Department of Chemistry
Brief History
The rich history of the Department of Chemistry began with the expulsion of SVD missionaries from China which resulted in an exodus of scholar-priests to the Philippines. Fr. Edgar Oehler, SVD, a chemist who trained under Dr. Wilhelm Bruell at the University of Chicago, took the helm of the Department during its early years. It was then entrenched in the Science (Pelaez) wing of the Main Campus with the office located in where you find a radio station (DYRF) today. The Department had an inorganic laboratory, stockroom, instrument and balance room, an acid room, and research labs occupying what are now the MBA seminar rooms and the textbook section. On the second floor were the laboratories for organic, analytical and physical chemistry, including the noxious gases lab, which is presently the office of the Department of Political Science.
In 1979, the Analytical and Physical Chemistry laboratories moved to the fourth floor of the Technological Center in Talamban Campus. By 1981, construction of the Arnoldus Science Building (now called Arnoldus Science Complex) was completed. It has since been the home of the Chemistry Department.
Roster of Chairs
Fr. Robert Hoeppener, SVD (1952, 1965-1966)
Fr. Edgar Oehler, SVD (1958-1964)
Rebecca Galeos, M.S. (1966-1969)
Rita Chia, M.S. (1969-1973, 1983-1985)
Alma Cimafranca, M.S. (1973-1976)
Leticia Llacuna, M.S. (1976-1983)
Jocelyn Locaylocay, Ph.D. (1985-1995)
Josephine Castaņares, Ph.D. (1995-1997)
Ramon del Fierro, Ph.D. (1998-2004)
Patrick John Lim, Ph.D. (2004 to present)
Fast facts
1952: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) curriculum, major in Chemistry, was offered. The Department occupied the Pelaez wing in the Main Campus.
1956: The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.S. Chem.) program started with government recognition given on June 10, 1957.
1962: The Master of Science in Chemistry (M.S. Chem.) program was opened.
1981: The Department of Chemistry transferred to the third floor of the Arnoldus Science Building in Talamban Campus, vacating the facilities at the Main Campus.
1996: Fire consumed the B-wing of the Science Building.
2004: Offering of the CHED-HEDP Master of Chemistry (M. Chem.) program for tertiary-level instructors. The renovated Chemistry research laboratories were also opened.
2006: The Department celebrates 50 years of its B.S. Chemistry program.
