Chemistry (BSc Program)

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