The Department was one of the founding departments at Chancellor College, as a Department of Chemistry, offering lectures in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, environmental, and industrial chemistry. It has since expanded its teaching mandate to provide the scientific principles that underpin modern chemical engineering. To this end, the Department has changed its name to the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is committed to advancing fundamental knowledge of chemistry and the applications of the chemical sciences to the benefit of society. Chemistry is the underpinning science in much of the scientific and engineering efforts to improve human life. Discoveries at the molecular frontier forge new breakthroughs in medicine, biology, materials science, energy, agriculture, food science, geology, chemical industry, and environmental science. Therefore, the Department serves as a theoretical and practical link between the natural and applied sciences in the School.

The synergies with the other sciences enable the Department to be involved in impactful cross-disciplinary collaborative research projects, across all aspects of science, with faculty from the other Departments. The Department brings a chemical approach to these projects and leverages analytical equipment and laboratory facilities and expertise to investigate chemical composition and their dynamics. The Department’s Industrial and Consultancy Unit (ICU) provides a pathway for strong links with industry. These links mean that there are opportunities for analytical and professional services, and student vacation placements with some of the leading industries in the country. Further, the Department participates in international academic networks such as SABINA, EXCEED, SANWATCE, WATERNET, SEANAC and APCCEM.

Currently, the Department offers BSc (Hons) Chemistry, MSc (Applied Chemistry) and Ph.D (Chemistry) programmes.