Benue State University, Makurdi

BRIEF HISTORY OF CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

The Department of Chemistry was established at the inception of the University in 1992, under the pioneering headship of Mr. Stephen G. Yiase. From the initial staff strength of three in 1992, the Department has risen to an enviable staff mix and strength of twenty five tenure, one sabbatical, three visiting and three part time academics staff. The Department also has seven technologists, three laboratory assistants, and a laboratory attendant. The administrative offices on its staff list are also 6 administrative staff: higher executive officer, a senior typist, two computer operators, a clerical officer and a cleaner.

At inception, the department ran the chemistry component of t,he University’s Remedial (now preliminary science) programme and developed its curriculum. Her first set of undergraduates were enrolled in the 1993/1994 session. Most of the pioneer and subsequent students came from the preliminary science programme. Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) has continued to play a greater role in the undergraduate admission process.

The chemistry programme is a 4-year, 8-semester, full-time study that leads to the award of B.Sc (Hons) in Chemistry after successful completion. The first crop of students on the programme graduated in 1996/997 session.

The department is currently running five year Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Industrial chemistry programme and Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) Environmental Management and Toxicology which commenced from the 2013/2014 academic session with an impressive enrollment.

The department runs Master of Science and also Doctorate Degree programmes in four core areas of Chemistry; Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry. It has designed and is supporting implementing of Postgraduate Diploma, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programmes for Centre of Food Technology and Research (CEFTER) in Teaching and Research Collaboration with partners from University of Agriculture Makurdi (UAM), NSPRI, NCRI, NRCRI and others. These programmes are:-

1. 1. PGD Food preservation
2. 2. PGD Consumer Science; Food and Nutrition
3. 3. PGD Analytical
4. 4. PGD Food Chemistry
5. 5. Masters in Food Science and Technology
6. 6. Masters in Food Chemistry
7. 7. Masters in Food Processing Technology
8. 8. Masters in Food Packaging and Marketing
9. 9. Doctor of Philosophy Food Science Technology
10. 10. Doctor of Philosophy Food Packaging and Marketing
11. 11. Doctor of Philosophy Food Processing Technology
12. 12. Doctor of Philosophy Food Chemistry

The design and implementation of the Chemistry programme has been guided by the overall objective of this university; the acquisition of knowledge for the liberation of mankind. The programme is designed to among other things, satisfy intellectual demands of the students and produce a steady flow of graduates, who are equipped with specialized knowledge of chemistry together with a broad knowledge of the Sciences. Students take compulsory general studies courses as well as core and elective courses drawn from the Faculty of Science.
The Department sends students on SIWES for the purpose of exposing them to practical application of Chemistry in industries and other relevant fields. Each student is required to spend a minimum of six months at a stretch on the programme.

Our undergraduate student have received various awards and scholarship both within and outside for example the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship and awards for outstanding undergraduate students in the Faculty. Also feedbacks from employers on graduates of the programme have been encouraging.
The department is currently housed in the Chemistry complex built by Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) with state of the Art equipments and facilities for teaching and research. The Department enjoyed the headship of competent and able Heads of department namely;

Mr. S.G. Yiase   (1993-1994), Prof. J.O.I. Ayatse (1994-2000), Dr. T.O.E Ekpendu  (2000-2004) Dr. S.G. Yiase    (2004-2011),  Dr. S.T. Ubwa  (2011-2015), Dr.O.G. Igbum   who is now the current head of department and a pioneer graduate of the department. The department has immensely benefited from staff training funded by the University through TETFUND which has boosted the huge numbers of staff with Ph.D.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN CHEMISTRY

Chemists can gainful employed as production and quality control personnel in industries and also, work in non industrial setups. The list below is useful but not exhaustive in indicating opportunities available for a trained chemist:

• * Cement industries producing cements.


• * Breweries and soft drink factories.


• * Cosmetics, soap, and detergent industries producing perfumes, flavours, creams, perfumes, soap, detergents and cleansing agents, etc.


• * Pharmaceutical companies producing drugs.


• * Dying clothes and painting houses.


• * Chemists also work in oil refineries, and coal industries.


• * Waterworks; analytical chemists are engaged in the treatment and production of pure water for domestic and industrial uses.


• * Hospital; clinical chemists are engaged in testing to finds out what is wrong with patients in chemical pathology laboratories.


• * Teachings: many chemists are engaged in training of future chemists in secondary and tertiary institutions. Trained graduate chemists are always in short supply considering their areas of need.


• * Forensic and research laboratories chemists are engaged in identification of drug samples and in helping crime detection and the conduct of research to make new chemicals of interest.


• * Areas of further training there are opportunities for chemists who would want to continue their studies and specialize at post graduate levels in chemistry and other related fields such as chemical Engineering, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacognosy, petrochemical engineering, and water engineering.

PROGRAMS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

These are all the programs comprising of Degree, M.Sc, Ph.D progrms offered by the Department along with their respective admission as well as their graduation requirements. They are laid down below in a list format and by clicking on each or any of the sub headings below you will be able to view the contents thereof.

Staff List