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Chemistry made easy - Part II- 22-Jul-2010

In the new scheme of practical examination 50 per cent marks in each practical paper shall be based on continuous evaluation of the students.

To ensure holistic learning of a student, the marks in theory papers are inclusive of the internal assessment of the candidate, which includes tutorials, class tests, assignments, presentations and projects etc.

BSc Chemistry students also study the applications of computers in chemistry, analytical methods in chemical analysis, biochemistry and environmental chemistry besides learning physics, mathematics and biology.

Tips for students:

If you really want to enjoy learning chemistry, you can very easily do so by changing your strategy of learning. Avoid rote learning (memorization ) and try to achieve conceptual clarity of the subject. Whenever you are studying a new topic, try to find answers to the following questions: (i) why do we need this topic and what would we have missed had this topic been not there? Answers to these will provide the importance of the topic and also provide the gap in knowledge that it attempts to fill. (ii) How does the study of the topic help in achieving the desired objectives? Answer to this will help you in building in a very systematic and logical manner the road map to the goals that the topic plans to achieve.

Following this methodology of study will make you more analytical, practical and creative. While following the above strategy, a sincere advice to all the students would be to read less, but think more, try to get answers to the questions still bothering you and once you feel that you have understood the topic well, gain more insight into the topic and its intricacies through solving more problems and exercises.

Certainly this will help you building strong foundation of chemistry and will prove to be a big asset.  

Other skills to develop:  

Along with a chemistry degree, you must also acquire many other valuable general skills and take certain courses outside of chemistry that can prove very useful in the long run and help you reach your career goals. Ability to communicate effectively is one such essential skill.  Since reports, papers and presentations are all part of life for chemists, give importance to writing and public speaking. 

Courses in computer science may also be useful for those interested in applying computers to solving chemical problems. 

If you are interested in a career in sales, marketing, management, or other business related field within chemical industry, consider taking business courses or obtaining a MBA degree. Certain mathematics courses, including statistics, might also be very useful to your career. 

Career options:

Studying chemistry puts you in an excellent position to choose from a wide variety of useful, interesting and rewarding careers. However your employment options depend on how far you have taken your education in chemistry.

A bachelor�s degree in chemistry, for example, is sufficient for entry-level positions in industrial and government laboratories but limits the career advancement up the corporate ladder. This degree followed by BEd  is necessary to teach at the school level as a TGT. A Master�s degree in chemistry opens up far more options. A degree, such as a PhD, leaves the field of opportunity wide open.

• All areas of industry, from the oil, chemical and pharmaceutical companies to a host of smaller enterprises producing new and specialist products
• In public health and environment-protection sectors.
• In research in universities, government institutes, industry and private agencies.
• In teaching at all levels.
• In patent agencies, scientific journalism.
• In forensic sciences.
• In occupations which make use of scientific knowledge.