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_O 111 or CHEM_O 121; and CHEM_O 113 or CHEM_O 123 | 6 |
| MATH_O 100 | 3 |
| One of MATH_O 101 or 103 | 3 |
| ENGL_O 1091, or two of ENGL_O 1121, 113, 1141, 150, 151, 153, 154, 155, 156, CORH_O 2032 | 6 |
| PHYS_O 111 or 112 | 3 |
| PHYS_O 121 or 122 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 116, 125; or two of EESC_O 101, 111, 1213 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Second Year | |
|---|---|
| One of CHEM_O 201, 210 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 203, 204 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 211 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 220 | 3 |
| BIOL_O 116, 125; or two of EESC_O 101, 111, 1213 | 6 |
| Arts elective4 | 3 |
| Electives4 | 6 |
| Total Credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | |
|---|---|
| CHEM_O 301, 302 | 6 |
| CHEM_O 311 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 317 | 3 |
| One of CHEM_O 330, 333, 403 | 3 |
| Two of CHEM_O 335, 336, 337, 338 | 6 |
| One of CHEM_O 412, 434 | 3 |
| CHEM_O 461 | 3 |
| EESC_O 309 | 3 |
| EESC_O 3235 | 3 |
| EESC_O 4235 | 3 |
| Two approved environmental electives4,6 | 6 |
| Non-science electives4 | 9 |
| Electives4 | 9 |
| Total Credits | 60 |
| Minimum credits for degree | 120 |
1Credit will only be granted for one of ENGL_O 109, 112 OR 114.
2It is recommended students take CORH_O 203 to fulfill the English or Communications requirement.
3Students must complete BIOL_O 116, 125, and two of EESC_O 101, 111, 121. The order in which these pairs of courses are completed in first and second year is optional.
4At least 6 elective credits must be 300-level or higher. Students entering the B.Sc. in 2024 or later must complete at least 9 credits of non-science designated courses and 3 credits from INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114. Students who entered the B.Sc. prior to 2024 are required to complete 12 credits of non-science designated courses. These students are strongly encouraged to take INDG_O 100 or ENGL_O 114.
5Students should be aware that these courses are generally offered only in alternate years, and plan their course selections accordingly.
6The 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 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_O 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_O 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_O 449 with a minimum grade of 76%. A written thesis, public poster presentation, and public thesis defence.