Chemical Engineering Courses After 12th: More Than Just Mixing Chemicals!

Blog / May 02, 2025

In today’s world, every drop of clean water, every life-saving drug, every packet of safe food, and every unit of clean energy is made possible through precise processes — most of which are led by chemical engineers. As industries stretch across borders and sustainability takes center stage, the need for professionals who can turn scientific knowledge into large-scale, safe, and efficient solutions has never been more urgent.

Chemical engineering courses after 12th stand at the heart of this transformation. It blends chemistry, physics, and mathematics with real-world problem-solving, giving rise to professionals who not only understand reactions on paper but can scale them to power plants, pharmaceutical labs, and even green-tech startups.

Among various engineering streams, the B.Tech. Chemical Engineering is known for offering a strong technical foundation along with hands-on lab experience and industry-ready training. This program is built to shape engineers who can design, improve, and optimize chemical processes that serve industries and society.

Whether you're driven by clean energy, pharmaceuticals, food technology, or materials science — chemical engineering courses after 12th give you the tools to start strong and scale higher.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/

What is B.Tech. Chemical Engineering?
B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Course Details
What is the B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Course Duration?
Why Should You Choose Chemical Engineering Courses After 12th?
Eligibility Criteria for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
Key Entrance Exams for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Entrance Exam Syllabus
Exam Preparation Tips for Chemical Engineering
How to Choose the Right College for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering?
Step-by-Step Admission Process for Chemical Engineering Courses After 12th
Curriculum Design for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Syllabus & Subjects
Job Roles and Career Pathways for Chemical Engineers
Industries and Core Companies That Hire Chemical Engineers
Academic Scope After B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
Salary Scope After B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
Why is Shiv Nadar University (Institution of Eminence) a Top Choice for Chemical Engineering?
Conclusion
FAQs

What is B.Tech. Chemical Engineering?

A B.Tech. Chemical Engineering is an undergraduate degree that prepares students in designing, developing, and optimizing chemical processes and technologies for the conversion of raw materials into valuable products.

B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Course Details

Here are the key details you must be looking for in chemical engineering courses after 12th:

Parameter	Details
Course Name	B.Tech. Chemical Engineering
Course Level	Undergraduate (UG)
Course Duration	4 years (8 semesters)
Eligibility	60-75% in 12th (PCM), varies by college
Entrance Exams	JEE Main & Advanced, BITSAT, SNUSAT, MHT CET, etc.
Admission Process	Mostly entrance exam-based, few accept merit + PI
Tuition Fee	INR 3-18 lpa

What is the B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Course's Duration?

Chemical engineering courses after 12th are a 4-year UG program, divided into 8 semesters. It uses concepts from the physical sciences (chemistry, physics), life sciences (biology, microbiology, biochemistry), mathematics, and economics to create, convert, transport, and use materials, chemicals, and energy.

Why Should You Choose Chemical Engineering Courses after 12th?

You’re probably wondering what makes chemical engineering different.

It's not about mixing chemicals in a lab all day. Chemical engineers design large-scale processes that turn raw materials into useful products — fuel, food, medicine, and even clean water. Here’s why students are leaning toward B.Tech. Chemical Engineering after class 12:

Work on solutions for clean energy, pollution control, water purification, and more.
Get into oil & gas, pharma, food tech, biotechnology, plastics, and chemicals.
High earning potential.
Strong research and innovation opportunities.
Career flexibility.

Eligibility Criteria for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

To apply to most universities in India for chemical engineering courses after 12th, the general eligibility criteria can vary.

Class 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Math (PCM).
Minimum 60-75% marks in 12th.
Clear the entrance exam (for most universities).

However, the required marks in class 12th and the cutoff marks in the entrance exam for admission can change depending on your category (general, obc, sc, st) and the university to which you are applying.

Key Entrance Exams for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

To enter top colleges for chemical engineering courses after 12th, you’ll need to clear one or more of the following entrance exams:

National-Level Exams

JEE Main – For admission to NITs, IIITs, and other institutes.
JEE Advanced – For IITs like Bombay, Delhi, Madras, Kharagpur, and other top institutes.

State-Level Exams

MHT CET – Maharashtra colleges like ICT Mumbai.
WBJEE – West Bengal colleges like Jadavpur University.

University-Level Exams

BITSAT – For BITS Pilani.
VITEEE – For VIT Vellore.
SNUSAT – For Shiv Nadar University

B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Entrance Exam Syllabus

The syllabus for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering admission examinations in India normally include Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics from Class 11 and 12, with certain tests also requiring English fluency and logical thinking.

Subject	Topics
Physics	Kinetics, Kinematics, Thermal Physics, Waves and Oscillations, Electromagnetism, Optics, Modern Physics, etc.
Chemistry	Chemical kinetics, Thermodynamics, Chemical bonding, Atomic structure, General organic chemistry, Polymers, etc.
Mathematics	Straight line, Circle, Parabola, Set theory, Algebra, Calculus, Trigonometry, Vectors, differential equations, Statistics, etc.

Exam Preparation Tips for Chemical Engineering

Scoring well in entrance exams opens doors to better colleges, so you must aim for good scores in board exams as well as entrance exams. Here’s a clean prep strategy that works:

Start with NCERT

Don’t ignore Class 11th and 12th chapters — exams give weight to both years.
Make clear notes for revision.

Set Weekly Targets

Break your syllabus into weekly chunks.
Focus on one subject per day to stay fresh.

Mock Tests Matter

Take full-length mocks every week.

How to Choose the Right College for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering?

Choosing the right college for chemical engineering courses after the 12th isn’t just about rankings. You need to focus on what fits your goals. Here’s a checklist to make things easier:

Faculty strength
Labs and facilities
Placement history
Specializations
Industry tie-ups
Research culture
Campus life

Step-by-Step Admission Process for Chemical Engineering Courses After 12th

If you're planning to take up chemical engineering courses after 12th, knowing the full admission process helps avoid last-minute confusion. Most colleges follow a set pattern with small changes based on state or university rules. Here’s how it usually works:

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Step 2: Choose and Register for Entrance Exams

Step 3: Fill Out College Application Forms

Step 4: Attend Counseling and Lock Your Seat

During counseling:

Choose your preferred branch and college
Upload final documents
Pay the confirmation fee to lock your seat

Step 5: Join the College and Begin Your Course

Curriculum Design for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

A B.Tech. Chemical Engineering program usually lasts four years. This is split into eight semesters, where each semester includes:

Core theory subjects
Practical labs
Assignments, projects, and presentations
Midterm and semester exams

Most colleges use a credit system. You pass courses by earning credits through exams, lab performance, and project work. Some colleges also include mandatory internships, minor projects, or summer training during breaks.

B.Tech. Chemical Engineering Syllabus & Subjects

1st Year Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Semester 1	Semester 2
Environmental Studies	Essentials of Biology
Chemical Principles	Engineering Mechanics
Mathematical Methods – I	Introduction to Chemical & Biochemical Engg
Manufacturing Processes	Introduction to Computing & Programming
Descriptive Engineering Drawing	Mathematical Methods – II
Introduction to Physics – I	University-Wide Elective

2nd Year Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Semester 3	Semester 4
Fluid Mechanics	Heat Transfer
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics	Mechanical Operations
Material & Energy Balance	Biochemistry
Mathematical Methods – III	Chemical Reaction Engineering – I
Material Science & Engineering	Major Elective 1
University-Wide Elective	University-Wide Elective
Core Common Curriculum Courses	Core Common Curriculum Courses

3rd Year Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Semester 5	Semester 6
Process Dynamics & Control	Mass Transfer – II
Mass Transfer – I	Transport Phenomena
Chemical Reaction Engineering – II	Chemical Engineering Laboratory – II
Chemical Engineering Laboratory – I	Modeling & Simulation of Chemical Systems
Major Elective 2	Process Equipment Design
University-Wide Electives	Major Elective 3
University-Wide Electives	University-Wide Elective
Core Common Curriculum Courses	Core Common Curriculum Courses

4th Year Chemical Engineering Syllabus

Semester 7	Semester 8
Minor Project	Major Project
Chemical Engineering Laboratory – III	Floating Elective
Chemical Technology
Major Elective 4
Core Common Curriculum Courses
Floating Elective

Job Roles and Career Pathways for Chemical Engineers

Once you complete your B.Tech. Chemical Engineering, you can choose from many job roles. You don’t have to be stuck in one field. Here’s what most freshers go for:

Process Engineer – Design systems for factories.
Production Engineer – Handle day-to-day plant operations.
Chemical Engineer – Manage reaction processes and materials.
Site Engineer – Supervise field work at industrial locations.
Quality Control Engineer – Test and inspect chemical processes.
Safety Officer – Enforces safety rules in factories and plants.

Industries and Core Companies That Hire Chemical Engineers

Chemical engineers are not limited to just one sector. You can work in energy, food, waste management, manufacturing, pharma, or even materials R&D.

Industries that Hire Chemical Engineers

Oil & Gas
Petrochemicals
Renewable Energy
Pharmaceuticals
Cement and Steel
Agrochemicals
Wastewater Treatment
Food and Beverages

Top Indian and Global Recruiters

ONGC
IOCL
Reliance Industries
Hindustan Unilever
Asian Paints
Pidilite
Lupin
Dr. Reddy’s
Schlumberger
BASF

Academic Scope after B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

Some students go for higher education after completing their B.Tech. Chemical Engineering. Here are the common options:

M.Tech in Chemical Engineering

You’ll specialize in areas like:

Environmental Engineering
Process Design
Polymer Technology
Nanotechnology

MBA

Choose this if you want to shift into:

Supply Chain
Business Consulting
Product Management

MS or Ph.D. Abroad

You can apply for:

MS in Chemical Engineering (US, Germany, Canada)
Ph.D. programs with research funding

Salary Scope after B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

After completing your chemical engineering, you will have the opportunity to work in different job roles with various top organizations around the world. This brings the great opportunity to earn a good salary. Here are some of the key job profiles in which you can work and the expected average salary:

Job Role	Average Salary
Chemical Engineer	INR 5 lpa
Quality Control Engineer	INR 5.5 lpa
Petrochemical Engineer	INR 5 lpa
Biotechnologist	INR 4 lpa
Environmental Engineer	INR 4.5 lpa
Food Scientist	INR 7.5 lpa

Why is Shiv Nadar University (Institution of Eminence) a Top Choice for Chemical Engineering?

The B.Tech. Chemical Engineering program, offered through the School of Engineering at Shiv Nadar University, combines classroom study with hands-on experience and prepares students to meet the present and future challenges in the discipline of chemical engineering.

Admission Process @ Shiv Nadar University for B.Tech. Chemical Engineering

Admission Route	Details
JEE Main	High scorers may get direct admission. An interview may be conducted if needed.
SNUSAT + APT	University’s own entrance test.
SAT (College Board)	Apply with a valid SAT score.
ACT	Apply with a valid ACT score.
CUET + Interview	Apply through CUET, followed by a personal interview.

At Shiv Nadar University, you'll gain hands-on experience, collaborate with faculty who are leaders in their disciplines, and work on high-impact research that prepares you for careers in various industries around the world. Shiv Nadar University provides research opportunities for chemical engineering students in several fields, such as:

Process Design
Material Science
Nanotechnology
Energy Production
Biochemical Engineering

Apart from this, there are many other key factors that make Shiv Nadar University the best choice for chemical engineering, like:

Opportunity for Undergraduate Research (OUR) program for research projects.
Specialized curriculum design for future-ready career paths.
State-of-the-art laboratories equipped to meet global standards.
Faculty includes PhDs and researchers from leading institutions with experience across academic and industrial R&D.
Industry collaboration, internship opportunities, and placement support.

Apply now and secure your seat if you want to do B.Tech. Chemical Engineering courses after 12th. Shiv Nadar University helps you grow as a chemical engineer and problem-solver who can thrive in complex, global settings.

Conclusion

Choosing the right path after high school matters. When you go for chemical engineering courses after 12th, you enter a field that connects science, math, and real-world impact. It gives you a clear technical base, solid career options, and the flexibility to move into industries like energy, pharma, and sustainability. This blog has walked you through everything you need to know — from exams and eligibility to labs, salaries, and placements — so you can move ahead with clarity and confidence.

If you’re looking for a place that blends academic depth, world-class research, real industry exposure, and personalized mentorship, Shiv Nadar University is where your engineering journey should begin. Apply now and take the first step toward becoming a future-ready chemical engineer.

FAQs

Is JEE Main mandatory for getting into Chemical Engineering at every university?

No, while JEE is required for IITs/NITs and is preferred by top private universities like Shiv Nadar University, there are also many university-specific and state-level entrance exams like SNUSAT, BITSAT, etc.

Is Chemical Engineering more chemistry-focused or mathematics-heavy?

It's a blend of both. While the syllabus includes various subjects related to chemistry, process design and equations make mathematics equally important.

What are the job options if I complete only a BTech in Chemical Engineering?

You can work as a chemical engineer, process analyst, and QA manager, or you can apply for PSU roles via GATE.

Do Chemical Engineers get placed in IT or software companies?

Yes, chemical engineering graduates often get placed in consulting and tech roles like analytics, data science, or coding profiles.