Department of Chemistry

About Us:

The department of Chemistry was established in 1963 with maximum student numbers in the UG section among the Science departments. It is a recognized postgraduate centre offering three specializations and students can progress further to take their doctoral degree.

Faculty Profile:

There are eighteen teachers in the department. Nine of them are Ph D holders, three have an M Phil degree, while eight staff members are NET/SET qualified. Many staff members are recognized postgraduate teachers. Three teachers are recognized for guiding students leading to Ph D degree.  The department is ably assisted by 20 members of the supporting staff.

Student  Profile:

As in other departments, students are of average competencies and are mainly from vernacular medium.

Ø  Changes made in the courses or programmes during the past two years and the   contribution of the faculty to those changes:

Ø  Green Chemistry: Department actively follows green chemistry principles. Semi micro/micro techniques are used. Wastage of all kinds is avoided. At the beginning of the academic year the department conducts a 2 days workshop for T.Y.B.Sc students on green chemistry and GLP.

Ø  After S.Y.B.Sc exams are over, a two days workshop is conducted for those students who intend to opt for chemistry at T.Y.B.Sc. During the workshop, students are guided about how to utilise the vacation for preparation of T.Y.B.Sc. Students are made aware about the various career options after T.Y.B.Sc.

Ø Chem–bond: Chem-bond is an association of chemistry department, formed during  2004 – 05. The aim of this association is to kindle interest and love for chemistry in students. This association organizes various activities throughout the year. Apart from organizing seminar/workshop, chem quiz, poster presentation, spontaneous chemistry (extempore talk on chemistry), essay writing etc. are held.

Trends in the success and drop out rates of students during the past two years:

 At the final year level R J College has class strength of 120 students. In spite of the large numbers the success rate of the students is very high and there are no drop outs.  The success rates of the students is 96% and  large number of students has passed with a first class.

University Rank:  Krishna Kumar (2004 – 05) secured 2^nd position in the merit list of University of Mumbai. After completing his Masters, he is currently working at Smith Kline Beecham, UK. (He is a first generation learner coming from a economically under privileged section of the society).

Learning resources of the departments:

The department has spacious laboratories which are well equipped and follows the safety standards. There are separate rooms for acid and gas. Equipments are regularly standardized and well maintained. There is a separate area for sophisticated instruments needed for research. There are computers in the department with connectivity. Recently for a partially visually challenged staff member special software has been installed.  The department has a laptop and LCD for teaching. The departmental library caters to the learning resources of the institution. It also lends books to our alumni who are pursuing PG or other courses.

 Modern teaching methods practiced and use of ICT in teaching – learning: 

Teaching is student centred. Class room teaching is supplemented by seminars, quiz, and discussions. ICT enabled teaching to explain molecular structures. Models are also used to explain three dimensional structures. The department has computer with connectivity. The success of the students may be attributed to the following measures which have been adopted by the department.

Periodical tests: In spite of packed schedule of lecture & practicals, we manage to take unit test, terminal exam for T.Y.B.Sc. Apart from prelim (theory), prelim (practical) is also arranged for T.Y.B.Sc. Students. Students are encouraged to appear for 2^nd & 3^rd prelim exam.Prelim exam in both theory & practicals is also arranged for M.Sc. – I students.

Zero cancellation of lectures: All the teachers co-operate in engaging extra lectures to avoid cancellations. This results in zero cancellation of lectures.

Participation of faculty in academic and Personal counselling:

Maitra scheme: This scheme was introduced in the year 2005 – 06. Students submit self analysis form in the month of June. Each teacher is given the responsibility of 6 – 7 students. The teacher in-charge meets the students during regular practicals. Aim of the scheme is: To help every student, to realize his potentials, to identify academic weaknesses and strengths of students & provide the required support at right time, Provide Career guidance, to identify specific health or emotional problems (if any). To cheive this: we interact with parents. Maintain record of students attendance, and test marks and counsel. Maintaining the record (weekly report) with respect to problem areas experienced by students identified by teacher and remedial measures taken. Through ‘maitra’ scheme each student gets personal attention. Apart from help in academics, many of their emotional, physical, family and financial problems are sorted out. This scheme gets enthusiastic response from students and  teachers and  appreciation from other departments.

Details of faculty development programmes and teachers who have been benefited during the past two years:

Seminars/Workshop organized during last three years.

State level seminar:

R.J.College, Depatment of Chemistry, organized, three days State level seminar on ‘Radioisotopes in daily life ‘from 23^rd to 25^th November 2006. The seminar was co-sponsored by  IANCAS.  The department is equally concerned about the welfare of the non teaching staff members. Seminars are organised for them some of the noteworthy ones are “Tanav mukta jeevan” by Prof. (Ms) Kamlesh Agarwal and  Prof. (Ms) Pratibha Singh. Safety measure in Laboratory and film on fire fighting by Mr Shriharsh Nitusre (Paper Products Ltd.)

Placement Record of the students: The faculty trains students to ensure that they are employed. 40 % of  students progress to pursue M Sc or diploma in Analytical instrumentation. Majority of them take up jobs in pharmaceutical industries as marketing executives and are now area or regional managers .  Our Alumni are occupying prestigious positions in various industries like Glenmark, Johnson and Johnson, Asian Paints, CIPLA to name a few.  Many students have gone abroad and some of them are occupying prominent faculty positions.