•
•
bullet CBSE > Career Options in India > Bsc Hons Chemistry

BSc (Hons) Chemistry in India

BSc (Hons) Chemistry

BSc (honours) in chemistry in Delhi University (DU) comes in a new package from 2010-11 session, comprising 24 papers across six semesters. New areas such as computer applications in chemistry, method of chemical analysis and environmental and biochemistry make the new structure more diverse. ‘‘Chemists not only describe and explain our world as it is, but also change and extend this world through production of new chemical substances, i.e. matter. It connects and merges into most other sciences such as physics, mathematics, geology, environmental science, biology, nano-technology and materials science, among others,’’ said head of department of chemistry, DU, A K Bakhshi, who also holds the Sir Shankar Lal Chair of Chemistry at DU. DU offers 934 seats in chemistry across 18 colleges. The first cut-off last year ranged between 60% and 86%, the highest being at Hindu followed by 82% at Ramjas and 81% at Hans Raj. Eligibility: Admission to this course requires an aggregate of 55% or above in the PCM subjects — physics, chemistry and mathematics — and 50% or above in one compulsory language.

Course content:

The content is equally divided among three branches — physical, organic and inorganic chemistry. Most of the topics are further in-depth extensions of what one learns in class XII and include atomic structure, chemical bonding, thermodynamics, chemistry of various elements, classes of organic compounds, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy. The course includes experiments relating to all the three branches of chemistry in each year. ‘‘There will now be 18 papers, including the newly-introduced computer application in chemistry, methods of chemical analysis and environmental and biochemistry. Two papers on physics and maths each, and one each in biology and English,’’ said Bakhshi.

Career Options:

There is a variety of rewarding careers to choose from. However, employment options depend on the extent of education. ‘‘Students can go for a masters in chemistry and then PhD after qualifying NET. One may specialize in any branch — physical, inorganic, organic, analytical or biochemistry. A bachelors degree is sufficient for entry-level positions in industrial and government labs but limits the career advancement up the ‘corporate ladder’,’’ explained Bakhshi. Career counsellor Pervin Malhotra said, ‘‘One can find suitable options in areas like oil, chemical and pharmaceutical companies, public health and environmental protection sectors, etc.’’