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Chemistry

Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (Honours)
Program Website: ryerson.ca/science/programs/undergraduate/chemistry (opens in new window) 
Administered by: Department of Chemistry and Biology
Program Format: Full-time, four-year program.
Full-time, five-year co-op program.

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry Co-operative degrees have received full accreditation from the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC).

Chemistry is a diverse field that can open many doors for the students who choose to major in this field. Through detailed instruction of the principles of matter and energy, this program strives to imbue our undergraduates with a passion for chemical applications in such channels as: the creation of new materials and products, environmental protection, and antibiotics.

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses, including Grade 12 U courses in: English, Advanced Functions (MHF4U), two of Biology (SBI4U) or Chemistry (SCH4U) or Physics (SPH4U).

Notes:
  1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
  2. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the range of 70 percent) will be determined subject to competition. 
  3. Completion of all three science courses is recommended. Chemistry (SCH4U) is strongly recommended. 
  4. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

First Year: The BSc (Hons) in Chemistry shares a point of entry with the programs in Biology and Medical Physics. This allows students to explore various science-based routes to degree completion before they commit to the Chemistry program. In addition to foundation courses, the first year of studies will include an introduction to the use of computers as scientific tools, and an orientation course that will support students in making a successful transition to university and planning their steps to degree completion. All students in Science programs must enroll in SCI 180 in their first semester of studies.

Upper Years: Because this is a strongly applications-oriented program, a large proportion of student learning will take place in the laboratory. Lab hours account for a significant amount of learning time in every semester, supported by a solid grounding in the theory and principles of chemical science. In the upper years of the curriculum, students will focus on developing their technological expertise and exploring the research and industrial applications of chemical science. Depending on the course sequence selected they may pursue a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry, Chemistry with a Biology Minor, Chemistry with an option in Applied Physics.

In the final year, with permission of the Department, students may opt to undertake an independent, faculty-supervised thesis project.

Chemistry with a Biology Minor: Students who wish to pursue a Biology Minor may do so by selecting six biology courses from Table I as professional and professionally-related electives, subject to the Biology Minor requirements and restrictions. Please refer to the Minors Policy chapter of this calendar for further information.

Co-operative Program

An optional co-operative program is available which provides the graduating students with up to 20 months of work experience that enhances their organizational and technical abilities as well as their oral and written communication skills.

Although the Office of Co-operative Education (opens in new window)  cannot guarantee a placement, they provide assistance in locating suitable positions and counseling of students in their search for suitable jobs. This co-operative program enables students to earn competitive wages to offset the costs of a university education.

Students who have completed the first year of the program must apply through this department for admission to the co-operative program before the beginning of the second year. Enrolment in the co-op program is limited. Admission will be based on the student's grade point average.

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program:

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

Students must successfully complete a minimum of three terms in order to graduate from the co-op program.

The co-op program requires five years to complete the degree in Chemistry. The regular program can be completed in four years.

All co-op placements must be approved by the Office of Co-operative Education (opens in new window)  and the Dean's designate responsible for administering science programs.

Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OS MS)

Students can enrich their studies and hone their management skills with the Optional Specialization in Management Sciences. Courses within the optional specialization cover four major areas in management sciences: Strategic Engineering Management, Operations Management/Operations Research, Finance and Organizational Behaviour. For eligibility, registration, and course information see Optional Specialization in Management Sciences (OS MS).

Research Practicum

SCI 999 - Research Practicum gives students the chance to gain hands-on research experience, in a lab or in the field, by engaging in the research work of a faculty member. Ryerson records participation in the practicum on the student’s Official Transcript.

SCI 999 is a non-credit, pass-fail course that is not used to fulfil degree program requirements. Students who meet the expectations for the research will get a passing grade. These expectations will be worked out between the student and the professor at enrolment. To take part in SCI 999, students must have a CGPA of 2.5 or more, and they must commit to a minimum of 5 to 10 hours each week (on average) for one term.

There are no tuition fees associated with this practicum.

How to Enrol

  1. Students must first find a supervisor. Descriptions of faculty research are available on the Faculty of Science website (opens in new window) .
  2. Students should contact supervisors whose research interests them by email or in person. Students must give their potential supervisor an unofficial transcript (opens in new window) , a one-page resumé and a brief covering letter. This package must include their contact information, degree program and stream, a brief statement of their career goals and how this research experience would further those goals, and any relevant work experience (paid or volunteer).
  3. Fill out the Research Practicum Application Form (available at the office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in VIC-741). When students find a faculty member who agrees to supervise them, they will both fill out and sign the Application Form.
  4. Enrol in the course. After the course director has approved the form, students must take it to the office of the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs (opens in new window)  at VIC-741.

Career Opportunities

The field of chemistry is diversifying in many exciting ways, from the creation of new materials and advances in analytical chemistry, to the growth of entire new opportunities in biological chemistry arising from developments in computational chemistry, proteomics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. As a graduate from the program, you'll be in demand.

Here are just a few examples of career directions:

  • Scientist, Researcher, or Science Manager (government, academia, or industry) through further studies and completion of a master's degree or a PhD
  • Regulatory Official (biotechnology and environment sector)
  • Product Development (chemical, food, biopharmaceutical and cosmetic industries)
  • Quality Control (food, biopharmaceutical and cosmetic industries)
  • Patent Agent/Lawyer (pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors, law firms, patent agency)
  • Laboratory Analytical Services (health sciences, environmental assessment, regulatory compliance)
     

Liberal Studies

Students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

PCS 111, BLG 181, BMS 150, CHY 182, CHY 183 and SCI courses are not available for credit.

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Contemporary Science, Medical Physics

BLG 599, BLG 699, CHY 583, MTH 511, and MTH 599 are not available for credit.

Minors

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Ryerson (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education Certificates

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

Chemistry - Common First Year

1st & 2nd Semester

1st Semester

REQUIRED:

BLG 143 Biology I
CHY 103 General Chemistry I
CPS 118 Introductory Programming for Scientists
MTH 131 Modern Mathematics I
PCS 120 Physics I
SCI 180* Orientation


* This course is graded on a pass/fail basis. 

2nd Semester

REQUIRED:

BLG 144 Biology II
CHY 113 General Chemistry II
MTH 231 Modern Mathematics II
PCS 130 Physics II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

Chemistry (Regular Program)

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 142 Organic Chemistry I
CHY 213 Analytical Chemistry I
CHY 381 Physical Chemistry I
MTH 330 Calculus and Geometry

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

BCH 261 Biochemistry
CHY 223 Analytical Chemistry II
CHY 242 Organic Chemistry II
CHY 382 Physical Chemistry II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 330 Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy
CHY 331 Basic Chromatography
CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH 380 Probability and Statistics I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 339 Characterization of Organic Compounds
CHY 449 Inorganic Chemistry II
PCS 400 Quantum Physics I

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses from Table I.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Four courses from Table I.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 423 Environmental Science

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Three courses from Table I.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 142 Organic Chemistry I
CHY 213 Analytical Chemistry I
CHY 381 Physical Chemistry I
MTH 330 Calculus and Geometry

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

BCH 261 Biochemistry
CHY 223 Analytical Chemistry II
CHY 242 Organic Chemistry II
CHY 382 Physical Chemistry II

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester (Offered in Fall Term Only)

REQUIRED:

CHY 330 Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy
CHY 331 Basic Chromatography
CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH 380 Probability and Statistics I

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

6th Semester (Offered in Winter Term Only)

Revised curriculum first offered Winter 2018 to students admitted Fall 2014 and after. 

REQUIRED:

CHY 339 Characterization of Organic Compounds
CHY 449 Inorganic Chemistry II
PCS 400 Quantum Physics I

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses from Table I.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Four courses from Table I.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 423 Environmental Science

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Three courses from Table I.

  

Co-operative Work Terms

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program:

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

Chemistry - Applied Physics Option

This option will be of interest to students who wish to pursue a chemistry degree with a greater emphasis on physical chemistry and a more interdisciplinary focus toward physics. By selecting from a range of professional and professionally-related electives, students may acquire expertise in solid state physics, biophysics, radiation biology or medical diagnostic techniques – all within the context of an undergraduate chemistry program. This option begins in third semester. Students who wish to select the Applied Physics Option must make an Academic Plan change when choosing their courses for second year. Students may choose to pursue a regular or co-operative educational program within this option.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

Revised 2017-2018.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 142 Organic Chemistry I
CHY 381 Physical Chemistry I
MTH 108 Linear Algebra
MTH 330 Calculus and Geometry

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 242 Organic Chemistry II
CHY 382 Physical Chemistry II
MTH 430 Dynamic Systems Differential Equations
PCS 230 Photonics and Optical Devices

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester

Last offered Fall 2017.

REQUIRED:

CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
PCS 300 Modern Physics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table II.

Revised curriculum begins Fall 2018 for students admitted Fall 2016 and after.

REQUIRED:

CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH 380 Probability and Statistics I
PCS 300 Modern Physics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table II.

6th Semester

REQUIRED:

PCS 228 Electricity and Magnetism
PCS 335 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
PCS 400 Quantum Physics I

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses from Table II.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Four courses from Table II.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 423 Environmental Science

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Three courses from Table II.

  

3rd & 4th Semester

Revised 2017-2018.

3rd Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 142 Organic Chemistry I
CHY 381 Physical Chemistry I
MTH 108 Linear Algebra
MTH 330 Calculus and Geometry

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

4th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 242 Organic Chemistry II
CHY 382 Physical Chemistry II
MTH 430 Dynamic Systems Differential Equations
PCS 230 Photonics and Optical Devices

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

  

5th & 6th Semester

5th Semester (Offered in Fall Term Only)

Last offered Fall 2017.

REQUIRED:

CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
PCS 300 Modern Physics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table A - Lower Level Liberal Studies.

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table II.

Revised curriculum begins Fall 2018 for students admitted Fall 2016 and after.

REQUIRED:

CHY 344 Inorganic Chemistry
MTH 380 Probability and Statistics I
PCS 300 Modern Physics

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
One course from Table II.

6th Semester (Offered in Winter Term Only)

Revised curriculum first offered Winter 2018 to students admitted Fall 2014 and after.

REQUIRED:

PCS 228 Electricity and Magnetism
PCS 335 Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
PCS 400 Quantum Physics I

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Two courses from Table II.

  

7th & 8th Semester

7th Semester

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Four courses from Table II.

8th Semester

REQUIRED:

CHY 423 Environmental Science

LIBERAL STUDIES:
One course from Table B - Upper Level Liberal Studies.

PROFESSIONAL AND PROFESSIONALLY-RELATED:
Three courses from Table II.

Co-operative Work Terms

The following table shows the sequence of academic and work terms for this program:

WKT courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see  (PDF file) Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

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