About

Chemistry focuses on what happens to matter at the molecular and subatomic levels. In other words, it is the study of how virtually everything in the world really works. Chemists are at the forefront of scientific discovery in a wide variety of fields such as medicine, drug discovery, nanotechnology, new material design and the environment.


Quick facts
  • Three or four year degree
  • Full or part-time program
  • You can enter this program directly from high school
  • You can begin this program off-campus

What you will learn

You will learn how molecules interact, how and why chemical reactions occur and how to control these processes. You will learn how to find answers to important questions such as: how do we harvest light to make energy, how do we build molecules that cure disease and how do plants protect themselves from pathogen attack? Through appropriate course selection, you can specialize in analytical, bioorganic, computational, inorganic, organic, organometallic, physical or theoretical chemistry.  

A first-year schedule sample

Here’s what a typical first-year schedule might look like:

Course Description

Fall Term
CHEM 112a General Chemistry I Structure Bonding and Properties of Materials
MATH 110b Calculus I
ENG 113c Literature and Composition Reading Narrative
PHYS 115a Physics and the Universe
INDG 107d Introduction to Canadian Indigenous Studies

Winter Term
CHEM 115a General Chemistry II Chemical Processes
CHEM 250a Introduction to Organic Chemistry
MATH 116b Calculus II
PHYS 117 or PHYS 125a Physics for the Life Sciences or Physics and Technology
HIST 155c History Matters Science and Environment

a Required course for the major
b One of the course options to complete the Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
c One of the course options to complete the English Language Writing Requirement
d One of the course options to complete the Indigenous Learning Requirement

The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.

CHEM 242: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
The study of the structure of matter and the changes it undergoes. Topics include properties of materials, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria and chemical kinetics. The laboratory provides experience with the use of physical-chemical equipment and problem solving skills.

CHEM 332: Inorganic Chemistry II
An introduction to transition metal chemistry including molecular symmetry coordination chemistry, electronic structure and properties of d-metal complexes, characterization techniques in inorganic chemistry and organometallic chemistry of the d-block. The laboratory work includes experiments on the preparation, characterization and applications of transition metal compounds.

CHEM 450: Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry
Selected topics that are not dealt with or are covered only at an elementary level in other organic chemistry courses offered by the department. Possible topics include organic synthesis, organic reaction mechanisms, natural products, organometallic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, carbohydrate chemistry and organic photochemistry.

Hands-on experience
In the last two years of study, you will have the opportunity to conduct hands-on, personalized research projects under the direct supervision of our distinguished faculty members. 

Facilities
You will receive hands-on education in our new, modern laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation. Many of our students have the opportunity to conduct research projects in Canada’s only synchrotron, which is conveniently located on the U of S campus.

Careers

A degree in chemistry opens the door to a diverse array of employment opportunities, including jobs in the pharmaceutical and petrochemical industries, the environmental and material sciences and in emerging areas such as nanotechnology. At the same time, chemists develop critical thinking and problem solving skills that make them attractive to employers in careers outside science such as law and business.

Here are just a few examples of career opportunities:

  • Professional chemist
  • Analytical chemist
  • Environmental chemist
  • Process chemist
  • Research and development scientist
  • Intellectual property researcher
  • Science policy advisor
  • Forensic lab analyst
  • Quality control and quality assurance
  • Occupational health and safety officer
  • Chemical information specialist
  • Paint formulation chemist
  • Food and drug analyst
  • Mining chemist
  • University instructional lab coordinator
  • Laboratory manager

Tuition estimates

Canadian students International students
Tuition $7,026 $21,078
Fees $988 $988
Books $1,500 $1,500
Total $9,514 $23,566

Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay in your first year if you enroll in a full course load, the maximum number of courses allowed (2021-2022 Canadian dollar rates).
Fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $1,500-$2,500 per year.

Program options

These Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) Chemistry degrees are offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science:

You should consult with an academic advisor in the college when you begin your studies to decide if you want a four-year, three-year or honours degree.

Admission requirements and deadlines

Deadlines

Start term Application DeadlineInternational Deadline
Winter
January 2024
Dec 1, 2023
Documents due: Dec 15, 2023
Sep 1, 2023
Documents due: Oct 1, 2023
Spring
May 2024
Apr 1, 2024
Documents due: May 1, 2024
Feb 1, 2024
Documents due: Mar 1, 2024
Summer
July 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Mar 1, 2024
Documents due: Apr 1, 2024
Fall
September 2024
Aug 15, 2024
Documents due: Aug 15, 2024
May 1, 2024
Documents due: Jun 1, 2024
Winter
January 2025
Dec 1, 2024
Documents due: Dec 15, 2024
Sep 1, 2024
Documents due: Oct 1, 2024

Ready to apply?

A non-refundable application fee of $90 CDN is required before your application will be processed.

Explore related programs

If you are looking for graduate level (Master or Ph.D.) programs please consult our graduate students' website.

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