HACKER Q&A
📣 gerland

Is it possible to learn chemical engineering from scratch on your own?


I'm itching to delve into some completely new domain and was wondering how realistic is to try tackle chemical engineering.

Is it possible to learn everything from scratch alone? Would lack of laboratory conditions be a problem? Is it possible to get a job in this domain based on knowledge or skills alone, or are courses/certificates/diplomas a must? What are the best resources to learn?

Thanks for all the info!

  👤 bipbapbop Accepted Answer ✓
From scratch. On your own, yes. If you have the time.

Just look up a course sequence from a good university.

1. The hard part would be keeping yourself accountable. Schools usually help in that.

2. There are no guarantees that that is enough. Consider real industry experience, informational interviews, etc if the end goal is a job in the area.

👤 poormystic
I'm thinking of Humphrey Davy and Michael Faraday, whose interest in chemical engineering proved hazardous. If guys like that get in trouble how much better could I hope to fare? Then again, if I just wanted to learn soap making I'd let myself go ahead.