Chemistry is a discipline fundamental to a wide variety of careers in industry, research, and the allied health fields. A strong foundation in chemistry is necessary for careers in medicine, molecular biology, biochemistry, industrial or government research, pharmacy, teaching, and chemical engineering. A background in chemistry may also be useful for careers in chemical sales, industrial management, business administration, and environmental management.

The Department of Chemistry, Bahir Dar University, is offering both B.Ed. and B.Sc. (Industrial Chemistry) programs which are approved by the Ministry of Education. These programs are designed to give a high caliber education in chemistry to meet the country’s need for the chemistry teachers in schools and other higher learning institutes and also for well trained chemists in the various industries.

The changing demographic of third level students along with employers’ demands has resulted in course development with a focus on skills to support a knowledge-based society. These factors inevitably have an impact on curricula. Current chemistry education is in a dynamic state as third level institutions are under pressure to fulfill the economic demands from industry, as well as attracting prospective students to their program.

This curriculum for undergraduate program in the department of chemistry, Bahir Dar University, will be more careers focused than before, and the transferable skills acquired during the program will be used as marketing tools for prospective students.

The Main Library Facilities: The main library is a well evolved library which is a very strong resource. There are course-related reading materials, self learning materials, reference books, encyclopedia, technical dictionaries, educational reports and documents. The library has subscribed for online journals and for hard copies of all relevant journals in all fields of study that are published up to 2007. In addition, the chemistry department is going to have its own Departmental Library in which some key books will be kept for day-to-day use by the graduate students and teachers. The library has a broad-band internet connection. This provides the students unlimited opportunities to unleash the power of internet.

Laboratory Facilities: The department houses modern imported instruments required for advance training in modern areas of chemistry and other disciplines. Some of the advanced instrumentation facilities available in the department are GC-MS, GC, HPLC, AAS, FTIR,

UV-VIS spectrophotometers, Fluorimeter, Polarography, Voltametry, Bomb Calorimeter, Flame Photometer, Electrophoresis, Thermal balance, Water Purification units, Ice Makers, incubators, Digital Melting Point Apparatus etc.

Rationale for Change of the curriculum

Ø Chemistry is changing because of:

– Interaction with other disciplines

– Increasingly complex problems

– More advanced techniques and instrumentation

– Working in a global context

Ø Education is changing because:

– Pedagogy is changing to reflect new research in how students learn (e.g., inquiry-based and active learning, team experiences)

Ø Student population is becoming more diverse by age, gender, ethnicity and educational background

Department Aims, Goals and Objectives

Aims of the Department

The aims of undergraduate program in chemistry are:

Ø To provide access to a number of students who wish to secure a B.Sc. degree in chemistry at University level through standard quality education;

Ø To establish a research centre where scientific research is undergoing; and

to benefit the society.

Goals of the Department

The following are the major goals of the department of chemistry on the undergraduate program:

1. To establish in students an appreciation of the importance and sustainability of the chemical science in industrial, economic, environmental and social context;

2. To provide a broad education appropriate to graduates in chemistry;

3. To develop basic and practical research skills and the ability to apply research findings; and

4. To provide a wide range of transferable skills to the graduates.

Objectives of the Department

The main objectives of the department of chemistry are the following:

a)Produce skilled manpower of well-trained chemists capable of taking up positions in the growing demand of industries, institution of learning, research institutions, environmental and social context of the country;

b)Disseminate knowledge in chemistry and related areas through active participation in related professional activities, such as Chemical Society of Ethiopia, Regional Networking, Workshops, Symposia and Publications;

c) Develop capabilities for the provision of consultancy and technical services as well as short term specialized training to both public and private sectors;

d)Train chemists that play a significant role in the various sectors of the economy; and

e)To produce chemists who create job opportunities by applying the acquired knowledge and skills.