The present UG and PG department of Chemistry began originally as the department of Chemistry, which was introduced into the then Intermediate college of Science in the year 1928.
As time passed, the pre-university course was closed in 1972, changing the college into a complete degree college. The department had the privilege of teaching not only under graduate courses, but also taught chemistry to post-graduate students during the 1960’s for sometime, before the post-graduate department was established at Manasagangothri, Mysore.The department of Chemistry was added with two other allied subjects-Biochemistry, in the year 1980 and Food Science and Nutrition, in the year 1994. However the biochemistry and Food Science and Nutrition subjects were separated into independent departments in the year 2000 and 2002 respectively.
The department of Chemistry has a good infrastructure and enthusiastic, competent and well – qualified faculty. The department at present has twelve permanent teachers, actively involved in research and have published research papers in national and international journals. All the lecturers have attended and keep attending conferences and seminars/workshops of interest related to their field. UGC major research projects and vgst spice projects are sanctioned to the department.
Two seminars, one in January 2004 on the subject “Frontiers of Science and Technology” and the other in June 2005 in Food science and Nutrition (Biodiversity for Food Security) were conducted by the department of Chemistry and Food Science and Nutrition. Interesting lectures by eminent speakers on subjects in Chemistry and Food Science and Nutrition are regularly arranged.
Recognizing the potentialities of the department, postgraduate course in Chemistry (M. Sc. in Chemistry) was introduced in the year 2005 with the support and guidance of DOS in Chemistry, Manasagangotri, Mysore. Annual pharmaceutical company visits are arranged for PG students. The faculties of the Department are the members of teacher Indian association of chemistry teachers Through the department, lectures by eminent speakers on topics of general interests and subject are arranged for the students and staff of the college. The students are encouraged and trained to participate in the various competitions and have won the prizes. Alumni students have been placed at higher position in various laboratories in India and abroad.
In order to promote and to encourage the students to excel in their studies, particularly Chemistry; various cash prizes have been instituted. Dr. K. Ajay Kumar, Associate Professor of the Department has instituted TWO CASH PRIZES for Post Graduate students of the college in his mother name; THREE CASH PRIZES for Under-Graduate students of the college in his father name. Dr. K. A. Padmaji, Retired Professor of the Department has instituted THREE CASH PRIZES for Under-Graduate students of the college in his mother name. Dr. V. Prakash, Former Director, CFTRI, Mysore and an alumnus of the college has instituted ONE CASH PRIZE for Under-Graduate students of the college in his name. All the awards/prizes carry certificates which will be given to the students who excel in their examinations every year on the day of College Day Ceremony.