Chemical Engineering Program Accreditation and Curriculum: Is it Worth the Wait?

[danago]

Hey. I've just finished my first year of uni, and it is almost time to enrol in next years units. I have been kicking up between chemical and mechanical engineering for the past year, but after much research, i think ill go with chemical and process engineering.

I was reading about the chemical engineering program for my university (Uni. of West Australia), and there were a few things that got me asking questions. Although the program isn't fully accredited by "The Institute of Engineers Australia", it is currently under probation and will more than likely become accredited soon enough (i hope). It is also not accredited by the UK Institute of Chemical Engineers. I found this a bit strange because UWA is the most highly regarded uni in West Australia, and ranked one of the best in Australia, so usually has high standards. Anyway, will a lack of accreditation from such organizations have a great inpact on my future career? Should i be looking elsewhere? Most of the other programs are fully accredited, it just seems that the chemical stream is still in progress.

In general, what does a good chemical engineering program consist of? Here are the core units required at my university:

YEAR ONE - 48 POINTS
MATH1020 Calculus, Statistics and Probability
MATH1010 Calculus and Linear Algebra
PHYS1101 Advanced Physics A
GENG1003 Introduction to Professional Engineering
GENG1001 Eng: Introduction to Engineering Mechanics
CHEM1102 Organic Chemistry

YEAR TWO - 48 POINTS
MATH2040 Engineering Mathematics
MATE1412 Materials Engineering 1
GENG1002 Eng: Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering
CHEM1101 Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

YEAR THREE - 48 POINTS
CHPR2431 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CIVL2130 Hydraulics I
CHPR3530 Process Modules
CHPR2530 Process Fundamentals
GENG2140 Modelling and Computer Analysis for Engineers

YEAR FOUR - 48 POINTS
CHPR3432 Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design
CHPR2432 Heat and Mass Transfer
CHPR3531 Process Modelling

YEAR FIVE - 48 POINTS
CHPR4401 Chemical Engineering Design Project Part 1
CHPR4402 Chemical Engineering Design Project Part 2
Chemical and Process Engineering Project Unit (Group A,B or C)
Chemical and Process Engineering Project Unit (Group A,B or C)
MCTX3421 Control and Mechatronics

I am doing a combined engineering and commerce degree, so all of the remaining spaces will be filled with finance units and five optional engineering units to make a total of about 8-10 units per year. Now obviously i wouldn't expect everyone to know the exact details of the units i posted above since it will vary between universities, but does it look like a good program? Does it cover what most good chemical and process engineering degrees should?

Thanks in advance,
Daniel.

 

[Fearless]

It looks fairly much like a standard run of the mill ChemENG.

One thing I noticed though is where is the combined course of transport processes. Where you model combined mass- heat and/or impulse-transport? You should ask about that. Because I believe those courses should be taught in a single unit, and not sliced and diced through the entire curriculum.

I don't really know about the accreditations, but if you are really worried, you should post that email or phone them and find out what the hubbub is about.

 

[danago]

Thanks for the reply. As for the transport process unit, are you talking about the "CHPR2432 heat and Mass Transfer"?

 

[Fearless]

Yeah, and you could tell me what the accreditation org. said?

tell me also more about the CHPR2432 unit.

 

[danago]

Ive emailed them, ill let you know what they say.

As for the unit, here is its webpage:
http://units.handbooks.uwa.edu.au/units/chpr/chpr2432

Thats all the information i am able to get relating to that particular unit because the actual unit content has been restricted to only those who are actually enrolled in the unit.

 

[danago]

I have emailed one of the course advisors for the chemical and process program and they have clarified some of the issues. As i mentioned in the first post, i was surprised to find that the program was not accredited since it is a highly regarded uni. in Australia, however what i didn't know (but has now been clarified) is that the program is very new at my university, and the first batch of graduates have only just passed through this year, which is why IEAust had only given us a "provisional accreditation", so hopefully after the graduates enter the workforce and can be assessed by the organization, we will become fully accredited.

The course advisor also mentioned that the UK branch, IChemE, will be assessing the course next month for accreditation.

I will still be keeping a close eye on the accreditation process, although it is looking more promising.

Just one more question; is there a disadvantage to graduating from such a new program? Although the actual university is very established and well known in Australia, will the fact that the course is only a few years old be looked down upon by employers?