DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

UG - Syllabus

PG - Syllabus


A HISTORICAL SURVEY

Teaching of Chemistry in Loyola College, was initiated by Professor R. VIRARAGHAVA SARAMA in 1926, a year after the college came into existence. It began with 64 students who chose Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as their optional subjects for the intermediate course. At first, laboratory accommodation was provided in the southern wing of the main building.

Professor R. V. SARMA was assisted in his work by MR. S. NARAYANAN, a graduate from St. Joseph’s College, Triuchirapalli, who worked as a demonstrator for over 40 years until his retirement in 1967. The number of intermediate students increased to 80 in 1930; 96 in 1932 and 144 in 1934. Within a few years there were four sections of intermediate classes, each containing 80 students.

In 1956 the two-year intermediate course was replaced by the present PRE-UNIVERSITY class. Soon the number of PUC students reached its peak of over 400, divided into five sections.

In 1938 the B.Sc. degree course with chemistry as the main subject was begun with Professor P.C. RAMACHANDRA IYER as the new Head of the Department. Like Professor R. V. SARMA AND MR. S. NARAYANAN, he too came from St. Joseph’s College, Triuchirapalli on the special invitation of REV. FR. L. D. MURPHY, S. J., then Principal of Loyola College. The first set of B. Sc. Students was 24 in number. The department was moved to a separate building. The two long buildings on the western side of the main block, which at present house the Zoology and botany departments were then, used as temporary laboratories and classrooms for the Chemistry students. Later the number of B. Sc. Students was increased to 48. In 1957 with the introduction of the PUC course in place of the intermediate, the two-year B.Sc. course had to be changed into a three-year programme.

By far the most significant step in the growth of the department began with the arrival of REV. FR. LOURDU YEDDANAPALLI, S. J. in 1945. He joined the department early in 1946 and in the same year the Honours course in Chemistry was begun. It began with 8 students of whom 7 completed the course and wrote the university examination in 1949. The last set of Honours students took their examination in 1960. The same year the course was replaced by the present M.Sc. The following is a critical assessment of the Honours course as reviewed by Dr. N. S. GNANAPRAGASAM for the Loyola College Annual in 1960.

‘In all 12 batches totaling 161, went through the Honours course during the 14 years of its existence in Loyola College. Of these, 55% passed in the I class, 43% in the II class, 1.5% in the III class and 2.5% were recommended for the B. Sc. Degree. The first rank in the university was secured every year except for the first two.’

In 1958 the University of Madras reorganized its curriculum for post-graudate studies. The three-year Honours course was suppressed and a two-year M. Sc. programme with two parts was introduced in its place. Our first set of M. Sc. students appeared for Part-I in 1959 and Part-II in 1960. Since the system of examining candidates at the end of each year proved to be unsatisfactory, in 1964 a combined examination for both parts of the syllabus was introduced. In the Madras University, semester system was introduced for M.Sc. and the first batch of the students completed it in 1976.

The curriculum has been suitably modified to meet the challenging needs of the Indian Society. A certain measure of flexibility has been built into the new system, which enables the students to make their own choice of subjects from a wide spectrum of courses.

Formal lectures will be made more effective and useful by providing students with synopses of lectures and bibliography. Besides lectures, there will be assignments, guided library work, seminars, group discussions, projects, etc. Audio-visual aids, models, laboratory work, workshop and field experience will also form part of the teaching process. To make teaching more effective and intensive, tutorials will be arranged. These tutorials will also serve as a feed-back for the teacher, enable him to evaluate the students analytical ability and progress and promote staff student interaction.

COURSE SUMMARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

1926 1938 1946 1949 1957 1958 1978 1982 1990 1999

Intermediate Science group B.Sc. Degree course B.Sc. (Hons) Ph.D. programme Intermediate droppedP.U.C started New two – year M.Sc. course Autonomy granted. B.Sc. Degree courses (evening) M.Phil MOU signed with IGCAR, Kalpakkam.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES IN THE DEPARTMENT

More than 42 scholars have obtained their Ph.D. from the Department of Chemistry. The Doctors of Philosophy have published more than 1000 research papers. Currently 19 students are working for their Ph.D. in co-ordination, catalysis, solid-state, phytochemistry, bio-organic, bio-inorganic, proteins and synthetic organic chemistry. Ten M.Phil. students do their research work every year. Some talented UG students also do research projects. It is required for M.Sc. students to do a project work and submit a thesis for the course completion. The works done by the M.Sc. and M.Phil. Students are presented at national and international symposia and at the annual convention meeting of the chemists. Dr. V. Alexander, Dr. K. S. Nagaraja and Rev. Dr. B.Jeyeraj, Rev. Dr. P. John, S.J. are currently guiding M.Phil. and Ph.D. scholars. Prof. G.Ramamurthy, Dr. A. Dayalan, Prof. S.Santhanam, Dr. V. Alexander, Dr. K. S. Nagaraja, Rev. Dr. B.Jeyeraj, Rev. Dr. P. John, S.J., and Dr. A. Jeya Rajendran are currently guiding M.Phil. students.

CHEMISTRY SEMINARS

Seminars at both UG (III B.Sc) and PG levels are an integral part of the curriculum. The student has to choose a faculty member as a guide and prepare for the seminar, on recent advancements in chemistry. The student should give a trial seminar to their respective staff advisors before presenting it to the audience. One credit is allotted for this seminar for the whole year. The seminar presentation will be evaluated by the staff members both on subject matter and mode of presentation.

The subject matter includes :

1. Standard of subject and plan
2. Preparation and mastery
3. Originality and logical development
4. Answers to questions
5. Summary and references

The mode of presentation includes :

1. Economy of time
2. Voice as a tool of communication
3. Black board use and teaching aids
4. Language and diction
5. Relating to the audience

The seminars are evaluated by at least five staff members and the average is taken. Each student at the PG level is expected to give a seminar of one-hour duration on a recent topic in chemistry in the I year and a seminar related to his or her M. Sc. Project work in the II ear. It is taken very seriously both by the students and staff. Every student is expected to note down important ideas of each seminar.

A UG student in his III year must give a seminar of half-hour duration on a general topic

SPECIAL LECTURES

A special lecture series is arranged once in 15 days and lectures are delivered by eminent researchers and teachers in Chennai. Some of our old students, settled or studying in foreign universities, also deliver lectures when they visit India

Faculty :

AIDED
Dr. A. Dayalan M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D., FICS. (Head of the Department)
Mr. G. Ramamurthy M.Sc., M.Phil.
Mr. S. Santhanam M.Sc., M.Phil. (UG Professor)
Dr. S. Samikkannu M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D. Dip. in Human Relations Training
Dr. V. Alexander M.Sc., Ph.D., M.Ed.
Rev. Dr. B Jeyaraj S.J. M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. K.S. Nagaraja M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. John R. Devadasan M.Sc., Ph.D.
Mr. M. George Johnson M.Sc., B.Ed., DCA.
Rev. Dr. John Pragasam S.J., M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. D. Suresh Kumar M.Sc., Ph.D.
Dr. (Ms) A. Jeya Rajendran M.Sc., M.Phil., Ph.D.
Dr. John Maria Xavier M.Sc., Ph.D.
Mr. A. Justin Adaikala Baskar M.Sc.,B.Ed., CCA.
Dr. J. Judith Vijaya M.Sc., Ph.D., DCA.

MANAGEMENT / SELF FINANCED

Mr. A. Vijayakumar M.Sc., M.Phil., PGDCA.
Ms. S. Anuja Manikandan M.Sc., M.Phil.
Dr. A. John Amalraj M.Sc., B.Ed., Ph.D.
Dr. V. Kannappan M.Sc., Ph.D. (Co-ordinator, Shift II)
Ms. Maria Mathew M.Sc., M.Phil.
Ms. Jothi Priya M.Sc., M.Phil.
Ms. P.Rajalakshmi M.Sc., M.Phil.
Ms. C. Chandrakala M.Sc., M.Phil.
Mr. Ajit Walter M.Sc., M.Phil.
Mr. M. Nichodemus M.Sc., M.Phil.
Dr. Kesavan M.Sc., Ph.D.

Group Photos (Outgoing Batch of 2006, 2007 and 2008)

B.Sc. (2003-2006)	M.Sc. (2004-2006)
M.Phil. (2005-2006)	B.Sc. (2003-2006) Evening College

B.Sc. (2004-2007)	M.Sc. (2005-2007)
M.Phil. (2006-2007)	B.Sc. (2004-2007) Evening College
B.Sc. (2005-2008)	B.Sc. SS (2005-2008)
M.Sc. (2006-2008)	M.Phil. (2007-2008)