M.Sc Chemistry

I was confused between chemistry and physics, so started a joint course, but eventually qualified, as a chemist and worked in industry on R&D on a chemical plant. I realized that I would have done chemical engineering had I known about it. So, proceeded to study, take exams in chemical engineering and completed a design project for the Institution of Chemical Engineers. I have done work which bridges both fields. Both careers are valid, one is not better than the other. Both have a considerable range of career options which will suit some people more than others. In general, chemical engineering is better paid and more likely to lead to management, but money should not be your main aim. If you love chemistry, you should do chemistry, because there is surprisingly little in chemical engineering. What chemical engineers do is to provide the conditions for chemical or biological reactions to take place by physical processes such as heating, cooling, stirring, bubbling gases through etc. Then they carry out processes such as distillation or filtration to separate and purify the products. Finally they minimize the energy usage of processes, and dangers to people and the environment. It is a very broad subject area. Of course, chemical engineers have to be competent in chemistry and be prepared to learn any chemistry involved in a process. May also deal with complex biological systems and get educated in that area. However, chemical engineering is absolutely not applied chemistry. The degree courses are completely different. If you choose to be a chemist, I would advise a career plan through to Ph.D in order to get a good job in industry. For a chemical engineer, a Masters is pretty much required. A Ph.D is somewhat optional unless you wish to be an academic.