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Chemical Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.E.) - View all program options

Learn how to get the most out of your degree and prepare for your future career.

Chemical engineers design, develop and operate processes that transform materials into useful products. Some examples of these processes include those used to produce refined critical minerals, fertilizer for crop growth like potash, energy from uranium and petroleum deposits, energy and chemicals from biomass, energy storage systems like batteries and fuel cells, pharmaceuticals, and food products and potable water.

Not a USask student?

Learn more about studying chemical engineering at USask and apply for admission.

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 1 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
GE 102.2 | Introduction to Engineering I
GE 112.1 | Engineering Discipline Experience
GE 122.2 | Engineering Mechanics I
GE 132.1 | Engineering Communications I
GE 140.1 | Design I
GE 152.1 | Electrical Circuits I
GE 172.1 | Engineering Programming
CMPT 142.3 | Introduction to Computer Science for Engineers
MATH 133.4 | Engineering Mathematics I

Natural Science Series
    BIOL 102.1 | Nature for Engineering
    CHEM 142.1 | Global Impact of Chemistry for Engineering
    GEOL 102.1 | Introduction to Geology for Engineering
    PHYS 152.1 | Introduction to Atoms and Nuclei for Engineering

Winter Term
GE 103.1 | Introduction to Engineering II
GE 123.3 | Engineering Mechanics II
GE 133.2 | Engineering Communication II
GE 143.2 | Design II
GE 163.2 | Process Engineering
CHEM 146.3 | General Chemistry for Engineering
MATH 134.3 | Engineering Mathematics II
PHYS 156.3 | Electromagnetism and Waves for Engineering

Discipline bridge course:
  • CHE 113.3 | Unit Operations in Chemical Process Engineering

Academic tips

  • Explore information about the Chemical Engineering program in the course and program catalogue
  • Meet with an academic advisor in the Engineering Student Centre, or the Undergraduate Program Chair in Chemical Engineering, for help choosing your courses and planning your degree
  • Maintain a minimum yearly average of 60% to advance to the next year of the program
  • First-year grades matter – entry into Chemical Engineering is competitive, and acceptance into the program is based on your cumulative average from First Year
  • Visit the student Learning Hub for help developing your academic skills
  • Apply for College of Engineering and university scholarships, awards and bursaries
  • Read the College of Engineering weekly e-newsletter, “The Explorer”, sent out every two weeks during the academic year
What will I learn?
  • Understand the processing of organic (crude oils, natural gas, lumber), inorganic (ores, air, salts) and biological (starches, cellulose, fats) materials into a wide range of useful commodity products, such as fuels, plastics, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, and foods
  • How processing of materials is carried out within a framework of environmental sustainability and concern for worker/public safety
  • The design, construction and economic operation of equipment in production areas, and on related research and developments
  • Through selected electives, learn about environmental studies, mineral processing, petrochemicals and bio-chemicals

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

 Featured courses

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Year 2 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CHE 220.3 | Introduction to Chemical Process Engineering
CHEM 242.3 | Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CHEM 250.3 | Introduction to Organic Chemistry
GE 213.3 | Mechanics of Materials
MATH 224.3 | Calculus IV for Engineers

Winter Term
CHE 210.3 | Fluid Mechanics I
CHE 223.3 | Chemical Thermodynamics
CHEM 221.3 | Analytical Chemistry I
MATH 224.3 | Calculus IV for Engineers

You choose
Year 3 courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CHE 323.3 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CHE 325.3 | Process Engineering and Design I
CHEM 231.3 | Inorganic Chemistry I
GE 210.3 | Probability and Statistics

Winter Term
CHE 315.3 | Equilibrium Stage Operations
CHE 322.3 | Mathematical Modelling
CHE 324.3 | Heat Transfer
CHE 326.3 | Plant Design Project
CHE 333.2 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

You choose

Academic tips

Add to your major

Choose from a variety of options to complement your major.

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Explore your major

Learn more about some of the required major-specific courses for this degree. View the course and program catalogue or meet with an academic advisor to understand all program requirements.

Final Year courses

The courses listed here and in the Course and Program Catalogue are not necessarily offered each year and do not represent the totality of your requirements.

Fall Term
CHE 411.3 | Chemical Reaction Engineering
CHE 414.2 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
CHE 421.3 | Mass Transfer
CHE 423.3 | Process Dynamics and Control

Winter Term
CHE 424.2 | Chemical Engineering Laboratory III
GE 449.3 | Engineering in Society

You choose

Apply to graduate

Academic tips

Consider applying to a graduate program
Find a program

Gain relevant experience

Create local and global connections

Get career ready

USask Student Competencies

USask Student Competencies are the knowledge, skills, and attributes developed and leveraged to achieve success in your learning and work:

  • Engaging in our intercultural society
  • Nurturing successful relationships
  • Leveraging technology
  • Adaptive design and problem solving
  • Communicating meaningfully
  • Cultivating well-being

Possible destinations

People with a chemical engineering degree take their knowledge and skills into many different industries and occupations. Note that some of the career paths listed here require further education and training.

Designations

Since the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.E.) program in Chemical Engineering is accredited by Engineers Canada, graduates can apply immediately to any provincial or territorial licensing body in Canada to become an Engineer in Training once they have completed their degree. After completing four years of relevant engineering work experience and passing the National Professional Practice Exam, Engineers in Training are then eligible to be licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng. designation). Our graduates are also recognized internationally through the Washington Accord of the International Engineering Alliance.

USask alumni career paths

  • Analytical Chemist
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemical Plant Operator
  • Chemical Process Control Engineer
  • Chemical Technician
  • Chemical Technologist
  • Consulting Engineer
  • Engineering Supervisor
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Fermentation Process Engineer
  • Food Engineer
  • Gas Processing Engineer
  • Industrial Hygiene Engineer
  • Laboratory Technician
  • Manufacturing Production Technician
  • Mechatronic Engineer
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Plant Process Engineer
  • Process Engineer
  • Process Safety Engineer
  • Production Chemical Engineer
  • Project Engineer
  • Thin Film Process Scientist

Chemical engineers are involved in nearly everything from oil and gas, to pharmaceuticals and food, to toys and textiles. The versatility of the job market is highly attractive to me. During my degree I have pursued many opportunities to go to conferences across Canada. The most impactful one was the EngiQueers Canada conference in my first year because that conference introduced me to other people working in industries that I didn't know about and inspired me so much to found USask EngiQueers with a few friends so I can send others to those conferences.

—Adam, third-year student in chemical engineering

Where do USask alumni work?

  • Cameco Corporation
  • Canadian Natural Resources Limited
  • Cenovus Energy
  • Co-op Refinery complex
  • Delco Water, a Division of Delco Automation
  • Dow
  • Government of Saskatchewan
  • NOVA Chemicals
  • Nutrien
  • Propak Systems Ltd.
  • Saskatchewan Research Council
  • SaskEnergy
  • Strathcona Resources Ltd
  • TC Energy
  • The Mosaic Company
  • University of Saskatchewan
  • Veolia Water Technologies & Solutions
  • Yara International

Explore Canadian salaries for various occupations using the Job Bank Career Planning Tool

"I chose chemical engineering because I wanted to understand how things are made, moved, and transformed from molecules to massive pipelines. It sounded cool, but honestly, my ATCO co-op/internship is what made it real. Seeing how natural gas flows from the main line all the way to someone's kitchen stove? That's chemical engineering in action. I like that my major gives me options oil and gas, water treatment, renewables but right now, pipelines and distribution have my full attention."

—Arnold, fourth-year student in chemical engineering

"I believe my degree in chemical engineering has very high value. I have gained skills in teamwork, design, study tactics, and perseverance. Already, I have an engineering internship at a canola crushing plant this summer. Engineers are problem solvers and innovators who can lead in any position."

—Olivia, first-year student in chemical engineering