Chemistry

Program Overview

Chemistry is a creative and imaginative science with many opportunities to make new discoveries, develop new molecules and materials, and increase our understanding of important processes. The foundational knowledge and skills obtained with a chemistry degree give a solid foundation upon which to pursue a career directly related to this area. The deductive and deconstructionist thought process involved in solving chemical problems can also be used to address a wide range of issues. This means a chemistry degree can be useful in non-traditional fields, and you may be surprised at the number of different ways chemistry combines with other disciplines. The Chemistry specialization can be tailored to focus on a particular area of chemistry through careful elective selection. Areas of focus include biological, computational, environmental, theoretical, or materials chemistry. Combined Majors/Honours in Chemical Biology or Biochemistry and Chemistry are also options for students looking to improve their understanding of foundational chemical knowledge relevant for medical or dental school. Experiential learning and research The Department of Chemistry prioritizes undergraduate participation in research, offering several upper-level courses that allow students to obtain research experience. The UBC Chemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Awards provides opportunities for undergraduate students to further their interest in chemistry by conducting research in an academic environment. Campus features The UBC Chemistry Building, completed in 1925, is an important heritage site on campus. It has been featured in various film and television programs (X-Men, Supernatural, The X-Files, Psych, and more) because of its unique collegiate gothic architecture. The building was updated in 2008 as part of the UBC RENEW program, which worked to restore and maintain the building’s architectural integrity while updating its chemistry labs, lecture theatres, and administrative spaces. The late UBC professor Michael Smith won the 1993 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for discovering how to make targeted genetic mutations in DNA. The new Michael Smith Building, housing the Biotechnology Laboratory, honours his legacy.

Academic Requirements