Todd Whitcombe, Professor and Chair
Chow Lee, Professor
Margot Mandy, Professor
Stephen Rader, Professor
Kerry Reimer, Professor
Andrea Gorrell, Associate Professor
Daniel Erasmus, Assistant Professor
Kalindi Morgan, Assistant Professor
Jeffrey Northrop, Adjunct Professor
Martha Stark, Adjunct Professor
Jun Yin, Adjunct Professor
Kaila Fadock, Senior Lab Instructor
Umesh Parshotam, Senior Lab Instructor
Website: www.unbc.ca/chemistry
Chemistry is the fundamental science that deals with the nature of substances and the changes occurring in them. Chemical reactions are the basis of all life. Everything we are or do depends in one way or another on chemistry. A major or minor in chemistry or minor in biochemistry prepares you for a variety of careers in industry, education, ecology, and public service, or for graduate study and research in chemistry and many related fields.
Major in Chemistry (BSc)
Major in Chemistry (BSc Honours)
Joint Major in Chemistry and Computer Science (BSc)
Joint Major in Chemistry and Mathematics (BSc)
Joint Major in Chemistry and Physics (BSc)
Minor in Chemistry
Major in Chemistry
The major in Chemistry requires students to take at least 64 credit hours of Chemistry, 36 credit hours of which must be upper-division (i.e., 300 or 400) level.
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry is 128 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
100 Level
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Introductory Biology I Laboratory | |
| Introductory Biology II Laboratory | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Computer Programming I | |
| or | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I | |
| or | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
| and | Physics for Life Sciences II |
| or | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
and are strongly recommended.
200 Level
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry II | |
| Introductory Biochemistry | |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab I | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab II | |
| Linear Algebra |
One of the following:
| Calculus III | |
| Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| Physical Chemistry II | |
| or | Physical Chemistry III |
| Analytical Chemistry II | |
| Physical Chemistry Lab | |
| Inorganic Chemistry II | |
| or | Inorganic Chemistry III |
| Inorganic Chemistry Lab |
400 Level
| Chemistry Seminar | |
| Advanced Laboratory I | |
| Advanced Laboratory II |
Nine credit hours of 300 or 400 level Chemistry*
Three credit hours of 400 level Chemistry*
*Up to 6 credit hours from BCMB 306-3, BCMB 340-3, BCMB 401-3, BCMB 402-3, BCMB 403-3, or BCMB 405-3 may be used to satisfy these requirements.
Elective and Academic Breadth
Elective credit hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 128 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth). A maximum of 3 credit hours from Continuing Studies may be used towards the elective credits. A total of 54 credit hours of upper-division study (300- and 400-level courses) must be successfully completed to meet degree requirements.
Course Selection
Students interested in the Chemistry program of study should select courses in their first four semesters according to the schedule below. For availability of courses at the 300 and 400 level, students should consult with the Chair of the Curriculum Committee in the Chemistry program.
Semester One (September)
| Introductory Biology I | |
| Introductory Biology I Laboratory | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| Computer Programming I | |
| or | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| Calculus I | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I | |
| or | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
Semester Two (January)
| Introductory Biology II | |
| Introductory Biology II Laboratory | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Calculus II | |
| Physics for Life Sciences II | |
| or | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
Semester Three (September)
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab I |
Three (3) Math or elective credit hours
Semester Four (January)
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry II | |
| Introductory Biochemistry | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab II | |
| Linear Algebra |
Three (3) Math or elective credit hours
BSc Honours - Chemistry
The BSc Honours in Chemistry offers students a higher level of education and research experience. It is particularly suitable for students intending to proceed to postgraduate studies.
Admission to the Honours program takes place after the completion of 60 credit hours and requires a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.33. Attaining the minimum requirement does not guarantee admission to the Honours program which is at the discretion of the Chemistry Program and contingent upon the availability of a faculty member to supervise the undergraduate thesis. To remain in the Honours program, students must maintain a minimum Cumulative GPA of 3.33. All Honours students must complete an undergraduate thesis under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
Students are required to complete 134 credit hours, six of which are the undergraduate thesis, and to satisfy the requirements of the major in Chemistry.
Joint Major in Chemistry and Computer Science (BSc)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a Joint Major in Chemistry and Computer Science is 126 credit hours.
(Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics or Computer Science major or joint major.
Program Requirements
Literacy Requirement
One of the following:
| Writing and Communication Skills | |
| Expository Writing |
Lower-Division Requirement
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry II | |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Computer Programming I | |
| Computer Programming II | |
| Discrete Computational Mathematics | |
| Algorithm Analysis and Development | |
| Introduction to Logic Design | |
| Computer Organization and Architecture | |
| Mathematical Topics for Computer Science | |
| Data Structures I | |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Linear Algebra |
Upper-Division Requirement
Chemistry
| Physical Chemistry II | |
| or | Physical Chemistry III |
| Analytical Chemistry II | |
| Inorganic Chemistry II | |
| or | Inorganic Chemistry III |
Fifteen credit hours of 300- or 400-level Chemistry*
*Up to 6 credit hours from BCMB 306-3, BCMB 340-3, BCMB 401-3, BCMB 402-3, BCMB 403-3, or BCMB 405-3 may be used to satisfy these requirements.
Computer Science
| Programming Languages | |
| Operating Systems | |
| Functional and Logic Programming |
Six credit hours of 300- or 400-level Computer Science*; and
Six credit hours of 400-level Computer Science (excluding the seminar, project, and special topics courses).
*Between the two disciplines, a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 400 level must be completed.
One of the following:
| Introduction to Numerical Methods | |
| Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 126 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in Chemistry and Mathematics (BSc)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a Joint Major in Chemistry and Mathematics is 125 credit hours.
(Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics major or joint major.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry II | |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Computer Programming I | |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Multivariable Calculus I | |
| Multivariable Calculus II | |
| Linear Algebra | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems | |
| Introductory Physics I: Mechanics | |
| Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
Upper-Division Requirement
Chemistry
| Physical Chemistry II | |
| or | Physical Chemistry III |
| Analytical Chemistry II | |
| Inorganic Chemistry II | |
| or | Inorganic Chemistry III |
Nine credit hours of 300- or 400-level Chemistry*
Six credit hours of 400-level Chemistry*
*Up to 6 credit hours from BCMB 306-3, BCMB 340-3, BCMB 401-3, BCMB 402-3, BCMB 403-2, or BCMB 405-3 may be used to satisfy these requirements.
Mathematics
| Introduction to Complex Analysis | |
| Survey of Algebra | |
| Advanced Linear Algebra | |
| Introduction to Numerical Methods | |
| Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
Six credit hours of 300- or 400-level Mathematics*; and
Six credit hours of 400-level Mathematics
*Between the two disciplines, a minimum of 15 credit hours at the 400 level must be completed.
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
Elective credit hours must be taken as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 125 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Joint Major in Chemistry and Physics (BSc)
The minimum requirement for completion of a Bachelor of Science with a Joint Major in Chemistry and Physics is 126 credit hours.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II | |
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Computer Programming I | |
| Calculus I | |
| Calculus II | |
| Multivariable Calculus I | |
| Multivariable Calculus II | |
| Linear Algebra | |
| Ordinary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems | |
| Introductory Physics I: Mechanics | |
| Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity | |
| Thermal Physics | |
| Electromagnetism and Optics | |
| Modern Physics I | |
| Modern Physics II |
Upper-Division Requirement
| Physical Chemistry II | |
| or | Physical Chemistry III |
| Analytical Chemistry II | |
| Physical Chemistry Lab | |
| Inorganic Chemistry II | |
| or | Inorganic Chemistry III |
Six credit hours of 300- or 400-level Chemistry* and
Six credit hours of 400-level Chemistry*
*Up to 6 credit hours from BCMB 306-3, BCMB 340-3, BCMB 401-3, BCMB 402-3, BCMB 403-3, or BCMB 405-3 may be used to satisfy these upper-division Chemistry requirements.
| Intermediate Differential Equations | |
| Classical Mechanics | |
| Quantum Mechanics I | |
| Optics and Photonics I | |
| Solid State Physics |
Three credit hours of 300- or 400-level Physics and 6 credit hours of 400-level Physics.
Elective and Academic Breadth
Elective credit hours must be taken as necessary to ensure completion of a minimum of 126 credit hours including any additional credit hours necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Minor in Chemistry
The minor in Chemistry is designed to provide students with a solid grounding and a core of study in one or more of the subdisciplines of Chemistry. Thus, some flexibility is permitted in satisfying the requirements for a minor. Students have the option to study a range of subdisciplines at the 300 level while counting the 200-level prerequisites toward the minor or to focus on particular subdisciplines through to the 400 level. A maximum of six courses (14 credit hours) of the 100- and 200-level courses used to fulfill requirements for a major (or another minor) may also be used toward a minor in Chemistry.
The minimum requirement for completion of the minor in Chemistry is 29 credit hours.
100 Level
| General Chemistry I | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| General Chemistry Lab I | |
| General Chemistry Lab II |
200 Level
At least 9 credit hours from the following:
| Physical Chemistry I | |
| * | Organic Chemistry I |
| Inorganic Chemistry I | |
| * | Organic Chemistry II |
| * | Introductory Biochemistry |
| Analytical Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab I | |
| Organic Chemistry Lab II |
*Note: Selections made should incorporate prerequisites for intended upper-division courses.
300 and 400 Level
At least 12 credit hours from the following:
| * | Intermediary Metabolism |
| Basic Science of Oncology | |
| Macromolecular Structure | |
| Advanced Nucleic Acids | |
| Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | |
| Physical Chemistry II | |
| Advanced Organic Chemistry I | |
| Quantum Chemistry | |
| Advanced Organic Chemistry II | |
| Physical Chemistry III | |
| Analytical Chemistry II | |
| Physical Chemistry Lab | |
| Inorganic Chemistry II | |
| Inorganic Chemistry III | |
| Inorganic Chemistry Lab | |
| Topics in Organic Chemistry | |
| Topics in Physical Chemistry |
*Up to 6 credit hours from BCMB 306-3, BCMB 340-3, BCMB 401-3, BCMB 402-3, BCMB 403-3, or BCMB 405-3 may be used toward a minor in Chemistry.
Updated: June 27, 2024