Metallurgy is an area of material science that deals with the physical and chemical composition and behavior of metallic elements, their compound forms and mixtures. It also deals with putting science to practical use.

What is metallurgical engineering?

Metallurgical engineering is a field of study which mainly deals with metals, their properties, composition and their applications. With this course, students will have a deeper understanding on how to manufacture metals and compounds in a larger scale to meet the demands of various industries such as automobile manufactures, aircraft manufactures, iron and steel industries etc.

Role of metallurgical engineering

However metallurgical engineering does not have a direct role in the construction sector. But metal products that are extracted and converted into useable form are used in construction. The construction of buildings which utilizes concrete uses steel bars the frame the structure of the building irrespective of its size. Modern buildings are constructed on steel structure and hence are a major consumer of iron and steel products. So as long as human beings exist in this world, the demand for iron and steel will be high.

What do you study in metallurgical engineering?

During the first year of study, the student will have to study basic engineering subjects along with physics, chemistry and mathematics. The course will give a deeper understanding of the three areas of metallurgy such as physical metallurgy, extractive metallurgy and mineral processing. Physical metallurgy deals with composition of different compounds and alloys. Extractive metallurgy deals with extraction of metals form the ores and its refinement. Mineral processing deals with the processing of minerals that are obtained from the earth’s crust.

There are many opportunities for higher studies in India as well as abroad.

Career opportunities

Companies with openings for graduates and post graduates with metallurgical engineering include SAIL (Steel Authority of India), Jindal Steel, Reliance industries, Tata steel etc. ISRO, DRDO are the government organizations that offer jobs for graduates and post graduates.

Students who graduate in metallurgical engineering can expect a salary of Rs2.5 to 3 lakhs per annum.

The course is offered in almost all the National Institutes of Technology, IITs and many other government and private engineering colleges.

So pursuing a metallurgical engineering course will be certainly advantageous as the opportunity for such graduates are very high.