Environmental Chemistry
Major in Environmental Chemistry
Note: The UBC Okanagan campus also offers a Major in Chemistry.
This program provides students with a core education in the four important areas of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, with specialization in environmental chemistry. Employment opportunities include positions with environmental consulting firms, environmental departments in industrial operations, analytical laboratories, and environmental regulatory agencies.
Students entering the Major in Environmental Chemistry program must complete Chemistry 11 (or equivalent) and Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12. Students are strongly advised to complete Chemistry 12.
| First Year | Credits |
|---|---|
| CHEM 111 or CHEM 121; and CHEM 113 or CHEM 123 | 6 |
| MATH 100, 101 | 6 |
| ENGL 109, or two of ENGL 112, 113, 114, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, or 156 | 6 |
| PHYS 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS 102, 121 or 122 | 3 |
| BIOL 116, 125; or two of EESC 101, 111, 1211 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| One of CHEM 201, 210 | 3 |
| CHEM 203, 204 | 6 |
| CHEM 211 | 3 |
| CHEM 220 | 3 |
| BIOL 116, 125; or two of EESC 101, 111, 1211 | 6 |
| Arts elective2 | 3 |
| Electives2 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| CHEM 301, 302 | 6 |
| CHEM 311 | 3 |
| CHEM 317 | 3 |
| One of CHEM 330, 333, 403 | 3 |
| Two of CHEM 335, 336, 337, 338 | 3 |
| One of CHEM 412, 434 | 3 |
| CHEM 461 | 3 |
| EESC 309 | 3 |
| EESC 3233 | 3 |
| EESC 4233 | 3 |
| Two approved environmental electives2,4 | 6 |
| Arts electives2 | 9 |
| Electives2 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Students must complete BIOL 116, 125, and two of EESC 101, 111, 121. The order in which these pairs of courses are completed in first and second year is optional.
2At least 18 total credits (including 6 credits in first-year English) must be in Arts courses. At least 6 elective credits must be 300 level or higher.
3Students should be aware that these courses are generally offered only in alternate years, and plan their course selections accordingly.
4The environmental electives must be chosen from outside Chemistry, in consultation with a program advisor.
Students are encouraged to take courses offered in other disciplines that are relevant to the B.Sc. in Environmental Chemistry. Such courses often have prerequisites, so students should start planning their electives early in their degree program.
Environmental Chemistry Honours Program
The Honours in Environmental Chemistry program is designed to provide an intensive program of study through coursework and research experience. Students who complete this program will have the ability to work independently and with a high level of competency. The course requirements are the same as in the Major in Environmental Chemistry program, except 6 credits of the elective component of the program must be in CHEM 449.
Admission Requirements
- Fourth-year standing (minimum of 78 credits in the Environmental Chemistry Major).
- Minimum grade average of 76% in all courses taken applicable to the Environmental Chemistry Major.
- Enrolment in CHEM 449 with a research project and a research supervisor approved by the Chemistry Curriculum Committee.
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of the course requirements for the Major in Environmental Chemistry.
- A minimum 76% graduating grade average (GGA).
- CHEM 449 with a minimum grade of 76%. A written thesis, public poster presentation, and public thesis defence.
