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B-SC-HONS-CHEMISTRY in Chemistry at Sikkim Government Science College, Soreng
Soreng, Sikkim
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About the Specialization
What is Chemistry at Sikkim Government Science College, Soreng Soreng?
This B.Sc. Honours Chemistry program at Sikkim Government Science College, Chakung, focuses on providing a comprehensive understanding of core chemical principles across inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. It emphasizes foundational knowledge and practical laboratory skills. The curriculum, aligned with Sikkim University''''s CBCS framework, prepares students for diverse scientific roles and higher education, catering to the growing demand for skilled chemists in India''''s research and industrial sectors.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for 10+2 science graduates with a strong aptitude for scientific inquiry and problem-solving. It suits students aspiring for research careers in chemistry, those aiming for postgraduate studies like M.Sc. or Ph.D., or individuals seeking entry-level positions in chemical industries, pharmaceuticals, or analytical laboratories in India. It also appeals to those keen on understanding the molecular basis of everyday phenomena.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect to pursue India-specific career paths in quality control, R&D labs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and environmental analysis. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 2.5 to 4.5 lakhs per annum, with significant growth for experienced professionals. Career growth trajectories often lead to roles as research associates, analytical chemists, or process chemists in Indian and multinational companies operating in the country. The strong fundamental knowledge also aids in preparing for competitive exams.
Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build a Strong Theoretical Base- (Semester 1-2)
Dedicate time to thoroughly understand fundamental concepts in inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry from core textbooks. Focus on derivations, reaction mechanisms, and principles taught in Semesters 1 and 2 to create a robust knowledge foundation.
Tools & Resources
Standard textbooks (e.g., Puri, Sharma, Kalia for Physical; Morrison & Boyd for Organic; Lee & Lee for Inorganic), NPTEL lectures for foundational topics, Peer study groups
Career Connection
Mastering basics is crucial for higher studies and to confidently tackle entry-level technical interviews in any chemistry-related field. Strong fundamentals accelerate understanding of advanced concepts.
Excel in Laboratory Skills and Safety- (Semester 1-2)
Actively participate in all practical sessions. Meticulously record observations, understand the ''''why'''' behind each step, and strictly adhere to laboratory safety protocols. Seek feedback from instructors to refine experimental techniques.
Tools & Resources
Lab manuals, Online safety courses (e.g., from NPTEL or specific chemical safety boards), Mentorship from lab assistants
Career Connection
Hands-on practical skills are highly valued in industries such as pharmaceuticals, quality control, and R&D. Proficiency in lab work and safety builds confidence and makes you industry-ready.
Develop Problem-Solving Abilities- (Semester 1-2)
Regularly practice numerical problems and theoretical questions from each topic. Focus on applying learned principles to solve unseen problems, not just memorizing. Participate in college-level science quizzes or competitions.
Tools & Resources
Question banks from previous years (Sikkim University), Online chemistry quizzes, Reference books with solved problems
Career Connection
Strong problem-solving skills are essential for analytical roles, research, and for excelling in competitive examinations for jobs and higher education (e.g., JAM, NET).
Intermediate Stage
Explore Specialization-Specific Skills- (Semester 3-5)
Begin exploring your interests within Chemistry. If organic, practice synthesis; if analytical, focus on instrumental methods. Choose Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) and Generic Electives (GEs) strategically to align with potential career paths.
Tools & Resources
Departmental workshops on specific instruments, Online courses on advanced topics (Coursera, edX), Guest lectures by industry experts
Career Connection
Early specialization helps in identifying a niche and developing targeted skills, making you more competitive for specific roles in fields like pharmaceutical R&D, petrochemicals, or environmental analysis.
Engage in Minor Research or Projects- (Semester 3-5)
Seek opportunities to assist faculty members in their research projects or undertake small independent projects. This provides exposure to real-world research methodologies, data analysis, and scientific writing, beyond routine lab practicals.
Tools & Resources
Faculty mentorship, Access to college library and online research databases, Basic data analysis software (e.g., Excel, R for beginners)
Career Connection
Research experience is invaluable for postgraduate admissions (M.Sc./Ph.D.) and entry into R&D roles. It demonstrates initiative, critical thinking, and the ability to work independently.
Network and Attend Seminars- (Semester 3-5)
Attend seminars, webinars, and workshops organized by the college or other institutions, especially those featuring industry professionals or academicians. Network with speakers, faculty, and seniors to gain insights into career opportunities and advancements.
Tools & Resources
College notice boards and website, LinkedIn for professional networking, Scientific community platforms
Career Connection
Networking can open doors to internships, mentorships, and job opportunities. Staying updated on industry trends makes you a more informed and desirable candidate.
Advanced Stage
Undertake a Comprehensive Project/Dissertation- (Semester 6)
Utilize the Dissertation/Project Work (DSE-4) in Semester 6 to conduct an in-depth research project. This should involve extensive literature review, experimental work (if applicable), data analysis, and professional report writing and presentation.
Tools & Resources
Academic research papers (Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar), Statistical software, Presentation tools (PowerPoint, LaTeX Beamer)
Career Connection
A strong project demonstrates advanced research capabilities, problem-solving, and independent learning—qualities highly sought after by employers for R&D positions and by top universities for postgraduate programs.
Prepare for Higher Education or Placements- (Semester 5-6)
Start preparing for competitive exams like JAM (Joint Admission Test for M.Sc.), NET (National Eligibility Test), or GATE if pursuing research or teaching. Simultaneously, prepare for campus placements by honing interview skills, resume building, and practicing aptitude tests.
Tools & Resources
Online test series for competitive exams, Career counseling services (if available), Mock interview sessions
Career Connection
Proactive preparation for JAM/NET ensures admission to top M.Sc. programs. Focused placement preparation maximizes chances of securing desirable jobs in core chemistry industries post-graduation.
Develop Communication and Soft Skills- (Semester 4-6)
Beyond technical expertise, focus on developing strong written and verbal communication, teamwork, and leadership skills. Participate in extracurricular activities, presentations, and group projects to enhance these attributes.
Tools & Resources
College clubs and societies, Public speaking workshops, Professional development courses
Career Connection
These soft skills are critical for career advancement, effective collaboration in industry or research, and leadership roles. Employers highly value candidates who can communicate complex ideas clearly.
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- Passed 10+2 (or equivalent) with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics/Biology/Computer Science/Statistics from a recognized Board/Council with minimum 45% marks in aggregate (40% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD) as prescribed by Sikkim University.
Duration: 6 semesters / 3 years
Credits: 116 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20% (for each course), External: 80% (Semester-End Examination for each course)
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-1 | Environmental Science | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Environment and Ecosystems, Natural Resources and Management, Biodiversity and Conservation, Environmental Pollution, Environmental Policies and Practices |
| C.1 | Inorganic Chemistry I: Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding & s-Block Elements | Core Theory | 4 | Atomic Structure (Bohr, Quantum Numbers), Chemical Bonding (Ionic, Covalent, VSEPR), Metallic and Hydrogen Bonding, s-Block Elements (General Characteristics, Compounds), Periodic Properties |
| C.1 P | Inorganic Chemistry I Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Volumetric Analysis (Acid-Base, Redox Titrations), Gravimetric Analysis (Barium Sulphate Estimation), Preparation of Standard Solutions, Error Analysis |
| C.2 | Physical Chemistry I: States of Matter & Ionic Equilibrium | Core Theory | 4 | Gaseous State (Gas Laws, Kinetic Theory), Liquid State (Intermolecular Forces, Viscosity, Surface Tension), Solid State (Crystalline, Amorphous, Unit Cells), Ionic Equilibrium (Acids, Bases, pH, Buffer Solutions), Solubility Product |
| C.2 P | Physical Chemistry I Lab | Core Practical | 2 | pH-metric Titrations, Determination of Viscosity (Ostwald Viscometer), Measurement of Surface Tension (Stalagmometer), Cryoscopy (Molecular Weight Determination) |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AECC-2 | English/MIL Communication | Ability Enhancement Compulsory Course | 2 | Grammar and Usage, Reading Comprehension, Written Communication (Reports, Emails), Presentation Skills, Public Speaking |
| C.3 | Organic Chemistry I: Basics of Organic Chemistry and Hydrocarbons | Core Theory | 4 | Hybridization and Bonding in Organic Molecules, Isomerism (Structural, Stereoisomerism), Reaction Intermediates (Carbocations, Carbanions, Radicals), Alkanes (Preparation, Reactions), Alkenes and Alkynes (Reactions, Stereochemistry) |
| C.3 P | Organic Chemistry I Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Organic Qualitative Analysis (Elemental Detection), Melting Point and Boiling Point Determination, Distillation and Recrystallization, Chromatographic Separations (TLC) |
| C.4 | Physical Chemistry II: Chemical Energetics, Equilibria & Electrochemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Chemical Thermodynamics (Laws, Enthalpy, Entropy, Gibbs Energy), Chemical Equilibrium (Equilibrium Constant, Le Chatelier''''s Principle), Electrochemistry (Electrochemical Cells, Nernst Equation), Conductance (Electrolyte Solutions, Kohlrausch''''s Law), Redox Reactions and Electrode Potentials |
| C.4 P | Physical Chemistry II Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Thermochemistry (Enthalpy of Neutralization), Phase Equilibrium (Critical Solution Temperature), Conductometric Titrations, Potentiometric Titrations |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.5 | Inorganic Chemistry II: General Principles of Metallurgy & Chemistry of p-Block Elements | Core Theory | 4 | Principles of Metallurgy (Extraction, Purification), Chemistry of p-Block Elements (Group 13-18), Oxides, Halides, Hydrides of p-Block Elements, Inert Pair Effect, Industrial Applications of p-Block Compounds |
| C.5 P | Inorganic Chemistry II Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Inorganic Preparations (Complexes, Salts), Gravimetric Analysis (Nickel-DMG Estimation), Qualitative Analysis of Inorganic Salts, Calibration of Glassware |
| C.6 | Organic Chemistry II: Oxygen Containing Functional Groups | Core Theory | 4 | Alcohols and Phenols (Preparation, Reactions), Ethers and Epoxides, Aldehydes and Ketones (Nucleophilic Addition, Condensation), Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives, Reactions Involving Carbonyl Compounds |
| C.6 P | Organic Chemistry II Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Organic Preparations (Aspirin, Benzanilide), Functional Group Identification, Distillation and Extraction Techniques, Crystallization and Sublimation |
| C.7 | Physical Chemistry III: Solutions, Phase Equilibrium & Conductance | Core Theory | 4 | Solutions (Ideal, Non-ideal, Colligative Properties), Phase Equilibrium (Phase Rule, One and Two Component Systems), Conductance (Electrolytic, Molar, Equivalent Conductance), Debye-Huckel Theory, Applications of Colligative Properties |
| C.7 P | Physical Chemistry III Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Distribution Law (Partition Coefficient), Phase Diagram Construction (Eutectic, CST), Conductivity Measurements (Cell Constant), Verification of Kohlrausch''''s Law |
| SEC-1 | Basic Analytical Chemistry (Example) | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Introduction to Analytical Chemistry, Separation Techniques (Extraction, Distillation, Chromatography), Titrimetric Analysis, Gravimetric Analysis, Sampling and Sample Preparation |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.8 | Inorganic Chemistry III: Coordination Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Werner''''s Theory, Valence Bond Theory, Crystal Field Theory (CFT), Isomerism in Coordination Compounds, Nomenclature of Coordination Compounds, Applications of Coordination Compounds |
| C.8 P | Inorganic Chemistry III Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Preparation of Coordination Complexes, Colorimetric Determination of Metal Ions, Spectrophotometric Analysis, Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements |
| C.9 | Organic Chemistry III: Nitrogen Containing Functional Groups & Spectroscopy | Core Theory | 4 | Nitro Compounds and Amines, Diazonium Salts and their Reactions, Heterocyclic Compounds (Pyrrole, Furan, Thiophene), UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Infrared (IR) Spectroscopy, NMR Spectroscopy (Basic) |
| C.9 P | Organic Chemistry III Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Organic Qualitative Analysis (Nitrogen containing compounds), Spectroscopic Problem Solving (UV, IR), Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) Applications, Purification of Organic Compounds |
| C.10 | Physical Chemistry IV: Chemical Kinetics, Surface Chemistry & Quantum Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Chemical Kinetics (Rate Laws, Order, Molecularity), Activation Energy, Arrhenius Equation, Surface Chemistry (Adsorption, Catalysis), Colloids (Properties, Preparation), Introduction to Quantum Chemistry (Black Body, Photoelectric Effect) |
| C.10 P | Physical Chemistry IV Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Determination of Rate Constants, Verification of Adsorption Isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich), Preparation and Properties of Colloidal Solutions, Viscosity of Macromolecules |
| SEC-2 | Environmental Chemistry (Example) | Skill Enhancement Course | 2 | Atmospheric Chemistry (Air Pollutants), Water Chemistry (Water Quality Parameters), Soil Chemistry (Soil Pollution), Toxic Chemicals in Environment, Green Chemistry Principles |
Semester 5
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.11 | Inorganic Chemistry IV: Organometallics & Bioinorganic Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Organometallic Compounds (Synthesis, Bonding, Reactions), Catalysis by Organometallic Compounds, Bioinorganic Chemistry (Metal Ions in Biological Systems), Metalloproteins (Hemoglobin, Myoglobin), Trace Elements |
| C.11 P | Inorganic Chemistry IV Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Synthesis of Organometallic Compounds, Quantitative Analysis of Metal Ions, Spectrophotometric Studies of Metal Complexes, Flame Photometry |
| C.12 | Physical Chemistry V: Quantum Chemistry, Spectroscopy & Photochemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Postulates of Quantum Mechanics, Schrodinger Equation (Particle in a box), Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy (Rotational, Vibrational), Photochemistry (Laws, Quantum Yield), Fluorescence and Phosphorescence |
| C.12 P | Physical Chemistry V Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Spectrophotometric Analysis (Beer-Lambert Law), Determination of Quantum Yield, Kinetics of Photochemical Reactions, Polarimetry |
| DSE-1 | Polymer Chemistry (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Theory | 4 | Introduction to Polymers and Classification, Polymerization Mechanisms (Addition, Condensation), Molecular Weight Determination, Polymer Properties (Thermal, Mechanical), Polymer Processing and Applications |
| DSE-1 P | Polymer Chemistry Lab (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Practical | 2 | Synthesis of Polymers (Nylon, Bakelite), Viscosity Measurements of Polymer Solutions, Characterization of Polymers (Solubility), Thermal Analysis of Polymers |
| DSE-2 | Analytical Methods in Chemistry (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Theory | 4 | Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, UV-Visible and Fluorescence Spectroscopy, Chromatographic Techniques (GC, HPLC), Electroanalytical Methods (Potentiometry, Voltammetry), Thermal Analysis (TGA, DTA) |
| DSE-2 P | Analytical Methods in Chemistry Lab (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Practical | 2 | Spectrophotometric Analysis of Samples, Chromatographic Separation of Mixtures, Electroanalytical Determinations, Instrument Calibration |
Semester 6
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C.13 | Inorganic Chemistry V: Solid State Chemistry | Core Theory | 4 | Crystal Systems and Lattices, Defects in Solids (Point, Line, Planar), Band Theory of Solids (Conductors, Insulators, Semiconductors), Magnetic Properties of Solids, Superconductivity |
| C.13 P | Inorganic Chemistry V Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Preparation of Solid State Compounds, X-ray Diffraction (Theoretical Aspects), Magnetic Susceptibility Measurements, Characterization of Solid Materials |
| C.14 | Organic Chemistry VI: Advanced Organic Reactions | Core Theory | 4 | Pericyclic Reactions (Diels-Alder, Sigmatropic Rearrangements), Photochemistry of Organic Molecules, Molecular Rearrangements, Asymmetric Synthesis and Chiral Auxiliaries, Retrosynthetic Analysis |
| C.14 P | Organic Chemistry VI Lab | Core Practical | 2 | Multi-step Organic Synthesis, Qualitative Tests for Complex Organic Compounds, Interpretation of NMR Spectra, Green Chemistry Experiments |
| DSE-3 | Medicinal Chemistry (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Theory | 4 | Drug Discovery and Development, Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics, Drug Metabolism, Targeted Drug Delivery, Classification and Synthesis of Drugs |
| DSE-3 P | Medicinal Chemistry Lab (Example) | Discipline Specific Elective Practical | 2 | Synthesis of Drug Intermediates, Analysis of Pharmaceutical Formulations, Solubility and Dissolution Studies, Bioassay Techniques |
| DSE-4 | Dissertation/Project Work | Discipline Specific Elective (Project) | 6 | Literature Survey and Problem Identification, Experimental Design and Methodology, Data Collection and Analysis, Report Writing and Presentation, Scientific Communication Skills |
