Chemistry Department is the largest department of the college with faculty strength of 19 Teaching Staff members and 17 Non-Teaching Staff members in the degree college. The department was established since the inception of the college in the year, 1965. Initially the college was affiliated to Pune University in the year 1965 and from 1966 onwards it gained permanent affiliation with the University of Mumbai. Right from its inception, the department has been conducting bachelor’s degree in Science (B.Sc.) at under graduate level. Further in the year 1973, Masters Degree in Science (M.Sc. Organic Chemistry) was started.

The department has shown consistent progress under the leadership of many heads, as per following tenure.

• Dr. G. H. Ahuja - 1965 – 1974
• Prof. G. H. Gehani - 1974 – 1975
• Prof. P. P. Singh - 1975 – 1982
• Dr. R. W. Makhijani - 1982 – 1998
• Prof. B. H. Raisinghani - 1998 – 2002
• Prof. P. S. Deshpande - 2002 – 2004
• Prof. T. P. Makhija - 2004 – 2005
• Dr. Suhasini Asokan - 2005 – 2008
• Prof. K. S. Dass - 01/01/2009 Onwards

At undergraduate level, B. Sc. chemistry comprises of four main papers of chemistry and two papers of Drugs & Dyes (Applied Component). At the postgraduate level, there are 10 students each in Part I & II.

The department has also arranged for an add-on-course, Post Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, which is recognized by M.S.B.T.E. Maharashtra and approved by A.I.C.T.E.

The current teaching staff of the Department is as follows:

INFRASTRUCTURE: There are five spacious and well-equipped laboratories.
1. Junior Laboratory
2. Senior Laboratory
3. Physical Laboratory
4. M.Sc. Laboratory
5. Analytical Laboratory
Four laboratories are on the ground floor and are well ventilated. The Physical laboratory is on the First Floor. In addition, there is a storeroom with chemicals well stocked and the laboratories are equipped with latest model instruments.

The department has a library, which is linked with the main library. It caters primarily to the needs of M.Sc. students and teachers.

STUDENT STRENGTH:
The total students enrolment stands at 658 for the current academic year, which are as follows:
1. F. Y. B. Sc. - 414
2. S. Y. B. Sc. - 160
3. T. Y. B. Sc. - 064
4. M.Sc. Part – I - 010
5. M.Sc. Part – II - 010
TOTAL STUDENTS - 658

PERFORMANCE MONITORING:
Regular performance monitoring of students is conducted and special attention is paid to the weak students.

Teachers are encouraged to prepare a teaching plan. The syllabus is unitized to a teaching schedule through out the year. The lecture method of teaching is supplemented by the use of Over Head Projector and L. C. D. presentation, teaching by Senior Students, group discussion, seminars etc. Teachers are encouraged to attend seminars and workshops on emerging aspects of Chemistry.

RESEARCH:
The department supports research on a Major and Minor Scale. Two teachers
Dr. S. Asokan and Dr Yogini B. have acquired Ph.D. Degree in the last academic year. Currently, Prof. Sandeep Kotwal is engaged in pursuing research.

Some teachers are undertaking Minor Research Project funded by the U.G.C. and few have already been completed. Dr Yogini B. has presented papers entitled “Extractive Spectrophotometric determination of Pd (II)” at Aurangabad in December 2006 and a paper on “Solvent Extraction” at Kolhapur in February 2008. She also has four papers publications in 2006/07/08 to her credit. Prof. A. D. Tiwari has published two research papers in Journal of Chemistry Science in 2007. Dr. S. Asokan, Prof. Sonia Varandani & Prof.Ruby K. are working on Major Research Project with Dr. Milind Vaidya.

REMEDIAL COACHING:
The department had under taken remedial teaching for educationally dis-advantaged students of the Minority Community. Special coaching was encouraged for these students.
Its Aim is to:
1. Improve the academic skills of the students in the subject of Chemistry.
2. Raise their level of comprehension of basic subjects to provide a stronger foundation for further academic work and
3. to strengthen their knowledge skills, attitudes in the subject.
The scheme targeted Sindhi Minority Community students. Apart from Muslim, Sikh, Christians and other minority communities. Books and Journals required for coaching were purchased.

The level of confidence of all the students considerably increased after the remedial coaching sessions. Thus, apart from meeting the conventional aims of all educational institutes, the coaching helped them absorb knowledge and skills that are not only used for personal enlightenment but also further service to the society.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES:

Prof. Prema Gurbuxani is the in-charge for YOGA at college level. She has been guiding the students since the past few years. Students are taken for Camps for training at Kaivalya Dham, Lonawala under her guidance so that they participate in competitions at University, State and National Level. Our students have won the medals at such events. This helps them in their all round development.
Prof. Ruby K. has been commissioned as programme officer of N.S.S. She is actively engaged in it since the last five years.

Prof. A. K. Upadhyay is the Chairperson for conduct of Applied Component subject examination at University Level.

Some staff members are also involved in authoring of books.

The faculty members try and do everything for the benefit of students to develop their personality.