BSc in Chemistry

The BSc in Chemistry program at the Khalifa University of Science and Technology educates future scientists to design, develop, and investigate chemical processes at the fundamental scale. A chemistry education provides a holistic set of skills (e.g. computational, analytical, numerical and synthetic) and methodologies for looking at the physical world. Chemistry students further have an opportunity to pursue their interests in more specialized sub-disciplines of chemistry through available degree-tracks, designed to serve the country’s needs in three vital areas: environmental, materials and forensic sciences.

• The Environmental Chemistry track is expected to promote a sustainable development through environmental monitoring and assessment, green chemistry and renewable energies
• The Materials Chemistry track will contribute to downstream petroleum-based industries such as the manufacture of polymers and plastics.
• The Forensic Chemistry track will support the investigative skills linked with criminology and the police force.

Chemists synthesize life-saving drugs within the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and life sciences sectors and although this is a nascent industry within the UAE, the BSc in Chemistry program intends to pave the way for training a new generation of Emiratis who can play a leading role in developing this crucial sector of the UAE economy.

Upon successful completion of the degree, the BSc in Chemistry graduates can pursue further studies or careers in business, industry and academia, locally or internationally. Typical employment fields within the UAE and the Gulf region encompass quality control, technical jobs, consultancy or R&D in industrial and chemical laboratories, university and industrial research centers, environmental protection agencies, chemical manufacturing plants, forensic chemistry police, and education.

Students graduating with a BSc in Chemistry will have achieved the following set of knowledge-based, performance/skills-based, and affective competencies:

• Students will have specialized knowledge of the major sub-disciplines within chemistry, and will have the capacity to apply that knowledge in a professional context.
• Students will have a broad understanding of the sciences, mathematics and other disciplines relevant to chemistry and will be able to integrate that knowledge to solve problems.
• Students will be able to efficiently search for, retrieve and critically evaluate technical literature and data.
• Students will be able to design and implement laboratory / computational experiments, analyse the resulting data, and apply appropriate safety measures.
• Students will be able to use the scientific method, apply critical thinking and reason analytically to solve chemical problems and conduct research.
• Students will be able to communicate effectively in oral or written form, to a range of scientific and non-scientific audiences. Students will be able to work productively in multidisciplinary teams to solve problems, debate different points of view, and exercise self-reflection following professional norms.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the societal and economic importance of chemistry, and the significance of ethical and environmental concerns for acting responsibly among chemists.