Chemistry

Chemistry has a long tradition at Rhodes, beginning with the appointment of Professor George Cory in 1904 as one of the four founding professors of the University. Now, at the beginning of the 21st Century, Chemistry at Rhodes is a vibrant and productive department, committed to excellence in teaching and research, innovative in its programmes and sensitive to the challenges confronting its graduates.

 

Why study Chemistry?

Chemistry has been described as the 'central science'.  As such, it is not surprising that at least one year of Chemistry is required for students wishing to major in Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Microbiology, Botany, Zoology & Geology.  For those who go on to major in Chemistry, the discipline opens new horizons on the molecular basis of the natural world and opportunities for employment or postgraduate research.

Chemistry staff and postgraduate students

 

ACADEMIC STAFF

Director, Centre for Chemico- and Biomedicinal Research

PT Kaye, BSc(Natal), BSc(Hons)(UNISA), MSc(Natal), DPhil(Oxon), FRSC, CChem, FRSSAf

Professor of Analytical Chemistry & Head of Department

N Torto Bsc(Hons)(UMIST), MSc(Botswana), PhD (Lund)

DST/NFR Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Nanotechnology and Director of the Nanotechnology Innovation Centre − Sensors

T Nyokong, BSc(Lesotho), MSc(McMaster), PhD(Western Ontario), FRSSAf

Professor of Organic Chemistry

MT Davies-Coleman, BSc(Hons), PhD(Rhodes) , FRSSAf

Associate Professor, Inorganic Chemistry

GM Watkins, BSc(Hons), PhD(UCT)

Senior Lecturer, Inorganic & Analytical Chemistry

ZR Tshentu, BSc(Hons)(UPE), MSc(UPE), PhD(NMMU)

Lecturer, Academic Development

JD Sewry, MSc(Rhodes), HDE(UNISA)

Lecturer, Organic Chemistry

R Klein, BSc(Hons)(UCT), MSc(Rhodes), PhD(Miami)

Lecturer, Physical Organic Chemistry

KA Lobb, BSc(Hons), PhD(Rhodes)

Lecturer, Physical Chemistry

S Khene, BSc(Hons), MSc(Rhodes)

 

 

Career opportunities for chemists

There are career opportunities for chemists in many sectors, including:  Research and Development (for which an MSc or PhD is essential); Industrial Production and Technical Support in areas such as fuels, explosives, fertilizers, plastics, pharmaceuticals and paints; Business Management: many chemists have risen to high positions in management and it is easier to add business and management qualifications to a scientific background than vice versa (Management can be taken as major subject, together with Chemistry, in a BSc degree at Rhodes); Education: enthusiastic and well-informed teachers and lecturers are crucial for the country’s development.

 

Building up a degree curriculum

Chemistry may be taken as a major subject with most Science subjects, and possibilities exist for combining Chemistry, as one major, with Arts, Commerce or Law subjects, such as Legal Theory (for a career in Patent or Environmental Law), or Journalism (for a career as a science journalist).  To major in Chemistry, a candidate is required to obtain credits in CHE 1; CHE 2; CHE 3; and two semester credits, normally comprised of one full first year course in any of Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics and Statistics.

 

Undergraduate Chemistry curricula

Chemistry I, which comprises two semester credits (CHE101 and CHE102), covers fundamental aspects of general, analytical, physical, organic and inorganic chemistry and provides students with a basic knowledge of chemical principles for application in other disciplines or as a foundation for a chemistry major.  The Second and Third Year curricula (each comprising two semester credits; see boxes) reflect an innovative approach,  emphasising  the interdisciplinary nature and relevance of chemistry in modern society without sacrificing academic rigour.  Chemistry is an experimental science, and all undergraduate students have a practical each week.

 

Second Year Curriculum

CHE201: first semester

Modern Analytical Methods

Principles; Spectroscopic methods: UV, IR,

1H - and 13C - NMR, MS , Atomic absorption

/emission; Electroanalytical techniques;

Chromatography

Entrepreneurial Chemistry Project

Chemical Thermodynamics including environmental aspects

CHE202: second semester

Strategic Organic Resources

Fossil fuels and organic chemicals

Feedstocks and reactions: alkenes and alkynes;

Cycloalkanes: stereochemistry and synthesis;

Aromatics: mechanisms; orientation effects;

heterocycles.

Polymer Chemistry: Natural polymers: rubber,

carbohydrates; Synthetic polymers;

Physical properties.

Chemical kinetics of complex reactions including polymerization

Inorganic Chemistry: Periodic trends

 

Third Year Curriculum

CHE301: first semester

Chemistry at the Biological Interface

Introduction

Organic Synthesis/Retrosynthesis

Green Chemistry

Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Modelling

Bioinorganic Chemistry

Photochemistry and Photodynamic Therapy

Nantotechnology

CHE302: second semester

Physical Chemistry and Strategic Inorganic

Resources

Linear Free Energy

Advanced Chromatography

Transition Metal Chemistry

Kinetics

Crystallography

Organometallic Chemistry

Energetics

 

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chemistry Department

Tel: 046-6038254/ 046-6038255

Fax: 046-6225109

http://www.ru.ac.za/chemistry/