Science - Chemistry

Chairperson: Prof. Ghassan Younes

Associate Professors: Dr. Mohammad EL-Dakdouki

Part-time Lecturer: Dr. Khadija Hijazi, Dr. Naim Obeid, Dr. Zalfa Nour, Dr. Berna Hamad, Dr. Mohammad Al- Iter

The mission of the Department of Chemistry is to provide high quality education which includes exposure to the core areas of chemistry. The Department offers a wide variety of courses to support other departments and faculties. It prepares chemistry professionals to meet the challenges encountered in their chosen careers, and supports research activities. The Chemistry Department also provides distinguished services to the community.

The Chemistry graduate program at BAU aims to provide the students with an advanced and deep knowledge of the various disciplines of chemistry, and to equip them with the tools, skills and attributes necessary for their development into leading professionals in academia and industry. To realize this mission, the students are engaged in advanced course work, in-depth studies and independent research to acquire the skills of assimilating new information and generating solutions to significant scientific problems. This is facilitated by a unique learning environment encompassing supportive faculty members with diverse research interests, well-equipped laboratories, and a broad network of national and international collaborations. Thus, the high quality graduate chemistry program at BAU continues to attract the best students from Lebanon and the region.

Upon graduation, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced and in depth understanding of the major fields of chemistry including organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry.
2. Demonstrate an ability to collate, assimilate, and critically review the primary literature pertaining to their research projects.
3. Demonstrate an ability to design research proposals in the field of specialization.
4. Demonstrate an ability to independently carry out relevant research projects that can lead to publication(s) in a peer reviewed scientific journals.
5. Demonstrate an ability to plan and conduct laboratory-based practical work efficiently and safely by following standard operating procedures.
6. Demonstrate proficiency in operating advanced instrumentation, and using a range of scientific software and computational tools.
7. Demonstrate an ability to recognize and creatively provide solutions to significant chemical problems through logical thinking and critical analysis.
8. Demonstrate an ability to communicate scientific data and research outcomes both orally and in writing to broad range of audiences.
9. Demonstrate an ability to work in a team, exercise decision making capabilities, effectively manage time, and efficiently organize a project.
   

PhD Degree To obtain PhD Degree in Chemistry, The student should successfully complete a total of 40 credit hours; including 18 credit hours of course work with a CGPA of no less than 3.0 and successfully defend the dissertation (22 credit hours) in no less than three years. Student has to pass a comprehensive exam after passing at least 15 credit hours of courses before registration of his/her dissertation.

The advanced level of knowledge and skills acquired during graduate studies in chemistry enables the student to seek job opportunities in a wide variety of workplaces, both in the public and private sectors. These include, but are not limited to:

• Pursue a postdoctoral position in chemistry and related disciplines.
• Acquire an assistant professor of chemistry position at the university.
• Laboratory managers, product managers, and project leaders in chemical companies.
• Research and consultant positions at universities, the chemical industry, governmental agencies, and research councils.
• Scientist positions in food analysis, forensic sciences, and petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology companies.

The program utilizes a number of well-equipped laboratories for practical work and research. The Laboratories serving the program are:

1. Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory
3. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
4. Physical Chemistry Research Laboratory
5. Organic Chemistry Research Laboratory
6. Inorganic Research Laboratory
7. Water Analysis Laboratory
8. Specialized Center for Chemical Analysis