Chemistry (biological)

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Campus: St. John's Faculty: Faculty of Science
Department: Chemistry Honours available: Yes
Degree(s): Bachelor of science; Joint arts and science degree
Length: Four years
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This is a chemistry degree with a solid base in biology which is designed specifically to prepare students for further specialization in the chemistry of biological systems but also serves as an appropriate background for graduate studies in any area of chemistry. The degree will also serve those students who wish to enter health related careers such as medicine and those who wish to pursue other chemistry related careers. The degree also provides two teachable subjects for students interested in teaching at the intermediate and secondary school levels.

Chemistry at Memorial

The Department of Chemistry has state-of-the-art spectroscopic and other analytical instrumentation as well as the high performance computer facilities of ACEnet. We also have extensive computing facilities for chemistry majors and honours students.

Admission requirements

You may apply for admission into the Faculty of Science by indicating bachelor of science as your program choice on the undergraduate application for admission.

Direct entry into the Faculty of Science from high school is subject to meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, including appropriate courses in mathematics and a laboratory science.

Admission to the major

In order to declare the chemistry (biological) major, you must complete the following 30 credit hours (10 courses):

  • six credit hours in chemistry
  • six credit hours in mathematics
  • six credit hours in physics (recommended) or six credit hours in another science other than mathematics
  • six credit hours in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses, including at least three credit hours in English
  • six credit hours in biology

You are expected to achieve a 65% average or better in your first-year chemistry, mathematics and physics courses.

Upon completion of these courses, you must contact the Department of Chemistry to declare the major. You are encouraged to complete these courses in their first two semesters. Exceptional students may be accepted as chemistry majors after one semester.

Sample first year

Wondering what courses you would take in your first year? Check out a sample program of suggested courses for chemistry (biological) students.

Sample courses beyond first year

CHEM 2302 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
HUBI 2901 - Biochemistry Laboratory
BIOL 2250 - Principles of Genetics

Career opportunities

A bachelor of science degree, with a major in chemistry (biological), prepares students for a variety of careers including:

  • business
  • chemist
  • medicine
  • teacher
  • research (MSc or PhD degrees)
  • law
  • professor
  • forensic scientist

Note: some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.