It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Department of Chemistry. Since its establishment in 1964, the department has remained committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service to society. Over the years, we have continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of Cambodia, equipping our students with strong scientific knowledge, practical laboratory skills, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to national development.

Our department offers a dynamic learning environment through our programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Analytical Chemistry. We take pride in fostering curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation among our students, while maintaining strong collaborations with national and international partners. Our dedicated academic staff and well-equipped laboratories support both quality education and impactful research.

Whether you are a prospective student, a current member of our academic community, or a valued partner, we warmly invite you to explore the opportunities within our department. We are confident that your journey with us will be both enriching and rewarding.

I look forward to your success and to the continued growth of our department.

Head of Department
Department of Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry has been an integral part of the Faculty of Science since its establishment in 1964. Like all higher education institutions in Cambodia, its activities were interrupted between 1975 and 1980. The department resumed operations in 1980 as part of a teacher-training college, focusing on preparing future chemistry teachers to meet the needs of secondary education. In 1990, it introduced a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a revised curriculum emphasizing applied chemistry, enabling graduates to pursue a wider range of career opportunities. Over the years, the department has benefited from substantial technical support provided by volunteers from Ireland, the United States, France, Sweden, and Australia. This support has contributed to the development of new laboratory courses, the acquisition of modern equipment, and the establishment of collaborations with international universities and organizations.

Currently, the Department of Chemistry offers three academic programs: a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, and a Master of Analytical Chemistry. As with other departments at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, students complete Foundation Year courses in their first year before specializing in their chosen fields from the second year onward. These programs equip students with both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills. After graduation, many students pursue an additional year of study at the National Institute of Education in Phnom Penh to become qualified teachers. Others enter academic careers as lecturers and researchers or work in industrial chemical laboratories, where demand for skilled professionals continues to grow alongside Cambodia’s industrial development.

The Master’s program in Analytical Chemistry is designed to provide advanced knowledge and research skills, strengthening both chemistry education and research capacity in higher education. It combines theoretical learning with practical application and offers students opportunities to undertake independent research using the department’s laboratory facilities.

Program Vision

To be a leading department in teaching and learning, research, and innovation in chemistry, and to equip students with professionalism, quality, morality, and responsibility.

Program Missions

1. Strengthening the quality of teaching and learning in both theory and practical experiments, ensuring comprehensive knowledge, skills, and experience in chemistry in accordance with the curriculum.

2. Promoting research and innovation aimed at creating knowledge and skills and developing products in chemical science to meet the needs of the labor market.

3. Cultivating creative ideas by applying professional knowledge and experience gained through education and training to pave successful career paths.

Program Goals

• Program Goal 1: Academic and Professional Excellence
  To develop competent graduates with solid theoretical and practical knowledge in chemistry, integrating analytical thinking, laboratory proficiency, and scientific problem-solving skills aligned with international standards and Cambodia’s industrial and educational needs.

• Program Goal 2: Research, Innovation, and Sustainable Development
  To promote a research-driven and innovation-oriented learning environment that advances sustainable chemical applications in food, water, energy, and environmental sectors, contributing to national and global development goals.

• Program Goal 3: Ethics, Leadership, and Lifelong Learning
  To cultivate responsible, ethical, and entrepreneurial graduates who demonstrate leadership, digital literacy, and social responsibility, capable of continuous learning and adaptation in evolving professional contexts.

Program Educational Objectives (PEOs)

These Program Educational Objectives (PEOs) focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and community development contributions, reflecting stakeholder needs and regional relevance. Based on inputs collected from the stakeholders, the Programme Educational Objectives (PEO) of Chemistry are formulated in order to be achieved by the graduates several years after graduation:

• PEO1: Graduates will establish themselves as competent professionals in chemistry-related fields, such as education, water/food/material industries, as well as research and development, demonstrating strong technical expertise and ethical responsibility.

• PEO2: Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and continuous professional development, applying advanced skills to address challenges in education, environmental sustainability, and industrial innovation for the betterment of society

• PEO 3: Graduates will develop entrepreneurial and leadership capabilities to create innovative solutions and ventures in chemistry and related sectors, contributing to economic growth and societal well-being.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) 

Bachelor of Science In Chemistry 

Knowledge domain (MD1)

• PLO1: Analyze problems in water, food, and materials chemistry using fundamental and applied chemistry knowledge. (MD1, LD1, C4) 

Cognitive domain (MD2)

• PLO2: Apply analytical and creative thinking leading to solve the water, food, and materials related problems. (MD2, LD2, C3) 

Psychomotor domain (MD3)

• PLO3: Operate laboratory instruments and digital tools effectively for coducting experiments, data collection, data analysis, and technical reporting. (MD3, LD3, P4)

Interpersonal skills and responsibility (MD4)

• PLO4: Demonstrate effective teamwork, leadership, and digital communication in professional manners. (MD4, LD4, A4) 

• PLO5: Demonstrate responsibility, adaptability, and ethical conduct in professional and societal contexts. (MD4, LD5, A4) 

• PLO6: Integrate innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to develop sustainable chemical solutions. (MD4, LD6, A4) 

• PLO7: Uphold professional ethics, integrity, and safety standards in laboratory and research practices. (MD4, LD7, A4) 

Communication, information technology, and numerical skills (MD5):

• PLO8: Communicate scientific information clearly and professionally through written, oral, and digital formats. (MD5, LD8, A4) 

• PLO9: Operate digital and computational tools with precision to perform chemical analysis and problem-solving. (MD5, LD9, C3) 

• PLO10: Apply statistical techniques using appropriate computational tools to analyze, evaluate, and interpret chemical data accurately (skills MD5, LD10, P4)

   

Bachelor of Science In Biochemistry 

Knowledge domain (MD1):

• PLO1: Analyse problems in health, food, and microbial systems using foundational and applied chemistry and biochemistry knowledge. (MD1, LD1, C4)

Cognitive domain (MD2):

• PLO2: Apply analytical and creative thinking leading to solve the health, food, and microbial systems-related problems. (MD2, LD2, C3)

Psychomotor domain (MD3):

• PLO3: Operate biochemical and laboratory instruments and digital tools effectively for conducting experiments, data collection, data analysis, and technical reporting. (MD3, LD3, P4)

Interpersonal skills and responsibility (MD4):

• PLO4: Demonstrate effective teamwork, leadership, and digital communication in professional manners. (MD4, LD4, A4) 

• PLO5: Demonstrate responsibility, adaptability, and ethical conduct in professional and societal contexts. (MD4, LD5, A4) 

• PLO6: Integrate innovative and entrepreneurial thinking to develop sustainable chemical and biochemical solutions. (MD4, LD6, A4) 

• PLO7: Uphold professional ethics, integrity, and safety standards in laboratory and research practices. (MD4, LD7, A4) 

Communication, information technology, and numerical skills (MD5):

• PLO8: Communicate scientific information clearly and professionally through written, oral, and digital formats. (MD5, LD8, A4) 

• PLO9: Operate digital and computational tools with precision to perform chemical and biochemicalanalysis and problem-solving. (MD5, LD9, C3) 

• PLO10: Apply statistical techniques using appropriate computational tools to analyse, evaluate, and interpret chemical and biochemical data accurately (skills MD5, LD10, P4) 

Course Clusters for Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry

GENERAL EDUCATION
ENG001-ENG410 English Language III- VI
Years II-III, Semesters I & II
English Language Support Unit
As most textbooks and research books in Cambodia are written in English or French, foreign language acquisition is essential for professors and students alike. The development of students' knowledge base and research skills across all disciplines at the Royal University of Phnom Penh is an outstanding goal of this foreign language program.

COMMON SUBJECTS: YEAR II
SCH201 Organic Chemistry I
Mr. Long Lay
Year II, Semester I Students learn about the structure and properties of organic compounds, bonding and molecular structure, chemical reactivity, conformation, and stereochemistry. They study homology, nomenclature, preparation and the properties of hydrocarbons.

SCH202 Analytical Chemistry I
Mr. Mey Sovuthy, Ms. Ith Putheary
Year II, Semester I
Reviews and introduces new concepts in stoichiometry, aqueous solutions, chemical equilibrium, gravimetric methods of chemical analysis, acid-based titration, complexation titration, oxidation-reduction titration, and gravimetry.

SCH203 Analytical Chemistry Lab. I
Mr. Mey Sovuthy, Ms. Ith Putheary
Year II, Semester I

Students gain a working understanding of titrimetry (acid-base), gravimetry (precipitation),

oxio-reduction, titration, and complexation titration.

SCH204 Quantum Chemistry
Mr. Kin Sovann
Year II, Semester I
Quantum Theory allows us to understand and predict the role of electrons in Chemistry. Students learn how this important theory developed from basic physics to explain some of the most fundamental questions in chemistry related to the number, energy and position of electrons in atoms.
 

SCH205 Elementary Statistics
Mr. Bun Chantha
Year II, Semester I
Students are introduced to such concepts as frequency distribution graphs, averages, variability, standard scores and the normal curve, linear regression, Pearson's correlation coefficient and other correlation techniques, sampling, probability and distributions, testing hypotheses, covering population parameters, single and bivariate, chi-square and distribution free statistical tests.
 

SCH206 Inorganic Chemistry I
Mr. Huch Huot
Year II, Semester I
Students learn about the electronic structure of atoms, elementary molecular orbital theory, and the chemistry of S and P block elements.
 

SCH207 Inorganic Chemistry Lab.
Mr. Huch Huot, Mr. Chuon Sovanna
Year II, Semester I
Students learn about the packing of atoms or ions in crystals, preparation and properties of S, P-block elements and transitional elements, and the uses of inorganic compounds.
 

SCH208 Organic Chemistry II
Mr. Long Lay
Year II, Semester II
Students examine aromatic compounds, aromatic substitutions, properties of aliphatic compounds including spectroscopy, alcohols and thiols, ether epoxides, glycols, thioether, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, carbanion-enolates, amines, and phenolic compounds.
 

SCH209 Analytical Chemistry II
Mr. Mey Sovuthy, Ms. Ith Putheary
Year II, Semester II
Students examine strategies for qualitative analysis and learn about chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, additional aspects of equilibrium, and chemical kinetics.

SCH210 Analytical Chemistry Lab. II
Mr. Mey Sovuthy
Year II, Semester II
Students gain a working knowledge of separation and identification of ions, in the silver group, copper-arsenic group, aluminum-nickel group, barium group and sodium-potassium-magnesium group.
 

SCH211 Physical Chemistry I
Mr. Chey Thavy
Year II, Semester II
Students learn about the treatment of thermodynamics in chemical systems, enthalpy, entropy, free energy changes in chemical reactions and applications of thermodynamics in various chemical systems.
 

SCH212 General Biology
Mr. Thav Sokunthea
Year II, Semester I
Students gain a basic knowledge of a wide range of biological fields of study, and become aware of the relevance and importance of biology to life in Cambodia and the world. The course begins with the biology of cells and traces premises about the origins of life, from early theories to the modern. The course then continues with the biology of organisms and ecosystems, their relationships to one another, behaviors and how they change, and organisms that are useful and harmful. The course includes laboratory exercises that relate to the theory.
 

SCH213 Inorganic Chemistry II
Mr. Huch Huot
Year II, Semester II
This course introduces students to transitional elements, chemical symmetry, states of atoms, aqueous chemistry of the first transition series and Pi-acid ligand complexes.
 

SCH214 Organic Chemistry Lab. I
Mr. Long Lay
Year II, Semester II
Students practice fundamental techniques used in organic chemistry to classify the properties of organic compounds by chemical methods.

coming soon

coming