Mithibai College was established by Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal in
1961, with Department of Chemistry as one of the largest departments
having 28 to 29 staff members at the time. Since beginning the
department of Chemistry has been providing with undergraduate course
along with postgraduate courses in Physical, Inorganic and Organic
Chemistry. Recently in the year 2012-2013, the department got an
approval from the University of Mumbai to start with the postgraduate
course in Analytical Chemistry.
Highly qualified, experienced and
committed teaching faculty serves the department to hoist the budding
scientists. It is their meticulous teaching that has given excellent
results over the years. Many undergraduate students who opted for
Chemistry got gold medal in the University examinations, is the
testimony to this fact.
Also, there are co-operative non teaching staffs, who work in shifts, to cater the needs and requirements of the students.
The
students are encouraged to the best of their abilities to indulge in
research work and pursue Ph.D. degree. Active research is being carried
out in Organic, Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry. In the year
2012-2013, four research scholars were awarded Doctorate degree in
Chemistry. All through these years, the department through its various
achievers has created its indelible credibility amongst recognized
institutes over the world.. Our department strives to:
- Support creation of hub of knowledge by encouraging participation and innovation through B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. programmes.
- To create highly competent professionals that will serve the community and the nation.
- The
Department of Chemistry endeavors to be a nationally-recognized model
for educating students prepared to compete in and contribute to the
ever-changing, technology-centered world of the 21st century. To
achieve this vision, the department is committed to provide a
high-quality, innovative and intellectually challenging course of study.
Fortunately, the applicability of a background in Chemistry is vast,
resulting in myriad fields in which one may work. The sky is the
limit!
- A candidate who has done his /her post graduation in
the subject of Chemistry can apply for the NET exam which is conducted
by UGC. The successful completion and scoring in this exam can guarantee
a career in academics.
- Chemistry is involved in several
industrial branches, important for the economy and employment. Due to
the broadness of the scientific program, graduates, post graduates and
doctors in chemistry are fit to apply for jobs in different sectors of
industry and their possibilities on the job market are very diverse.
Chemists are employed by such industries as:- Pharmaceuticals/ Drugs
- Mining and Metallurgy
- Petroleum
- Food and Beverage Production
- Computers and Telecommunications
- Fine and Heavy Chemical Manufacturing
- Paint, plastics, coatings, etc.
- Personal, baby and household care product and cosmetic
- Pulp and paper, etc.
In these industries, the chemists’ role could be concerned with: - Research and Development
- Chemical production
- Management
- Sales and marketing
- Quality assurance and Quality Control
- Manufacturing Process Control
- Industrial Hygiene
- Careers
in clinical chemistry include jobs in hospital laboratories analyzing
body tissues and fluids for diagnostic purposes, developing new
analytical techniques, and pursuing fundamental research.
- A
chemist can pursue a law degree and become a patent attorney. Patent
attorneys work in either a law firm or as an in-house counsel for a
corporation. Patent law deals with patents, copyrights, trademarks and
trade secrets.
- State and central law enforcement organizations
use chemists in their forensic laboratories. Forensic science includes
many distinct disciplines that may be used in a legal investigation.
- There are various government agencies that also hire chemists and chemical engineers.
- Technical
and Science Writing: Careers in this field include writing of technical
material for industrial companies, science writer for magazines or
newspapers, editor of scientific publications, etc.
CONTECH 2020- Department of Chemistry conducted CONTECH 2020 (Concept Test in Chemistry) on January 31, 2020. CONTECH is a competitive test at national level for UG students in chemistry organized by Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), C/o Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai. 20 students participated in this test.
Workshop on mass spectrometry- Department of Chemistry in association with Indian society for mass spectrometry organized one day workshop on ‘Mass Spectrometry: Fundamentals, Instrumentation and Applications’ on January 25, 2020 under DBT star college scheme. Prof. R. K. Vatsa, research scientist BARC and Mr. B. R. Gonde, scientific officer, BARC were the resource persons who through their lucid presentations helped the participants to grasp the essence of mass spectrometry. Total 98 students participated in this workshop.
Forensic Science Laboratory Visit- Department of Chemistry organized one-day visit to Forensic Science Lab, Vidyanagari, Santaruz on 21st January, 2020 under DBT star college scheme. The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories organizes Forensic Awareness Program to create awareness among students, faculties regarding the field of Forensic Science. 15 students of T.Y.B.Sc and 20 students of S.Y.B.Sc. along with Prof. Divya Chenna visited forensic lab on this occasion.
Guest lecture- Department of Chemistry organized a guest lecture on November 23, 2019 under DBT star college scheme. Dr. Deepa Khushalani from TIFR interacted with students on this occasion. Through her interactive speech, she shared with audience the need of green sources of energy. She also guided students on ‘effective science communication’.
Chem Trek- Departmental event Chem Trek was organized on 26th and 27th August 2019. Chief guest, Dr. Ramesh Yamgar, elucidated importance of need of study of Chemical sciences on this occasion.Total 220 participants participated in different events like Elemental dilemma (Oral quiz), Chemistry got talent, spooky hunt (Treasure hunt) and Chem demonstration.
BARC Visit (National Science Day)
Department of Chemistry organized a one day visit to BARC on 1st March 2019. 23 students from F.Y.B.Sc. participated in this visit along with Dr. Hetal Mehta and Ms. Divya Chenna on the occasion of National Science Day (NSD 2019) marking the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman. It is celebrated as a four-day event wherein the staff dedicates these four days wholly to encourage and direct little minds towards SCIENCE.
The theme of NSD-2019 was Nuclear Reactor Technology. The visit included a talk and quiz on “Research Reactor and Utilisation” by Prof. N. Ramamurthy followed by the visit to Robotics section, exhibition at CCA and the Dhruva Reactor.
CHEM EXPEDITION
Department of Chemistry organized an outreach activity ‘CHEM EXPEDITION’ under DBT star college Scheme. In this activity, students of Mithibai college interacted with a number of personalities (with Chemistry background) from industries and academic institutions to collect information regarding different job profiles. This information was then shared with other students through a poster exhibition
Students from Sathaye, Kirti, National, Jaihind, Ruparel, Khalsa, Bhava’s, Rizvi and Mehta college along with students of Mithibai college visited this exhibition which was held on 27th February 2019. Dr. Prabodh Chobe (CSR specialist and Science motivator) guided students further on the topic ‘Career with Chemistry’.
BARC Visit (Celebration of International Year of Periodic table)
20 T.Y.B.Sc and 40 S.Y.B.Sc students of Department of Chemistry, visited BARC, Mumbai on 16th February 2019 for the Programme of Celebration of International year of Periodic Table. Total six lecture were given in the program by the eminent scientists of the country.
Student found the lectures conducted in the program interesting and motivating. The student were guided by Dr. Mohammed Azam Shaikh and Dr. Tejashri Kulkarni.
Forensic Science Lab visit
Department of Chemistry organized one day visit to Forensic Science Lab under DBT star college scheme. 30 S.Y.B.Sc. students along with Prof. M. M. Sajid and Dr. Satish R. Ingale participated in the Forensic Awareness Program-2019 organized by The Directorate of Forensic Science Laboratories, Vidyanagari, Santaruz on 7th February 2019.
Forensic Awareness Program is celebrated as a two-day event wherein the staff dedicates these two days wholly to encourage and direct the students about forensic awareness like harassment through mobile, facebook and other websites. Functioning of the machinery to detect evidence was demonstrated. Different weapons used in crimes were also exhibited.
WORKSHOP FOR NON TEACHING STAFF
Department of Chemistry and Western regional Instrumentation Centre (WRIC) jointly organized three days maintenance workshop for Nonteaching staff on “Training for Analytical Instruments” from 29th -31st October 2018 under the aegis DBT star College scheme. Total 30 nonteaching staff members participated in this workshop.
The nonteaching staff members were trained to repair various Analytical instruments, Digital balance, Oven etc. In three days, more than 100 instruments were repaired by the participating nonteaching staff. This workshop refined their technical skills.
OUTREACH ACTIVITY
Department of Chemistry organized an outreach activity for the school students under the aegis of DBT Star College Scheme on 29th August 2018. The outreach program was inaugurated by Prof. R. A. Mirji, Vice Principal of faculty science and Head, of Department of Chemistry and was accompanied by Dr. Dagaonkar, former faculty of department of chemistry.
SYBSc and TYBSc Chemistry students demonstrated exciting experiments. These experiments provoked the thinking of innovative young minds of under graduate students and educated them about applications of basic concepts in science. Over 300 students of 8th and 9th standards from four schools in nearby region participated in this activity.
CHEMTREK 2018
Department of Chemistry organized a departmental fest ‘Chemtrek’ on 29th and 30th August 2018. The fest was organized to instil enthusiasm among student about Chemistry.
Blurr (Photography event), Chef Table, Configure (Oral quiz), Post it (Poster Presentation), Sacred Games (Treasure hunt) and Chemical housie were some of the events of the fest. Around 350 students participated in the event.
GUEST LECTURE
Department of Chemistry organized a Guest lecture on Nano science under DBT star-college scheme on 26th July, 2018. The speaker for the guest lecture was Dr. Prof. Shivram Garje from University of Mumbai.
Students of T.Y.B.Sc and S.Y.B.Sc participated in large number. The lecture covered the basics of Nano science along with synthesis of nanoparticles. It was well concluded with the importance and applications of Nano science. The session went smoothly and students thoroughly enjoyed the lecture.
IISER VISIT
Department of Chemistry organized a one day visit to IISER, pune under DBT Star College Scheme to inspire students to learn science. 40 T. Y. B. Sc. students along with four faculty members visited IISER on 3rd July 2018.
OUTREACH ACTIVITY
- Department of Chemistry conducted an outreach activity in Manilal Sunderland Municipal School, Vile Parle (W) on 21st March 2018 for the students of Class VIII.
- Concepts of acidity, basicity, pH, distillation, electrochemical cell and different electrodes were discussed with few demonstrations by highly enthusiastic faculty members of department. Entire programme was highly appreciated by the students and teachers of the school.
BARC VISIT
- Students of FYBSc visited BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) on 1st March 2018. The visit began with Central Conference Room Complex where a video was shown on the life of Sir C.V.Raman, an eminent physicist and a Nobel Laureate and his discovery of Scattering of Light-Raman Effect.
- After the video there was an interesting lecture by Dr.R.K.Bhandari, Former Director of VECC, Kolkata on topic of Accelerators and their applications –which was also the theme of this year’s National Science Day. Then a quiz session was held. Students of Mithibai won two prizes by answering the questions in quiz. An exhibition including various models and presentation on the theme of accelerators was the next attraction. After lunch, students headed towards FOTIA(Folded Tandem Ion Accelerator) facility, FIPLY (Food Irradiation Processing Laboratory) and the nation’s pride and India’s largest nuclear reactor, DHRUVA Reactor. The interaction of students with the scientists led to interesting discussions on the nuclear science and motivated students to continue their interest in science.
CONTECH 2017 – 2018.
- Concept Test in Chemistry (CONTECH) for undergraduate students organised by Association of Chemistry Teachers (ACT), C/o Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai was conducted at Mithibai College on January 30 (11.00 to 1.00 p.m). 10 students of third year B.Sc. course participated in the same.
GUEST LECTURE
- A lecture by Prof. S. D. Samant (Professor, Institute of Chemical Technology, Matunga) was organised by the department of Chemistry under DBT star college activity on Saturday 20th January (11.00 to 1.00 p.m).
- 76 undergraduate students and 18 faculty members attended this. The topic was ‘Chemistry: Domain and Life skills’.
INSTRUMENTATION WORKSHOP
- A workshop for instrumentation was held by Chemistry department on 22nd December from10 am – 1 pm.
- Various commonly used instruments in lab for undergraduate students were demonstrated. 12 faculty members participated in the said workshop.
CHEM TREK 2017
- Chem trek, a departmental event was organised on 6thSeptember 2017. Chief guest Dr. (Prof.) A. K. Srivastava inspired the students by highlighting the importance of hard work in a successful career. Total 228 students participated in different knowledge and fun based events like Pen it down, Oral quiz, Alchemy, Zazzle Art, Chem- jam, Treasure hunt, and Chemical housie.
BARC VISIT
Chemistry Department of Mithibai College organized a study tour to BARC on National Science Day (NSD-2016). A group of 23 T.Y.B.Sc. students were escorted by Dr. Hetal Sampat and Ms. Divya Chenna to BARC on 28th February, 2016.