Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry unfolded plethora of scientific, cultural, literary and artistic talents of Josephites, through various competitions, seminars and activities. The department of Chemistry started functioning with the very inception of the college and has the history of 56 years so far. It began teaching Chemistry classes for Pre-Degree course, and within a couple of years it became a full-fledged department with a degree course. The MSc degree course was started in 1995 with the fame of first ever PG Chemistry department in a women’s college affiliated to the University of Calicut. The department was upgraded to the level of a recognized research centre of Calicut  University in 2009. Five of our faculty members are research guides in the university of Calicut. The department provides a scholastic atmosphere through competent instruction, curricular and extra- curricular activities. The academic atmosphere in the department is a rare blend of modern day technical skills and traditional emphasis on imparting knowledge. Many of the post graduate students qualify the UGC-CSIR-JRF and GATE examinations every year. In the academic year 2020-21 self financing B.Sc Chemistry was started. The department offers two certificate courses CISCOM and Gemology.

Goals & Objectives

  • To make students devote and dedicate themselves for achieving academic excellence.
  • To inculcate the ideals of human integrity and harmony.
  • To impart quality and education to enhance the holistic personality of the students.
  • To stimulate activities to strengthen professional competencies of faculty and staff.

Highlights

Food and Pharmaceutical Chemistry program is the department’s flagship academic initiative, designed to provide students with specialized knowledge at the intersection of food science and pharmaceutical sciences. This program emphasizes the chemical principles behind food composition, safety, quality control, drug formulation, and analysis. Through a blend of theoretical instruction and hands-on laboratory training, students gain expertise that prepares them for careers in food industries, pharmaceutical companies, research laboratories, and quality assurance sectors. The program stands out for its multidisciplinary approach, industry relevance, and strong focus on practical skill development.

As the Principal Investigator, Dr. Manoj A. L. successfully secured the prestigious DST-FIST grants in 2023, DST-CURIE in 2023 and KSCSTE-SARD in 2018 with total funding ₹1.6 Crore.

Instruments procured through the DST-FIST grant

  • Solid-Liquid UV-Visible Spectrophotometer
  • Electrospinner
  • Photocatalytic Reactor
  • Source Meter
  • Western Transfer Apparatus
  • Gel-Dock With Chemiluminescence

Instruments procured through the DST- CURIE grant

  • Optoelectronic lab set-up
  • Fluorescent up gradation of LEICA Microscope
  • Freeze dryer
  • Fluorescent spectrophotometer

Instruments procured through the KSCSTE-SARD grant

  • Solar simulator

As the Principal Investigator, Dr. Pearly Sebastian Chittilappilly played a pivotal role in securing the prestigious DST-FIST grants in 2013, amounting to ₹33 lakh, thereby strengthening the research infrastructure of the department.

Instruments procured through the grant

  • Gas Chromatography
  • FTIR
  • Chemistry in Ayurveda- MoU with Ashtavaidyam Thaikkattu Mooss Vaidyaratnam, Thrissur
  • Medical coding- MoU with Anton’s Medicode, Angamaly
  • Gemology- MoU with Flame Diamonds, Thrissur
  • CISCOM- MoU with Science Center, Kodungallur
Department of Chemistry