Careers in Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical Engineering deals with the study of the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are called alloys. Metallurgical engineering can be divided into three categories - extractive metallurgy, physical metallurgy, and mineral processing. Extractive metallurgy involves extracting metal from ore. Physical metallurgy needs problem solving skills. In this case a metallurgical engineer prepares the sorts of metallic alloys needed for different types of manufacturing and construction works. Mineral Processing deals with the technology of processing mineral products after it is extracted from the earth crust in impure form.

All metallurgical engineers study the fundamental principles of all three fields including basic engineering in general. The work of metallurgical engineers is similar to the work of metallurgical scientists. Metallurgical engineers use complex equipment, including X-ray machines, electron microscopes, and spectrographs. They use the latest scientific and technological findings in their work.

Eligibility

The basic eligibility criteria is 10+2 (with Physics, Chemistry and Maths). There are many BE/BTech program in Metallurgical Engineering of four years duration. The selection is generally made on the basis of entrance tests (e.g. IITJEE, AIEEE, BITSAT etc.) conducted at both national and state level.  

Career Prospects

Metallurgical engineers have opportunities in every industry and enterprise that produces, buys, sells refines or manufactures metals or metallic products. In India young metallurgical graduates can expect some exciting career opportunities in government undertakings as well as in private companies.

Apart from choosing for industrial jobs one can also join as a research fellow or an associate or a scientist or professor in various labs and universities located in India and abroad.

Institutes/Universities

These are few elite institutions in India offering courses in Metallurgical Engineering.

   1.       Indian Institutes of Technology  

   2.       Indian School of Mines (ISM)

   3.       Bengal Engineering College

   4.       National Institutes of Technology

   5.       Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University

   6.       Bihar Institute of Technology, Sindri Institute-828123, Dhanbad, Jharkhand

Other than this some state level universities and private institutions are offering this course.