Does Engineering Rely Upon Chemistry?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the extent to which various engineering disciplines rely on chemistry, particularly in the context of undergraduate studies. Participants explore the relevance of chemistry classes in fields such as aeronautical, electrical, nuclear, civil, and mechanical engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that outside of chemical engineering, the reliance on chemistry varies significantly among engineering disciplines.
  • One participant in aerospace engineering reports having only one chemistry class, indicating a minimal requirement for chemistry in that field.
  • Another participant notes that nuclear engineering includes a substantial amount of chemistry in its curriculum.
  • It is mentioned that most engineering programs typically require one introductory chemistry course in the first year, which covers fundamental topics such as chemical bonding and electrochemistry.
  • Some participants argue that disciplines like civil and mechanical engineering may incorporate chemistry within materials science courses rather than as standalone chemistry classes.
  • There is a suggestion that specific applications, such as the development of jet fuels or structural materials, may necessitate additional chemistry coursework.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that most engineering disciplines require at least one chemistry class in the first year, but opinions differ on the extent of chemistry's relevance in various fields. There is no consensus on how much chemistry is needed beyond that initial requirement.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the variability of curricula across different universities and the lack of detailed information on specific chemistry topics covered in engineering courses.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering various engineering disciplines, academic advisors, and educators in engineering programs may find this discussion relevant.

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Title says the question. Apart from, let's say, chemical engineers, or specifically engineers using chemistry, how much does engineering rely upon chemistry? For example, if I were studying in aeronautical engineering, or electrical engineering, or yet nuclear engineering, would I have many chemistry classes in my first 2 years of my undergraduate studies?

Thanks.
 
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Fragment said:
Title says the question. Apart from, let's say, chemical engineers, or specifically engineers using chemistry, how much does engineering rely upon chemistry? For example, if I were studying in aeronautical engineering, or electrical engineering, or yet nuclear engineering, would I have many chemistry classes in my first 2 years of my undergraduate studies?

Thanks.

I'm in aerospace eng. and I had 1 chem class. So the answer is not much at all. I guess if you wanted to get into the development of jet fuels (or even structural materials?) and such you could choose more chemistry based classes. Also I think the electrical eng. curriculum here is the same also (1 chem class). Although I don't know exactly what you would really need chem for in that field =(

Oh and nuclear engineering, you take a guess...chemistry takes up quite a nice part of the curriculum.
 
djeitnstine, may I ask, what was your chemistry class and at what point in your studies did you take it?

Regards,
Fragment
 
As far as I have seen, you will need to take one chemistry class in first year engineering. This is the case for most universities.

If you want to go into chem eng or biochem eng, then there will obviously be a lot of chemistry. For Biomedical eng, there will be a couple of organic chemistry courses, and there will be a few in materials eng, mostly related to inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry.

Pretty much any other engineering discipline will have none passed first year, but will have this first year chemsitry course.

As for what it covers, I assume from our first year chem, it should cover chemical bonding, structure and properties, electrochemistry, intro to quantum chemistry, equilibrium and reactions.
 
I would imagine that Civil and MechE has some chemistry if you're dealing with structures but many times this is incorporated into a general Materials Science requirement. For the most part, the chemistry that you need to know is covered in your other courses. The requirement of one semester of Intro Chemistry is just to give you a general background.
 

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