Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Chemistry involves the study of all things chemical – chemical processes, chemical compositions, and chemical manipulation – in order to better understand the way in which materials are structured, how they change and how they react in certain situations.

This Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry prepares students for careers as professional chemists and serves as a foundation for careers in other fields such as biology and medicine.

The curriculum offers a thorough fundamental knowledge of the major fields of chemistry, covering the general areas of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, plus many more specialized courses including analytical, nuclear, and biophysical chemistry and chemical biology. Students gain laboratory experience in inorganic and organic synthesis, analytical methods, physical-chemical measurements, spectroscopy, biochemical engineering, and chemical methods in nuclear technology.

Having gained chemical understanding at the molecular level, chemistry graduates may choose to apply this knowledge in almost unlimited ways, as it can be used to analyze all matter and therefore our entire environment. A degree in chemistry can lead to jobs in education, biotechnology, forensics, and government policy, medical research, drug manufacturing, and food and drug testing.

This Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree program allows you to gain adequate knowledge of chemical processes, develop excellent laboratory techniques and it also gives you excellent research skills. Students also gain skills that are useful in the areas of biology and medicine, physics and engineering, and geology, and earth science.

The objectives of the program are to:

• Produce professional chemists for industry, teaching, and research.
• Provide laboratory procedures needed to work in various research fields like agriculture, biochemistry, medicine, etc.
• Enable students to handle analytical equipment.
• Train teachers of Chemistry for the education sector of the country.
• Stimulate scientific curiosity and advance frontiers of knowledge in the area of chemical sciences.
• Help the student in using ideas, concepts, and skills acquired in learning Chemistry in order to solve scientific problems.
• Prepare graduates to venture into chemical entrepreneurship and marketing.
• Produce skilled manpower of well–trained chemists capable of taking up positions in various socio-economic sectors.

Chemistry is also studied in an environmental and social context, so you can gain awareness of its ethical implications and issues relating to environmental impact and sustainability.

As well as developing strong mathematical/numerical ability, a chemistry degree gives you transferable skills, including:

• analysis and problem solving
  
• time management and organization
• written and oral communication
• monitoring/maintaining records and data
• teamwork
• research and presentation
• IT and technology.

• Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) mean grade of C+, with passes in either of the following alternatives (A,B) 
  • Alternative A: Chemistry C+, Biology C+, Physics C+, Geography C+, Mathematics C+
  • Alternative B: Physical Sciences C+, Biological Sciences C+, Geography C+, Mathematics C+
• Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE), or equivalent qualification with at least two principal passes (of which one must be in chemistry)
• Ordinary Diploma/Higher National Diploma or equivalent qualifications in the sciences with at least a pass
• Science/Technical Diploma from Teachers Training Colleges or equivalent qualifications in the sciences
• A science/technology-based degree or a non-science-based degree with a minimum of C+ in chemistry or its equivalent. f

At the undergraduate level, there are several introductory courses students must take, including organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and physical chemistry. Chemistry courses require a large amount of time spent in the lab, regardless of whether students are seeking an undergraduate or graduate degree.

First Year, Semester 1

• Basic Chemistry I
• Basic Physics I
• Calculus I
• Basic Botany I
• Basic Zoology I
• Communication Skills I
• Quantitative Skills

First Year, Semester 2

• Basic Chemistry II
• Basic Physics II
• Geometry and Elementary Applied Mathematics
• Basic Botany II
• Basic Zoology II
• Communication Skills II
• Development Concepts and Applications

Second Year, Semester 1

• Atomic Structure and Bonding
• Basic Analytical Chemistry
• Calculus II
• Probability and Statistics
• State, Society, and Development
• Introduction to Mechanics
  
• Vibration and Waves
• Cryptogamic Botany
• Genetics and Evolution
• Invertebrate Zoology

Second Year, Semester 2

• Basic Organic Chemistry
• Basic Thermodynamics
• Biochemistry
• Introduction to Computer Science
• Calculus and Analytical Geometry
• Electricity and Magnetism
  
• Modern Physics
• Plant Structure and Functions
• Plant Ecology
• Vertebrate Zoology
• Introduction to Animal Ecology

Third Year, Semester 1

• Methods of Chemical Analysis
• The Chemistry of Aromatic Compounds
• Chemical Thermodynamics and Phase Equilibria
• Chemical Kinetics
• Alicyclic and Heterocyclic Chemistry
• Entrepreneurship for Small Business

Third Year, Semester 2

• Analytical Techniques in Structure Determination I
• Electrochemistry
• Organo-metallic and Co-ordination Chemistry
• Stereochemistry and Conformational Studies
• Industrial Chemistry
• Organic Spectroscopy
• Industrial Attachment
• Computer Programming
• Introduction to Materials Science
  
• Microbiology I

Fourth Year, Semester 1

• Transition Metal Chemistry
• Methods of Chemical Analysis II
• Chemistry of Natural Products
• Environmental Chemistry
• Quantum Chemistry
• Computer Science II

Fourth Year, Semester 2

• Analytical Techniques in Structural Determination II
• Organic Synthesis
• Bio-inorganic Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry II
• Surface and Colloid Chemistry
• Development Project Appraisal
• Research Project
  
• Chemical Reactivity and Mechanisms
• Polymer Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Radiochemistry and Nuclear Chemistry
• Statistical Thermodynamics
• Introduction to Group Theory