COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Chemical at Cape Breton University is offered in two structured pathways: a 3-year (90-credit) program and a 4-year Advanced (120-credit) program, each designed to meet different levels of depth and career preparation. In the 3-year program, students begin with foundational courses such as general chemistry, mathematics for engineering technology, physics, engineering graphics, computing skills, and laboratory safety. In the second year, they study core technical subjects including organic and physical chemistry applications, material and energy balances, fluid mechanics, and introductory instrumentation and analytical techniques. The final year focuses on applied learning through chemical process technology, process control, environmental chemistry, quality control, laboratory analysis, technical electives, and a capstone project that integrates practical industrial problem-solving. In the 4-year advanced program, the first two years are similar but build stronger theoretical foundations. The third year introduces more advanced topics such as reaction engineering, separation processes like distillation and chromatography, process automation, environmental monitoring, and advanced laboratory methods. The fourth year is dedicated to specialization and industry application, including advanced process design, research projects or thesis work, industrial internships or placements, quality assurance systems, and high-level instrumentation studies using equipment like NMR, GC-MS, and HPLC. Overall, the 3-year pathway is more application-focused for quick entry into technical roles, while the 4-year pathway provides deeper expertise, research exposure, and stronger preparation for advanced industrial or academic careers.