Study the information below to familiarize yourself with the Chemical Engineering Programme. More information can be found in the Undergraduate Yearbook.

The curriculum for Chemical Engineering at the NWU is as follows:

First year:

  • Academic Literacy Development
  • Materials and corrosion
  • Introduction to Computers and Programming                                                
  • Introductory Algebra and Calculus I
  • Introductory Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
  • Basic Physics I
  • Statics and Mathematical Modelling
  • Process Principles I
  • Structured Programming
  • Introductory Algebra and Calculus II
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Basic Physics II
  • Practical Engineering Practice

Second year:

  • Biotechnology I
  • Electrotechnics for Chemical Engineers
  • Analytical Chemistry II
  • Dynamics I
  • Differential Equations
  • Advanced Calculus I
  • Linear Algebra I
  • Understanding the Technological World
  • Chemical Thermodynamics I
  • Process Principles II
  • Organic Chemistry II
  • Numerical Methods
  • Engineering Analysis
  • Applied Linear Algebra
  • Engineering Communications

Third year:

  • Transport Phenomena I
  • Chemical Thermodynamics II
  • Biotechnology I
  • Particle Systems
  • Engineering Statistics
  • Numerical methods for Partial Differential Equations
  • Transport Phenomena II
  • Separation Processes I
  • Chemical Reactor Theory I
  • Process Modelling for Control
  • Plant Design I
  • Science, Technology and Society

Fourth Year:

  • Biotechnology II
  • Separation Processes II
  • Chemical Reactor Theory II
  • Process Control
  • Plant Design II (year module)
  • Project (year module)
  • Vacation Training seniors

Professional bodies

As an NWU​ Chemical Engineer, you may register with the following professional bodies:

Career opportunities

Your options as a Chemical Engineer in South Africa and abroad include (but are not limited to) industries such as:

  • Food processing
  • Brewing
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Pollution control
  • Automotive
  • Synthetic fuel manufacturing
  • Minerals processing
  • Development of nanomaterials for material science application