Write-up : The Publics Petition dated 11-11-1839 initiated the establishment of Madras University. It was in January 1840 with Mr.George Norton as its President, the University Board was constituted. In 1854 after a lapse of 14 years, the Government of India formulated a systematic educational policy for India and as a sequel to this, on 5th September, 1857 by an act of legislative council of India the University was established. The University of organised in the Model of London University.

Madras University is the mother of almost all the Old Universities of Southern India. The University area of Jurisdiction has been confined to, however, 3 districts of Tamil Nadu in recent years. This is consequent to establishment of various Universities in the State and demarcation of the University territories. This University has been growing from strength to strength while widening its teaching and research activities.

The Department of Polymer Science was established in 1983, upon bifurcation of the Department of Physical Chemistry into the Department of Physical Chemistry and the Department of Polymer Science, under the UGC Special Assistance Programme with five faculty members.

Department of Physical Chemistry
The Department of Physical Chemistry researches in Homo-and hetero-multisite catalysts, triphase catalysis, synthesis, characterisation and kinetics of polymerisation, model enzyme reactions,conducting, polymers, defluridisation studies, electrocatalysis by metal complexes, electron transfer reactions, electrochemical studies on copper-halide interactions, ion-selective electrodes, SANS study of micro emulsions, polymerisation and oxidation reactions in microemulsion, sysnthesis, characterisation and catalytic activity of anionic clays, sorption studies of surfactants on polymeric surfaces electro analytical oxygen evolution at oxide electrodes as in photo assisted splitting of water, development of polymer-modified catalytic electrodes for detection of neurotransmitter enzymeless biosensors etc.

Department of Polymer Science
The Department of Polymer Science offers consultancy in areas like synthesis and characterisation of polymers, environmental studies involving fluorosis, polymer-drug interactions, preparation and application of catalysts, development and applications of ion selective electrodes, polymer supported reagents, enzyme models, electro catalysis, anionic clays, micro emulsions and enzymeless biosensors.

The objectives of the department are:
• To organise and conduct course in Polymer Science at post-graduate level to train manpower for the polymer industries.
• To carry out basic and applied research in the area of all kinds of polymers.
• To associate itself with institutions and industries in a manner to make horizontal transfer of technology possible and meaningful.
• Rendering of consultancy services to the industries on the manufacturing and testing of various polymeric products.

Website address : www.unom.ac.in

Contact Address : University of Madras, University Centenary Buildings, Chepauk, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India

Tel : 044-25399778

Fax : 044-25366693

Email : vcoffice@unom.ac.in / vchome@md3.vsnl.net.in

Office Bearers :

Chancellor         : Surjit Singh Barnala
Pro-Chancellor   : K. Ponmudi
Vice Chancellor : S. Ramachandran
Registrar            : M. Ranganatham