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Calendars > Faculty of Science > Chemistry

Chemistry

Chemistry comprises many specialized fields and interacts with all other areas of science. It is a central science of vital importance to mankind. Theoretical chemistry is closely linked with mathematics and physics. Physical chemistry involves precise physical measurements and is closely associated with physics. Inorganic chemistry has close ties with heterogeneous catalysis, material science and geology. Organic chemistry extends into the fields of biochemistry, immunology, pharmacology and biology. The study of
chemistry ranges from abstract concepts to experimental problems, from quantitative measurements to qualitative effects, from the reactions of atoms to the properties of large polymers. Applications of basic chemistry have given us improved drugs, plastics, fertilizers, textiles, paints and fuels. Knowledge of chemistry is essential in monitoring, understanding and improving the quality of the environment, and in the development of new sources of energy.

Chemistry at the University of Ottawa provides a foundation in the fundamentals. Its professors, all researchers as well as teachers, have received national and international awards for both research and teaching. Several have written textbooks and research monographs that are used throughout the world. Many professors hire students from the department as research assistants during the summer months.

The study of chemistry provides an excellent education in science that opens the door to many career opportunities ranging from pure or applied research in a university, government or industrial laboratory, to teaching, or to a business career encompassing such diverse activities as medicine, law or environmental sciences.

Three years of study are necessary to obtain a BSc with concentration in chemistry, and four years are required to complete the honours degree. Optional courses should be selected in consultation with a faculty member.


All honours students must complete a core program supplemented with a selection of option courses. These options allow specialization in many different areas such as organic chemistry, bio-organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental science, depending upon a student’s interests.


BSc with concentration in Chemistry
Honours BSc in Chemistry
Honours BSc in Chemistry with Computational Chemistry option
Co-operative Program

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BSc with concentration in Chemistry

106


Suggested course stream for full-time students

 
Compulsory first-year courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM1310Principles of Chemistry4
MAT1320Calculus I3
PHY1101Fundamentals of Physics I3
PHY1201Physics Laboratory3
(This course runs from September to April) 
 
Winter:
CHM1320Organic Chemistry I4
PHY1102Fundamentals of Physics II3
 
Either the combination: 
MAT1322Calculus II3
MAT1341Introduction to Linear Algebra3
or the combination of: 
MAT1323Calculus and Matrix Algebra3
plus one of: 
MAT2324Ordinary Differential Equations and Laplace Transformation3
MAT2331Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods4
MAT2378Probability and Statistics for the Natural Sciences3
 
Eight credits (minimum) from:8
BIO1110Introduction to Cell Biology4
BIO1120Introduction to Organismal Biology4
CSI1100Introduction to Computer Science I4
GEO1111Introduction to Earth Systems3
GEO1115Introduction to Earth Materials3
GNG1100Engineering Mechanics4
 
Four credits of introductory engineering4
 
Other compulsory courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM2116Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry2
CHM2120Organic Chemistry II3
CHM2126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry II2
CHM2131Chemical Thermodynamics of Gases and Solutions3
CHM2154Analytical Chemistry3
CHM2352Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM3120Intermediate Organic Chemistry3
CHM3122Applications of Spectroscopy in Chemistry3
CHM3126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry3
CHM3150Transition Metal Chemistry3
CHM3156Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory2
 
Winter:
CHM2118Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry2
CHM2130Physical chemistry: Introduction to the molecular properties of matter3
CHM2136Laboratory of Physical Chemistry2
CHM2311Introduction to Structure and Bonding3
CHM3126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry3
PHY2100Fundamentals of Applied Physics III3
 
Seventeen credits of science electives chosen in consultation with the Faculty adviser. The choice of courses may affect options available in the third and fourth year; check prerequisites carefully.17
 
Two of the following, totaling a minimum of five credits: 
 
Fall:
BCH3170Molecular Biology3
or 
BIO3170Molecular Biology3
 
BIO2127Introduction to Plant Science: Biodiversity to Biotechnology5
or BIO 2125 in the Winter session 
CHG2317Introduction to Chemical Process Analysis and Design3
GEO2163Introduction to Mineralogy3
GEO3163Igneous Petrology3
GEO3164Metamorphic Petrology3
GEO3342Introduction to Hydrogeology3
GEO4382Advanced Geochemistry3
MAT2122Calculus III3
 
MAT2324Ordinary Differential Equations and Laplace Transformation3
or 
MAT2331Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods4
 
MAT3121Complex Analysis I3
MAT3320Mathematics for Engineers3
MIC5124Immunology3
MIC5326Virology3
PHY2106Physics Laboratory2
PHY2310Applied Optics3
PHY2330Mechanics3
PHY4330Advanced Dynamics3
 
Winter:
BCH2140Introduction to Biochemistry3
BCH3120General Intermediary Metabolism3
BIO2123Genetics4
BIO2125Animal Form and Function5
or BIO 2127 in the Fall session 
CHG2319Elements of Chemical Process Synthesis3
CHM2313Environmental Chemistry3
GEO2164Analytical Methods in Mineralogy3
GEO3382Geochemistry3
GEO4342Groundwater Geochemistry3
MAT2125Mathematical Analysis I3
PHY2108Physics Laboratory2
 
Twelve credits of non-science electives12
NOTE: To obtain the BSc with concentration in chemistry, the third-year required courses must be completed, plus eleven additional CHM credits at the 3000- or 4000-level. For these eleven credits a maximum of one laboratory course (either CHM3336 or CHM4116) may be taken for the BSc with concentration in chemistry.
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Honours BSc in Chemistry

134


Suggested course stream for full-time students

 
Compulsory first-year courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM1310Principles of Chemistry4
MAT1320Calculus I3
PHY1101Fundamentals of Physics I3
PHY1201Physics Laboratory3
(This course runs from September to April) 
 
Winter:
CHM1320Organic Chemistry I4
PHY1102Fundamentals of Physics II3
 
Either the combination: 
MAT1322Calculus II3
MAT1341Introduction to Linear Algebra3
or the combination of: 
MAT1323Calculus and Matrix Algebra3
plus one of: 
MAT2324Ordinary Differential Equations and Laplace Transformation3
MAT2331Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods4
MAT2378Probability and Statistics for the Natural Sciences3
 
Eight credits (minimum) from:8
BIO1110Introduction to Cell Biology4
BIO1120Introduction to Organismal Biology4
CSI1100Introduction to Computer Science I4
GEO1111Introduction to Earth Systems3
GEO1115Introduction to Earth Materials3
GNG1100Engineering Mechanics4
 
Four credits of introductory engineering4
 
Other compulsory courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM2116Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry2
CHM2120Organic Chemistry II3
CHM2126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry II2
CHM2131Chemical Thermodynamics of Gases and Solutions3
CHM2154Analytical Chemistry3
CHM2352Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM3120Intermediate Organic Chemistry3
CHM3122Applications of Spectroscopy in Chemistry3
CHM3126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry3
CHM3140Quantum Chemistry3
CHM3150Transition Metal Chemistry3
CHM3156Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory2
 
Winter:
CHM2118Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry2
CHM2130Physical chemistry: Introduction to the molecular properties of matter3
CHM2136Laboratory of Physical Chemistry2
CHM2311Introduction to Structure and Bonding3
CHM3125Polymer and Applied Chemistry3
CHM3336Laboratory of Physical Chemistry2
CHM3371Molecular Spectroscopy and Statistical Mechanics3
CHM4116Advanced Instrumental Analysis Laboratory3
PHY2100Fundamentals of Applied Physics III3
 
Seventeen credits of science electives chosen in consultation with the Faculty advisor. The choice of courses may affect options available in the third and fourth year; check prerequisites carefully.17
 
Two of the following, totaling a minimum of five credits: 
 
Fall:
BCH3170Molecular Biology3
or 
BIO3170Molecular Biology3
 
BIO2127Introduction to Plant Science: Biodiversity to Biotechnology5
or BIO 2125 in the Winter session 
CHG2317Introduction to Chemical Process Analysis and Design3
GEO2163Introduction to Mineralogy3
GEO3163Igneous Petrology3
GEO3164Metamorphic Petrology3
GEO3342Introduction to Hydrogeology3
GEO4382Advanced Geochemistry3
MAT2122Calculus III3
 
MAT2324Ordinary Differential Equations and Laplace Transformation3
or 
MAT2331Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods4
 
MAT3121Complex Analysis I3
MAT3320Mathematics for Engineers3
MIC5124Immunology3
MIC5326Virology3
PHY2106Physics Laboratory2
PHY2310Applied Optics3
PHY2330Mechanics3
PHY4330Advanced Dynamics3
 
Winter:
CHM2313Environmental Chemistry3
BCH2140Introduction to Biochemistry3
BCH3120General Intermediary Metabolism3
BIO2123Genetics4
BIO2125Animal Form and Function5
or BIO 2127 in the Fall session 
CHG2319Elements of Chemical Process Synthesis3
GEO2164Analytical Methods in Mineralogy3
GEO3382Geochemistry3
GEO4342Groundwater Geochemistry3
MAT2125Mathematical Analysis I3
PHY2108Physics Laboratory2
 
A minimum of 26 credits of electives26
Students must take six three credit approved courses at the 3000- or 4000-level. At least one of their courses must be in each of the three areas of concentration (Organic/Medicinal, Inorganic, Physical/Theoretical) listed below.
The other three may come from any of the following four groups of CHM courses.
Up to two of these three courses may come from the 3000- or 4000-level courses in other departments which are listed as science electives for the BSc with concentration in chemistry.
The CHM courses will be offered on a rotating basis in alternate years. The offerings will vary slightly from year to year. Students must check with the department regarding the available courses for a particular semester.
 
Organic/Medicinal: 
CHM4123Medicinal Chemistry3
CHM4139Enzyme and Bio-organic Chemistry3
CHM4325Advanced Organic Synthesis and Reaction Mechanisms3
CHM4328Special Topics in Organic Chemistry3
 
Inorganic: 
CHM4311Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM4313Solid State Chemistry3
CHM4317Organometallic Chemistry3
CHM4319Bio-Inorganic Chemistry3
 
Physical/Theoretical: 
CHM4143Computational Chemistry II3
CHM4182Molecular Dynamics in Chemistry3
CHM4340Applications of Theoretical Chemistry3
CHM4381Photochemistry3
CHM4390Special Topics in Physical Chemistry3
CHM4391Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry3
 
Interdisciplinary: 
CHM4141Computational Chemistry I3
CHM4146Computational Chemistry Laboratory3
CHM4315Advanced Analytical Chemistry3
CHM4380Principles of Instrumentation and Measurement3
 
Twelve credits of non-science electives12
 
Honours Research Project8
One of the following three options for the honours research project:

-A two-semester seven-credit laboratory research project (CHM4006) for regular students, upon application to the department, and a one-credit seminar presentation of results from this research project (CHM4910);

-A one-semester four-credit laboratory research project (CHM4916) for co-op students, upon application to the department, and a one-credit seminar presentation of results from this research project (CHM4910), and an extra 3000- or 4000-level CHM course or 3000- or 4000-level course listed as a science elective for the BSc with concentration in chemistry programme;


-A three-credit directed studies research project (CHM4900) for regular or co-op students, and two extra 3000- or 4000-level CHM courses or 3000- or 4000-level courses listed as science electives for the BSc with concentration in chemistry programme.
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Honours BSc in Chemistry with Computational Chemistry option

133


Over the last decade, the role of computers in chemistry has dramatically increased. In the classroom, they offer exciting new possibilities to better visualize fundamental aspects of chemistry. In experimental, academic and industrial research laboratories, computer simulations help chemists to better understand the processes under investigation. Within this environment, computational chemists can design new algorithms that allow them to provide new insights into chemical phenomena that are otherwise inaccessible by experimental methods. Students taking this option will receive a sound background in theoretical and experimental chemistry that will be supplemented with a number of courses in computer science and computational chemistry. In the third and fourth years, the electives within this option will give to the student the needed flexibility to increase their knowledge in chemistry or in computer science.


Students taking the computational chemistry option will develop sound programming skills which, combined with the real world problem-solving skills of an honours chemistry BSc, will prepare them well for positions in the hi-tech, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries.

Suggested course stream for full-time students
 
Compulsory first-year courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM1310Principles of Chemistry4
CSI1100Introduction to Computer Science I4
MAT1320Calculus I3
PHY1101Fundamentals of Physics I3
PHY1201Physics Laboratory3
(This course runs from September to April) 
 
Winter:
CHM1320Organic Chemistry I4
CSI1101Introduction to Computer Science II4
MAT1322Calculus II3
MAT1341Introduction to Linear Algebra3
PHY1102Fundamentals of Physics II3
 
Other compulsory courses: 
 
Fall:
CHM2120Organic Chemistry II3
CHM2126Laboratory of Organic Chemistry II2
CHM2131Chemical Thermodynamics of Gases and Solutions3
CHM2154Analytical Chemistry3
CHM2352Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry3
CHM3120Intermediate Organic Chemistry3
CHM3122Applications of Spectroscopy in Chemistry3
CHM3140Quantum Chemistry3
CHM3150Transition Metal Chemistry3
CHM4146Computational Chemistry Laboratory3
CSI2114Data Structures3
CSI2115Concepts in Programming Languages3
MAT2331Ordinary Differential Equations and Numerical Methods4
 
Winter:
BCH2140Introduction to Biochemistry3
CHM2118Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry2
CHM2130Physical chemistry: Introduction to the molecular properties of matter3
CHM2136Laboratory of Physical Chemistry2
CHM2311Introduction to Structure and Bonding3
CHM3371Molecular Spectroscopy and Statistical Mechanics3
CHM4141Computational Chemistry I3
CHM4143Computational Chemistry II3
SEG3300Introduction to Software Engineering3
 
A minimum of 15 credits (maximum of 12 credits in CSI) from:15
 
Fall:
BCH4122Macromolecules3
CSI3105Design and Analysis of Algorithms I3
CSI4105Design and Analysis of Algorithms II3
CSI4124Foundations of Modelling and Simulation3
MAT2122Calculus III3
MAT2341Linear Algebra3
MAT2371Introduction to Probability3
PHY2330Mechanics3
 
Winter:
BCH2336Biochemistry Laboratory I2
BCH3120General Intermediary Metabolism3
BCH3125Protein Structure and Function3
BCH4123Pathological Chemistry3
BCH4125Cellular Regulation and Control3
CSI4130Computer Graphics3
CSI4140Introduction to Parallel Computing3
CSI4150Introduction to Numerical Optimization Methods3
MAT2143Group Theory and Applications3
MAT2375Introduction to Statistics3
MAT3380Introduction to Numerical Methods3
PHY2100Fundamentals of Applied Physics III3
PHY2323Electricity and Magnetism3
PHY4340Computational Physics I4
PHY4341Computational Physics II4
 
Any 2000-, 3000- or 4000-level CHM course or lab not yet chosen for the program.
 
Honours Research Project8
 
One of the following two options: 
CHM4900Études dirigées en chimie / Directed Studies in Chemistry3
 
CHM 3000- or 4000-level5
or 
CHM4046Travail de recherche en chimie numérique / Research Project in Computational Chemistry7
CHM4910Séminaire / Seminar1
 
Twelve credits of non-science electives12
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Co-operative Program


The University of Ottawa co-op program in chemistry is somewhat unique in that the work terms are of eight months duration rather than the more usual four months, and the first work term begins after the third year of study. In many ways this may be considered an advantage in the competitive search for a job. Chemistry co-op students will be somewhat older and more experienced and, because of the eight-month rather than four-month work terms, will be able to undertake longer and more complex projects.
Co-op students must fulfill the requirements of the four-year degree in addition to carrying out two eight-month work terms. Formal admission is granted to students who are in their third year of study.

The scheduling of the two work terms is shown below:

SummerFallWinter
OPTION 1
First year-1a1b
Second year-2a2b
Third year-3a*3b**
Fourth yearT1T24a
Fifth yearT3T44b

a: first half of academic year
b: second half of academic year
T: work term
* application for admission
** admission to the co-op program

To qualify for admission, students must have completed five sessions of the honours program in chemistry and have a grade point average of at least 7.0 (B+) in a minimum of 34 credits of chemistry. A typical student will have accumulated at least 40 chemistry credits by this time. Students must apply for admission prior to November 30 of their third year of study.

For further information, contact the Department of Chemistry.
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