CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

Tuition in Finnish

Chemical engineering is a dynamic end evolving field where natural resources are processed into products with high technology. This field invests strongly in research and product development where the whole life cycle of the product from the choice and acquisition of the raw material to recycling and waste management is taken into consideration. Ecologically sustainable solutions are achieved only by viewing the environmental effects as a whole. The management of the environmental effects of production processes and products requires knowledge of several fields.  Chemical engineering develops substances, materials, methods, equipment and processes to ensure daily welfare and to enhance sustainable development.   

Goals of the Degree Programme

Engineers graduating from Chemical Engineering Degree Programme are familiar with environmental, quality and safety issues and their know-how is based on sciences, especially on chemistry and process technology.  The emphasis in the education is on good professional skills and on diversity of subject fields so that later on it possible to deepen the knowledge of a particular field in post-graduate and in continuing professional education. Chemical engineers need initiative and creativity, logical thinking as well as cooperation skills in team and project work.  Also the ability to perceive large entities is important. Written and oral communication skills and the ability to search and apply new information are essential in the international working environment.

Bachelors of Engineering graduated from the Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering will be employed in supervisory and expert duties in chemical industry.  Typical job titles are project and design engineer, operating, quality and environmental engineer or research and development engineer.   In design companies and in the public administration in the Metropolitan area there are also various jobs in research and development.  Jobs connected to sales and marketing and teaching are also available.  Along with practical experience engineers can proceed to demanding expert duties, such as production managers or sales managers. 

Studies

The normative duration of the studies is four years (240 credit points). The studies are implemented as contact teaching, project work, assignments and independent study. A study unit can also comprise working in small groups in laboratories with modern and versatile equipment.

The first part of the studies contain mainly basic studies (70 credit points) and common professional studies (50 credit points), which aim to create a strong scientific and technical base for the professional studies. Basic studies also include communication skills as well as IT and business skills.

To attain diversified know-how and a broad basis for professional skills also process technology study units are included in the studies, in addition to the various chemistry study units and laboratory assignments. All students also study environmental chemistry, ecology, biochemistry and microbiology, environmental legislation, quality and environmental systems, safety technology and experiment design. Assignments, project work in small groups and laboratory work are an essential part of the studies.

The professional studies comprise four 15 credit point modules and the studies also include 15 credit points of optional studies. There are three compulsory modules in professional studies: Applied Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Quality and Safety.

Specialisation Fields

The specialisation fields in chemical engineering are:

Process Design and Operation
Environmental Technology

The elective Process Design module contains for example process design, simulation, manufacturing management and operation and automation systems. Environmental Technology studies contain for example water, air, soil and ground water protection and waste disposal technology. Students can specialise also in for example environmental risk assessment, life cycle assessment, environmental monitoring and environmental biotechnology. Students can also complete other elective professional study modules offered by EVTEK, such as Industrial Engineering and Management or Information Technology or Technology Business module.

Practical Training and Bachelor’s Thesis

Practical training and the final year project, Bachelor’s Thesis, are an essential part of EVTEK studies. The degree requirements contain 20 weeks (30 credit points) practical training, which is in most cases completed during summer. Bachelor’s Thesis (15 credit points), which is an extensive research, design or survey project, will be completed during the last study year, in most cases on a topic given by the industry. Through this final year project the graduating engineers show their ability to use and apply the knowledge they have gained. Thus the practical training, Bachelor’s Thesis and the projects will familiarise the students with practical working life duties already during the study time.

Other

Industrial activities often also affect the environment. Management of environmental impacts by solutions based on chemical engineering, recycling, the choice of the raw materials or control of emissions is of vital importance. The environmental aspects must be taken into consideration in the whole life cycle of the product. A comprehensive understanding of the interdependency between industrial activity and environment is necessary for engineers in the field of chemistry.  The Degree in Chemical Engineering is extensive and gives competence for various duties. The degree combines extensive theoretical knowledge, know-how of practical processes into diversified expertise.

Contact Information

Ismo Halonen
Head of the Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering
tel. +358 20 7553 753
email: ismo.halonen@evtek.fi

Liisa Heikkilä
Assistant of the Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering
tel. +358 20 7553 791
email: liisa.heikkila@evtek.fi