About

Situated in Core 3, the department of Chemical engineering (CE) started functioning in 2002.The faculty members in the Department are experts in traditional and in the interdisciplinary domains ranging from nanotechnology, bio-engineering, complex fluids to molecular simulations. The research interests of the faculty vary broadly ranging from nano scale to meso scale systems/technology that may demand a collaborative approach with Chemistry, Materials Science, Bio-technology, Computing and Electronics.The department also houses the Centre for Sustainable Polymers (Sus-Pol), which is financed by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Government of India.

Course Structure

Like any other branch here, the first yearites have common courses involving basic sciences along with which a few introductory engineering courses are taught. No actual core courses are taught in the first year itself. Many students end up coming here eyeing the elusive branch change. With up to 7 members eligible for a branch change, Chemical Engineering does set your chances high in that aspect

After facing a tumultuous first year embracing the nuances of life at an IIT, you are faced with the 3rd semester. Many students are actually surprised by the fact that the courses are pretty interesting. You are exposed to Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Solid Mechanics and Chemical Process Calculations. With most of the courses being common to two or more branches, getting a good grade in the third semester is highly probable.

In the fourth semester you are introduced to courses that are more unique to chemical Engineering. Heat Transfer and Mass Transfer form a chunk of the concepts in Chemical Engineering and due focus is given on them. You are exposed to an array of equipment used in the industry through the Process Equipment Design Course. Lab Courses on the concepts taught in the third semester engage your afternoons.

In the third year, major departmental courses such as Chemical Reaction Engineering, Transport Phenomena and Numerical Methods etc. are taught. You are exposed to a number of computing softwares and languages like MATLAB. You also have the option of an open elective in your 6th semester where you can study a course from almost any branch!

More departmental electives and open electives are taught in the fourth year. A sizeable chunk of the academic year goes into your B.Tech Project. Courses become more and more specialized and you end up realizing your niche area of study.

Future Opportunities

Opportunities for students after graduation are varied. A doctorate degree is a necessity if the students want to be researchers. IIT Guwahati undergraduates have joined the top schools in US and Europe. Recent graduates have made it to some of the best research groups in Europe. It is also common for students to get graduate positions at top Indian research institutes. For those who want to take up a job, several companies such as Schlumberger, ONGC, ITC, Reliance recruit CE undergraduates during the placement season.