The Department of Chemistry of FMIPA IPB Develops Agricultural Commodities and Tropical Biosciences
Agriculture, fisheries, and tropical biosciences essentially require chemistry to develop them. Chemistry is a branch of physical science that studies the composition, structure, properties and change of matter. Chemistry includes topics such as the properties of individual atoms, how atoms form chemical bonds to create chemical compounds, the interactions of substances through intermolecular forces that give matter its general properties, and the interactions between substances through chemical reactions to form different substances. Therefore, as Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) is the higher learning institution on agriculture which dealing a lot with agriculture development, the university established the Department of Chemistry, under the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA). Chairman of the Department of Chemistry IPB, Prof. Dr. Dra. Purwantiningsih, M.S said that the basic concept of Chemistry Study Program in IPB with other universities is essentially the same. The difference is, chemistry for the Department of Chemistry of Bogor Agricultural University will be applied for towards agricultural mainstreaming that is focused on the development of agricultural commodities, marine, and tropical biosciences.
The Undergraduate Program (S1) of the Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Bogor Agricultural University (FMIPA IPB) was established in 1989, and have successfully accredited "A" by National Accreditation Board of Higher Education (BAN-PT) in 2003-2008, 2008-2013 and 2013-2018 period. Since 2015 is in the preparation and completion stage for the International Accreditation of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The quality management of the Chemistry Department which attached into the FMIPA and has been accredited to ISO 9001: 2015. Until 2017, the S1 Chemistry Study Program is supported by 31 fculty members, 69 percent of whom are doctorate degree holders and four Professors, and 29 percent of whom have Master degree holders. "For smooth learning process, the Department is supported by 31 educational personnel," explained Prof. Purwantiningsih.
The course material is designed based on the potential of chemistry in studying and developing new materials and natural products as the flagship objects. Taking into account the current trends in the development of chemistry in the developed world. Like the mandate of the Department of Chemistry itself is in charge of developing science and technology in the field of chemistry which includes the understanding of character, separation process, and material transformation to obtain chemical added value.
The Department of Chemistry also offers the Fast Track Program a synergy frBachelor (S1) – Masteral degree (S2). Fast-Track programs are designed to permit undergraduate students enrolled at Bogor Agricultural University to begin work on their MS degree before graduation. Qualified seniors may take graduate courses in Chemistry that will apply toward the Bachelor of Science degree and also satisfy requirements for the Master’s degree. Or as long as they meet the Fast-Track admission requirements. In terms of requirements, a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25." Fast track for MS Degree for Chemistry program starts in semesters 7 and 8 while the student completed all lower-level required courses. After completed all the S1 courses, students have to attend at least one more year to do for the final project of S2 so that in the period of five years, students will obtain both their S1 and S2 degree, " she said. The academic atmosphere at the Chemistry Department is committed to create conducive academic atmosphere for scientific activity based on quality, efficiency and effectiveness, accountability and transparency, and will always nurturing innovative technologies for strengthening the research (academic research) programs.
The Department of Chemistry of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Bogor Agricultural University has collaborated with various government agencies (such as Halmahera, Directorate of Vegetable Plants and Biofarmaka Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economic Affairs) LP-POM MUI, and national private sector (such as PT Bintang Toedjoe, PT Charoen Phokphan , And PT SOHO), as well as professional associations (Indonesian Chemical Association, Indonesian Polymer Association, National Working Group for Indonesian Medicinal Plants, and Indonesia's Natural Resources Chemical Association).
For self-development of student, of for the develop of students softskill is realized through various extracurricular activities (softskill via IMASIKA as a forum for the development of hobby, sports, music, edutainment) and extra academic activities (club olympics, chemistry challenge). The recognition of the Department's outstanding students every year is manifested in Departmental Meeting between faculty members, staff members (tendik) and in the Anniversary of the Department of Chemistry annually. In 2016, the Department of Chemistry awarded outstanding students for thos who made achievement in the 2nd Place GreenBase National Paper, ON MIPA on Chemistry, Sport and the Arts. (Wied)
