The first semester of the undergraduate chemical engineering program in all University features a compulsory courses Introduction to Chemical Engineering. The first year courses provides the students a comprehensive exposure to the nature of the chemical engineering field as well as to the wide variety of career opportunities available to them upon completion of their chemical engineering education. The students get a glimpse into the types of activities that comprise the responsibilities of different positions in the chemical engineering field. For the students, the value of these courses comes from understanding their possible career paths, discovering their abilities and competencies, and overall being in a better position to make an informed decision regarding their career choice early in their college education. The students also get to interact with the chemical engineering faculty and know them from the very first semester of their college education. The faculty, too, get to know and develop relationships with the students practically from their first day of college. These courses help the faculty assess the interest and aptitude of an individual to succeed as a chemical engineer, identify and assist individuals needing extra attention, as well as encourage, nurture, and mentor the truly gifted ones. Such introductory courses having these objectives are becoming a norm for the chemical engineering programs leading to degree.
