The Department of Chemistry was re-established in 1987 as part of the Faculty of Science and comprised of 4 full-time members of academic staff. Originally the Department offered coursework which lead to a three-year joint ordinary degree in two science subjects and also serviced other faculties notably in disciplines of Pharmacy and Education.

In 1993, the Department started to offer an M.Sc. programme by advanced study and research and in 1995, the undergraduate degree programme became an honours programme.