Process Engineering (B.Sc.)

Think about this question: “Which everyday item doesn't have any process engineering in it?” Answer: There isn’t any! Everything that we eat, drink, consume and use today has been subject to a process engineering procedure during manufacturing

Everything has been ground, sifted, transported, made into tablets, separated, cleaned, stirred, pumped, shrunk or simply stored in a silo during production. All these processes and of course, all of them in chemical technology too, need a plant that has to be planned, calculated and built. Just by looking at the list of sectors that process engineering is used in, it is very clear just how “safe” and relevant this course of studies is in the future.

The bachelor’s degree in Process Engineering teaches the principles of chemical engineering focussing on processing engineering. The classical disciplines of processing sequences are taught. Students are equipped with an understanding of the procedures that take place within plants in process and chemical engineering. In doing so, the focus is more on the plant engineering interdependencies between apparatus and machines against the backdrop of chemical engineering processes, that occur within the plants. This basic understanding is the foundation for every further specialisation in a subsequent master’s degree programme or in professional life.

Process engineering builds a bridge between natural sciences and classical engineering in a modern, forward-looking and fascinating way. It is 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 with chemical engineering, process engineering is more oriented towards plants and mechanical engineering topics with the chemical element in the background.

The bachelor’s in Process Engineering offers three topical areas of advanced 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. They ensure 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. The principles of physics, chemistry and technology 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 in laboratories that are excellently equipped for this purpose. 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 Process and Chemical Engineering 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 experienced specialists.
• 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.

The Processing Engineering VB is the “sister” of the Chemical Technology CB degree programme.

Process Engineering examines more the mechanic, fluid dynamics and technical-thermodynamic processes within apparatuses and machines of a chemical production plant in the broadest sense. The course is more designed towards mechanical engineering.

Chemical Technology looks more at the chemical, reaction technical, catalytic and chemical-thermodynamic processes within apparatus and machines of a chemical production plant in the widest sense. The degree course is more chemistry-oriented.