Why chemistry? Chemistry is the study of structural transformations of matter and their implications in wide ranging contexts - from materials science to living biological systems. Viewed from this over-reaching perspective, it is clear that the understanding of the fundamentals of this subject is essential to finding solutions for many of the immense challenges facing mankind today - starting from water purification, environmental remediation, development of environmentally benign chemical process and novel materials for
sequestering solar energy and storage, to unravelling molecular mechanisms for disease and the development of new molecules for their cure. Study of chemistry will provide students with the requisite fundamental knowledge base to begin researching in many of these interdisciplinary areas that straddle conventional disciplines, such as with physics, biology and engineering.
What does the programme offer? The 4-year Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme programme in chemistry intends to provide a rich mix of fundamental courses in all the sciences, namely chemistry, physics, biology and mathematics, during the first three semesters, along with a basic foundation in principles of engineering. This combination, we believe, will enable students to pursue advanced degrees in emerging interdisciplinary areas wherein major strides are expected in the coming decades. In addition, the students will also be exposed to several courses in humanities that will provide them with a better appreciation of science and its societal implications, and will also sharpen their skills in communicating science to both experts and to society at large. After the successful completion of the first three semesters, students majoring in chemistry will be required to take a fixed number of compulsory chemistry core-courses that would give them the requisite foundation to pursue various specialized areas.
Students can then specialize further by choosing elective courses from a wide range of special topics that will enable them fulfil their minimum credit requirements for majoring in chemistry; additional elective courses in any of the other science/engineering disciplines could lead to a minor specialization, provided the minimum credit requirements for doing so are met. The course structure is designed to impart the students with the requisite theory background in addition to providing strong hands-on laboratory training in modern and more contextual chemistry topics. An important feature of the programme is also the opportunity that students will have to carry out a small research project on a wide range of contemporary topics in one of the 40-odd research laboratories within the chemical sciences division. This provides an ideal environment for translating class room learning to cutting-edge research applications.
What after a Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme in Chemistry? Successful completion of the Bachelor of Science (Research) Programme programme in chemistry will provide the foundation for students either to embark on a career in chemistry or to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry and allied interdisciplinary areas. The strong laboratory programme, exposure to modern instrumentation, and the research training will be of immense value to students in either pursuit.
Additionally, the course curriculum is designed to ensure that they are adequately prepared to directly enter a PhD programme. The unique opportunity to engage in an intense one-semester research project in a creative and exciting environment would enable students to make intelligent career choices, specifically with regards to a research career.
To know more details about the curriculum and content of the courses, click here.