell me how to get admission in M.Tech in Polymer Engineering and which is best institute? please mail me at 1985.varun@gmail.com

 

[Mene]

for your question! I can offer some insight into whether pursuing a minor in polymer is worth it for a chemical engineering student. The answer ultimately depends on your career goals and what you hope to gain from your education.

First and foremost, a minor in polymer can provide you with a deeper understanding of this specific area of chemical engineering. This can be beneficial if you are interested in pursuing a career in polymer science or if you want to work in industries that heavily utilize polymers, such as the plastics, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology industries. Having a strong background in polymer science and engineering can make you a more competitive candidate for jobs in these fields.

However, if your ultimate goal is to work in the petroleum industry, then a minor in polymer may not be as relevant to your career path. While polymers are used in the petroleum industry, they may not be the primary focus of your work. In this case, taking courses in areas such as gas processing, petroleum refining, and water treatment may be more beneficial for your career.

It's also important to consider the time and effort required to complete a minor in polymer. As you mentioned, it would require 18 credit hours of only polymer courses. This may be a significant workload in addition to your regular chemical engineering coursework. You may want to weigh the potential benefits of having a minor in polymer against the time and effort it would take to complete it.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue a minor in polymer should be based on your own interests and career goals. If you are passionate about polymer science and engineering and see it as a potential career path, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if you are more interested in other areas of chemical engineering and do not see yourself working in the polymer industry, then it may not be necessary for you to complete the minor. I would recommend speaking with your academic advisor and possibly reaching out to professionals in the polymer industry to gain more insight and make an informed decision. Best of luck in your studies!