Facilities

The Department of Chemistry includes five experimental laboratories serving the areas of analytical chemistry, clinical and biochemistry, general, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as instrumental analysis.

Equipment includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, an atomic absorption spectrophotometer, a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer, a visible-ultraviolet spectrophotometer, a B.E.T. nitrogen adsorption apparatus, and a number of electroanalytical as well as optical equipment. The Department has also access to an X-ray diffractometer, and an X-ray fluorometer.

Environmental Performance of the Chemistry Teaching Laboratories

Starting 2003-2004, The Department of Chemistry has embarked on a review of experimental conditions and practices of its undergraduate laboratory courses with the aim of identifying possible improvements in their environmental performance. Within the scope of the Committee on Environmental Safety, a departmental committee specially formed for this purpose, faculty members carry out reviews of laboratory experiments with an emphasis on chemicals used and waste generated. This is carried out with the objective of continuously improving the laboratories environmental performance with regards to the generation, handling and disposal of generated hazardous chemical waste.

Priority is given to waste minimization through substitution of chemicals used, in-lab treatment, as well as downscaling of experiments, where possible. In addition, collection, segregation, storage and disposal practices for generated hazardous chemical waste are reviewed and continuously updated.

Chemistry laboratories contain various safety equipments including fume cupboards, electrical air purifiers, eye wash stations, safety goggles, safety screens, fire blankets, and gas/vapor masks.