Numerical Methods and ODE Plotting for Chemical Engineers

Chemical engineering relies heavily on modeling physical systems, from reaction kinetics to heat transfer, which are almost always governed by differential equations. This text-based course guides you through the process of setting up, solving, and plotting ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using modern numerical methods. You will learn how to translate complex physical systems into mathematical models and solve them computationally. Starting with foundational calculus and programming concepts, you will build a solid understanding of numerical algorithms before writing clean, modern code to simulate real-world chemical processes. What you will learn: Understand the mathematical foundation of ODEs in chemical engineering contexts; Solve first-order and systems of higher-order ODEs using standard numerical solvers like ode45; Write robust MATLAB scripts to automate the simulation of chemical reactors and transport systems; Plot and visualize multi-variable simulation results clearly with professional formatting; Apply modern coding practices including code modularization, clear parameter definitions, and error handling. You will begin with core definitions of differential equations and numerical approximation, progress through hands-on coding exercises, and finish by modeling multi-component chemical systems. This course is designed for engineering students, researchers, and professionals who have a basic understanding of calculus and want to learn numerical modeling from scratch. Start mastering numerical methods for chemical engineering today.