History

pre-1963

The Department of Chemistry at , under the headship of Professor Lewis Clark, provided the nucleus for the organization which has grown into the present multi-faceted Department. Prior to the University being granted autonomy in 1963, a special arrangement was in effect with the (UBC) in Vancouver, enabling the chemistry students who completed three years work at Victoria to graduate with the BSc degree after completion of a fourth and final year at UBC.

1963-1975

In the fall of 1963 the Chemistry Department took up residence on the , occupying part of the science building named to honour Professor Percy Harris Elliott, Professor of Chemistry and Physics, and Principal of Victoria College from 1927 to 1943. The years following 1963 saw a period of growth with many organizational changes and developments, including expansion of the faculty, introduction of new undergraduate courses, commencement of the graduate school (1966) and the establishment of the technical shops. Research activities were expanded and the first major pieces of instrumental equipment were obtained. In 1968, under Dr Stephen Ryce a restructuring commenced, curriculum changes were made, additional accommodation was acquired and support facilities were expanded.

1976-1989

With the introduction of the program in 1976, the Department adopted the overall posture in effect today. The next fourteen years saw continued steady growth in all the programs, additional space in the Science and Engineering building providing the much needed room for expansion in 1986. The Co-operative Education program grew to both national and international status.

1990-present

During the early nineties a number of new faculty hirings expanded the breadth of the research activities. Another period of sustained and exciting growth is unfolding as the Department has moved into the next century. 10 of the current faculty members were hired since 2000.

Departmental Heads and Chairs

Since the move to the present site in 1963, the following persons have been Head (1963-1973) or Chair (since 1973) of Chemistry:

2011-present Neil Burford
2011 Frank van Veggel (Jan-Jun)
2010 Penelope Codding (Jul-Dec)
2009-2010 David A. Harrington
2008 Thomas M. Fyles
2007 Penelope Codding
2002 Cornelia Bohne (Acting, Jul-Dec)
2001-06 Thomas M. Fyles
1998-01 Peter C. Wan
1996-97 Gerald A. Poulton (Acting)
1989-98 Terence E. Gough
1984-89 Gerald A. Poulton
1982-83 Reginald H. Mitchell (Acting)
1979-84 Alexander McAuley
1975-76 Graham R. Branton (Acting)
1973-79 Alexander D. Kirk
1972-73 Alfred Fischer (Acting)
1968-73 Stephen A. Ryce
1967-68 Austin C. Riddiford
1966-67 Donald J. MacLaurin (Acting)
1963-66 Lewis J. Clark

The Department has also provided, over the years, many people to higher administrative posts within the University.