In 2003 the CACHE (Computer Aids for Chemical Engineering) Corporation conducted a survey of recent graduates in chemical engineering from four universities to determine how that group used (or did not use) computing in performing their job. Since that time, there have been considerable changes in the field of information technology, hence it is appropriate now to assess how the general conclusions reached fifteen years ago have changed. It is also valuable to have such information in order to consider changes in the curriculum, especially with respect to the use of and instruction about computing. Therefore we have conducted a similar survey to the one used in 1997 and 2003.
This survey is in two parts. One part was emailed to engineers in the chemical industry to assess computing in industry, which resulted in 409 responses. Responses are separated by use of computers based on the highest chemical engineering degree. Questions range from the type of software used; did they write computer programs or did they primarily use computer applications. Questions on spreadsheets, process simulators, machine learning and statistics and data analytics are asked.
A second survey was emailed chemical engineering faculty to assess what computing tools are currently being taught and used in the chemical engineering curriculum at universities. This resulted in 154 responses from 70 chemical engineering departments. The survey sent to academics asked questions on the type of software that was used in specific courses; whether programming was being taught; was the use of software coordinated between classes. Additional questions on how was the software delivered to students, did the students take exams with computers using the software, and who prepared the tutorials to introduce the software to the students.
Robert Hesketh is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. He received his B.S. in 1982 from the University of Illinois and his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware in 1987. After his Ph.D. he conducted research at the University of Cambridge, England. Robert's research is in reaction engineering, novel separations including supercritical fluids, crystallization and ultrafiltration, green engineering, and the chemistry of gaseous pollutant formation and destruction related to combustion processes. Robert has received over 4.4 million in external funding for educational and technical research projects.
Robert's dedication to teaching has been rewarded by receiving several educational awards including the 2006 Chester F. Carlson, 2002 Robert G. Quinn Award, 1999 Ray W. Fahien Award, 1998 Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award, the 2001, 1999 and 1998 Joseph J. Martin Awards, and four teaching awards. Robert is one of the founding professors of the chemical engineering program at Rowan University.
David L. Silverstein is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Kentucky. He is also the Director of the College of Engineering's Extended Campus Programs in Paducah, Kentucky, where he has taught since 1999. His PhD and MS studies in ChE were completed at Vanderbilt University, and his BSChE at the University of Alabama. Silverstein's research interests include conceptual learning tools and training, and he has particular interests in faculty development. He is the recipient of several ASEE awards, including the Fahein award for young faculty teaching and educational scholarship, the Corcoran award for best article in the journal Chemical Engineering Education (twice), and the Martin award for best paper in the ChE Division at the ASEE Annual Meeting.
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