Higher National Diploma (HND) in Chemical Engineering

Programme Description

The HND Chemical Engineering has been designed to equip students with the necessary technical skills and knowledge to enable them:
•    develop the ability to apply mathematics, physical and chemical sciences, and information sciences to the Chemical Engineering discipline;
•    develop basic competence in a range of technical areas relevant to Chemical Engineering and to further enhance students’ knowledge to good engineering practices.
•    take appropriate, responsible positions in the chemical, process and allied industries such as plastics and polymers industry, biotechnology, electronics, paints, pharmaceuticals, foods, flavors, detergents, and cosmetics, among others; and
•    Improve their personal and professional career development.

By undertaking the course, students gain a firm grasp of the principles of Chemical Engineering which enable them to tackle engineering challenges wherever they find themselves. Students also develop skills, knowledge and understanding to function well in industry through the ability to:
•    Interpret and create process flow diagrams;
•    Sketch equipment and read and interpret engineering drawings;
•    Perform calculations based on relevant scientific and engineering principles;
•    Specify and size equipment using appropriate principles and standards;
•    Apply the principle of instrumentation and control to the design and operation of process plant;
•    Select appropriate materials for use in process plant;
•    Apply sound economic practice to the design and operation of process plant;
•    Work in a safe and responsible manner and to identify and avoid potential hazards;
•    Work in teams;
•    Write clear and concise instructions and reports; and
•    Improve their personal and professional development by learning new skills.

The HND Chemical Engineering programme comprises three academic years made up of six semesters.

Courses under the programme

YEAR ONE

Semester 1

COS 101    Communication Skills I
MCE 103    Engineering Drawing
MATH 111    Engineering Mathematics I
CME 101    Introduction to Information Technology
CME 103    Inorganic   Chemistry
CME 107    Physical Chemistry
CME 109    Chemical Process Industries
CME 115    Introduction to Chemical Engineering

Semester 2

COS102      Communication Skills II
CME102      Computer Programming
CME104      Analytical Chemistry
CME112      Chemical Engineering Drawing
CME114      Analytical and Inorganic Chemistry Practical
CME118      Engineering Materials
CME120      Chemical Engineering Principles
AFS100      African Studies
MATH102     Engineering Mathematics II

YEAR TWO

Semester 3

EEE 217    Applied Electricity and Basic Electronics
MATH 211    Engineering Mathematics III
CME 203    Transfer Operations I
CME 205    Stagewise Operations I
CME 215    Organic Chemistry
CME 207    Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
CME 217    Instrumentation and Measurements

Semester 4

CME204    Transfer Operations II
CME206    Stagewise Operations II
CME208    Organic Chemistry Practicals
CME210    Chemical Kinetics and Reactor Design
CME216    Plant Maintenance & Work Services
CME218    Particulate Systems
CME220    Chemical Engineering Laboratory I
CME224    Statistics for Chemical Engineers
CME226    Numerical Methods for Chemical engineers

YEAR 3

Semester 5

CME 301    Industrial Attachment
CME 303    Project Work I

Semester 6
ENT302    Entrepreneurship
CME306     Process Dynamics and Control
CME308     Chemical Engineering Laboratory II
CME312     Project Work II
CME314     Food Processing Technology
CME316     Petroleum Refinery Technology
CME336     Plant Design and Economics
CME346     Safety and Pollution Control

Career Opportunities

The work of the HND chemical engineering graduate may be in research and development, design, production, sales and marketing, and in the engineering and management of process plants. The graduate will be able to get a job in the following types of organizations as shown in the table below:

Admission requirements

a.    SSCE Applicants

Candidates with Passes (A-D) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects: English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science plus three (3) elective subjects: Chemistry, Elective Mathematics and a relevant subject such as Physics.

b.    WASSCE Applicants

Candidates with Credit passes (A1-C6) in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects: English Language, Core Mathematics and Integrated Science plus a minimum of (C6) in three (3) elective subjects which include Chemistry, Elective Mathematics and any relevant subject such as Physics.

c.    GCE ‘O’LEVEL / ‘A’ LEVEL

GCE ‘O’ Level credit passes in five (5) subjects including English, Mathematics and Chemistry plus three (3) passes in GCE ‘A’ Level Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics.

d.    Mature Applicants

(i)    Must be at least twenty-five (25) years old
(ii)    Must have at least four (4) credits and two (2) passes (with science background).
(iii)    Must have at least 5 years’ working experience in chemical and allied industry.
(iv)    Must pass written aptitude test (English Language, Mathematics, General Knowledge), and an interview.

e.    Foreign Applicants

Foreign applicants with foreign certificates will be referred to National Accreditation Board for determination of equivalences and eligibility of certificates.

f.    Technical/Vocational School Applicants.

Candidates with passes in six (6) subjects comprising three (3) core subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, plus Chemistry and any two (2) relevant trade courses such as refrigeration.