Department of Chemistry

Objectives

As a physical science, chemistry builds a scientific attitude: it helps remove superstitions and wrong notions, and cultivates the habits of reasoning, observation and experiment. Knowledge of chemistry is needed in almost every profession, and it prepares students for occupations that depend on the subject.

• To evoke interest in chemistry and help students acquire knowledge of the subject.
• To improve and strengthen their knowledge of chemistry.
• To develop a scientific culture among students.
• To meet the need for advanced knowledge, scientific methods, intellectual abilities and skills.
• To prepare students for independent research.

Why chemistry matters

The food we eat, the water we drink, the clothes we wear, the medicines we take, and the soap and toothpaste we use are all chemicals, and the human body itself runs on complex biochemical reactions. Chemistry deals with the composition and properties of matter and underpins molecular biology, biotechnology, the life, material, atmospheric and environmental sciences, and pharmaceutics, which is why it is often called the mother of the sciences.

Alongside the traditional branches of physical, inorganic, organic and analytical chemistry, newer fields such as biochemistry, pharmaceutical, industrial, agricultural, medicinal, polymer and quantum chemistry are fast emerging.

History of the department

The college was started in 1969 and the science faculty was added in 1972. Siddapur is an educationally backward taluk and this is its only degree college, so public demand led the management to start the PU science course in 1972. As PU science students then demanded a degree course, B.Sc. was started in 1991, letting them continue in science instead of switching to B.A. or B.Com. or going far away. The science section remains unaided to this day, with the management bearing the entire cost.

Despite many limitations, the department has grown into a strong one, producing many graduates with distinction and a university topper in the subject. Student strength has risen steadily at both PU and degree levels, with very high results every year.

Dr. Ramesh A. Prabhu, U. T. Hegde, Annapoorna and Dakshayini Madival have taught in the department. Gouri M. Kamath, lecturer, is the present Head of the Department.

Vision and mission

Vision: The development of fundamental understanding, with emphasis on new structural, synthetic and theoretical techniques applicable in both academic and industrial contexts.

Mission: To prepare students soundly for the requirements of modern industry, give them competence in basic academic research, and offer a cohesive, clearly structured overview of chemistry.

Teaching and activities

• Topics include metallurgy, spectroscopy, polymers, bio-inorganic chemistry, industrial chemistry and surface chemistry.
• Laboratory work, workshops, student projects and seminars; about 800 books in the central library.
• Student seminars on spectroscopy, industrial chemistry and polymers.
• Weekly talks on molecular spectroscopy, polymers and thermodynamics.
• Student projects on sewage water treatment and on pesticides in fruits and vegetables.
• Taluk-level essay competitions.

Future plans

• Extend the laboratory with a chemical store room, a room for Kipp's apparatus (for H₂S gas), a fume chamber for strong acids, and a fully equipped senior laboratory.
• Subscribe to more science magazines and journals.
• Provide audio-visual aids wherever possible.
• Encourage students to write scientific essays and articles, give A.I.R. talks and take part in competitions.
• Organise guest lectures by eminent scientists, science quizzes and exhibitions.
• Establish an alumni association of chemistry students.