Chemical Technology (B.Sc.)

Think about this question: "Which everyday item doesn't have any chemical technology in it?" Answer: There isn't any! Everything that we eat, drink, consume and use today has undergone a chemical technology process during manufacturing.

Everything has been heated, boiled, distilled, crystallised, separated, cleaned, absorbed, sublimated or has been subject to a chemical reaction during manufacturing. Just by looking at the list of sectors that chemical technology is used in, it is very clear just how "safe" and relevant this course of studies is for the future.

This bachelor’s degree programme focuses on chemical technology and teaches the principles of the subject and the classical disciplines of its processes. Students are equipped with an understanding of the procedures that take place within apparatus and machines in plants in process and chemical technology. In doing so the focus is rather on the physics-related and chemical processes, while the process engineering elements of the plant are more secondary. This basic understanding is the foundation for every further specialisation in a subsequent master’s degree programme or in professional life.

Chemical technology builds a bridge between natural sciences and classical engineering in a modern, forward-looking and fascinating way. It can be applied in a wide range of fields in many industries, and contributes to almost three-quarters of total world economic output.

A striking feature of the course is the diversity of sectors graduates can work in – literally any field they wish. Compared to process engineering, chemical technology is more process-oriented and leans towards chemical topics, while plant engineering issues play a secondary role.

The bachelor's in chemical technology offers three advanced areas of study. If the prerequisites are met and if expressly wished, one of these areas can be stated on the degree certificate.

Simulation and Plant Engineering
Modern simulation procedures can help design and optimise plants. This ensures that energy consumption is lowered, product quality enhanced or new materials and procedures are developed. Scientific principles must be understood in order to apply highly specialised simulation programmes and develop innovative manufacturing processes. These principles are taught in the Chemical Technology degree programme.

Biological and Environmental Process Engineering
Technology and society as inspired by biology is one of this century's megatrends. Biomechanical and biochemical mechanisms are analysed and transferred to chemical engineering and process engineering with the aid of bionics, from the virtually infinite pool of ideas from evolution. Handling biological tools requires a somewhat different way of thinking than is the case in classic chemistry. Initial steps towards a bio-based economy are taught in the “Biological and Environmental Process Engineering” focal area.

Renewable Energies
Renewable energies provide a future-oriented and environmentally-friendly energy supply. There is a growing demand for specialists from this area. Department V focuses on this development through relevant lectures and extensive research projects that students can participate in. Subject-specific detailed knowledge is taught in the electives, for instance an introduction to renewable energies or solar heating and climate technologies, or in project work. Numerous partnerships with industry mean internships and bachelor's thesis can be arranged and held in companies all over Germany.

There are several reasons for deciding to study at the Department of Process and Chemical Engineering (Dept. V).

• Department V is the largest department for this area at universities of applied sciences in German-speaking countries. Over 20 professors ensure that the department can cover every single subject and area of teaching by specialists with professional experience.
• Well equipped laboratories facilitate invaluable practical exercises. A particular feature is the “Technikum” (technical centre/processing facility) which is used for industry-relevant practical work on a pilot-plant scale.
• Department V regularly features at the top of various rankings and league tables and enjoys an excellent reputation.
• Mannheim is located at the heart of the Rhine-Neckar metropolitan area, surrounded by a significant number of businesses in the chemical industry. The faculty's strong network of national and international contacts facilitates students in finding places for internship semesters, theses and projects, and not least finding entry-level employment.