Chemistry (BSc)

Requirements for a Major

Students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements, and all core courses listed below. 

Note: Most core and elective courses have prerequisites and students should check prerequisites carefully. Students are encouraged to declare their goals as early as possible, including before they start their degree or after they have started taking courses. They should consult the B.Sc. Degree Advisor when planning their program.

Core Courses

The Core component of the degree, combined with appropriate electives, gives students sufficient knowledge and experience in their field to facilitate entry into graduate or professional schools, or into employment in their field.

Note: Students are strongly encouraged to complete all Year 1 and Year 2 core requirements in the order listed to minimize potential scheduling conflicts later in their degree.

Elective Courses

Students are encouraged to choose elective courses that complement their interests and can focus their upper-level CHEM electives in areas of specific interest like Biological or Environmental Chemistry. Students are also encouraged to consider coursework that will lead to a Minor in another area. 

* CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+. CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement. Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.

Note: BIOL 123 (or BIOL 123A with BIOL 123L) is recommended for BIOL 201, which is required for the Major in Chemistry.

* May be taken in Year 3. 
  

Additional Experiential Learning Opportunities (credits taken as electives):
CHEM 380 - (Independent Work Experience in Chemistry) (3 credits)
CHEM 390 - (Field Studies in Chemistry) (3 credits)
CHEM 490 – (Independent Project Lab) (3 credits)
CHEM 491 - (Undergraduate Research Project) (6 credits)

The Chemistry Department encourages education gained by participating in active research. Students have the option to complete an independent project (CHEM 490) or research project (CHEM 491) near the end of their degree. For these courses, students carry out their research under the direction of a faculty supervisor from the Chemistry Department (in some cases, faculty may be from another Department). Students interested in taking CHEM 490 or 491 should consult a faculty member as early as possible in their academic career. Additional experiential learning opportunities include CHEM 380 and CHEM 390. If available, students may complete these courses using General Elective or Upper-level Elective credits. Details of the special registration process required for CHEM 380, 390, 490, and 491 may be obtained from the Chemistry Chair of a B.Sc. Degree Advisor.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all Institutional B.Sc. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

* CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+. CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement. Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.

** Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course choices.

*** Check individual course prerequisites.

Notes:

• CHEM 490 and CHEM 491 require 6 and 9 upper-level CHEM credits, respectively, and the permission of the faculty advisor and Department Chair.
• Not all courses are offered every year; please check the website (VIU Chemistry) to find out which courses are offered each year.

• General admission requirements apply.
• A minimum "B" grade in either Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12. 

Notes on Admission

• Courses in first year have different prerequisites. To satisfy all first year course prerequisites, students must complete all of the following B.C. Secondary School course requirements:
  • A minimum grade of "C" in English 12;
  • A minimum grade of "C+" in each of Chemistry 11 and 12 and Physics 12 (Principles of Physics 12)*; and,
  • A minimum grade of "B" in Mathematics 12 (Pre-calculus 12 or Principles of Mathematics 12).
  • *Some seats are available for students who have only completed Chemistry 11 and/or Physics 11 (Principles of Physics 11) with a minimum "C+".
• A minimum grade of "C+" in either Biology 11 or 12 is required for students wishing to take first year biology (BIOL 121 or 123, or BIOL 121A with BIOL 121L or BIOL 123A with BIOL 123L). BIOL 123 (or BIOL 123A with BIOL 123L) is recommended for BIOL 201, which is required for the Major in Year 2 or 3.
• Students who do not satisfy all of the first-year course prerequisites will not likely be able to complete the full degree program in four years. Students who are lacking any or all of the first-year course prerequisites should speak with a VIU Advisor about upgrading courses.
• Students with a two-year diploma in a field related to the Chemical Sciences may receive advanced standing, depending upon their program.
• Transcripts from other institutions for courses used towards the B.Sc., Major in Chemistry degree must be received by VIU's Registration office by August 15 for the Fall semester, and November 30 for the Spring semester.

Domestic (Canadian)

International