Chemistry is well known as a ‘central science’ because of its unique role in connecting the physical and biological sciences and thus lies at the heart of most technological developments, contributing enormously to the world’s economy. As such, it can be hard to define the boundaries of modern Chemistry as it is no longer simply focused on atoms, ionic compounds and small molecules. Interdisciplinary fields such as materials science, nanotechnology, environmental science and, of course, biology are firmly rooted in Chemistry. It plays a vital role in the development of materials with superior properties. They range from consumer and industrial products such as pesticides for agriculture, novel drugs to fight diseases to nanomaterials possessing unique chemical and physical properties.
The Chemistry programme at LUMS emphasises the commercial and industrial applications of chemistry and actively promotes and participates in developing industry – academia research projects. We recognise that such programmes, as well as fundamental research at the interface of other disciplines, are essential to solving problems facing developing nations.
The Chemistry programme at SSE is designed to give students a grasp of the basic principles of Chemistry through a course of study that emphasises fundamental concepts of chemistry, modern synthetic and analytical techniques, and materials science with special reference to nanomaterials and their applications. This theoretical background is further augmented through a carefully designed course of laboratory experiments in chemical procedures and techniques that cover basic concepts and experimental techniques that serve as a stepping stone to research in Chemistry. Students are encouraged to participate in research projects under the supervision of faculty experienced in the synthesis and characterisation of organic and inorganic materials, multifunctional metal oxides with interesting electronic and magnetic properties, size and shape-controlled nanomaterials with controlled surface chemistry, functional polymers, thermally stable flexible and hard coatings, nanocomposites and novel catalysts. These materials have potential applications in a variety of fields including biotechnology, chemicals/materials industry, fuel/solar cells development, electronics, photonics, drug delivery, nanomedicine and environmental remediation etc.
The impact of our research/teaching collaboration with universities in North America, Europe and China is clearly evident from the quality of our research publications in high impact journals and interesting teaching courses offered jointly with Professors Jeff Moore and Nicholas Llewellyn at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign (UIUC), USA.
Interdisciplinary research is especially encouraged. We recognise that Chemistry, as a central science and must leverage its natural connection with its sister sciences of Biology and Physics, and that in most, if not all cases, complete solutions to problems emerge only when Chemistry works in tandem with them. We expect that this exposure will help students to experience and appreciate chemical issues important to society. In addition, we prepare our students to get admission in graduate programmes of top-notch universities in the world by carefully designing and delivering course contents and proper choice of research projects in cutting edge technologies. The overall objective at SSE is to produce individuals who will have received a broad and scholarly outlook to problem-solving, whether they work as chemists, biochemists, consultants, academic scientists or entrepreneurs.
* The medium of instruction at LUMS is English for all degree programmes offered. Assessments are accepted in English only.