Chemistry Undergraduate Programs

Where to Start?

• Prospective students with BC high school chemistry 12 (or equivalent) normally start with CHEM 121.
• Prospective students with no chemistry knowledge or who are starting from BC high school chemistry 11 will start with
  CHEM 110/111.
• Regional college students enter the chemistry program according to the student's subject knowledge, college chemistry
  course contents can be compared to the SFU chemistry courses thereby determining what other courses are required.

Other SFU Degree Requirements

Students Intending to Specialize in Chemistry
The point at which a high school or regional college student enters the chemistry program is governed by the student's

subject knowledge. CHEM 110 and 111 are not required for the BSc degree but are available as electives to those with

no chemistry knowledge or who are starting from BC high school chemistry 11. Those with BC high school chemistry 12

(or equivalent) normally start with CHEM 121. Major or honours students must fulfill program requirements below.

Minimum Grade Requirement
Whether majoring in chemistry or not, students may NOT enroll in any CHEM course for which a D grade was obtained

in any prerequisite.

Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students completing a degree program must fulfil writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of their program.

Chem 111 and 121 are designated as Q (quantitative) courses and require one of the following proofs of numeracy prior to
enrollment: 70% or better in Math 12; or a score of 20 or better on the Q placement test; or completion of FAN X99 with a
grade of C or better.

Academic Standing
CGPA, UDGPA and plan GPA must be greater than or equal to 2.00 to declare a major and graduate.
Whether majoring in chemistry or not, students may not enrol in any CHEM course for which a D grade was obtained in
any prerequisite.

The following statements clarify and standardize the minimum requirements that a student must fulfill to complete a
chemistry course as well as those to pass a combination lecture/laboratory course.

Course Non-completion
The following will constitute non-completion of the required material in a chemistry course.

• not writing the final examination or its equivalent
• not completing the required minimum number of experiments in a laboratory course or the laboratory
  component of a course
• not completing additional or alternative material specified by the instructor

The letter grade N will be awarded in these cases.

Students must pass both the lecture and laboratory components individually to obtain a passing grade in
lecture/laboratory combination courses.

Typical Course Sequence

• The following is a typical course sequence for the first four terms. Variations are possible.
• Majors students should enroll in an average of 15 units per semester to complete the degree requirements in four years.
• Honours students should enroll in an average of 15 units per semester in years 1 and 4 and 18 units per semester in
  years 2 and 3 to complete the degree requirements in four years.

Term 1
CHEM 121-4 General Chemistry and Laboratory I
MATH 151-3 Calculus I
PHYS 120-3 Mechanics and Modern Physics
electives

Term 2
CHEM 122-2 General Chemistry II
CHEM 126-2 General Chemistry Laboratory II
MATH 152-3 Calculus II
PHYS 121-3 Optics, Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 131-2 Physics Laboratory I
elective

Term 3
CHEM 230W-3 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 236-3 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 260-4 Atoms, Molecules, Spectroscopy
CHEM 281-4 Organic Chemistry I
MATH 232-3 Elementary Linear Algebra

Term 4
CHEM 215-4 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 266-2 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 283-3 Organic Chemistry IIb
CHEM 286-2 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
MATH 251-3 Calculus III
MBB 222-3 Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
CHEM 316-4 Introduction to Instrumental Analysis

Terms 5 & 6
CHEM 332-3 Chemistry of Transition Metals
CHEM 336-2 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 360-3 Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics
CHEM 366W-3 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 380-4 Chemical and Instrumental Methods of identification of Organic Compounds
Electives

Co-operative Education

Natalie Erickson, co-op co-ordinator, Faculty of Science, 778.782.4654, natalie_erickson@sfu.ca

This program combines work experience with academic studies. The student spends alternate semesters on campus
and in study related jobs. A major and honors program leading to a BSc degree, and a co-op education program
incorporating four work semesters are available in chemistry and related areas. The work practicum requirements are
CHEM 306, 307, 406 and 407. Application is at least three months prior to the semester's start in which the student
takes CHEM 306. Seek department advice as early as possible. A minimum 2.67 CGPA is required to enrol and
continue in the major in co-op. Higher averages are required for entry to and continuance in an honors program in
co-operative education.

See "Co-operative Education".

Advice to Students from Other Faculties

Prerequisites and corequisites cited in the Course Catalogue are for those intending to specialize in science. Some
may be waived for programs in the Faculties of Applied Sciences, Arts, Business Administration and Education and
Health sciences. CHEM 110 and 111 are for students with no previous training in chemistry.

Biochemistry

For information about biochemistry, see "Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry" section of the Course
Catalogue.

Chemical Physics

See "Chemical Physics Major Program" in the Physics Department section of the Course Catalogue.