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M-SC in Chemistry at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur
Howrah, West Bengal
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About the Specialization
What is Chemistry at Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur Howrah?
This M.Sc Chemistry program at IIEST Shibpur focuses on advanced concepts across inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, complemented by specialized areas like materials science and green chemistry. It aims to develop skilled professionals for India''''s growing chemical, pharmaceutical, and research sectors, providing a strong theoretical and practical foundation for diverse industrial demands.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for B.Sc Chemistry graduates aspiring for research, industrial roles, or further academic pursuits. It suits fresh graduates seeking entry into R&D, quality control, or academic research, as well as professionals looking to upskill in specialized chemical domains within the Indian scientific landscape.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths in pharma, petrochemicals, agrochemicals, and materials science. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-6 lakhs annually, with growth potential in R&D or managerial roles. It aligns with advanced professional certifications and prepares for NET/GATE examinations for research careers.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Master Core Concepts and Lab Skills- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand fundamental principles of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Actively participate in all laboratory sessions, focusing on mastering basic experimental techniques, data recording, and safety protocols. Utilize online resources like NPTEL and Swayam for conceptual clarity.
Tools & Resources
NPTEL, Swayam, Textbooks, Lab Manuals
Career Connection
Strong foundational knowledge and practical skills are crucial for interviews and entry-level roles in R&D or quality control. Proficiency ensures faster adaptation to industrial lab environments.
Build a Strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Aptitude- (Semester 1-2)
Regularly practice numerical problems from textbooks and previous year question papers. Engage in group study to discuss complex concepts and problem-solving strategies. Participate in departmental quizzes or workshops focused on analytical challenges to enhance critical thinking.
Tools & Resources
Previous year question papers, Reference books (e.g., Peter Atkins, Clayden), Study groups
Career Connection
Develops a scientific mindset essential for research, troubleshooting in industrial processes, and excelling in competitive exams like GATE and NET, opening doors to PhD and PSU jobs.
Develop Computational Chemistry Proficiency- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with the Computer-Aided Chemistry Lab. Learn basic programming (e.g., Python for scientific computing) and become proficient in molecular modeling software. Explore online tutorials for packages like Gaussian, ChemDraw, or Spartan to simulate chemical phenomena and analyze data.
Tools & Resources
Python, Gaussian, ChemDraw, Spartan, Online tutorials
Career Connection
Computational skills are highly valued in modern chemical industries and research for drug design, materials science, and reaction mechanism studies, significantly enhancing employability.
Intermediate Stage
Engage in Research Projects and Seminars- (Semester 3)
Proactively seek out faculty-mentored mini-projects or participate in summer research internships. Prepare and present seminars on advanced topics to hone presentation skills. Attend guest lectures and workshops to stay updated on emerging research trends and network with experts.
Tools & Resources
Departmental research groups, Internship portals, Conference attendance
Career Connection
Builds a research portfolio, critical thinking, and communication skills, which are essential for higher studies (PhD) and R&D roles in both academia and industry in India.
Specialize through Electives and Advanced Labs- (Semester 3)
Carefully choose electives aligned with career interests (e.g., Medicinal Chemistry, Materials, Green Chemistry). Dive deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of these specialized areas, aiming for a comprehensive understanding beyond basic coursework. Seek guidance from faculty mentors.
Tools & Resources
Elective course materials, Specialized journals, Faculty advisors
Career Connection
Develops niche expertise highly sought after by specific industries (e.g., pharma for medicinal chemistry, manufacturing for materials) in India, increasing job prospects and salary potential.
Network and Explore Industry Internships- (Semester 3)
Attend industry-academia meets, career fairs, and connect with alumni on platforms like LinkedIn. Actively apply for internships in chemical, pharmaceutical, or materials companies during semester breaks to gain practical industry exposure and build professional connections.
Tools & Resources
LinkedIn, Industry conferences, College placement cell
Career Connection
Internships provide invaluable real-world experience, often leading to pre-placement offers or strong referrals. Networking is key for identifying hidden job opportunities in the Indian market.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Research Project- (Semester 3-4)
Invest significant effort in the Project - I and Project - II. Focus on innovative problem-solving, meticulous experimentation, data analysis, and scientific report writing. Aim for high-quality research that could potentially lead to publications or patent applications, under faculty guidance.
Tools & Resources
Research journals (ACS, RSC), Statistical software, Thesis templates
Career Connection
A strong research project is a major asset for PhD admissions, R&D positions, and demonstrating independent research capabilities to top Indian and international employers.
Intensive Preparation for Viva-Voce and Placements- (Semester 4)
Revise all core and elective subjects thoroughly for the final Viva-Voce. Participate in mock interviews and group discussions organized by the placement cell. Work on soft skills, communication, and presentation abilities. Prepare a strong resume highlighting projects and achievements.
Tools & Resources
Mock interviews, Resume building workshops, Placement cell resources
Career Connection
Exceptional performance in viva and placement activities directly translates to securing desirable job offers in leading companies or getting selected for prestigious research fellowships in India.
Career Mapping and Professional Development- (Semester 4)
Engage with career counselors to map out post-M.Sc options, including PhD, industry, or entrepreneurship. Explore certifications relevant to specific career paths (e.g., NABL for analytical chemists). Continuously update skills through workshops or short courses on emerging technologies.
Tools & Resources
Career counseling services, Professional body certifications, Online learning platforms
Career Connection
Proactive career planning ensures a smooth transition post-graduation, helps in identifying long-term goals, and positions graduates for leadership and specialized roles in the dynamic Indian chemical industry.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- B.Sc (Hons.) in Chemistry or equivalent with Chemistry as an Honours/Major subject from a recognized university.
Duration: 4 semesters
Credits: 88 Credits
Assessment: Assessment pattern not specified
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-401 | Inorganic Chemistry - I | Core | 4 | Atomic structure and Bonding, Coordination Chemistry, Crystal Field Theory, Reaction Mechanisms of Complexes, Metal Ligand Equilibria |
| PC-402 | Organic Chemistry - I | Core | 4 | Stereochemistry, Reaction Intermediates, Substitution Reactions, Elimination Reactions, Addition Reactions |
| PC-403 | Physical Chemistry - I | Core | 4 | Quantum Mechanics, Chemical Thermodynamics, Statistical Thermodynamics, Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry |
| PC-404 | Spectroscopy - I | Core | 4 | Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, Infrared Spectroscopy, NMR Spectroscopy, Mass Spectrometry |
| PCL-405 | Practical Chemistry Lab - I | Lab | 2 | Inorganic qualitative analysis, Inorganic quantitative analysis, Gravimetric estimation, Volumetric titrations, Ion exchange chromatography |
| PCL-406 | Practical Chemistry Lab - II | Lab | 2 | Organic preparations, Recrystallization techniques, Quantitative organic estimation, Functional group analysis, Melting point determination |
| PCL-407 | Computer-Aided Chemistry Lab | Lab | 4 | Spreadsheet for data analysis, Statistical analysis, Molecular modeling software, Quantum chemistry calculations, Graphical representation of data |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-408 | Inorganic Chemistry - II | Core | 4 | Organometallic Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Solid State Chemistry, Inorganic Polymers, Magnetic Properties of Complexes |
| PC-409 | Organic Chemistry - II | Core | 4 | Aromaticity, Pericyclic Reactions, Organic Photochemistry, Heterocyclic Chemistry, Asymmetric Synthesis |
| PC-410 | Physical Chemistry - II | Core | 4 | Electrochemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Photochemistry, Colloid Chemistry, Molecular Spectroscopy |
| PC-411 | Analytical Chemistry | Core | 4 | Separation Techniques, Chromatographic Methods, Electrochemical Methods, Thermal Methods of Analysis, Spectrochemical Analysis |
| PCL-412 | Practical Chemistry Lab - III | Lab | 2 | Inorganic compound synthesis, Characterization of complexes, Instrumental analysis for metals, Qualitative analysis of mixtures, Redox titrations |
| PCL-413 | Practical Chemistry Lab - IV | Lab | 2 | Organic quantitative estimation, Functional group interconversions, Spectroscopic identification of compounds, Column chromatography, Thin Layer Chromatography |
| PCL-414 | Practical Chemistry Lab - V | Lab | 4 | Physical chemistry experiments, Thermodynamics measurements, Chemical kinetics studies, Electrochemistry experiments, Surface tension measurements |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PC-415 | Materials Chemistry | Core | 4 | Nanomaterials, Polymeric Materials, Composite Materials, Ceramic Materials, Electronic and Magnetic Materials |
| PC-416 | Green Chemistry & Catalysis | Core | 4 | Principles of Green Chemistry, Homogeneous Catalysis, Heterogeneous Catalysis, Biocatalysis, Sustainable Synthesis |
| PC-417 | Industrial Chemistry | Core | 4 | Chemical Process Industries, Unit Operations in Chemical Industry, Quality Control in Industry, Safety and Environmental Aspects, Petrochemicals and Fertilizers |
| PC-418 | Advanced Spectroscopy & Diffraction Techniques | Core | 4 | Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR), Mossbauer Spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Electron Microscopy (SEM, TEM), Surface Analysis Techniques |
| PCL-419 | Practical Chemistry Lab - VI | Lab | 2 | Materials synthesis, Characterization of nanomaterials, Thin films preparation, Polymer synthesis, Conductivity measurements |
| PCL-420 | Practical Chemistry Lab - VII | Lab | 2 | Green chemistry experiments, Catalytic reactions, Waste minimization techniques, Biocatalysis experiments, Solvent-free reactions |
| PCP-421 | Project - I | Project | 4 | Literature Survey, Problem Identification, Experimental Design, Data Collection Strategy, Preliminary Results Analysis |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE-422 | Medicinal Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Drug Discovery and Development, Drug Design, Structure-Activity Relationships, Mechanism of Drug Action, Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics |
| PE-423 | Supramolecular Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Host-Guest Chemistry, Molecular Recognition, Self-Assembly, Non-Covalent Interactions, Supramolecular Devices |
| PE-424 | Advanced Organic Synthesis | Elective | 4 | Retrosynthetic Analysis, Asymmetric Synthesis, Organometallic Reagents in Synthesis, Green Synthetic Methodologies, Protecting Group Chemistry |
| PE-425 | Theoretical Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Quantum Chemical Methods, Computational Chemistry Techniques, Molecular Mechanics, Density Functional Theory, Spectroscopic Calculations |
| PE-426 | Polymer & Biopolymer Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Polymer Synthesis Methods, Polymer Characterization, Biopolymers (Proteins, Nucleic Acids), Polymer Applications, Biodegradable Polymers |
| PE-427 | Electroanalytical Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Potentiometry, Voltammetry, Amperometry, Conductometry, Electrochemical Sensors |
| PE-428 | Chemoinformatics | Elective | 4 | Chemical Databases, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), Virtual Screening, Molecular Docking, Drug Discovery Informatics |
| PE-429 | Environmental Chemistry | Elective | 4 | Air Pollution, Water Pollution and Treatment, Soil Chemistry, Environmental Toxicology, Green Technologies for Remediation |
| PCP-424 | Project - II | Project | 4 | Advanced Research Methodology, Data Analysis and Interpretation, Report Writing, Presentation of Results, Defense of Thesis |
| PCV-425 | Viva-Voce | Viva | 4 | Comprehensive knowledge of Chemistry, Understanding of research project, Analytical and problem-solving skills, Communication of scientific concepts, Application of theoretical knowledge |
