University of Malaya (UM)

Overview of Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in University of Malaya (UM) Malaysia

Working together with people from all walks of life, chemical engineers help to keep the world going and better. Like all engineers, we design and build equipments, then make them work safely and economically. These are mostly business-to-business activities, often outside public eyes. We specialize on activities that involve chemical and biochemical changes on a large scale. For example, we purify crude oil into petrol, kerosene and diesel that transport everyone around. We too make plastics and their biodegradable versions.

Others such as fertilizers, drinking water, cooking oils, packaged foods, medicines and vaccines all have to be produced in large amounts, and here chemical engineers come in. The chips that run our handphones are designed by electronic engineers, but chemical engineers make them in large quantities. Increasingly, chemical engineers deal with living things such as bacteria and plants to produce renewable products. As large-scale chemical processing involves potential adverse social and environmental impact, chemical engineers also protect people and Earth by clever designs and responsible operations.

SUBJECTS

This programme consists: 

CAREER PROSPECTS

As for all fields of engineering, the major categories of career opportunities are in design, construction, operation and technical marketing. The only difference is the items involved. Chemical engineers focus on facilities for chemical and biochemical processing and their products. For example, to make a product, some chemical engineers design the production facility; others install and test the equipment; once completed some chemical engineers have to run the 24-hour production; and finally, somebody has to market the product! For products not marketed directly to the public (e.g. plastics, vaccines), the role of chemical engineers is even greater as these require significant technical knowledge. Graduates of the department have been employed by a large variety of companies including Petronas, Shell, ExxonMobil, Nestle, KLK, Technip, JJ-Lurgi, UGL.

Less-taken paths include finance, education, enforcement and research. There are chemical engineers who serve in banks, e.g. to evaluate loan applications to build chemical plants. Some go further to become CEOs, CTOs and CFOs of large companies. Others stay in universities to do research and to train more chemical engineers, or work in government agencies to attract foreign investments or to ensure that safety and environmental laws are followed. Certainly, some have also become respectable politicians. There is room for genders, every level of ability and every type of personality. The key is that engineering develops an analytical and quantitative mind, and that could be put to good use wherever needed.

• Chemical Engineer
• Process Engineer
• Safety Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Control Engineer

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

LOCAL STUDENTS

A Malaysian candidate who wishes to pursue a programme of study at the University of Malaya must fulfill the University's entry requirements as follows:
(1) Pass the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) with a credit (Grade C) in Bahasa Melayu/Bahasa Malaysia subject
or
a credit (Grade C) in Bahasa Melayu/Bahasa Malaysia July papers and pass in History (SPM 2013 and above);
and
(2) Achieve a minimum Band in the Malaysian University English Test (MUET) as required in special requirements of the programme.
and
(3) Have fulfilled all special requirements of the programme as may be prescribed by the Senate 

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

GENERAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS FOR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

•   National Higher School Certificate (or an Advanced Level equivalent) with the percentage of 80% and above

or
• A Diploma from recognized Institutions with at least a CGPA of 3.00.
• Applicant may be required to undergo an interview session for certain selected programmes before being accepted by the respective faculties.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Students must obtain:
• TOEFL score of 500 (PBT), 173 (CBT) or 60 (IBT) and above
or
• IELTS Band 5.0 - 6.5 and above Without any of the above English proficiency certificates, students that have been accepted would be issued with a conditional offer letter for subsequent fulfillment of the English language requirements.

•  For the latest English Language Requirements please refer here