Chemical Science and Technology Course Details - Fees, Subjects, Syllabus, Duration, Eligibility, Career Scope

What is Chemical Science and Technology

Chemical science and technology is an integrative subject that forms the core of chemical engineering. It blends the concepts of electronic materials, plant designing, applied chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, biochemical engineering and so on. Students pursuing chemical science and technology courses not only gain knowledge in various processes of the industrial production of chemical substances but also become trained in them. Qualified chemical technologists usually get to work with chemists, analyzing various compounds and tracking data using advanced data analysis tools and technologies. Globally, the demand for chemical science and technology graduates and postgraduates is high. There is also a huge scope in research and development space. With the advancement in new materials and brewing energy crisis, this scope is expected to widen further. Excellent career opportunities ensuring increasingly higher earnings and multi-industry exposure make chemical science and technology a much desirable course among students eyeing a seat in one of the reputable engineering/technology institutes of the country. 

Chemical Science and Technology- Degrees and Levels: 

Diploma level (3 years course): Students can opt for Chemical Science and Technology diploma courses after passing class 10. There are a number of related streams to choose from. These are:

• Diploma in chemical technology

• Diploma in applied science (chemical technology)

• Diploma in polymer science and technology

• Diploma in plastics technology

• Diploma in plastics mould technology

• Diploma in polymer technology

Undergraduate level (4-year course): As for the bachelor’s degree, students can choose from a number of options within the field of chemical science and technology. These are:

• B. Tech in chemical science and technology

• B. Tech in chemical technology

• B. Tech in chemical science and engineering

• B. Tech in chemical and process engineering

• B.S in chemical technology

• B.E. or B.Tech in polymer technology

• B. Tech or B.E. in polymer science and chemical technology

Postgraduate level (2-year courses): After completing B. Tech, aspirants can do masters in chemical science and technology or any of the following related subjects:

• M. Tech or M.E. chemical science and technology

• M. Tech or M.E. in polymer science and technology

• M. Tech or M.E. chemical technology

• M. Tech or M.E. in plastic technology

• M. Tech or M.E. chemical and process engineering

• M. Tech or M.E. in polymer science and chemical technology

Doctoral program (research-based)- PhD in chemical science and technology can be done after completing post-graduation and then qualifying the required entrance examinations.

Chemical Science and Technology- Minimum and Maximum 

A diploma is pursued immediately after class 10 and is of a minimum of 36 months’ duration. When pursued after class 12, it has a duration of 24 months. A chemical science and technology undergraduate course requires at least 48 months to complete. M. Tech in chemical science and technology/chemical science and engineering/chemical technology/applied sciences (chemical technology) is completed in 24 months. It usually follows a semester system i.e. a total of four semesters is covered in the entire M.Tech programme. This includes certain time durations set aside for project work and research. The combined degree or the dual degree course is usually 60 months duration. These are the minimum duration of the chemical science and technology courses. The maximum duration depends largely on the policies of the individual institutes. 

Eligibility Criteria (UG & PG) of Chemical Science and Technology

Diploma level: Candidates who have completed their class 10+2 examinations with at least 45% marks in science and mathematics separately are eligible for this course. For SC/ST/PwD category candidates, the required percentage of marks is lower.

Undergraduate level: The minimum criterion of eligibility needed to be met for admission to the course is a 10+2 qualification in the science stream. Additionally, candidates are needed to qualify any of the relevant JEE exam/ institute level entrance exam for admission to the course. Lateral entry in the second year is also accepted in the second year for candidates that have completed a diploma degree in chemical science and technology.

Postgraduate level:  Aspirants must score 60% aggregate marks or earn a 6.0 GPA in graduation examination to be eligible for enrolling in the postgraduate level course. They must complete their graduation from an institution approved by UGC or AICTE or universities approved by the parliamentary act.  
   

Doctoral programme (research-based): Candidates willing to apply for doctoral programmes need to fulfil the following minimum eligibility criteria:

Post-graduation (M. Sc/ M. Tech) in chemical science and technology or related stream from a recognized university

Minimum 55% marks in aggregate at PG level

Admission Criteria for Chemical Science and Technology Courses after Class 12

For admission to diploma level, the student must have read English as a compulsory subject till class 10. For admission into bachelor’s degree, students must pass lass 10+2 from a recognised educational board with science subject combination. As for marks, the admission criteria is to secure 60% marks minimum both in class 10 and class 10+2 qualifying examinations. However, the percentage is lower for reserved category students. Completing B. Tech or B.E degree is mandatory for admission into a postgraduate course. For some institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology, students have to possess a valid GATE score too in chemical technology/chemical engineering/chemical science/polymer science and engineering/polymer technology. Only those who have obtained their B. Tech from an IIT with a CGPA of more than 8.0/10 can be awarded some relaxation. Some institutes also conduct entrance tests for admission to a postgraduate course; a candidate must pass the test to secure a seat in that institute.

Entrance Examinations for Chemical Science and Technology Courses

Admissions for a diploma can be availed directly by approaching the institutes’ administrative office. Candidates need to submit the filled-in application form and other required documents directly to the institute. The candidates can be offered admission based on their merit or on a first-come-first-serve basis according to the institutional policies. The criterion for a diploma is a pass in class 10 or 10+2 or its equivalent examination with 55% in each of the subjects of science and mathematics. For bachelor degree, passing the Joint Entrance Examination or JEE is a must. A candidate must have cleared JEE Main for the entrance or any specific test conducted by a particular university such as VITEEE conducted by Vellore Institute of Technology. After entrance tests, institutes hold group discussion and personal interview sessions mandatory for each candidate who qualified for the exam. The entrance exam for post-graduation courses is Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering or GATE in various subjects such as chemical sciences, chemical technology and chemical engineering. The GATE score allows admission to leading institutes like the IITs.

Chemical Science and Technology- Fees and Expenses

The tuition fee and college expenses for popular chemical science and technology courses are as follows:

Diploma level: The total fee is in the range of Rs.6, 000 to Rs.1, 00,000. As of now, there are three to four government polytechnic colleges for diploma in chemical technology.

Undergraduate level: The total fee entirely depends on the college whether it is a public or private one and it varies a lot. It is typically between Rs.4, 00,000 and Rs.6, 00,000 for the 4-year programme.

Postgraduate and research: The fee is in the range of Rs.50, 000 to Rs 1, 50,000 for the entire duration of 2 years. There is a decent stipend allocated for MS and PhD students of chemical science and technology. In some public colleges, the GATE qualified postgraduate students are eligible for a stipend of approximately Rs.12, 000 per month. It can be anywhere between Rs.12, 000 and Rs.45, 000 per month.

Required Skillset for Chemical Science and Technology

Technical ability: With the advancement in technology everything is becoming more and more technology-oriented. Thus, the works of chemical scientists and technologists also involve in-depth technical ability.

High motivation: Without motivation, no work can be continued with efficacy. It is only with high levels of motivation that a person can achieve the organisational goals and his personal goals as a chemical scientist and technologist. This ensures increased productivity.

In-depth knowledge: Without a thorough knowledge of chemical science and technology, one can never be a successful chemical engineer. The subject is based on the fundamentals of physics, maths and chemistry. Hence, one needs to know the subject in and out with special emphasis on calculus, chemical biology, electronics, physical and organic chemistry, higher mathematics, and so on.

Communication skills: It is only through effective communication that the flow of information in an organisation or even a team can be ensured. Possessing strong verbal and non-verbal skills is important as that way one can ensure the completion of a project while working as a team.

Analytical skills: This is important as this particular skill will enable a chemical scientist and technologist to solve a problem as and when it arises. The analytical skill also helps one to assess what measures to take to overcome a problematic situation. Possessing this skill means understanding problems and analysing them in a way to find viable solutions to it.

Alertness: While any work related to technology demands a certain level of innovativeness, a person dealing with chemicals should be alert enough to judge where exactly a process or a solution may go wrong and accordingly, he should decide the next best step.