Department of Chemistry
- Details
- Category: School of Science and Technology
Values
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Philosophy
Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure and properties of matter and how it interacts with energy to bring about physical and chemical changes. Chemistry is both a pure and applied science and is central to life and in understanding of God’s creation.
MISSION The department’s mission is the provision and advancement of a quality chemical education to the youth for better service to God and mankind.
VISION
To offer quality education in Chemistry, that will prepare the youth to face the challenges in the chemical discipline of the 21st century with confidence.
OBJECTIVES
To bring to the attention of the students the role of chemistry in understanding current global problems such as food security, energy, natural resources, and management of the environment.
1. To prepare students for careers in the chemical industry, in research institutions and in educational institutions at all levels.
2. To provide the necessary chemical background for students majoring in Agriculture, Biology, Health Sciences, Earth Sciences and Technology.
3. To lay the foundation for graduate studies in Chemistry.
4. To impart chemical laboratory skills on how chemical materials are synthesized, purified, analysed, stored, and how their chemical and physical properties are determined.
5. To give students the necessary chemical knowledge that can be used in decision making in managerial careers and in other disciplines hitherto unlearned.
Programs
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The Department of Chemistry offers four major options and a minor, namely:
1. Bachelor of Science Chemistry
a) Analytical Chemistry Option
b) Biochemistry Option
c) Industrial Chemistry with Management Option
d) General Chemistry Option
2. Minor in Chemistry
Careers
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The graduates in Chemistry will find job opportunities in both chemical and food manufacturing and processing industries, research institutions, and in educational institutions.
Study Details
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The general entrance requirements for the university must be satisfied.
In addition, the student must have attained at least a C+ in Chemistry and at least a C+ in either Mathematics or Physics in the KCSE or its equivalent.
Students entering with an A-level principal pass in Chemistry and a subsidiary pass in Mathematics, or Physics, or Biology, may be considered for the Chemistry program. INTERDEPARTMENTAL TRANSFER The general university requirements for interdepartmental transfer must be satisfied. In addition, students wishing to transfer to Chemistry must have at least a C+ grade in CHEM 121 and at least a C+ in MATH 101 or MATH 111. Those who may not have had an exposure to secondary school Chemistry must take CHEM 111 and CHEM 112 with a minimum grade of C+ grade in both courses. Those who took secondary school Chemistry and earned a C+ but lacked a C+ in either Mathematics or Physics can take MATH 101 to clear the deficiency. In that case, a grade of C+ or better will be required to qualify for transfer. REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION A minimum of 140 credit hours with an overall GPA of at least 2.00 is required for graduation. A minimum grade of C is required in all core, elective and cognate courses with a GPA of at least 2.25 in the respective option. A student taking a minor in Chemistry must attain a minimum grade of C in core and cognate courses.
