The Faculty of Engineering

Department of Chemical Engineering

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Undergraduate Degrees

Admissions

In addition to the Faculty's General Admission Requirements, the Department of Chemical Engineering requires that all applicants possess at least a B average in Cambridge GCE Advanced Level Mathematics, Physics & Chemistry (or a recognized equivalent) inorder to qualify for admission.

Please note that due to the competitive nature of the application process, fulfillment of these minimum requirements DOES NOT guarantee entry into the department. Unsuitable applicants will not be acknowledged.

For further information please contact the Secretary of Undergraduate Affairs;
Mrs. Natalie Thomas-Chance at ext. 2168/2169/2196 or email: Chemical.Engineering@sta.uwi.edu

BSc in Chemical & Process Engineering

One of the key sectors in the economies of the English-speaking Caribbean is that of the process industries. Thus, the petroleum and natural gas industries effectively control the economy in Trinidad & Tobago, and the minerals industry (bauxite, cement, etc.) is of prime importance in Jamaica, with sugar and food having an impact in all territories.

In addition to these industries however, there is a wide range of operations in the medium and small-scale process categories such as soaps and detergents, paints, pharmaceuticals, oils and fats, etc. The discipline of Chemical Engineering is concerned with the design, construction and operation of all the processes involved in these industries. Serious considerations are given in all of these industries to safety and environmental protection. The course of study requires basic knowledge of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at Advanced level status and comprises a balanced curriculum of basic chemical engineering analysis but with a significant component of practical and project work in engineering applications, computer studies and industrial plant projects.

In the final year programme, students are required to carry out the design of a plant; this being the culmination of the programme of studies. The programme is ideal as a background for postgraduate studies in many areas including petroleum engineering.

Graduates of the Chemical & Process Engineering Programme will find employment in all aspects of the process industries including design, process engineering, project engineering, operations management, technical services and marketing.

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BSc in Petroleum Geoscience

The BSc in Petroleum Geoscience is a three-year programme that allows students the option of specialising in either Petroleum Geology or Petroleum Geophysics. The programme was asked for by the petroleum industry of Trinidad, particularly the GSTT (Geological Society of Trinidad & Tobago) and has the support from all the major upstream hydrocarbon companies and government.
Petroleum Geoscience is concerned with understanding the structure of the earth to depths of five miles to identify potential areas of hydrocarbon deposits, and to identify the hydrocarbon bearing zones, fault patterns and water ingress, and thence to model them in sufficient detail so as to be able to design development programmes for economic exploitation. After a reservoir comes into production, the Petroleum Geoscientists monitor production to ensure that forecasts are accurate and identify potential geological problems and opportunities. Petroleum Geoscientists are the professionals who assess acreage, identify exploration prospects, suggest possible drilling sites for hydrocarbon exploration, appraise new discoveries, plan and implement field development, monitor the wells during production, and generally assist field management by teaming with petrophysicists, drillers, engineers and commercial units.
The professional careers of petroleum geoscientists and engineers can be very varied. Undergraduate education and training therefore needs to be broad. This is reflected in the proposed curriculum in all years, although specialisation is pronounced in the later years. A three-year course delivers the essentials of the topic but a fourth year MSc provides advanced training for students wishing to become professional petroleum geologists/geophysicists or, perhaps later, enter academia. The first two years of the Petroleum Geoscience course progressively build a broad, sound knowledge in relevant courses in geology, mathematics, essential physical sciences and IT. The courses are integrated through a comprehensive and carefully designed fieldwork programme. At the end of the second year, students have a firm basis for selecting an option and can decide whether to follow the Petroleum Geology or Petroleum Geophysics option.
The Petroleum Geoscience Degree Programme majors in quantitative petroleum geology and geophysics courses but also includes significant basic training in petrophysics and reservoir engineering. It is expected to attract bright science students, fascinated with the earth and wishing to have a productive industrial career in their areas of interest. The quantitative nature of the course demands a good entrance grade in Mathematics. Entrance requirements are, therefore, Advanced Level Grades A or B in Mathematics, in addition to Physics or Chemistry, and one other Science subject.

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