Pennsylvania State University – English 202C
Guide to
Undergraduate
Chemical Engineering
Ch E 100S
Alexander Engler
5/23/2013
Table of Contents
1.0 Getting Started........................................................................................................................................ 2
1.1 Guide Contents ................................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 How Students May Use This Guide ..................................................................................................... 3
1.3 What Students Should Already Know ................................................................................................. 3
1.4 Guide Organization ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.5 Usage Tips for the Guide ..................................................................................................................... 4
2.0 Research .................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Catalog of U.S. Government Publications ........................................................................................... 6
2.11 Example: Dispersion of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products in Freshwater .................................. 7
2.2 Statistical Abstract of the United States ............................................................................................. 8
2.3 Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology ........................................................................... 9
2.4 Advances in Chemical Engineering ................................................................................................... 10
3.0 Classwork Assistance ............................................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Wolfram Alpha .................................................................................................................................. 12
3.2 Sigma-Aldrich: ................................................................................................................................... 13
3.3 Final Words ....................................................................................................................................... 14
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1.0 Getting Started
The following information will help users of this guide become more acquainted
with its content, purpose, and style. Users should visit this section to gain
perspective on how the guide can be used, and what circumstances make using
this guide appropriate.
Sections:
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
Guide Contents
How Students May Use This Guide
What Students Should Already Know
Guide Organization
Usage Tips for the Guide
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1.1 Guide Contents
This guide is primarily divided into two types of content: Internet sources that can help
chemical engineers and chemical engineering students research reliable information
pertaining to their field, and special tools and tricks that will be helpful for undergraduates
attempting to complete difficult coursework. The guide provides only a brief summary of
each source, along with instructions on how to access the material.
1.2 How Students May Use This Guide
This guide is designed for students taking the first year seminar ChE 100S. However, any
freshman or sophomore considering chemical engineering could benefit from reading this
guide. Students will benefit most from the guide if they use it as a stepping stone to
accomplishing a goal with a clear objective in mind. A student who uses this guide to find a
reliable source describing the latest developments in process design would find the guide
helpful. A student who uses this guide to write a research project for them from scratch will
likely be disappointed with the results.
1.3 What Students Should Already Know
Because this guide is designed with first or second semester undergraduates in mind, there are
little expectations for the users’ technical knowledge. Only basic scientific language is used, and
even if a student didn’t understand a term, it wouldn’t deter from the overall message.
Students may wish to familiarize themselves with the layout of www.libraries.psu.edu if they
have not already, as using this guide will be much easier with such a familiarity.
More so than knowledge, this guide operates under the assumption that its readers are
enthusiastic about the area they are choosing to study. Much of the information found in the
resources provided will be new to students reading it. Students who desire to learn more about
their major on their own time will gain the most possible out of this guide.
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1.4 Guide Organization
The guide is split into three primary sections. First is the guide information section. Second,
is a section dedicated to professional and reliable research resources. Finally, the guide
ends with several online sources that will be helpful to undergraduate students as they face
more and more challenging classwork. Each page has section headers that comply with the
table of contents for the easiest possible navigation.
1.5 Usage Tips for the Guide


Each resource in this guide has an abstract summarizing its purpose. The descriptions
take care to illustrate how that resource would be useful to undergraduate students. Be
sure to pay attention to these notes.
This guide is introductory in nature, and may not have all of the information students
need to properly use all of the contained sources. If students have difficulty with
accessing, using, or citing any of the sources, it is recommended that they consult with a
university librarian.
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2.0 Research
It will not be uncommon for the users of this guide, throughout their undergraduate education,
to be expected to perform research. Chem 111, Chem 113, Chem 213, and CAS 100E are just a
few examples of classes where acquiring reputable information to use in a paper or
presentation will be essential to passing the course. In addition, students who wish to either
participate in undergraduate research through the university or who wish to broaden their
knowledge of their field will want to utilize appropriate sources.
This section of the guide provides essential starting points for research that all chemical
engineers should be aware of. Two of them are government sources of information (complete
with example sources,) one is a periodical index that can help students find information on the
subject they are researching, and one is a professional journal that contains articles written and
reviewed by chemical engineers on various subjects.
Sections:
2.1
Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
2.1.1 Example: Dispersion of crude oil and petroleum products in freshwater [electronic
resource]
2.2
Statistical Abstract of the United States
2.3
Periodical Index: Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
2.4
Professional Journal: Advances in Chemical Engineering
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2.1 Catalog of U.S. Government Publications
catalog.gpo.gov
Tool for Finding Government Publications
Full Access
Abstract:
The purpose of the Catalog of U.S. Government Publications (CGP) is to help citizens locate
anything published by government bodies, which are free to citizens due to falling under the
designation of “public domain” in intellectual property law. The documents found in the CGP
are from 1976 onward, with more than 500,000 records in total. The homepage shows a basic
search engine that allows users to to look for records by keywords, tile, author, or subject. An
“advanced search” option is also present to help narrow searches by using more than one
category at a time. Once a search has been performed, matching entries will have a link to a
page giving information on the entry, including what forms it is available in, and who published
it. If the document is accessible online, a link will also be on the search page. Search results may
also be added to the “bookshelf,” a temporary list of tagged items, for the user’s convenient
reference.
Chemical Engineering students should become as familiar as possible with the catalog, as
government studies are considered to be very reliable sources. In controversial subjects, such
as the environmental impacts of various practices in the oil industry, the government body
residing over the area of studies (the EPA in this case) would likely release reports that would
be the most unbiased in nature. An example of such a document is included in the next section.
Tips


The advanced search offers the option to only have online resources appear. Simply
check “Internet Access” under search category.
The advanced search tool can also be used to keep all search results current. To do so,
one should fill out the “year/s” field.
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2.11 Example: Dispersion of Crude Oil and Petroleum
Products in Freshwater
As an example of a document that can be found with the CGP, the following is a summary of an
EPA report on petroleum products being dispersed in freshwater.
Title:
Dispersion of Crude Oil and Petroleum Products in Freshwater
Author:
Wrenn, Brian A.
Publisher info:
Cincinnati, Ohio: National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Office
of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
[2008]
Online URL:
http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS116368
This report focuses on research intended to discover weather freshwater petroleum oil spills
can be treated by dispersants. Although a definitive conclusion on the matter is not given, the
report provides a good deal of data for dispersion freshwater in both fresh oil and more
contaminated crude.
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2.2 Statistical Abstract of the United States
http://www.census.gov/prod/www/statistical_abstract.html
Database of Statistical Publications
Full Access
Abstract:
The Statistical Abstract of the United States provides yearly statistics on a wide variety of topics.
The Census Bureau has been publishing it since 1878, although recent legislation will be ending
these publications. After picking a timeframe, users of the abstracts website can choose from a
wide variety of statistics, including population, health, economics, energy, and more. Chemical
engineers – and chemical engineering students – will benefit greatly from section 19, energy
and utilities. Clicking the link “Information about the 2012 Statistical Abstract” towards the top
of the page will direct users to a page explaining the purpose of the Abstract. The right hand
side of this page lets users pick from “popular sections” and summaries of various statistics. An
example of one of these summaries would be “Energy, Transportation, and Communications,”
which is found on the right side of the 2012 Abstract page under “USA Statistics in Brief.” This
data set is easier to read, and only gives primary numbers, such as total production and
consumption of energy and oil.
Tips



Toward the bottom of the “Information about the 2012 Statistical Abstract Page” lie
links that separate statistics by state or by government body, which can be useful if a
case study requires focus on only one of these areas.
When viewing html format documents, the pages will often be rotated the wrong way.
Right clicking on the page offers users the option to rotate their view.
Bookmark the “USA Statistics in Brief--Energy, Transportation, and Communications”
page. It will be helpful for a chemical engineer to have these numbers on hand.
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2.3 Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com.ezaccess.libraries.psu.edu/book/10.1002/0471238961
Access through www.libraries.psu.edu, if above link becomes broken
Search “Chemical Technology” under databases
Periodical Index
Full Access through Penn State Library
Abstract:
The Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology is an excellent tool for practicing
chemical engineers as well as student. The encyclopedia is constantly being updated, and
already holds over 1000 different articles. Penn State students have online access to the newest
articles as soon as they are released. One may search the Encyclopedia for articles by content
on the publisher’s homepage. Undergraduates may use this index to find valuable, reliable
sources for any research project or endeavor. Much of the material on chemical processes, in
particular, would serve as great extra reading for ChE 210 (material balances) and ChE 220
(thermodynamic processes,) which are typically taken by sophomores. Reading over them
before taking these classes could help facilitate a student’s understanding of the course
material.
Tips:


When using the search function, be sure to choose “Search in this Book” rather than
simply typing into the searchbar, so that results are limited to those in the encyclopedia.
On the “Search in this Book” page, scrolling down reveals a second set of criteria for an
advanced search. One can use either advanced search to narrow their results.
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2.4 Advances in Chemical Engineering
Volumes available on www.sciencedirect.com through www.libraries.psu.edu
Information on journal http://www.elsevier.com/books/book-series/advances-in-chemicalengineering#
Professional Journal
Full Access when Signed in through Penn State Libraries
Abstract:
Advances in Chemical Engineering is a series of professional publications aimed at chemical
engineers in a research setting. There are 43 volumes in the series to date, with new
publications being released – on average – twice a year. Each volume is generally focused on a
fairly narrow topic related to chemical engineering, with chapters written by separate authors
further narrowing the content. The chapters are available in individual PDFs through the
library’s “Lionsearch.” The content usually focuses on recent studies, improvements, and
theories in technical areas such as chemical kinetics or fuel cells. In addition to being a great
research tool, this is one of the best ways the those involved in the field of chemical
engineering – including interested undergraduates – to stay up to date on the most current
happenings in the field.
Tips:


When looking at a volume on www.sciencedirect.com, use the “show preview”
function to see a brief abstract of each chapter to see if it holds the desired
information.
It is normally better to use the journal through lionsearch rather than going straight
to www.sciencedirect.com. The sign-in by institution function often fails to load.
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3.0 Classwork Assistance
The remaining sources in this guide are designed to help students with their classwork. These
tools will make learning course material and completing assignments easier if used properly.
The first is a piece of intellectual property that students may or may not have used in high
school. It can solve complex mathematical problems step by step, plot complex surfaces, and
serve as a nearly limitless knowledge database. The second serves as a handbook on any
chemical products, laboratory equipment, or analysis process students will encounter in their
freshman and sophomore lab classes.
The final section of the guide simply contains some final words and advice on approaching
chemical engineering classes.
Sections:
3.1
Wolfram Alpha
3.2
Sigma-Aldrich
3.3
Final Words
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3.1 Wolfram Alpha
www.wolframalpha.com
Intellectual Property
Full Access with Free Account
Abstract:
Wolfram Alpha is a self-titled “computational knowledge engine.” The frontpage is dominated
by a single searchbar, which returns the scientific values corresponding to the users’ input. The
searchbar is accompanied with the friendly proposal, “enter what you want to calculate or
know about.” The engine does not disappoint, especially for scientific majors. Any known
compound one searches will yield a thorough motley of information, including images of the
molecular structure as well as data such as molecular weight. Mathematical sequences entered
will be solved, and after registering for a free account, will be solved step by step. For incoming
Chemical Engineering students, Wolfram will be an invaluable tool for homework help, be it
understanding a calculus problem, visualizing a chemical structure, or quickly accessing data on
the physical properties of steam. Wolfram can also become a student’s easiest way to convert
imperial units to metric units, which will become a much more tedious task in 300 level classes.
Tips


When solving mathematic problems, wolfram can often use constants in the same way a
textbook does. In a similar manner, if a symbol is missing, one may substitute a word.
(i.e., “integrate” or “differentiate” can replace their respective symbols.
Using a more broad statement in the search bar can often lead to more specific links. In
cases of uncertainty, one should always become less specific.
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3.2 Sigma-Aldrich:
www.sigmaaldrich.com
Handbook
Full Access
Abstract:
Sigma-Aldrich has become an online handbook for chemists and chemical engineers. Its
database contains information on any chemical an undergraduate would see in the lab. Because
it is the primary resource for Penn State laboratories, all of the information is guaranteed to
match up. The site also contains many handbooks and instruction manuals for different types of
lab equipment, as well as tutorial videos explaining the science behind analysis techniques or
how equipment operates. Chemical Engineering students will use this as their primary source
for completing most pre-labs in their chemistry lab classes, and it will have further significance
in Chem 213, where students will be required to fill out an information sheet every week with
in-depth details of all chemicals they will handle in that class.
Tips



When looking up information on chemicals you will use in the lab, it is more helpful to
use the searchbar at the top of the page rather than the analysis section. It will get you
to your answers much faster.
Be careful when choosing a link from your search. 1,3 Dioxane is not the same as 1,4
Dioxane.
When picking a product from your search, go with the Sigma-Aldrich product if possible,
as that will be the one you encounter in the lab.
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3.3 Final Words
Chemical Engineering is a difficult major, but a very worthwhile endeavor. There are many
sources outside of the main contents of this guide that will be helpful to students. Social media
will be very beneficial. A group on www.facebook.com of chemical engineers in a certain class
will make communication amongst students, even if they don’t know each other well. Also, all
students should take advantage of the activities of the American Institute of Chemical
Engineers (AIChE.) More information can be found at their website www.aiche.org. Finally,
students who encounter any difficulties socially, with classwork, or any other aspect of college
life should take advantage of the College of Engineering’s undergraduate advising program.
Appointments can be requested at www.engr.psu.edu/advisingcenter.
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