Undergraduate Frequently Asked Questions

About the Field
What is Chemical Engineering?
Chemical Engineering combines math, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering to solve a wide range of industrial problems in a safe and economical fashion.

How long does it take to become a Chemical Engineer?
The B.S. program in Chemical Engineering takes five years to complete. During these five years, students receive 36 months (12 terms) of resident instruction and three 6 month periods of practical engineering experience (Co-op) dispersed throughout the sophomore, pre-junior and junior years. By graduation, B.S. students have obtained a degree as well as practical work experience.

What career options do Chemical Engineers have?
Chemical engineers have career opportunities in chemical process industries (CPI), biotechnology, advanced materials, design and construction, electronics, environmental, safety, and health industries, the food and beverages industries, and many other industries.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers By Engro Chemical Pakistan Limited

Nitrogenous Fertilizers ENGRO UREA is a trusted high grade fertilizer containing 46% Nitrogen (N), with moderate hydroscopicity. It has a pH value of 6.8 (organic molecule) and is suitable for all crops on all soils. Engro Urea is an excellent source of Nitrogen for the vast majority of cultivated soils of Pakistan. Phosphatic Fertilizers Engro DAP: contains 46% P2O5 and 18% N. More than 90% of Phosphate (P) is water soluble. It has a pH value of 7.33 and is a good source of P fertilizer for all crops. It is an equally good source on problem soils (saline sodic) with coarse texture. On an overall basis it suits to about 90% soils of the country. Engro Zorawar: is one of the highest grade phosphatic fertilizers. It is acidic in reaction (pH >= 3.5) and contains 52% P2O5 of which more than 90% is water soluble, while the rest is citrate soluble. In addition to P, it contains 12% N, 2% sulphur and 1% calcium. It is a beneficial fertilizer for all crops on all soils of Pakistan and produces excellent results on alkaline soils, due to its acidic The acidic pH of Engro Zorawar also tends to slow down the rapid conversion of soluble P to water insoluble compounds, keeping it plant available for a longer period of time. Engro Phosphate: is brown colored mono ammonium phosphate with 11% nitrogen and 52% phosphorus. It is being marketed as relatively cheaper alternate of DAP. Blended Fertilizers Engro Zarkhez: is homogenously granulated fertilizer which maximizes crop yield by providing balanced nutrition for a wide variety of crops through the uniform availability of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. Engro Zarkhez grades are specially produced to suit the requirements of individual crops and soils, and provide convenience to the farmer through ready availability of precise quantities of primary nutrients. Engro Zarkhez fertilizers have low moisture content, high crush strength; 2mm-4mm granule size and free flowing nature - attributes which ensure excellent handling and application characteristics. Green 08:23:18 Potato, Maize, Sugarcane, Wheat, Cotton, Rice and Vegetables Blue 17:17:17 Citrus, Mango, Banana and Other Fruits Tobacco 12:15:20 Tobacco Engro NP: it provides 22% nitrogen, and 20% phosphorus. ECPL entered into NP business in 2005 to cater the need of its customers for this established category. Primary focus area for ENP marketing is South Zone (Sind). Micro Nutrients Zingro: Zinc Sulphate, a highly effective and potent fertilizer which primarily targets Zinc deficiency in crops like Rice, Potato, Maize, Sugar cane, Wheat, Cotton, vegetables and fruits. Zingro increases crop yield and enhances crop appearance.

Chemistry

Chemistry (from Egyptian kēme (chem), meaning "earth"^[1]) is the science concerned with the composition, structure, and properties of matter, as well as the changes it undergoes during chemical reactions.^[2] It is a physical science for studies of various atoms, molecules, crystals and other aggregates of matter whether in isolation or combination, which incorporates the concepts of energy and entropy in relation to the spontaneity of chemical processes. Modern chemistry evolved out of alchemy following the chemical revolution (1773).

Disciplines within chemistry are traditionally grouped by the type of matter being studied or the kind of study. These include inorganic chemistry, the study of inorganic matter; organic chemistry, the study of organic matter; biochemistry, the study of substances found in biological organisms; physical chemistry, the energy related studies of chemical systems at macro, molecular and submolecular scales; analytical chemistry, the analysis of material samples to gain an understanding of their chemical composition and structure. Many more specialized disciplines have emerged in recent years, e.g. neurochemistry the chemical study of the nervous system (see subdisciplines).

Summary

Chemistry is the scientific study of interaction of chemical substances^[3] that are constituted of atoms or the subatomic particles: protons, electrons and neutrons.^[4] Atoms combine to produce molecules or crystals. Chemistry is often called "the central science" because it connects the other natural sciences such as astronomy, physics, material science, biology, and geology.^[5][6]

The genesis of chemistry can be traced to certain practices, known as alchemy, which had been practiced for several millennia in various parts of the world, particularly the Middle East.^[7]

The structure of objects we commonly use and the properties of the matter we commonly interact with, are a consequence of the properties of chemical substances and their interactions. For example, steel is harder than iron because its atoms are bound together in a more rigid crystalline lattice; wood burns or undergoes rapid oxidation because it can react spontaneously with oxygen in a chemical reaction above a certain temperature; sugar and salt dissolve in water because their molecular/ionic properties are such that dissolution is preferred under the ambient conditions.

The transformations that are studied in chemistry are a result of interaction either between different chemical substances or between matter and energy. Traditional chemistry involves study of interactions between substances in a chemistry laboratory using various forms of laboratory glassware.

A chemical reaction is a transformation of some substances into one or more other substances.^[8] It can be symbolically depicted through a chemical equation. The number of atoms on the left and the right in the equation for a chemical transformation is most often equal. The nature of chemical reactions a substance may undergo and the energy changes that may accompany it are constrained by certain basic rules, known as chemical laws.

Energy and entropy considerations are invariably important in almost all chemical studies. Chemical substances are classified in terms of their structure, phase as well as their chemical compositions. They can be analysed using the tools of chemical analysis, e.g. spectroscopy and chromatography.

Chemistry is an integral part of the science curriculum both at the high school as well as the early college level. At these levels, it is often called "general chemistry" which is an introduction to a wide variety of fundamental concepts that enable the student to acquire tools and skills useful at the advanced levels, whereby chemistry is invariably studied in any of its various sub-disciplines. Scientists, engaged in chemical research are known as chemists.^[9] Most chemists specialize in one or more sub-disciplines.

Electrochemistry

Electrochemistry is a branch of chemistry that studies chemical reactions which take place in a solution at the interface of an electron conductor (a metal or a semiconductor) and an ionic conductor (the electrolyte), and which involve electron transfer between the electrode and the electrolyte or species in solution.

If a chemical reaction is driven by an external applied voltage, as in electrolysis, or if a voltage is created by a chemical reaction as in a battery, it is an electrochemical reaction. Chemical reactions where electrons are transferred between molecules are called oxidation/reduction (redox) reactions. In general, electrochemistry deals with situations where oxidation and reduction reactions are separated in space or time, connected by an external electric circuit to understand each process.