Careers in Metallurgical Engineering

When the fundamentals of metal-related areas are combined with the basics of engineering, you are handed over with a unique yet prolific field of engineering. Metallurgical engineering, as it is known, handles physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy, and mineral metallurgy, wherein a specialist develops different ways of processing metals and transforming them into functional products. The products so developed are used in various industries, like health care, transportation, defense, and entertainment. The up-to-date scientific and technological findings help the metallurgical engineers in carrying out their work efficiently and effectively. They enjoy the advantage of receiving higher remuneration in comparison to other engineering fields. However, candidates should possess a strong background in mathematics as well as acquire analytical and problem solving skills to become a successful metallurgical engineer.

Course Details
Institutions conducting degree courses in engineering and technology offer metallurgical engineering at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. To be eligible for undergraduate (BE/B.Tech) programs in metallurgical engineering, one must have passed 10+2 examination with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. For admission to postgraduate programs, one should possess a BE/B.Tech/M.Sc degree in the relevant subject. Specializations, such as thermodynamics, physical metallurgy, corrosion engineering, powder metallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electrometallurgy are available for students of metallurgical engineering. Interested candidates can take up research work after M.Tech in related fields.

Career Prospects
Ceramic engineers have an extensive range of career opportunities to explore in both public and private sectors. They can join industries that produce, buy, sell, refine, or manufacture metals or metallic products. Opting for a research fellow or a scientist in research laboratories or lectureship in different universities in India and abroad are other prospering job alternatives. Tata Iron and Steel Company at Jamshedpur and steel plants of Durgapur, Bhillai, Rourkela, and Bokaro are some leading organizations in India which recruit skilled metallurgical engineers.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
India has some great institutions that conduct undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate courses in metallurgical engineering. These include Bengal Engineering College, Howrah; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; Birsa Institute of Technology, Sindri, Dhanbad; College of Engineering, Andhra University; Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Sarang; Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jadavpur University; Government College of Engineering, Salem; and Government Engineering College, Raipur.

Remuneration
Metallurgical engineers can receive lucrative job offers, with salaries ranging anywhere between Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 30,000 per month at earlier stages. With relevant experience and apt knowledge, senior engineers earn between Rs. 30,000 and Rs. 60,000 a month. Attractive incentives and perks serve as additional benefits in government sectors.