Laurentian University Programs
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Chemistry

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Architecture

Study the properties of the matter which make up living and non-living things with a degree in Chemistry.

Program Overview

Become a chemist and be a leader in several challenging and in-demand careers for today’s technology-oriented society.

What is chemistry? 

Chemistry is the study of matter, which is everything around us, and how it changes. It looks at the tiny particles, the atoms and molecules, that make up different substances and how they interact with each other. Chemists explore things like how substances combine, break apart, or react under different conditions, and they use this knowledge to create new materials, medicines, and solutions to everyday problems.

What you’ll learn

As a student in the Chemistry program at Laurentian University, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the structure and properties of molecules. In the first two years of the program, you will acquire a strong foundation in the basic principles of Chemistry. You’ll then use this knowledge in the final two years to gain a deep understanding of subjects such as instrumental analysis, spectroscopy, medicinal chemistry, green chemistry, natural products chemistry and many more.  

Hands-on experience

Our small class size provides unique opportunities, such as paid teaching assistantships, one-on-one instruction during labs, and the use of research-grade equipment. With over 400 hours of required lab work, an honours thesis and the option of co-op and internship placements, our students acquire hands-on skills which are sought after by employers.

When you graduate

When you complete the program, you’ll graduate with the skills needed to pursue careers in the health professions, R&D and quality control for a variety of industries, science communication, education and many others.

The program provides a solid foundation for medical school, dental school, optometry school, and veterinary school. You can also continue your studies in biology with our Master of Science in Chemical Sciences program or pursue a Master of Science Communication.

Take advantage of many experiential learning opportunities such as summer jobs in research labs, an honours thesis, a co-op option, and internships.

Small classes provide unique opportunities, such as paid teaching assistantships, one-on-one instruction in labs, and the use of research-grade instrumentation.

Certificate in Environmental Solutions
Explore the intersection of science and environmental advocacy through the certificate, choosing between courses in Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, History, Law, and more. This certificate is available to students in all programs and equips students with the knowledge to address pressing environmental challenges.

Career Outlook

With a chemistry degree, you can work in healthcare, biotechnology, environmental science, or research. Some career options include, but are not limited to:

  • Chemist (analytical, cosmetic, flavour, environmental, medicinal, organic, inorganic, polymer, etc.)
  • Clinical lab technologist
  • Healthcare professional, such as a dentist, doctor, optometrist, pharmacist, etc. (requires advanced studies)
  • Laboratory technician
  • Patent lawyer (requires law school)
  • Pharmaceutical scientist 
  • Quality control specialist
  • Research and development officer (life sciences, pharmaceutical and biomedical research, biotechnology)
  • Science communicator
  • Science teacher
  • Toxicologist
Kelsey Whidden is wearing safety glasses and has a chemistry poster behind her

I chose Laurentian for its focus on hands-on laboratory experiments. Being able to perform experiments has facilitated my professional growth as a chemist.

At Laurentian University, I became involved in the Chemistry and Biochemistry club and soon became president. The club organizes exciting events throughout the year that both the students and the faculty participate in. Not only have these events helped me make new friends, they have also helped me get to know my professors. This has encouraged me to ask more questions, participate more in class, and overall, enhanced my learning experience.

The Chemistry and Biochemistry department at Laurentian University has truly provided me with experiences and opportunities that have helped and will continue to help me thrive in my time at Laurentian University.

Kelsey Whidden

Program Details

Program language:

English

Delivery method:

On Campus

Contact info

School of Natural Sciences
(705) 675-1151 ext. 2100
F-519
nat-sci@laurentian.ca

Please contact the email above, and our recruitment team will get back to you!

More About The Program

A flowchart of the program can be found here.

Visit the School of Natural Sciences for more information

Admission Requirements

Ontario High School Applicants

Program Prerequisites:

  • 1 grade 12 English U/M course; 1 grade 12 4U Advanced Functions; 2 grade 12 U Science courses or 1 Science + 1 Math; 2 other grade 12 U/M courses (Chemistry and Calculus recommended)
  • A minimum overall average of 70% in the 6 best grade 12 U/M courses


Additional information for applicants who have completed Advanced Placement courses.

Additional information for applicants who have completed the International Baccalaureate.

 

Applicants from outside an Ontario High School 

International Students

Canadian High School Applicants from outside Ontario

Applicants from Colleges

Applicants from other Universities

Mature Students

How To Apply

Canadian Applicants

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you must complete your application through the Ontario Universities Application Center (OUAC).

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: Canadian Undergraduate Applicants page.


Apply Now as a Domestic Applicant

International Applicants

If you’re an international applicant, you must fill out the International Application Form.

For detailed instructions on the application process, see the How to Apply: International Students page.


Apply Now as an International Applicant

Degree Options

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chemistry

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

 

Specialization in Chemistry

First Year

CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I*

CHMI 1007E     General Chemistry II

MATH 1036E     Calculus I**

MATH 1037E     Calculus II

PHYS 1006E     Introductory Physics I

PHYS 1007E     Introductory Physics II

12 elective credits#

*  Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.

**Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912

 

Second Year

CHMI 2117E     Introductory Quantitative Analysis

CHMI 2316E     Inorganic Chemistry I

CHMI 2426E     Organic Chemistry I

CHMI 2427E     Organic Chemistry II

CHMI 2516E     Introductory Physical Chemistry I

CHMI 2517E     Introductory Physical Chemistry II

MATH 1057E     Linear Algebra I

9 elective credits#

 

§This program has a co-op option. Please contact the School of Natural Sciences for more information.

 

Third Year

CHMI 2227E     Biochemistry I

CHMI 3116E     Instrumental Techniques in Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Sciences

CHMI 3316E     Inorganic Chemistry II

CHMI 3317E     Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHMI 3416E     Spectroscopic Techniques in Organic Chemistry

CHMI 3537E     Introduction to Quantum Chemistry

NATS 3106E     Scientific Writing and Communication

STAT 2246E     Statistics for Scientists

3 credits from:

     ENGR 2026E     Engineering Materials

     MATH 2037E     Advanced Calculus

     MATH 2066E     Introduction to Differential Equations

3 elective credits#

 

§This program has a co-op option. Please contact the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for more information.

 

Fourth Year

NATS 4005E     Honours Thesis*

     OR   NATS 4106E     Literature Review and 3cr CHMI at the 3rd or 4th year level

24 elective credits#

 

* A student must have at least a cumulative GPA of 6 (B) in all CHMI courses to take NATS 4005.

 

# Elective credits

- students must include a minimum of 12 credits from the Arts

- students must include a minimum of 3 credits in Biology, Geology, Engineering, or Environmental Science

- NATS 3206EL (Internship) can be taken to satisfy this requirement

- SCOM 4006EL is recommended as an elective

- students must take a minimum of 15 elective CHMI credits at the third or fourth year level in at least 3 different chemistry sub-disciplines.

  •      General Chemistry (CHMI 30XX/40XX)
  •      Analytical Chemistry (CHMI 31XX/41XX)
  •      Inorganic Chemistry (CHMI 33XX/43XX)
  •      Organic Chemistry (CHMI 34XX/44XX)
  •      Physical Chemistry (CHMI 35XX/45XX)

 

Notes:  

Many universities require a minimum of 18 CHMI credits at the fourth year level for admission to graduate programs.

Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

 

Students enrolled in the Specialization in Chemistry may choose to add a stream to their degree program. Streams are available in Industrial Chemistry, Geochemistry, Material Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry. This feature is designed to emphasize the various interfaces that exist between Chemistry and other disciplines in Science and Engineering, and allows students to tailor their program in accordance with their career objectives. Students choosing a stream will take the prescribed courses within their elective credits. They should consult with an academic advisor when planning their program of study and notify the Office of the Registrar of their intention to complete a stream.

 

Industrial Chemistry Stream

ENGR 2036E     Engineering Thermodynamics I

ENGR 2276E     Chemical Process Calculations

6 credits from:

     ENGR 2106E     Introduction to Mineral Resources Engineering

     ENGR 2227E     Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

     ENGR 3226E     Hydrometallurgy

     ENGR 3246E     Corrosion and Protection of Metals

     ENGR 3416E     Mass Transfer

 

Geochemistry Stream

GEOL 1006E     Introductory Geology I

GEOL 2126E     Mineralogy I

GEOL 2807E     Geochemistry I

3 credits from:

     CHMI 2126E     Environmental Chemistry

     CHMI 3326E     Aquatic Chemistry

     CHMI 3006E     Green Chemistry

     GEOL 4127E     Advanced Mineralogy

     GEOL 4706E     Hydrogeology

 

Material Chemistry Stream *

12 credits from:

     ENGR 1056E     Applied Mechanics I

     ENGR 2026E     Engineering Materials

     ENGR 2076E     Mechanics and Strength of Materials I

     GEOL 1006E     Introductory Geology I

     GEOL 2126E     Mineralogy I

     PHYS 3046E     Mechanical Properties of Solids and Fluids

     PHYS 4426E     Introductory Solid State Physics

* Students should include CHMI 4396 as a CHMI elective from the CHMI 4300 series.

 

Environmental Chemistry Stream **

CHMI 2126E     Environmental Chemistry

GEOL 1006E     Introductory Geology or BIOL 1506E Biology I

6 credits from:

     BIOL 2356E     Principles of Ecology

     BIOL 3056E     Mineral Exploitation and the Biosphere

     BIOL 4076E     Ecosystem Ecology

     CHMI 2041E     Introductory Environmental Chemistry

     CHMI 3006E     Green Chemistry

     CHMI 3326E     Aquatic Chemistry

     CHMI 4186E     Topics in Radiochemistry

     CHMI 4286E     Environmental Biochemistry

     ENGR 2106E     Introduction to Mineral Resources Engineering

     ENGR 3126E     Occupational Health Engineering

     ENGR 4117E     Engineering, Technology and Society

     ENSC 1406E     Earth's Environmental Systems

     ENSC 3136E     Watershed Hydrology

     ENSC 3226E     Environmental Radioactivity

     ENSC 3246E     Aquatic Ecology

     ENSC 4116E     Environmental Remediation

     GEOL 3397E     Introductory Soil Science

     GEOL 4706E     Hydrogeology

** Students should include CHMI 4197 as a CHMI elective from the CHMI 4100 series.

 

Co-Op Schedule

In general, there are two times at which students can take a Co-Op placement (see table below):

  1. a four-month placement during the summer after second year; and
  2. a twelve to sixteen month placement after third year.

A 2nd year placement is not a requirement for eligibility to enroll in a 3rd year placement.

 

 

Fall term

September to December

Winter term

January to April

Summer

May to August

First year

Academic term 1

Academic term 2

 

 

Second year

Academic term 3

Academic term 4

Co-Op 2nd year placement

CHMI 0000EL

Third year

Academic term 5

Academic term 6

Start of 3rd year placement

CHMI 0000EL

Co-Op year

3rd year placement CHMI 0000-EL

3rd year placement CHMI 0000-EL

3rd year placement CHMI 0000-EL

Fourth year

Academic term 7

Academic term 8

 

 

 

Students who successfully complete 16 months (four terms of CHMI 0000EL) of Co-Op are eligible to receive a discipline specific Co-Op degree.  This will appear on their university transcript.

 

Option in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, see  Program page

 

Major in Chemistry

CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I*

CHMI 1007E     General Chemistry II**

18 credits from List A

12 credits from List B at the 3000 level

6 credits from List B at the 4000 level

12 first year Science credits:

     MATH 1036E     Calculus I**

     MATH 1037E     Calculus II or MATH 1057E Linear Algebra I

     PHYS 1006E     Introductory Physics I

     PHYS 1007E     Introductory Physics II

12 credits from Arts

54 elective credits#

 

*  Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.

** Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912.

# Students must complete either a minor (24 credits) or a second major (42 credits) from the courses not used in the Chemistry major.

Note:    Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program.

 

Bachelor of Science (General) in Chemistry

Students must follow these regulations in order to meet graduation requirements for the BA or B.Sc.

 

Concentration in Chemistry

First Year

CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I*

CHMI 1007E     General Chemistry II

MATH 1036E     Calculus I**

MATH 1037E     Calculus II

PHYS 1006E     Introductory Physics I

PHYS 1007E     Introductory Physics II

12 elective credits#

 

*  Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.

**Students lacking grade 12 4U Advanced Functions or who have attained a grade of less than 60% must first take MATH 1912.

 

Second Year

CHMI 2117E     Introductory Quantitative Analysis

CHMI 2316E     Inorganic Chemistry I

CHMI 2426E     Organic Chemistry I

CHMI 2427E     Organic Chemistry II

CHMI 2516E     Introductory Physical Chemistry I

CHMI 2517E     Introductory Physical Chemistry II

MATH 1057E     Linear Algebra I

9 elective credits#

 

Third Year

CHMI 2227E     Biochemistry I

CHMI 3316E     Inorganic Chemistry II

CHMI 3317E     Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHMI 3416E     Spectroscopic Techniques in Organic Chemistry

CHMI 3537E     Introduction to Quantum Chemistry

MATH 2037E     Advanced Calculus*

STAT 2246E     Statistics for Scientists       

9 elective credits#

 

*  Students may take MATH 2066 or ENGR 2026 in lieu of MATH 2037

#  Students must include a minimum of 12 credits from the Arts.

Note:    Students may not exceed 48 credits at the 1000 or 9100 level in their degree program

 

Minor in Chemistry

CHMI 1006E     General Chemistry I*

CHMI 1007E     General Chemistry II**

12 credits from CHMI 2000 level courses (List A)

6 credits from  CHMI 3000 or 4000 level courses (List B)

 

Minor in Environmental Chemistry

CHMI 2117E     Introductory Quantitative Analysis

Take 2 of the following 3 courses:

     CHMI 2316E     Inorganic Chemistry I

     CHMI 2426E     Organic Chemistry I

     CHMI 2516E     Introduction to Physical Chemistry

     NOTE: Students taking one or more of these courses as part of another program must replace them with

          courses taken from the list of elective courses in Environmental Chemistry.

Take 5 of the following 8 courses:

     CHMI 2041E     Introductory Environmental Chemistry

     CHMI 2126E     Environmental Chemistry

     CHMI 3006E     Green Chemistry

     CHMI 3116E     Instrumental Techniques for Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Sciences

     CHMI 3326E     Aquatic Chemistry

     CHMI 4186E     Topics in Radiochemistry

     CHMI 4197E     Environmental Analytical Chemistry

     CHMI 4286E     Environmental Biochemistry

*Students may not retain credits for both CHMI 2041 and CHMI 2126.

Students must have completed CHMI 1006 and CHMI 1007 in order to take the Minor in Environmental Chemistry.

List A

CHMI 2117E     Introductory Quantitative Chemistry

CHMI 2227E     Biochemistry I

CHMI 2316E     Inorganic Chemistry I

CHMI 2426E     Organic Chemistry I

CHMI 2427E     Organic Chemistry II

CHMI 2516E     Introductory Physical Chemistry I

CHMI 2517E     Introductory Physical Chemistry II

CHMI 3316E     Inorganic Chemistry II

 

List B

CHMI 3031E     Industrial Inorganic Chemistry

CHMI 3116E     Instrumental Techniques in Chemical, Biochemical and Environmental Sciences

CHMI 3317E     Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 

CHMI 3326E     Aquatic Chemistry

CHMI 3317E     Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHMI 3416E     Spectroscopic Techniques in Organic Chemistry

CHMI 3417E     Topics in Organic Chemistry

CHMI 3427E     Introductory Medicinal Chemistry

CHMI 3446E     Chemical Pharmacognosy

CHMI 3536E     Principles of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy

CHMI 3537E     Introduction to Quantum Chemistry

CHMI 4100 series – 3 credits

CHMI 4300 series – 3 credits

CHMI 4400 series – 3 credits

CHMI 4500 series – 3 credits

 

*  Students lacking grade 12 4U Chemistry must first take CHMI 1031.

 

Certificate in Environmental Chemistry

CHMI 4286E     Environmental Biochemistry

12 credits from:

     ECON 1006E     Introduction to Microeconomics

     ECON 1007E     Introduction to Macroeconomics

     ECON 2057E     Environmental Economics and Policies

     GEOG 1026E     Introduction to Physical Geography

     JURI 1105E     Introduction to Legal Studies

     JURI 2316E     Environmental Law

     PHIL 2217E     Environmental Ethics

15 credits from:

     BIOL 1506E     Biology I

     BIOL 2356E     Principles of Ecology

     BIOL 3056E     Mineral Exploitation and the Biosphere

     CHMI 2041E     Introductory Environmental Chemistry

     ENGR 2106E     Introduction to Mineral Resources Engineering

     ENGR 3126E     Occupational Health Engineering

     ENGR 4117E     Engineering, Technology and Society

     GEOL 1007E     Introductory Geology II

     GEOL 3397E     Introductory Soil Science

     GEOL 4706E     Hydrogeology

 

§ Students interested in the Co-Op program must:

  1. Be in good academic standing (not on probation, etc.) and enrolled in the Specialization in Chemistry, or in the Specialization in Chemistry (Pharmaceutical Chemistry option);
  2. Have a cumulative GPA of at least 6.0;
  3. At the beginning of the placement, must have completed the first two years for a second-year placement or first three years for a third-year placement;
  4. Must have passed the required program courses at the end of the academic year leading up to their placement.

Students who have successfully completed 16 months (four terms) of Co-Op are eligible to receive a discipline specific Co-Op degree. This will appear on their university transcript.

 

Sample Courses

First-year students who have not taken Calculus and Vectors in grade 12 are strongly advised to take MATH 1912 before taking MATH
1036. First-year students who have not taken Chemistry in high school are strongly advised to take CHMI 1031 before taking CHMI 1006.

Some upper-year chemistry courses are not offered every year. Third-year students should consult with their academic advisor before
making their course selection.

A list of required courses in this program is available here.

Faculty Members

Gustavo Arteca
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
M'hamed Chahma
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Louis Mercier
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Sabine Montaut
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Jeffrey Shepherd
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Stefan Siemann
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
James Watterson
Full Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Janice Kenney
Associate Professor, School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences

Sessional Faculty:

  • Christopher McTiernan
  • Roger Pitre
  • Christine Robson

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