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
| BIOL 103-3 | Introductory Biology I |
| BIOL 104-3 | Introductory Biology II |
| BIOL 123-1 | Introductory Biology I Laboratory |
| BIOL 124-1 | Introductory Biology II Laboratory |
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| or CPSC 110-3 | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| MATH 101-3 | Calculus II |
| PHYS 100-4 | Physics for Life Sciences I |
| or PHYS 110-4 | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
| and PHYS 101-4 | Physics for Life Sciences II |
| or PHYS 111-4 | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
PHYS 110-4 and PHYS 111-4 are strongly recommended.
200 Level
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3 | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 203-3 | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 204-3 | Introductory Biochemistry |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 250-1 | Organic Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 251-1 | Organic Chemistry Lab II |
| MATH 220-3 | Linear Algebra |
One of the following:
| MATH 200-3 | Calculus III |
| STAT 371-3 | Probability and Statistics for Scientists and Engineers |
Upper-Division Requirement
300 Level
| CHEM 300-3 | Physical Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 305-3 | Physical Chemistry III |
| CHEM 310-3 | Analytical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 315-3 | Physical Chemistry Lab |
| CHEM 320-3 | Inorganic Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 321-3 | Inorganic Chemistry III |
| CHEM 322-3 | Inorganic Chemistry Lab |
400 Level
| CHEM 401-3 | Chemistry Seminar |
| CHEM 406-3 | Advanced Laboratory I |
| CHEM 407-3 | 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)
| BIOL 103-3 | Introductory Biology I |
| BIOL 123-1 | Introductory Biology I Laboratory |
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| or CPSC 110-3 | Introduction to Computer Systems and Programming |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| PHYS 100-4 | Physics for Life Sciences I |
| or PHYS 110-4 | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
Semester Two (January)
| BIOL 104-3 | Introductory Biology II |
| BIOL 124-1 | Introductory Biology II Laboratory |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| MATH 101-3 | Calculus II |
| PHYS 101-4 | Physics for Life Sciences II |
| or PHYS 111-4 | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
Semester Three (September)
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3 | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 250-1 | Organic Chemistry Lab I |
Three (3) Math or elective credit hours
Semester Four (January)
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 203-3 | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 204-3 | Introductory Biochemistry |
| CHEM 251-1 | Organic Chemistry Lab II |
| MATH 220-3 | 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.
MATH 150-3 (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:
| ENGL 170-3 | Writing and Communication Skills |
| ENGL 270-3 | Expository Writing |
Lower-Division Requirement
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3 | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 203-3 | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| CPSC 101-4 | Computer Programming II |
| CPSC 141-3 | Discrete Computational Mathematics |
| CPSC 200-3 | Algorithm Analysis and Development |
| CPSC 230-4 | Introduction to Logic Design |
| CPSC 231-4 | Computer Organization and Architecture |
| CPSC 242-3 | Mathematical Topics for Computer Science |
| CPSC 281-3 | Data Structures I |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| MATH 101-3 | Calculus II |
| MATH 220-3 | Linear Algebra |
Upper-Division Requirement
Chemistry
| CHEM 300-3 | Physical Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 305-3 | Physical Chemistry III |
| CHEM 310-3 | Analytical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 320-3 | Inorganic Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 321-3 | 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
| CPSC 320-3 | Programming Languages |
| CPSC 321-3 | Operating Systems |
| CPSC 370-3 | 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:
| MATH 335-3 | Introduction to Numerical Methods |
| STAT 371-3 | 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.
MATH 150-3 (Finite Mathematics for Business and Economics) may not be used for credit towards any Mathematics major or joint major.
Program Requirements
Lower-Division Requirement
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3 | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 203-3 | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| MATH 101-3 | Calculus II |
| MATH 202-3 | Multivariable Calculus I |
| MATH 204-3 | Multivariable Calculus II |
| MATH 220-3 | Linear Algebra |
| MATH 230-3 | Ordinary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems |
| PHYS 110-4 | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
| PHYS 111-4 | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
Upper-Division Requirement
Chemistry
| CHEM 300-3 | Physical Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 305-3 | Physical Chemistry III |
| CHEM 310-3 | Analytical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 320-3 | Inorganic Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 321-3 | 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
| MATH 301-3 | Introduction to Complex Analysis |
| MATH 320-3 | Survey of Algebra |
| MATH 326-3 | Advanced Linear Algebra |
| MATH 335-3 | Introduction to Numerical Methods |
| STAT 371-3 | 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
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3 | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CPSC 100-4 | Computer Programming I |
| MATH 100-3 | Calculus I |
| MATH 101-3 | Calculus II |
| MATH 202-3 | Multivariable Calculus I |
| MATH 204-3 | Multivariable Calculus II |
| MATH 220-3 | Linear Algebra |
| MATH 230-3 | Ordinary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems |
| PHYS 110-4 | Introductory Physics I: Mechanics |
| PHYS 111-4 | Introductory Physics II: Waves and Electricity |
| PHYS 200-3 | Thermal Physics |
| PHYS 202-4 | Electromagnetism and Optics |
| PHYS 205-3 | Modern Physics I |
| PHYS 206-4 | Modern Physics II |
Upper-Division Requirement
| CHEM 300-3 | Physical Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 305-3 | Physical Chemistry III |
| CHEM 310-3 | Analytical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 315-3 | Physical Chemistry Lab |
| CHEM 320-3 | Inorganic Chemistry II |
| or CHEM 321-3 | 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.
| MATH 336-3 | Intermediate Differential Equations |
| PHYS 300-3 | Classical Mechanics |
| PHYS 302-3 | Quantum Mechanics I |
| PHYS 351-3 | Optics and Photonics I |
| PHYS 404-3 | 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
| CHEM 100-3 | General Chemistry I |
| CHEM 101-3 | General Chemistry II |
| CHEM 120-1 | General Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 121-1 | General Chemistry Lab II |
200 Level
At least 9 credit hours from the following:
| CHEM 200-3 | Physical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 201-3* | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 202-3 | Inorganic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 203-3* | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 204-3* | Introductory Biochemistry |
| CHEM 210-3 | Analytical Chemistry I |
| CHEM 250-1 | Organic Chemistry Lab I |
| CHEM 251-1 | 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:
| BCMB 306-3* | Intermediary Metabolism |
| BCMB 401-3* | Basic Science of Oncology |
| BCMB 402-3* | Macromolecular Structure |
| BCMB 403-3* | Advanced Nucleic Acids |
| BCMB 405-3* | Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| CHEM 300-3 | Physical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 301-3 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I |
| CHEM 303-3 | Quantum Chemistry |
| CHEM 304-3 | Advanced Organic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 305-3 | Physical Chemistry III |
| CHEM 310-3 | Analytical Chemistry II |
| CHEM 315-3 | Physical Chemistry Lab |
| CHEM 320-3 | Inorganic Chemistry II |
| CHEM 321-3 | Inorganic Chemistry III |
| CHEM 322-3 | Inorganic Chemistry Lab |
| CHEM 402-3 | Topics in Organic Chemistry |
| CHEM 404-3 | 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