Chemical-Environmental Technology

Running GC Mass Spectrometry

The Chemical-Environmental Technology Program qualifies its students and graduates to work for either chemical company laboratories, independent laboratories, research laboratories, polymer manufacturing facilities, petroleum refineries, pharmaceutical laboratories, environmental laboratories, chemical/hazardous material emergency response companies, or government agencies.

In this program, students will learn how to:

• Perform physical and chemical analysis accurately, precisely, and safely using appropriate and established methodology.

• Document and communicate information relevant to expected laboratory operations, including the calculation of analytical results and the reporting of chemical analyses.

• Demonstrate expected workplace skills necessary for successful employment in the chemical industry, including chemical synthesis, knowledge of chemical safety, and the use of computerized and automated testing procedures.

The program is strongly supported by the industry mentioned above, receiving monies for scholarships, equipment for instruction, faculty upgrade training, and grant monies for research.

Flow determination of the Arroyo Colorado

Students in the Chemical-Environmental Technology program receive instruction in the classroom, the laboratory and participate in tours of industry, wastewater plants, drinking water plants, and landfills. They study the methods of environmental analysis while collecting samples of a variety of matrices (types) such as surface water, ground water, soil, sediment, air, and fishes.

Measuring the melt index of polymers

Some students opt to continue their studies while they are employed. This is an ideal situation because all the companies that hire the program's graduates will reimburse all or most of the educational costs for tuition, fees, and books. These students usually pursue their education in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry. Two graduates have obtained law degrees.

HAZMAT training - Employee emergency response for chemical spills

The Chemical Environmental Technology Program  participated in a GRANT from the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission conducting continuous monitoring and sampling of the Arroyo Colorado. The students conducted the data collection while the faculty evaluated the data for quality assurance/quality control compliance and submitted the information reporting to the granting agency.