Overview
Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes with the aim of reducing or eliminating the use and generation of hazardous substances. It is mainly centered on chemical synthetic protocols which take into account environmental impact in the selection of reactants and reaction conditions (eg. solvents) and is growing in importance as both industrial and academic researchers become aware of the environmental and economic advantages of an environmentally benign or "green" approach.
The relevance of green chemistry has been highlighted by the 2005 Nobel Prize in Chemistry which was awarded to Robert H. Grubbs, Richard R. Schrock and Yves Chauvin for discoveries that let industry create drugs and advanced plastics in a more efficient and environmentally friendly way.
Studying Green Chemistry at CBC
The principles of a green approach are not covered in traditional chemistry courses, perhaps contributing to its slow growth as an area of academic research. The first step towards the goal of incorporating green chemistry into chemical product and process designs is to incorporate it into the chemistry education system. For green chemistry to enter widespread practice, chemists must be educated about green chemistry during their academic training.
With this objective in mind, the undergraduate programme at CBC with concentration in Green Chemistry focuses on the following aspects
- application of innovative technology to established industrial processes
- design of new green chemicals and materials
- development of sustainable resources and biotechnology alternatives
- evaluation of environmental impact.
Independent and collaborative learning, along with focused study in core areas such as Green Chemistry, are cornerstones of the CBC undergraduate curriculum which follow the rigorous American Chemical Society guidelines for accredited Chemistry programmes.
Career Oppurtunities
"The reason green chemistry is being adopted so rapidly around the world is because it is a pathway to ensuring economic and environmental prosperity, green chemistry is powerful because it starts at the molecular level and ultimately delivers more environmentally benign products and processes."
Paul T. Anastas, Office of Science and Technology Policy, USA in C&N, July 16, 2001.
Green chemistry as a science-based, economically driven approach toward sustainable development has grown substantially since the concept fully emerged a decade ago.
As the economic implications of reducing environmental impact becomes more visible, companies and government agencies are realizing that green chemistry is the solution both in terms of viability and sustainability.
The undergraduate programme at CBC with concentration in green chemistry aims to groom students for careers in industry, government and academia where the concept of a more sustainable and environment friendly approach is fast gaining importance.
Related Links
The twelve principles of Green Chemistry ( American Chemical Society)
American Chemical Society website
Environmental protection Agency, Green Chemistry website
International Green Chemistry Organizations, National Science Foundation USA website.