The University of Manchester Career Simulation: AI in Chemical Engineering

Overview This course introduces the role of a Chemical Engineer, and explores how Artificial Intelligence is transforming the industry. You'll discover the qualifications and skills you'll need to succeed, gain insight into day-to-day responsibilities, and understand how AI is being used right now to solve some of the biggest challenges in chemical engineering. This isn't just a career exploration course, it's a window into the future of one of the world's most important and fast-evolving industries. The course also covers career progression and provides an honest look at the challenges, rewards, and benefits of working in this field. Most importantly, you'll complete a real-world activity simulating a task a Chemical Engineer would tackle in their day-to-day life, with AI playing a central role, so you can get a genuine feel for what this career looks like in practice. This programme takes two hours to complete. What's Included This experience features insightful content from Assistant Professor in Chemical Engineering, specialising in Digital Manufacturing and AI, Nausheen Basha. Expect engaging videos, interactive activities, quizzes, and much more, all designed to bring both the human side of chemical engineering and the exciting role of AI within it to life. At the end of the experience, you'll put everything you've learned to the test in a real-world simulation task. Lesson Overviews Career Overview - In this first lesson, you'll be introduced to the role of a Chemical Engineer and get a top-level overview of this important, future-thinking career. You'll also get your first look at how AI is beginning to reshape the field, setting the scene for everything that follows throughout the course. Before diving deeper, this lesson gives you the foundations you need. What is AI? - What actually is AI, beyond just large language models? From machine learning to data-driven process optimisation, you'll explore how AI works, where it's being applied across the chemical engineering industry, and what it means to use it responsibly. This is your essential toolkit for everything ahead. Qualification & Skill Requirements - Discover what qualifications and skills you need to become a Chemical Engineer, including the growing importance of digital and AI literacy, and find out what entry routes are available, such as graduate schemes and degree apprenticeships. Whatever your preferred route into the world of work, chemical engineering offers real diversity and flexibility Daily Activities - Ever wondered what a Chemical Engineer actually does day to day? This lesson walks you through real daily activities and responsibilities, including how AI tools are being used in practice to model processes, analyse data, and solve problems faster than ever before. Expect a few myth-busting moments along the way too. Career Progression - Once you begin your journey as a Chemical Engineer, how will your career develop? This lesson uncovers what different phases of your journey could look like, from your first role through to senior leadership and specialist positions, and explores how growing confidence with AI and digital tools can accelerate your progression. Challenges & Rewards - Every role comes with its challenges and rewards, and chemical engineering is no different. This lesson offers an honest insight into what real Chemical Engineers have found both demanding and deeply rewarding about their work, including how AI is changing both the nature of the challenges they face and the impact they're able to have. Salary & Benefits - This lesson provides information on salary ranges, so you can get an idea of how much you could earn at different points throughout your career. What’s more, working as a Chemical Engineer comes with a number of exciting benefits, which you’ll find out more about! Meet the Expert - Meet a real Chemical Engineer as they walk you through their career journey, share what a typical day looks like, and offer honest advice for anyone considering this path. You'll also hear their perspective on how AI is changing the industry, and what that means for the next generation of engineers entering the field. How is AI Shaping the Future of Chemical Engineering? - This dedicated lesson takes a deeper look at the role AI is playing across the chemical engineering industry right now, from designing new materials and drug compounds to optimising energy use in manufacturing and predicting equipment failures. You'll also explore what it means to use AI responsibly, ethically, and critically as you build your career. Activity - Now it's time to put your learning into practice. Guided by a Chemical Engineer, you'll be briefed on a real-world activity that asks you to think and work like a professional in this field, with AI playing a key role in the challenge. Are you ready to think like an engineer of the future? Reflection Activity - In this final lesson, you will reflect on everything you have learnt in this experience. With all of the information you need about the role of a Chemical Engineer, is this a career you would consider? If not, don’t stress! Engineering is a diverse community with many exciting roles to explore.