Chemical Science Detalis -Friendzjunction

Chemical Science

Topics
Overview
The work
Job profile
Requirement
Employment
Resources

Overview

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Everything in the environment, whether naturally occurring or of human design, is composed of chemicals. Chemical scientists search for and put to use new knowledge about chemicals.

Chemical research has led to the discovery and development of new and improved synthetic fibre, paints, adhesives, drugs, cosmetics, electronic components, lubricants, and thousands of other products.

Chemists also develop processes that save energy and reduce pollution, such as improved oil refining and petrochemical processing methods. Research on the chemistry of living things spurs advances in medicine, agriculture, food processing, and other fields. Chemical scientists also work in a variety of maufacturing industries other than chemical manufacturing such as electronics, photographic equipment, and pulp and paper mills.

Industries which are major users of chemicals are the drugs industry, food industry (chemicals are used as colouring, flavouring and preserving agents), the petrochemical industry (the largest producer of primary organic chemicals), the plastic and synthetic materials industry (used for manufacture of a wide range of finished products), the soap, cosmetics and cleaning agents industry, paints, coatings and allied products industry and the agrochemicals industry which manufactures fertilisers and pesticides.

The chemical industry can be classified in a number of ways. The most popularly used classification is based on the organic and inorganic origin of chemicals.

For business transactions, the chemicals are referred to as heavy or fine chemicals, the former referring to low cost industrial chemicals produced in bulk and the latter produced in small quantities for specific use.

In marketing, the industry is classified according to the end user of the product such as chemicals for pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, agriculture, etc.

Industries are referred to as manufacturing basic chemicals, intermediate chemicals (used in the manufacture of products) or finished or ready to use products such as drugs and pharmaceuticals.

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The Work

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Chemical scientists apply their knowledge of chemistry in various ways. Many work in research and development.

In basic research, chemists investigate properties, composition, and structure of matter and the laws that govern the combination of elements and reactions of substances.

In applied research and development, they create new products and processes or improve existing ones, often using knowledge gained from basic research. For example, synthetic rubber and plastics resulted from research on small molecules uniting to form large ones, a process called polymerisation.

Research and development chemists use computers and a wide variety of sophisticated laboratory instrumentation. The use of computers to analyse complex data allows chemists to practice combinatorial chemistry. This technique makes and tests large quantities of chemical compounds simultaneously in order to find compounds with desired properties.

Combinatorial chemistry makes chemists more productive by saving time and materials and could result in more products being developed in the future. They also spend time documenting and analysing the results of their work and writing formal reports.

The job of chemical scientists depends on the area of specialisation. Studies involve chemical analysis, synthesis, research and the sampling of solids, liquids or gases to determine their composition, properties, physical and chemical changes. This study is used for developing new products through improved production processes and advanced scientific research.

Chemists also work in production and quality control in chemical manufacturing plants. They prepare instructions for plant workers that specify ingredients, mixing times, and temperatures for each stage in the process. They also monitor automated processes to ensure proper product yield, and they test samples of raw materials or finished products to ensure they meet industry and government standards, including the regulations governing pollution. Chemists record and report on test results and improve existing or develop new test methods.

Chemical scientists test samples of materials or substances using chemical processes, such as dissolving them in solvents, observing changes with the application of heat, pressure or vacuum. Reaction to acids, standard reagents like gases and chemicals, precipitation, filteration, dehydration and cooling are used to determine their properties.

Further, the pursuit of this science may involve quantitative, qualitative, microchemical analysis, microscopic analysis, ion exchange and electronic hydrogen ion measurement, component separation by electrolysis, etc.

Chemists are also constantly working on research projects to improve methods of production and for devising new products. With the manufacture and use of almost 50,000 different chemical substances, chemical scientists have a challenging future.

Chemical scientists work in production and non-production jobs. The non-production jobs consist of professional specialists, the technical and managerial staff, the marketing and administrative personnel, while production work incorporates handling raw material and managing the production process, as well as operating highly technical equipment.

Since the jobs chemical scientists are involved in are related to industries manufacturing diverse products, their work environment is highly variable. Nevertheless, in the production of chemicals and allied products, there is a significant amount of risk in handling poisonous chemicals. The production workers in industries are often exposed to these hazards.

Chemists usually work regular hours in offices and laboratories. Research chemists spend much time in laboratories, but also work in offices when they do theoretical research or plan, record and report on their laboratory research. Although some laboratories are small, others are large enough to incorporate prototype chemical manufacturing facilities as well as advanced equipment.

Chemists do some of their work in a chemical plant or outdoors - while gathering water samples to test for pollutants, for example. Some chemists are exposed to health or safety hazards when handling certain chemicals, but there is little risk if proper procedures are followed.

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Job Profile

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Chemists often specialise in a subfield. Analytical chemists determine the structure, composition, and nature of substances by examining and identifying the various elements or compounds that make up a substance. They study the relations and interactions of the parts and develop analytical techniques. They also identify the presence and concentration of chemical pollutants in air, water, and soil.

Organic chemists study the chemistry of the vast number of carbon compounds that make up all living things. Organic chemists who synthesise elements or simple compounds to create new compounds or substances that have different properties and applications have developed many commercial products, such as drugs, plastics, and elastomers (elastic substances similar to rubber).

Inorganic chemists study compounds consisting mainly of elements other than carbon, such as those in electronic components.

Physical chemists study the physical characteristics of atoms and molecules and investigate how chemical reactions work. Their research may result in new and better energy sources.

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Requirement
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A bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a related discipline is usually the minimum educational requirement for entry-level jobs. However, many research jobs require nothing less than a Ph.D.

Students planning careers in chemical science should take courses in science and mathematics, and should like working with their hands, building scientific apparatus and performing experiments.

Perseverance, curiosity and the ability to concentrate on detail and to work independently are essential. In addition to required courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, under-graduate chemistry majors usually study biological sciences, mathematics, and physics.

Those interested in the environmental field should also take courses in environmental studies and become familiar with current legislation and regulations. Computer courses are essential, as employers increasingly prefer job applicants who are able to apply computer skills to modelling and simulation tasks and operate computerised laboratory equipment.

Because research and development chemists are increasingly expected to work on interdisciplinary teams, some understanding of other disciplines, including business and marketing or economics, is desirable, along with leadership ability and good oral and written communication skills.

Experience, either in academic laboratories or through internships or co-op programmes in industry, also is useful. Some employers of research chemists, particularly in the pharmaceutical industry, prefer to hire individuals with several years of postdoctoral experience.

Graduate students typically specialise in a subfield of chemistry, such as analytical chemistry or polymer chemistry, depending on their interests and the kind of work they wish to do. For example, those interested in doing drug research in the pharmaceutical industry usually develop a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry.

However, students normally need not specialise at the undergraduate level. In fact, undergraduates who are broadly trained have more flexibility when job hunting or changing jobs than if they narrowly define their interests. Most employers provide new graduates additional training or education.

In government or industry, beginning chemists with a bachelor’s degree work in quality control, analytical testing, or assist senior chemists in research and development laboratories.

Many employers prefer chemists with a Ph.D. or at least a master’s degree to lead basic and applied research. A Ph.D. is also often preferred for advancement to many administrative positions.

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Employment
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Chemists work in research and development, management, marketing, production, teaching and in many other applied fields. Industrial growth has created a great demand for trained chemists and this trend is expected to continue.

Opportunities for graduates or postgraduates in chemistry exists in textiles, petroleum, rubber, plastics, agricultural products, paper, pharmaceuticals, food, fertilisers, paint and even in the cosmetic and other aromatic product manufacturing industries.

The petroleum industry and all chemical manufacturing companies are traditional employers of chemical professionals. The electronic, paper and pulp, metal, cement and aerospace industries also offer employment opportunities.

Chemical scientists with interests in the environment find opportunity to work in water treatment, sanitary and sewage treatment plants.

Agricultural chemists research for better and improved crop cultivation, developing fertilisers and agricultural chemicals.

Food chemistry and technology incorporates the work chemists do in food flavouring, pet foods, food preservatives. These are developing areas for research and production.

Other fields offering opportunities are molecular biology, biotechnology, and polymer chemistry.

Post-graduates or graduates from the field of chemistry work in sales, marketing and management, patent and product liability law, chemicals business market research and public policy. Those with Ph.D degrees are usually employed in laboratories. Opportunities for students of chemistry also exists with the government in research laboratories.

The Civil Services is an option for those who prefer to be in administrative environs.

The Indian Army recruits women candidates for the Army Service Corps as food scientists. Candidates are required to have a postgraduate degree in organic chemistry/biochemistry. Graduates in chemistry are enrolled for the Army Ordinance Corps.

Those who have a commercial interest may opt for a management course after graduating in chemistry to find suitable employment in the management cadres of industries, marketing goods such as paint, fertiliser, pesticide, etc.

Scientists opting for an enterpreneurial venture is not too uncommon an option in an economically and technologically vibrant society. The packaging and processed foods industry also offers viable options.

In healthcare too, chemistry graduates are opting for medical laboratory technology as well as the sales of pharmaceuticals as career options.

Chemistry researchers work in museums in art conservation and restoration, carbon-dating and in analysing the genuineness of artifacts through chemical procedures.

Forensic chemists work in forensic laboratories for crime detection.

Toxicologists are chemists studying the harmful influence of chemicals on biological systems.

Chemists and chemical engineers are employed in consultancy firms to provide specialists guidance in areas related to their research speciality.

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Resources
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Graduates in chemistry have several options to choose from. Those choosing to pursue pure sciences have to study for a postgraduate degree and subsequently undertake research studies.

In the applied sector there are a variety of options to choose from in terms of the branch of study. Given here are some of the options for study in the applied sector.

Specialisations include

Industrial Chemistry, Sugar Technology, Food Technology, Medical Lab Technology. Other specialisations are in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Paper and Pulp Technology, Process Instrumentation, Textile Chemicals, Oils, Paints, Fine chemicals, Dyes and Intermediates and Industrial Polymer chemistry are some more areas of study.

Several courses are conducted by the
University of Bombay,
Department of Chemical Technology,
Matunga,
Mumbai

Courses in specialised fields of chemistry include

Institution or University Course Duration Subjects Eligibility

EASTERN REGION

Jadavpur University, Calcutta B.Tech Three years Food technology and Biochemical engineering B.Sc. (Honours)
Chemistry

NORTHERN REGION

National Sugar Institute, Kanpur Diploma
Diploma
Two and half years
One year
Sugar Technology
Industrial fermentation and Alcohol technology
M.Sc after B.Sc. (Chemistry) or BE
B.Sc. with, experience in distillery

Institute of Paper Technology,
Saharanpur Diploma
Diploma
Two years
Two years
Pulp and paper technology/ process instrumentation B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Lucknow University,
Lucknow 226 007 B.Sc. (Applied Chemistry)
M.Sc. Technology
Three years
Three years
Pharmaceutical chemistry 10+2
B.Sc. or B.Pharma

Dr BR Ambedkar University,
Paliwal Park,
Agra 282 004 M.Sc. Two years Analytical chemistry B.Sc. 55% (minimum aggregate)

Devi Ahilya Vishwa-
vidyalaya,
169, RN Tagore Marg,
Indore 452 001 M.Sc Two years Applied chemistry B.Sc.

Vikram University,
Ujjain 456 010 M.Sc. Two years Industrial chemistry B.Sc.

National Archives,
New Delhi Certificate Eight weeks Care and conversation of book manuscripts and archives Graduate with chemistry at 10+2

Kurukshetra University Kurukshetra 132 009 M.Sc. Two years Industrial chemistry B.Sc.

Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar 143 005 M.Sc. Two years Industrial chemistry, Instrumental analysis, Applied chemistry B.Sc. (Honours)

Jiwaji University,
Gwalior 474 011 M.Sc. Two years Applied and environment chemistry B.Sc.

WESTERN REGION

Laxminarayan Institute of Technology,
Nagpur B.Sc. Technology Three years Oil, food, petrochemical and cellulose technology B.Sc. with physics chemistry and mathematics

University of Bombay, Department of chemical technology,
Matunga
Mumbai 400 019 B.Sc. Technology
M.Sc. Technology
Three years
Two years
Textile chemicals, plastic, pharma- ceuticals, oils, paints, food dyes and intermediates and fine chemical technology
Technology of intermediates and dyes, food, fermentation, fats, and waxes, paints, pharmaceutical and fine chemicals plastics, textile chemicals, perfumery and flavour technology
B.Sc.with chemistry (Principal) and physics (subsidiary)
B.Sc. with the same or allied branch

Central Food Technology Research Institute, Mysore M.Sc. Two years Food technology Graduate in chemistry
B.Sc. (General)

Victoria Jubilee Technology Institute, Mantunga,
Mumbai Diploma
Diploma
Four years
Two years
Food, Drugs and Oil and Paints B.Sc (Chemistry)
B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Government Polytechnic,
Vidyanagar,
Kolhapur Diploma One year Sugar technology B.Sc. (Chemistry)

North Maharashtra Umavinagar,
Jalgaon 425 002 M.Sc. Two years Chemical Technology B.Sc.

Marathwada University, Swami Ramanand Teerth,
Nanded 431 603 M.Sc. Two years Industrial chemistry B.Sc. (minimum 50%)

Shivaji University, Kolhapur 416 004 M.Sc. Two years Organic, inorganic, analysis, industrial,
physical
chemistry B.Sc.

University of Pune,
Ganeshkhind,
Pune 411 007 M.Sc. Two years Drug chemistry B.Sc.

SNDT Women’s University,
1, Nathibai Thackersey Road,
Mumbai 400 032 M.Sc. Two years Analytical and medical chemistry B.Sc.

University of Mumbai
MG Road,
Fort,
Mumbai 400 032 M.Sc.
M.Sc. Technology
Two years
Two years
Analytical and organic branches All applied branches of chemistry B.Sc. (Technology)
B.Sc. (Technology) /BE in chemical engineering (IInd class)

Grant Medical College,
Mumbai Diploma One year Medical laboratory technology B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Topiwala National Medical college,
Mumbai Diploma One year Medical laboratory Technology B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical College,
Mumbai Diploma One year Medical laboratory technology B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Haffkine Institute, Mumbai Diploma One year Medical laboratory technology B.Sc. (Chemistry)

College of Social work, Nirmal Niketan,
Mumbai Diploma One year Dietetics and applied nutrition B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai Diploma Two years Fisheries science B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Central Labour Institutes,
Mumbai Diploma One year Industrial safety B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Samsira’s Institute of Manmade Textiles,
Mumbai Certificate One year (part time) Dyeing and finishing of wood B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Haffkine Institute, Mumbai Certificate One year Drug Analysis B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Haffkine Institute, Mumbai Certificate Three months Practical laboratory techniques B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Sardar Patel University Vallabh,
Vidyanagar 388 120 B.Sc. (Applied Chemistry) Three years Industrial chemistry 10+2

M.Sc. (Applied Chemistry) Two years Industrial polymer chemistry, analytical organic physical B.Sc.

South Gujarat University,
Surat 395 007 B.Sc. Technology
Synthetic textile chemistry
Two years B.Sc. (Chemistry) physics/ mathematics/ statistics as subsidiary subjects.
in higher secondary with four science subjects including mathematics

MS University,
Baroda,
Vadodara 390 002 M.Sc. Two years Applied B.Sc.

SOUTHERN REGION

Andhra University Vishakha-
patnam 530 003 B.Sc. (Applied chemistry)
M.Sc. (Applied chemistry)
3 yrs
Two years
Analytical/ Physical /Organic /Inorganic B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Sri Venkate-
shwara University,
Tirupati 517 502 M.Sc. Two years Environmental chemistry B.Sc.

Bharathiar University,
Coimbatore 641 016 B.Sc. Three years Applied chemistry B.Sc.

Pondicherry University,
Kalapet,
Pondicherry 605 014 M.Sc. Two years Chemical Science B.Sc. with 55% marks

Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University, Hyderabad M.Sc. Two years Applied B.Sc.

University of Madras Centenary Building Chepauk,
Chennai 600 005 M.Sc. Two years Polymer chemistry, Inorganic, Organic Physical, Environmental chemistry B.Sc. in the disciplne

Osmania University Hyderabad 500 007 B.Sc. (Applied chemistry) M.Sc. (Applied chemistry) Three years
Two years
Industrial chemistry
Medicinal chemistry
10+2
B.Sc.

Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi
682 022 M.Tech.
M.Sc.
Two years Industrial chemistry
Applied Hydro- chemistry
M.Sc. with gate score B.Sc. 55%

Avinas-
hilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women,
Coimbatore 641 043 M.Sc. Two years Applied B.Sc. (Chemistry)

Kakatiya University, Warangal 506 009 M.Sc. Two years Industrial chemistry B.Sc. (Chemistry)
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