Why Study Chemistry at TWU?

TWU’s Department of Chemistry offer a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry, an honours program, a concentration and a minor.

The comprehensive and diverse nature of the program gives students flexibility to excel in their interest. Students have the option of focusing on the general or the life science emphasis in the chemistry program; the honours program is another emphasis which is ideal for students who want to take their studies to a graduate level.

The chemistry program is for students who want to develop their interest and skills in the sciences. In addition, the department of chemistry provides students with chemical research collaborations with faculty to put classroom context into practice.

Learning from a team of expert faculty members, chemistry students receive analytical, mathematical, observational, and laboratory skills, which helps them make an impact in research or health industries.

• Students have the option of three emphases in the chemistry program: graduate school preparation, general, or life sciences.
• Laboratory development projects and teaching assistant opportunities are available to students.
• Students have the chance to receive a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Award.

For more information please visit the Chemistry department website.

Courses

• CHEM 101 Introduction to General Chemistry

  Introduction to chemical concepts: stoichiometry, thermochemistry, the periodic table, bonding, nature of solutions, the physical behaviour of gases, and acids and bases. Course lectures are concurrent with those of CHEM 103 but the term is shorter. This course is terminal and is provided for non-science majors wishing to fulfil their laboratory science requirement.

• CHEM 103 General Chemistry I

  This course is intended for students with little or no high school chemistry and therefore is usually not open to students with Chemistry 12. As an introduction to chemical concepts, topics include stoichiometry, the gas laws, thermochemistry, the periodic table, bonding, nature of solutions, acids and bases, and oxidation/reduction.

• CHEM 104 General Chemistry II

  A continuation of CHEM 103: Chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, the nature of organic substances and some of their basic reactions. These concepts are discussed as far as possible in the context of their significance in life processes, in industrial processes, and in the environment.

• CHEM 111, 112 Principles of Chemistry

  Modern concepts in the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry: molecular bonding and structure, stoichiometry, and chemical calculations, thermochemistry, nature of solutions, introduction to chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acids, bases and buffer systems, elementary energy concepts, introduction to organic chemistry, and descriptive inorganic chemistry.

• CHEM 221, 222 Organic Chemistry

  An introduction to theoretical, physical, and descriptive organic chemistry. A study of the properties of aliphatic, alicylic, and szreactions, and syntheses of organic chemistry.

• CHEM 230 Inorganic Chemistry

  Chemical and physical properties of the elements and inorganic compounds using atomic orbital theory and the theory of bonding in molecules and crystalline solids. Main group element chemistry and the structure of the periodic table are emphasized throughout.

• CHEM 240 Physical Chemistry

  Introduction to thermodynamics as applied to chemical reactions. The First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, free energy and equilibria, phase equilibria, and electrochemistry.

• CHEM 321, 322 Advanced Organic Chemistry

  Methods for spectroscopic determination of structures in organic chemistry. Functional chemistry of organic substances that have particular relevance to the life sciences. Modern synthetic techniques for functional group transformation. Principles involved in the planning and execution of multi-step synthesis of organic molecules. Laboratory in synthetic methods and spectroscopic techniques.

• CHEM 341, 342 Advanced Physical Chemistry

  The fundamental concepts of matter and its structure in relation to energy. Quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, spectroscopy, kinetics, and the solid state.

• CHEM 357, 358 Modern Analytical Methods

  Introduction to the theory and practice of analytical chemistry. After a review of the basic laboratory techniques used in pure and applied chemistry and in biological chemistry, this course discusses a number of instrumental techniques, particularly those based on chromatographic, electromagnetic radiation, and electrochemical theories.

• CHEM 370 Environmental Chemistry

  The study of chemical reactions as they relate to the environment. Emphasis is placed on the deleterious effects that human activities and technologies, which make use of applied chemistry, have had on atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems. Alternate methods to alleviate environmental problems are considered.

• CHEM 372 Molecular Genetics

  This class considers modern developments and techniques in genetics, especially the basic and applied aspects of recombinant DNA technology.

• CHEM 384 Principles of Biochemistry

  The chemical structure, function, and metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. This class is continued as CHEM 386.

• CHEM 386 Biosynthesis

  Two aspects of biochemistry are developed: 1) The modern understanding of the biochemical transfer of genetic information: DNA structure and synthesis, transcription and translation. These are related to developments in recombinant DNA technology; 2) An introduction to physiological biochemistry including vision, muscle contraction, and neuro-transmission.

• CHEM 400 Directed Studies in Chemistry

  Students are required to produce an outline of the topic to be studied in consultation with the instructor. A course of reading and/or experimentation is pursued according to the approved outline. Assessment may be via examination and/or a final written report.

• CHEM 409 Thesis Preparation

  Students are required to choose a topic for their senior thesis (CHEM 410) in consultation with an instructor. Selected readings and references pertinent to the topic are assigned. Regular meetings take place with all students and instructors in the class. A final written report is presented consisting of a detailed thesis proposal and a literature review.

• CHEM 410 Senior Thesis

  Research in a chosen area of Chemistry with a final written report.

• CHEM 411 Senior Thesis

  Research in a chosen area of Chemistry with a final written report.

• CHEM 431, 432 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

  Chemistry of the transition metals. Emphasis during the first semester is on classical co-ordination chemistry, including stereochemistry, symmetry, theories of bonding and electronic structure in complexes. The second semester includes a variety of special topics in inorganic chemistry, such as organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and bioinorganic chemistry.

• CHEM 469 Polymer Chemistry

  Organic and structural aspects of several polymer families, physical properties including molecular weight and distribution, solution properties of macromolecules, kinetics of polymerization in free radical, ionic and condensation systems. Stereochemistry of polymers. Application to the properties of selected synthetic rubbers and plastics.

Highlights

Honours Program in Chemistry is ideal for students with a high academic standing in chemistry. Within this program, students can do independent projects in chemical problems encountered in testing, research, and development. Accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry, the honours program in chemistry prepares students to continue to an advanced research degree.

Life Sciences emphasis is for chemistry students who want to focus their academics on a health perspective. Courses students take are a combination of theory and practice which include topics from biosynthesis to organic chemistry.

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Award: The department of chemistry offers summer research opportunities for outstanding undergraduate students. These awards stimulate interest in chemistry research and provide students with research experience in an academic setting. Awardees receive financial support to conduct research during the summer under the guidance of a faculty member who holds an NSERC research grant.

Science in the Valley is a fun, educational, and interactive way for chemistry students to give back to the community. Each summer, students from grades four to nine come to TWU’s campus and personally learn about science from undergraduate students. For TWU students, this is an opportunity to gain teaching experience and exciting students about furthering their study in the sciences.

Minors & Concentrations

Concentration in chemistry provides students with a good understanding of the general principles of chemistry and laboratory skills. The concentration also challenges students to investigate chemistry in its many forms, whether it is inorganic or physical.

Minor in chemistry is ideal for students who want to combine their interest in chemistry with another discipline at TWU. The minor also teaches students the essentials of the scientific method and provides them with a disciplined approach to scientific investigation.