Department of Chemistry

Professor Raymond A. Wuana (B.Sc, M.Sc, Ph.D. MCSN, MICCON, MACS, FCAI, FIIA, FCSN)

Head of Department

BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, is currently one of the five (5) Academic Departments in the College of Science, (CoS) of the University. It is located in Gaius Igboeli Building, in the South Core of the University Campus. Between 1980 and 1987, the Department was a Unit in the School of Foundation Studies, the domicile of all academic programmes in the basic sciences in the University then, first as Federal University of Technology (FUT) Makurdi and later University of Jos, Makurdi Campus. When the University changed status from being a satellite campus to a full-fledged University once again (as University of Agriculture), the Department was one of the founding Departments in the newly created College of Science, Agricultural and Science Education (CSASE), offering the degree of Bachelor of Science Education (B.Sc. Ed.) Chemistry. In the 2001/2002 Session, the Department commenced the Bachelor of Science, B.Sc. (Hons) programme, with a gradual phasing out of the B.Sc.(Ed). Programme, which became domiciled in the newly created Department of Science Education. In 2006, the CSASE was split into two: the College of Science and College of Agricultural and Science Education, with the Department domiciled, naturally, in the former. Over the years, the Department has grown from strength to strength, both in terms of admissions and staff composition and quality. With the introduction of Postgraduate programmes (PGD, M.Sc. and Ph.D) in the 2003/2004 session, the Department finally achieved full maturity. In the 2006/2007 National Universities Commission (NUC) Accreditation Exercise, the Department achieved full accreditation status, implying it is fully recognized by the NUC as competent to train chemists that meet the standards set by the Commission.

THE BACHELOR’S PROGRAMME PHILOSOPHY AND OBJECTIVES

The Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Honours programme is geared torwards providing the undergraduate the opportunity to develop:

competence in functioning as conscientious, motivated and efficient scientist, working towards the dissemination of existing and new knowledge;
the spirit of enquiry, creativity and self-reliance in the practice of chemistry;
the right adjustment to the social life of the community and society at the required intellectual and professional background adequate for their assignment and adaptability to the changing situation of the modern world; and
absolute commitment to the chemistry profession as a sine quanon for national development

The graduate of the B.Sc. (Hons) Chemistry Programme is, therefore, expected to have been duly instructed in the fundamental and underlying theories, principles and practice of chemistry, with a thorough grounding in experimental chemistry, operational aspects of the chemical and allied industries and modern analytical tools and techniques. Furthermore, such a graduate would be fully equipped to participate in catalyzing the desired evolution of the culture of science in Nigeria through objective pursuit of the chemistry profession, and to undertake further studies in chemistry and related disciplines.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Admissions into the B.Sc. (Hons) Programme is by either the University Matriculation Examinations scores OR the Direct Entry Mode, all administered by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), on the recommendation of the Department and through the general University of Agriculture Admissions Process. In addition, candidates who successfully complete the University’s Remedial Science Programme of Study and have satisfied extant JAMB requirements may be admitted into the programme.

UME Mode: 5 SSC/WASC/GCEO’Level/NECO or equivalent credit passes (at not more than 2 sittings) categorized as follows:

Category A: Candidates must have 3 credit passes in Chemistry and English Language plus Physics or Mathematics

Category B: Candidates must have from this category at least 2 credit passes in any of Mathematics or Physics, Biology or Agricultural Science, Geography and Economics.

Category C: Candidates must have from this category 1 credit pass in any other subject.

Direct Entry Mode:

Holders of UME requirements plus HSC/GCE ‘A’ Level passes in Chemistry and one other relevant science subject may be admitted at level 200. HND holders with upper credit in relevant disciplines who possess UME requirements may be admitted to level 200.

ND holders with Upper Credit in relevant discipline and NCE holders with at least Credit Passes in relevant subjects who possess UTME requirements may be admitted to level 100. NCE holders with at least 2 Credit Level passes in relevant subjects and who possess UTME requirements may be admitted to level 200. All certificates must be from recognized institutions.

Remedial Science Mode: Successful students of the University’s Remedial Science Programme shall be considered for admission into level 100 of the programme, provided they obtain an overall minimum score of 50 points with a minimum score of 50% in Chemistry. They must also satisfy extant JAMB requirements.

INDUSTRIAL TRAINING

To enable the student gain industrial work experience in chemical (or related) industries and correlate classroom theories to real industrial processes, as well as fulfill the requirements for the award of B.Sc (Hons) degree in chemistry, student at B.Sc (Hons) chemistry programme take part in Industrial Attachment during long vacation for a total of six (6) months. The first trench of three months is done at the end of level 200 and second trench is done at end of level 300. At the end of each trench, students submit reports of their industrial work experience to the department. These reports are assessed and defended through seminars in the following semester.

MINIMUM CONDITIONS FOR GRADUATION

A Student graduates on

(1) Passing ALL the approved registered courses for the programme, and

(2) Successfully completing an approved project work which is embodied in a project report and is defended before an External Examiner.