Chemistry

Degree Type: 

Bachelor of Science

Department: 

Department of Chemistry

Modes of Study: 

Regular

About Programme: 

Chemists play a crucial role in mining companies. They also play roles in the field of health, undertaking research into drugs for cure of diseases like cancer. Their work results in the development and bulk production of products like washing powders, rubbers, plastics, paint, and vaccines, among others.    You can also be employed as:     Chemist with Pharmaceutical companies

  Chemistry teacher

 Soil chemist/scientists

 Laboratory researcher

 Work at industries

Entry Requirements: 

Applicants must obtain passes in Chemistry, Physics and either Elective Mathematics or Biology. 

Career Opportunities: 

The B.Sc Chemistry programme covers the composition and mechanism behind all tangible and observable materials that can be seen with the naked eye. Scientists believe that all observable materials are made up of small tiny particles called atoms. The programme teaches student how the atoms which cannot be seen with the naked eye interact to produce the objects that are seen. Our students are taught how to measure the fractions of the different kinds of atoms, the rate of the reactions within the materials, as well as their chemical properties. It is both a laboratory and a field-based programme in which the Chemist get to the ground, gathers materials, and takes them to the laboratory for analysis. Students are trained in various branches of chemistry including inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, organic chemistry, as well as physical chemistry. The programme seeks to imbibe an understanding of the effects that the application of temperature and pressure can have on the transformation of solids, liquids and gases in students.

Programme Structure

Level 100

First Semester

CHE 107: General Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

The main thrust of this course is to assist students to develop an appreciation for the relationship between chemistry and our environment. It is also aimed at providing students with a strong background to those theories and chemical principles that are particularly relevant to chemistry and fundamental understanding of science. This course is designed to provide students with a general overview of the concepts and principles underlying chemical reactions, stoichiometry, bonding, molecular shapes and structures, gas theories, and forces within liquids and solids that are fundamental basis of chemistry.
CHE 109 : Introductory Practical (General Chemistry)
1 Credit(s)

This course aims at helping students to develop requisite laboratory skills in general chemistry. Laboratory work includes basic techniques of qualitative and quantitative measurements such as gravimetric, colorimetric, thermometric and selected volumetric methods of analysis. Practical exercises undertaken in this course include calibration of analytical balance and volumetric glassware (burette and pipette), conductivity and pH measurements, determination of molecular properties and solubility products, qualitative analysis of mixtures of two or more metallic salts, and thermochemistry.
CMS 107: Communicative Skills I
3 Credit(s)

Engaging in academic work at the university is challenging. This course is aimed at equipping fresh students to make the transition from pre-university level to the university level. It assists them in engaging and succeeding in complex academic tasks in speaking, listening, reading and writing. It also provides an introduction to university studies by equipping students with skills that will help them to engage in academic discourse with confidence and fluency.

Second Semester

CHE 105B : Introduction to Basic Organic Chemistry II
2 Credit(s)

This course is the continuation of CHE 105A.  The basic ideas on nomenclature, structure, physical properties, synthesis and chemical properties of the aliphatic hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) will treated. The course will also include the treatment of the structure of benzene including simple treatment  of the concept of resonance and aromaticity, nomenclature of benzene, benzene, and  synthesis of simple derivatives of benzene with specific orientation, ortho-, para- and meta–directors. Prerequisite: CHE 105
CHE 108 : Introduction to Basic Organic Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to the molecular composition of structure, purification of organic compounds, detection of elements like C, H, N, S and the halogens in organic compounds.  It will also cover topics such as calculation and determination of empirical and molecular formulae; structural and geometrical isomerism; pictorial treatment of sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridization in single, double and triple bonds in hydrocarbons.

It further gives the basic ideas on nomenclature, structure, physical properties, synthesis and chemical properties of the aliphatic hydrocarbons (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes) will treated. The course will also include the treatment of the structure of benzene including simple treatment  of the concept of resonance and aromaticity, nomenclature of benzene, benzene, and  synthesis of simple derivatives of benzene with specific orientation, ortho-, para- and meta–directors.
CHE 110 : Introductory Practical Organic Chemistry
1 Credit(s)

This course is an introductory organic laboratory processes which seeks to enable students acquire basic laboratory skills for the techniques of crystallization,

melting and boiling point determination; simple, fractional and steam distillation; refluxing liquid–liquid extraction; paper, thin-layer and colour chromatography.
CMS 108: Communicative Skills II
3 Credit(s)

This is a follow-up course on the first semester one. It takes students through writing correct sentences, devoid of ambiguity, through the paragraph and its appropriate development to the fully-developed essay. The course also emphasizes the importance and the processes of editing written work.

Level 200

First Semester

CHE 201 : Main Group Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

This course focusses on a detailed study of the representative elements (Groups 1-VIII) and their compounds, involving both theoretical and descriptive approaches.

Topics treated in this course include the periodic properties of the main group elements (structures, properties, and reactions) of their compounds, non-metallic elements

and the chemistry of their oxides hydroxides, halides nitrites, as well as, the noble gases, oxy-acids of non-metals and their reduction potentials.

 
CHE 203 : Physical Chemistry I
2 Credit(s)

The course will focus on the basic theories of Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics and Electrochemistry. Topics to be discussed will include: Thermodynamics (system, surroundings, work, heat energy; Laws of Thermodynamics, Hess’s Law, enthalpy of reactions,  entropy, free energy changes), Chemical Kinetics (reaction rates, molecularity, order and rate constant, determination of reaction order, factors affecting rates of chemical reactions, and Transition State Theory) and Electrochemistry (types of electrochemical cells – Galvanic and Electrolytic cells, standard electrode potentials, spontaneity of redox reaction, Nernst equation, applications of cell measurements, and determination of thermodynamic functions, corrosion, and electrolysis). 
CHE 207 : Practical Physical/Inorganic Chemistry II
1 Credit(s)

The course will focus on principles taught in CHE 203.  Laboratory exercises that will be carried out include: solution properties, kinetics, electrochemical series,

equilibrium, acid–base and complexometric titrations, identification of cations and anions, and gravimetric analysis involving separation methods.
CHE 211 : Organic Chemistry II
1 Credit(s)

This course focusses on the structure, nomenclature, physical and chemical properties, synthesis, and functional groups of organic compounds such as ethers, epoxides, aldehydes, and ketones.
CHE 213 : Material Chemistry & Nanotechnology
2 Credit(s)

This course presents an overview of the basic principles, techniques, and applications associated with materials chemistry. Focus will be placed on the relationship between

chemical composition, structure and properties. Topics covered in this course will include classification of materials; fundamentals of structure and properties relationships of materials;

thin films, and nanoscale materials to be complemented with case studies of modern applications of inorganic materials.

Second Semester

CHE 204 : Organic Chemistry II (BEd Students)
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to the structure, physical and chemical properties, synthesis and functional group of organic compounds (alcohols, ethers, epoxides,

aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids & their derivatives and amines). It will also introduce students to stereochemistry and chirality of compounds containing one and two

asymmetric centres.  The simple chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and synthetic polymers will be studied. 
CHE 206 : Safety in the Chemistry Laboratory
2 Credit(s)

This course provides a thorough understanding of general laboratory safety. Its main objective is to equip students with the requisite knowledge concerning chemical

handling and storage, hazards of known chemicals, good laboratory work practices, generation and classification of chemical wastes among others. Safe working

procedures and use of protection of equipment will be discussed.
CHE 208: Physical Chemistry II
2 Credit(s)

This course deals with the principles of chemical equilibrium, acid and bases, and solubility equilibra. Students will be introduced to the concepts of

pKa and pKb as measures of acidic and basic strengths respectively. The solubility of sparingly soluble salts will be discussed.
CHE 210 : Organic Chemistry III (BSc. Chemistry / BSc. Biochemistry)
2 Credit(s)

This course focuses on the treatment of the structure, nomenclature, physical and chemical properties, and synthesis of carboxylic acids and and amines, and their derivatives. 

Students will also be introduced to modeling of simple organic compounds and computer application of organic compounds and reactions. Prerequisite: CHE 211
CHE 212: Organic Chemistry IV (Physical Sciences Students)
2 Credit(s)

This course Topics to be discussed in this course will include the following: (a) structure, physical and chemical properties, and synthesis carboxylic acids and amines,

and their derivatives; (b) stereochemistry, and chirality of compound containing one and two asymmetric centres; (c) carbohydrates (monosaccharides - basic ideas of nomenclature),

and simple chemistry of sugars; and  (d) proteins (classification, amino acids, peptides), determination of protein structure, nucleic acids, and nucleotides and synthetic polymers.
CHE 214 : Dynamics & Properties of Solutions
2 Credit(s)

This course focuses on providing fundamental understanding of the various solution properties and explanation of their relevant physico-chemical phenomena, electrolytes,

solution thermodynamics and transport properties, as well as, structure and properties of fluids. Topics to be discussed in this course will include colligative properties, thermodynamics

of electrolytes, solution transport and kinetics properties, ionic equilibria, analysis of kinetic results and reactions approaching equilibrium, and intermolecular forces within liquids and solids.
CHE 216: Practical Organic Chemistry
1 Credit(s)

The course introduces students to qualitative organic analysis, and physical and chemical properties of organic compounds. Experiment will be carried out on

structural elucidation of aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives.

Level 300

First Semester

CHE 301 : Analytical Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

This course focuses on the fundamental principles of analytical methods in Chemistry. Topics to be discussed will concepts based on analytical sampling, experimental uncertainty, statistical data analysis, glassware and instrument calibrations, volumetric analysis, solvent extraction, gravimetry, titrimetry (acid–base, complexometric, precipitation and redox titrations), and Beer’s law and its related chemical and instrumental deviations. Students will also be introduced to the principles of optical instrumentation, atomic spectroscopy and chromatographic methods. 
CHE 303 : Thermodynamics
2 Credit(s)

  This course offers a more advanced discussion on the application of energy in daily situations. Topics to be discussed include ideal and real gases, first law of thermodynamics,

reversible and irreversible processes, isothermal and adiabatic expansion, work, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, Carnot cycle and heat engines, entropy changes

in both physical and chemical processes, Maxwell’s relations, chemical potential and fugacity. Prerequisite: CHE 203
CHE 305 : Chemical Kinetics
2 Credit(s)

The course offers a more advanced on kinetic concepts related to chemical processes with an emphasis on how mechanistic proposals arise from measurements. Topics to be discussed will include: molecularity of elementary reactions, determination of reaction order, experimental rate law, steady-state approximation, pseudo first order reactions, complex reactions (parallel, series, consecutive and reversible reactions), collision theory, and transition state theory. It will also introduced students to reactor designs (batch and continuous reactors), and heterogeneous catalysis (acid-base catalysis and enzymatic catalysis). Prerequisite: CHE 203
CHE 319 : Practical Organic Chemistry III
2 Credit(s)

This course has a link to CHE 104 (Introductory Practical Organic Chemistry) and will enable students to be able to undertake a simple project work in organic chemistry using basic laboratory techniques such as separation, purification and identification of compounds of binary and tertiary mixtures. The course will also offer students the techniques involved in spectroscopic methods for the identification and total synthesis of simple organic compounds.

 
CHE 323 : Quantum Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

The course will discuss the failures of classical mechanics and will introduce the students to photoelectric effect, Compton effect, wave-particle duality of light, and Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle as well as the Bohr atom. The course will consider the postulates and general principles of quantum mechanics, three-dimensional systems, perturbation theory, and the particle in a box. Other topics will include the hydrogen atom, multi-electron atom, molecular spectroscopies and their selection rules. Prerequisite: students are expected to take Level 100 and 200 Mathematics courses in Further Calculus and Differential Equations.
CHE 325: Stereochemistry
2 Credit(s)

The course presents a broad survey of the phenomena isomerism, optical isomerism due to independent asymmetric carbon atoms, and stereoisomerism of compounds containing identical asymmetric carbons atoms. Topics to be discussed will include asymmetry of inorganic elements, alkenes, alkylidene, cycloalkanes, spirans and biphenyl; dissymmetry of restricted rotation and molecular overcrowding; enantiomers; symmetry element; racemic modification; epimerization; and resolution. Other relevant topics such as absolute and configuration; Rectus and Sinister system; stereochemistry of simple derivatives of cyclopropane, cyclobutane, cyclopentane, and decalins; and acyclic and cyclic system will also be discussed.
CHE 327 : Medicinal Chemistry
1 Credit(s)

This course provides students with insight into the chemistry of pharmaceuticals with in–depth explanation on the molecular mechanisms of drug action. It is also aimed at helping students to refine their skills in writing organic reaction mechanism and develop a better understanding of structure/ reactivity relationship found in organic molecules. The course will cover basic introductory materials which and govern drugs (discovery optimization and design) and their action, dermatologic and cosmetics applications.
CHE 399 : Research Methods
3 Credit(s)

The course will focus on basic concepts and problems in scientific investigation and research methodology, research techniques. Student will be introduced to sampling, data measurement, and proposal writing. The limitation of theory and methodology in analytical chemistry research will be highlighted. The use of instrumental analysis – GC, HPLC, IR, UV-Visible, NMR, MS and colorimetry will be studied.

Second Semester

CHE 310 : Practical (Physical/Inorganic) Chemistry III
2 Credit(s)

The course will expose students to preparation of standard reagents and inorganic complexes. Other experiments will focus on determination of heat of combustion, phase rule and concepts related to chemical kinetics.  The use of other analytical methods such as gravimetric methods, complexometric titrations, electrochemical and spectroscopic methods will be performed.
CHE 312 : Transition Metals
3 Credit(s)

This is a follow up course to CHE 201. Topics to be discussed will include: general properties of first and second row transition metals, and actinides and lanthanides series.

Application to catalysis especially for some industrial processes such as the Haber and Contact processes.
CHE 314 : Symmetry & Group Theory
2 Credit(s)

This course provides the students with fundamental understanding of the symmetry elements, their operations, group theory and formation of character table as well as applications in spectroscopy. Topics to be discussed will include identification and classification of symmetry elements and operations, point group, Schönflies and Herman-Mauguin symmetry classification systems, high and low symmetry groups, reducible and irreducible representation, character table, ans orthogonality theorem as well as application of point group symmetry to IR and Raman activity, identification of polarity and chirality and symmetry adapted linear combination of atomic orbitals.
CHE 316 : General Photochemistry
1 Credit(s)

This course seeks to introduction students to the chemistry of the excited state and the consequences of absorption of light by molecules and extensions into the photochemistry of biological system. View in the perspective of a physical organic chemistry course, it will allow students to reasonably evaluate the reactivity of an excited state and to analyze its monomolecular fate (photophysics), as well as, its bimolecular interactions. It will also provide an understanding of principles underlying photochemical reactions such as photosynthesis, and an appreciation of light – initiated chemical processes, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and quantum yields and applications of photochemistry to organic systems.
CHE 318 : Organic Reaction Mechanisms I
2 Credit(s)

This course is intended to give students an insight into the principle governing how and why organic chemical reactions take place, as well as the survey of preparative methods in organic  chemistry and their application to the synthesis of complex molecules. It will largely focus on the development of novel synthetic methods and applications of these in target synthesis, most often either natural products or agrochemical significance. Nucleophilic, electrophilic, elimination and addition reaction will also be covered.
CHE 320 : Physical Spectroscopy
2 Credit(s)

This course covers various aspects of spectroscopy particularly, electronic spectroscopy of atoms, ions and complex molecules, vibrational, rotational and laser spectroscopy, as well as, spectral interpretation and analysis of samples using molecular spectroscopic tools. Terms symbols for free atoms and ions, spectroscopic interpretation of colours of complexes, and elementary molecular orbital theory will be discussed. Broadly speaking, it provides a general overview of the concepts of absorption, emission, vibration, rotation, resonance and electron spin. Instrumental methods to be covered in this course will include UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence, infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry.
CHE 322 : Bioanalytical Methods in Chemistry
2 Credit(s)

The course focuses on providing fundamental understanding of the structural features of biomolecules and the application of analytical chemistry techniques for the recognition and detection of biomolecular interactions. Topics to be discussed in the course will include the Central Dogma, Flow of Genetic information, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Technology, Enzymes as analytical reagents, quantitative immunoassays, biosensors, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, chromatography, spectroscopy and microscopy of biomolecules, and validation of new bioanalytical methods.
CHE 324: Natural Product I
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to an in-depth study of the function and structural moiety of organic macromolecules of biological relevance. Topics to be discussed in this course will revolve around classification carbohydrates, stereoisomerism in carbohydrates, polyfunctional chemistry of simple sugars, cellulose and its derivatives, enzymatic glycogen hydrolysis, conversion of ATP to ADP, and proteins (classification, amino acids, peptides, determination of protein structure), nucleic acids, nucleosides, nucleotides, and synthetic polymers.

Level 400

First Semester

CHE 405 : Phase Equilibria
2 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to the colligative properties, behaviour of solutions, definitions of terms and phase rule and various phase systems. Topics to be discussed will include: more advanced treatment of colligative properties, phase rule, partition laws, chemical potential, Clausius–Claygperon equation, single component, binary and ternary phase diagrams, and phase equilibria involving different states of matter. Partially miscible and completely miscible liquid-liquid systems, and differential batch distillation analysis will also be discussed.

 
CHE 411 : Organic Synthesis
3 Credit(s)

This course presents the theory and methodology of organic synthesis.  The initial focus will center on the methodology necessary to synthesize complex organic molecules.  It will include an in-depth look at functional group transformations, carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, ring-forming reactions, aromatic chemistry and heterocyclic chemistry. It will also discuss the use of retrosynthetic analysis and the “disconnection approach” to logical guide total synthesis.  Finally, a number of literature syntheses will be used to examine the strategies involved in formulating a total synthesis emphasizing the compatibility of functional groups, sequence of reactions, use of protecting groups and the impact of stereochemistry.
CHE 415 : Nuclear & Radiochemistry
2 Credit(s)

This course will focus on the basic principles and scope of nuclear radiations chemistry, radioactivity, nuclear fission and nuclear fusion methods of detection.

Applications in radiotherapy, neutron activation analysis and energy generation will be discussed.
CHE 425 : Aromatic & Heterocyclic Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to simple aromatics, heterocyclic and heteroaromatic compounds. Their classification, physical and chemical properties will be discussed. The reactions of naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene will be reviewed. In addition, mechanistic rationales for the synthetic basis of aromatic chemistry that is practised today will also be presented.
CHE 427: Electrochemistry
3 Credit(s)

The course will focus on the treatment of electroanalytical methods (potentiometric, voltammetric and polarographic methods) and the application of electromotive force measurements and activities in cell potential determinations. Electrodes types and their fabrication, assessment of their performance characteristics related to sensitivity, selectivity coefficients, etc. The basic concepts of electrochemistry are first  reviewed.
CHE 429 : Organic Spectroscopy
3 Credit(s)

The main thrust of this course is to provide students with a fundamental theoretical background required for practical application of ultraviolet/visible and infrared spectroscopy, proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry to elucidate the structure of organic compounds and the interpretation of spectroscopic data.  The lecture portion will focus on organic spectra obtained from UV/Vis, IR, NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques.
CHE 431 : Environmental Chemistry
2 Credit(s)

The course will focus on chemistry of our natural surroundings, atmospheric structure and properties and pollution. It covers aspects of atmospheric photochemistry and monitoring of air pollutants (nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, carbon oxides, photochemical smog) will be discussed. Water quality criteria, waste and waste management systems, and land degradation will be reviewed. Simple treatment of some environmental remediation processes and general applications will be introduced.

Second Semester

CHE 412 : Natural Products II (Elective)
3 Credit(s)

This course seeks to promote understanding of the significance of natural products in terms of their biosynthesis, biological activity and chemical synthesis, combining organic chemistry and biological chemistry. 

It will focus on the diversity of natural products and their roles in biological systems, the chemistry and biosynthesis of the major natural product classes and the synthesis of important natural products. 

A special emphasis will be placed on how chemical structure affects the physiological function of various natural products.
CHE 416 : Surface Chemistry & Catalysis
2 Credit(s)

This course seeks to provide an appreciation of the concepts at the interface and the effects of these interfacial properties on physical, chemical and biological interactions in nature. It covers key topics such as surfaces and interfaces, capillarity and mechanics of surfaces, adsorption and thermodynamics of surfaces,

surfactants and micelles, monolayers and Langmuir-Blodgett films, colloids and emulsions, and techniques for probing surface interactions. The course will also expose students to the definition and explanation/theories of catalysis, and heterogeneous catalysis related to surfaces. Other applications such as photocalysis using sensitizers embedded on solid supports will be discussed.
CHE 422 : Bioinorganic Chemistry (Elective)    
3 Credit(s)

The course will focus on the historical development of bioinorganic chemistry, a brief survey of chemical evolution, and the biogeochemical cycling of the elements. Topics such as   biomineralization, metals and metal complexes applied to therapy (antitumor metal complexes,

gold complexes in the treatment of rheunmatoid arthritis, and lithium therapy)  will be reviewed as well as physico-chemical methods used to study the equilibria, structures and kinetics of bioinorganic systems.
CHE 425 : Aromatic & Heterocyclic Chemistry
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces students to simple aromatics, heterocyclic and heteroaromatic compounds. Their classification, physical and chemical properties will be discussed. The reactions of naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene will be reviewed.

In addition, mechanistic rationales for the synthetic basis of aromatic chemistry that is practised today will also be presented. 
 CHE 427: Electrochemistry  
3 Credit(s)

The course will focus on the treatment of electroanalytical methods (potentiometric, voltammetric and polarographic methods) and the application of electromotive force measurements and activities in cell potential determinations.

Electrodes types and their fabrication, assessment of their performance characteristics related to sensitivity, selectivity coefficients, etc. The basic concepts of electrochemistry are first  reviewed.