The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers a major in chemistry. The Department also offers jointly, with the Department of Biological Sciences, a multidisciplinary major in biochemistry for the 40-course Bachelor of Science.
The major in chemistry for the 40-course Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts and Science degree programs is accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry. It fulfills the requirements for professional standing in chemistry in Alberta through the Association for the Chemical Profession of Alberta.
Students selecting these degree programs take courses in introductory general chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry.
These main branches of chemistry focus on various aspects of the discipline. Analytical chemistry is the detection and measurement of chemical species wherever these may be found. Inorganic chemistry is the chemistry of most of the known elements, except for the chemistry of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen which is properly the domain of Organic chemistry. Physical chemistry studies the principles which govern how molecules behave, and what causes them to react.
In biochemistry, life, itself, becomes the subject of investigation. The biochemistry major provides students with a strong background in the basic sciences and extensive laboratory experience while emphasizing the chemical and physical basis of life. As a biochemistry student, you will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and technology used in chemistry, Physics and biological sciences, such as molecular biology, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and advanced biophysics.
Students who have selected a general major in the sciences can select chemistry or biochemistry as one of the three streams. Students can also select chemistry or biochemistry as the BSc major for the Combined BSc/BEd or BSc/BMgt programs.
he Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry also participates in the delivery of the following programs:
Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics
This Graduate Certificate in Bioinformatics provides a solid foundation in the theories, methods, and applications of bioinformatics. Students will learn to use a variety of methods and computational tools to process, analyze, interpret, and communicate complex biological data, which are applicable to a variety of scientific fields, including human genetics and precision medicine, livestock and plant genomics, and microbiology. Through this professional graduate certificate, students can enhance their careers in biomedical research, drug development and smart agriculture.
Complete program planning information for these programs can be found here.