Chemistry

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Options available

  • Bachelor of Science
  • Bachelor of Arts & Science
  • Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Education
  • Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Management

Campus

  • Lethbridge

Intake

Fall & Winter

Program description

Chemistry studies the elements that comprise all matter. Everything around us — the air we breathe, water we drink, food we eat, cars we drive, even our bodies — are made from these elements.

There are five main branches of chemistry:

  • analytical focuses on the detection and measurement of chemical species used in fields like forensics.
  • organic deals with carbon compounds, which are the main components of living matter.
  • inorganic delves into all the remaining elements, most of which are found in the mineral world.
  • physical looks at the study of the fundamental principles governing the behavior of matter.
  • theoretical starts by exploring basic physical theories like quantum mechanics in order to provide frameworks within which all chemical phenomena can be understood.

The primary focus of the program is to provide you with extensive theoretical knowledge in all five branches, in addition to enhancing your technical and practical skills with hands-on experience. Throughout the program, you will receive intensive laboratory instruction on the transformation and safe handling of chemical compounds, as well as hands-on training in advanced instrumental techniques such as elemental analysis, optical spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction and mass spectrometry.

As a chemistry student, you will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities that provide the infrastructure to support the research interests of our award-winning faculty, your instructors, as they investigate diverse areas of the chemical sciences including catalysis, nanomaterials and food chemistry.

Minors | Adding a minor to your degree is a great way to explore academic interests beyond your major. A minor is a set of courses comprising a secondary focus of interest. It is generally not related to your major. A minor may be required or optional. Pursue a second passion by adding a minor to your degree.

Honours thesis | If your GPA is high enough in your fourth year, you can opt to complete an undergraduate thesis course. This is an excellent opportunity for you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree.

Experience learning | Our students have a number of experiential learning opportunities available to them including co-operative education, international exchanges, independent and applied studies as well as volunteer opportunities. uLethbridge is the only university in Alberta to offer co-operative education to all majors in the arts & sciences, at both the undergrad and grad level. Transfer students can actually head out on their first work term before ever stepping foot on campus! For example, many transfer students have completed a summer work term before starting classes in September.

Skills acquired | In addition to developing exceptional written and oral communication skills in this program, you’ll also develop strong critical and analytical thinking skills, advanced information acquisition and management skills, as well as precise attention to detail. All of these abilities are highly sought after in the business world and can be applied to practically any scenario.

Possible careers

The knowledge and experience you gain in the program will provide an exceptional stepping stone into a career in the field, whether you choose to continue your studies to a master’s or doctorate, or enter the working world.

  • Agricultural Chemistry
  • Drug Development
  • Food Technology
  • Flavour Chemistry
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Technical Sales
  • Soil Science
  • Industrial Chemical Sales
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Oil & Gas Industry
  • Quality Control
  • Consulting Firms
  • Forensic Science
  • Toxicology
  • Environmental Science
  • Research & Development
  • Oil Sands Technology
  • Pharmaceuticals

Professional disciplines & graduate studies. Your undergraduate degree in chemistry provides an excellent foundation for medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, optometry, dentistry, education, patent law and academia. The University of Lethbridge’s School of Graduate Studies offers programs, at the master and doctoral levels, in more than 60 disciplines — so why not consider pursuing grad school right here in Lethbridge! Whether you choose to do your advanced studies at uLethbridge or another institution, know that your undergraduate degree has set you on the path to post-graduate success.

Admission requirements

General-ALL-ALL

​For admission, Canadian high school students in Alberta must have completed five of the following courses with a minimum 65% average across them:

This course
  • English Language Arts 30-1
Three of these courses
  • Aboriginal Studies 30
  • Art 30 or Art 31
  • Biology 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Choral Music 30, General Music 30, or Instrumental Music 30
  • Dance 35
  • Drama 30
  • Mathematics 30-1 or Mathematics 30-2
  • Mathematics 31
  • Physics 30
  • Science 30
  • Social Studies 30-1
  • Five credits in Advanced-level CTS Computer Science (CSE)
  • One or more distinct languages at the 30 level
One additional
  • That has not already been used
  • May be from the list above
  • Must be at the 30 level
  • Must be worth at least five credits (multiple courses worth a total of five or more credits can be used)
  • Cannot be a Special Project

Program-AS-BA-BASC-Combined-2

This program also requires

If you are taking it as a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts & Science that three of the courses you include are:

  • Biology 30
  • Chemistry 30
  • Mathematics 30-1

If you are taking a combined degree route with Management or Education then Biology 30 is not required.

 

 

First year cost estimator

For Chemistry

Let us help you understand your tuition and fees for your first year at the University of Lethbridge.

Chemistry at the University of Lethbridge has been an amazing experience. They give you opportunities to explore different areas of chemistry, and you gain hands-on lab experience. The teachers are great at guiding their students and encourage you to try new things. The uLethbridge chemistry program helps you use your degree to solve real-life problems in the scientific world.
- Michaela, Chemistry (Co-op)

Sample classes

Course selections for the program will vary, but may include:

  • General Chemistry I&II
  • Analytical Chemistry I&II
  • Organic Chemistry I&II
  • Inorganic Chemistry I&II
  • Physical Chemistry I&II
  • Introductory Biochemistry
  • Advanced Chemistry (Series)