r/ChemicalEngineering • u/fatimalizade • Jul 05 '25

Software Software recommendations

Hi everyone, I’m currently doing my master’s degree in Chemical and Energy Engineering, but my bachelor was in Chemistry, so I didn’t pick up any programming skills in my previous studies, but actually I’ve done some MATLAB courses and learned basics.

Yesterday I had a conversation with one of my group mates and she mentioned that you can’t get a research or software-based job with MATLAB, it’s useless and you have to learn Python instead.

So I’m wondering is it still worth spending time on MATLAB?

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u/nolannubby Specialty Food Packaging/2.5 Years of experience Jul 05 '25

Matlab is useful and very powerful with math and physics-based calculations and programs, but you can’t be sure the company or firm you’ll be going to after graduation will have Matlab considering its very expensive. I’d recommend Python for this reason considering it is universal.

As for data analysis I’d shoot for either JMP or Minitab. I’d also try to get familiar with VBA since you’ll be using Excel anywhere you’ll go and VBA is useful for automation.

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u/fatimalizade Jul 06 '25

Thanks for answering. How long does it usually take to learn Python or the other software programs you mentioned?

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u/peanutally Jul 07 '25

Python is very intuitive. I reckon it might take a few weeks to get used to it and then a few more weeks to familiarise yourself with common libraries that are used. Don’t be scared it’s very easy to use. At my workplace we use pandas numpy and Jupyter a lot.

VBA is not as intuitive, I find it very clunky. I learnt it on the go with chatGPTs help. But it’s very useful for automating things in Excel and can make you look competent.