GENERAL AIMS OF THE DEGREE COURSE

The Degree in Chemical  Engineering has been designed with the basic aim of producing professionals capable of applying scientific methods and the principles of engineering and economics to addressing and solving complex problems regarding the design of products and processes in which materials undergo changes in morphology, composition or energy content. This includes the design, calculation, construction, implementation and operation of equipment and installations where such processes are carried out, and which are characteristic of the chemical industry and related sectors, such as the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, food or environmental sectors. All the foregoing implies considerations of quality, safety, economy, rational and efficient use of natural resources and preservation of the environment, in compliance with professional codes of conduct.

The aim is to produce graduates who are highly knowledgeable and skilled, with a creative approach and an awareness of the need for professional development in the course of their own work and that of their colleagues. Accordingly, learning skills and the capacity to apply knowledge are just as important as the quantity of knowledge acquired.

• Credit structure of the degree course
• Distribution of credits per subject type
• General description of the course programme
• Optional subjects and routes
  

CREDIT STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE COURSE

Subjects in the Degree in Chemical Engineering, each worth 6 or 9 European ECTS credits, are organised into semesters.  Specifically, students are required to take 30 credits each semester, to complete 60 credits per year, for a total of 240 credits over four years.

In order to make the course compatible with other activities, students are allowed to take a part-time course consisting of 30 credits per academic year.

STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME PER SUBJECT TYPE

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME

The University of Alicante Degree in Chemical Engineering Course is organised into a series of Units, based on the structure set out in Royal Decree 1393/2007. These units cover the proficiencies, learning outcomes, educational activities and assessment procedure to be followed in order for students to attain the aims of the Degree.

These units comprise the compulsory aspect of the Degree, and are aimed at enabling students to acquire the proficiencies and knowledge considered essential for Graduates in Chemical Engineering, thus ensuring acquisition of the generic professional skills required for regulated professional practice as Industrial Engineering Technicians. In this regard, the requirements established in Order CIN/351/2009 of 9 February have been observed, concerning validation of official university qualifications which qualify their holders for professional practice as Industrial Engineering Technicians. This Order states that the course programme should include at least the following modules:

- Core Module

- Common Industrial Module

- Specific Technology Module: Chemical Engineering

and which also specifies that a Final Project should be undertaken.

The course has been structured on the basis of three types of subjects:

Firstly, in accordance with Royal Decree 1393/2007, the first half of the course programme contains the core subjects, worth a total of 60 ECTS.

Secondly, there are the compulsory subjects, worth 144 ECTS and aimed at guaranteeing that students acquire the skills associated with the Degree, in addition to 12 ECTS credits pertaining to the compulsory Final Project.  This latter is carried out in the final semester and is aimed at assessing the proficiencies acquired.  Prior to evaluation for the final project, the student must provide evidence of ability in a foreign language.  Among other forms of accreditation, the minimum necessary requirement at the University of Alicante is to have attained level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages, and this requirement may be raised in the future.

Thirdly, the course programme also includes optional subjects worth 24 ECTS. These are specialisation-based and are taken in the final semesters of the course, allowing students to choose their own curricular direction.

As regards optional subjects, a total of 66 optional ECTS credits are offered, in addition to the possibility of carrying out Work Experience. These are taken in semester 8.

Optional subjects include the possibility of carrying out work experience, whether for 6 credits in lieu of one optional subject, or for 12 credits, in lieu of two.

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT (IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE)

Students who study an undergraduate degree at the University of Alicante must confirm a minimum level of B1 in a foreign language (a B2 is recommended) in order to obtain the diploma.  

The required language level is in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 

The language accreditation requirement can be obtained previously or at any time during university studies. However, the language requirement will be necessary in order to be able to assess the final year project.

The different forms of obtaining such language requirement can be consulted in the additional information in this section.  

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LANGUAGE TEACHING COMPETENCE CERTIFICATE

Students who want to have a career in non-university teaching when they finish their studies are recommended to obtain the teaching competence certificate (Valencian and/or foreign languages).

This certificate can be obtained by taking specific itineraries in your university studies or by taking the UA teaching competence course in Valencian, German, French and English.

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FINAL YEAR PROJECT (TFG)

All the official undergraduate degrees must be completed by preparing and defending a final year project, which must be done in the final phase of the studies and be aimed at the assessment of competences associated to the degree.

The final year project must be an original, independent and personal work. The elaboration of it may by individual or coordinated. Each student will prepare this project under the supervision of a tutor, allowing students to show the received training content in an integrated many, as well as the acquired competences associated to the undergraduate degree.

In order to register in the final year project, students must comply with the requirements established in the “Regulations for continuation studies for students registered in undergraduate degrees at the University of Alicante”. Among the requirements established to be able to register in the final year project, a minimum of 168 credits must be passed in undergraduate degrees with a total of 240 credits, and a minimum of 228 credits in undergraduate degrees with a total of 300 credits or more.

In order for the final year project to be assessed, a B1 level of a foreign language (B2 is recommended) must be confirmed.

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• Access routes
• Procedure for applying for admission
• Recommended applicant profile
• Number of places and pass marks

ACCESS ROUTES

Admission to this degree course is open to any applicant who meets one of the following entrance requirements:

1.     SPANISH BACCALAUREATE (LOMCE) UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Although students can access university by means of any Baccalaureate specialization, the recommended one is Sciences.

Admission scores for this degree can be improved by taking the specific modules of the University Entrance Exam (PAU) as indicated in the table below with their respective weightings.

TABLE 1

2.     PREVIOUS BACCALAUREATES WITH OR WITHOUT A PASS IN THE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE EXAM (PAU): Students who have completed their Baccalaureate under previous education systems and have passed the PAU will be able to use the mark obtained in their application.

However, students can take specific exam modules during the voluntary PAU exam period in order to improve their admission score as shown in table 1. They can also sit for the obligatory PAU exams, in which case they will have to take all the exams scheduled during this period.

3.     VOCATIONAL EDUCATION: Vocational educational qualifications such as senior technician, senior technician of plastic arts and design, or senior technician in sports is the preferred professional area although access to this degree may be through any professional field.

Admission scores can be improved by taking the PAU exam in up to 4 of the modules in table 1.

4.     STUDENTS FROM EDUCATION SYSTEMS IN COUNTRIES OF THE EUROPEAN UNION OR OTHER STATES WITH WHICH SPAIN HAS AN INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT: Accreditation is required and issued by Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (UNED).

Students can sit for exams in subjects included in the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE), organised by the UNED, in order to improve their admission score up to 14 points as indicated in the weightings in Table 1.

5.     STUDENTS FROM FOREIGN EDUCATION SYSTEMS: Prior to applying for the validation of their foreign Baccalaureate, students may sit for up to 4 exams in subjects offered by the Pruebas de Competencias Específicas (PCE) organised by UNED (at least one subject from the core subjects).

The weightings indicated in table 1 will be applied to core and/or optional subjects.

6.     OTHER: University degrees and other similar qualifications. University entrance exam for students over 25 (preferential option: Engineering and architecture). Access on the basis of professional experience (applicants over 40 years of age). Access to applicants aged 45 years or more by means of an exam.

Weightings of the subjects of the specific phase of the Proof of Access to the University (PAU) in the previous years

High School Diploma Subjects

Academic Years 2010-11 2011-12

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0.2

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x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

x

Academic Years 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

0.1

x

x

x

x

0.2

x

x

x

x

x

x

PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING FOR ADMISSION: PRE-ENROLMENT AND REGISTRATION

• Anticipated number of places offered during the first pre-enrolment session: 60 

• In order to apply for a place, the procedure and pre-enrolment periods established each year must be observed. Information concerning the application procedure  (Pre-enrolment).

• Applicants admitted to a course must formally register within the timescale established annually in the enrolment calendar. Registration Information.

RECOMMENDED APPLICANT PROFILE

As regards the recommended educational background for the Degree in Chemical Engineering, new students should have a basic grounding in mathematics, physics, chemistry and drawing.

Among the qualities the future Chemical Engineering student should possess, the following are of especial relevance:

• Capacity for work (perseverance, method and rigour).
• Capacity for reasoning and critical analysis.
• Scientific spirit.
• Capacity to obtain, interpret and apply knowledge.
• Problem-solving skills.
• Capacity for synthesis and abstraction.
• Recommended complementary education: English and user-level computing skills.

NUMBER OF PLACES AND PASS MARKS

• "Pass marks" indicated correspond to the results of the first adjudication of June.
  
• The definitive marks can be inferior to the here collected.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILES

Graduates in Chemical Engineering are qualified to work in the manufacturing industry, design and consultancy companies, technical, legal or commercial advisory services, administration, teaching and as self-employed industrial engineer technicians, and to issue reports and expert opinions.

On the basis of the proficiencies and professional profile of Chemical Engineers:

a) Graduates in Chemical Engineering are fully qualified to install  facilities and auxiliary services in the chemical industry, particularly as regards the installation of heating, air-conditioning and cooling facilities, sound-proofing, electrical installations, gas and fuel distribution, storage of chemical products, storage of pressurised liquids, water supply facilities, rain-water, waste-water and industrial water installations, fire-prevention installations and pollution control and prevention facilities.

b) Graduates are particularly qualified to participate in the planning and development of chemical processes, applying their scientific and technological grounding to these processes and their products, particularly with regard to production and technical production control, installation and set-up, operation, maintenance and inspection, quality, data-processing, commerce, and the manufacture of equipment and machinery.

c) Graduates are also qualified to write up projects, studies, reports, specifications and procedures within the economic, environmental, and chemical industry, corporate and labour fields, particularly with regard to environmental impact studies, acoustic studies,  waste treatment, management and assessment,  treatment and use of the complete water cycle, pollution control and prevention, eco-efficiency and eco-design of processes and products, sustainable development, technical, economic and market viability studies, process control, equipment, simulation and optimisation, management of industrial hazards and health and safety in the industry, consultancy, technical assessments and reports in legal, official and private matters, homologation; chemical verification, analysis and testing.

d) Likewise, graduates may work in Public Administration and public organisations, as envisaged in the corresponding regulations, and in engineering and consultancy companies.

e) Chemical Engineering graduates are particularly qualified to sign off on the installations referred to in the foregoing paragraphs.

In general, Graduates in Chemical Engineering Industrial Chemistry are qualified to work as regulated Industrial Engineering Technicians, given that the proposed Course Programme complies with the terms of Order CIN/351/2009 of 9 February establishing the requirements for the validation of official university titles which qualify their holders to exercise as Industrial Engineering Technicians.

IMPLEMENTATION

The proposed course programme for the University of Alicante Degree in Chemical Engineering will be implemented year by year. This involves phasing out and replacing each year of the Degree in Chemical Engineering programme currently being taught at the University of Alicante Science Faculty (amended 1999 programme). Subjects pertaining to the former degree will no longer be taught once those of the new Degree Course in Chemical Engineering have been implemented.

Implementation of the new University of Alicante Degree (Grado) in Chemical Engineering course will begin in the academic year 2010-2011.

TIMESCALE

CREDIT EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN SUBJECTS ON THE CURRENT COURSE PROGRAMME AND THE NEW DEGREE (GRADO) IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

According to University of Alicante regulations, students who do not wish to take the new degree course subjects are entitled to sit four examinations in the two academic years following the end of each year. Any students wishing to continue their studies after sitting and failing these tests will be required to follow the new plan, according to the adaptation system established in the new plan. Old (LRU) and new (ECTS) credits are one-to-one equivalent, although overall limits will be established for the credit equivalence system.

Credits taken by Chemical Engineering students not listed in the above table may be validated by means of:

1. Degree course optional credits, up to the maximum number of optional credits established for each degree course.

2. Recognised free-elective credits validated for university, cultural or representational activities will be validated for the degree course, with a maximum of up to 6 academic credits to be validated for various activities, as set out in Art. 12.8 Royal Decree 1393/2007 (participation in cultural, sporting, student representation, charity and cooperation activities).

DEGREE IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING. SYLLABUS SUMMARY

Internal Quality Assurance System (SGIC) of the Title

• Structure of the Centre for Quality
  • Comission of Internal Quality Guarantee
  • Other Commissions  
• Handbook SGIC
• Procedures
  • Strategic (PE)
  • Key (PC)
  • Support (PA)
  • Measurement (PM)

• Management of the SGIC (Access to ASTUA)

Follow-up of the Title

• International quality label 
• Self-reports UA
• External reports AVAP 
• Other reports
• Improvement Plans
• Progress and Learning Outcomes