Chemistry, Bachelor of Science

Program Information
Credential: 
Bachelor's Degree
Duration: 

1 year at RDC - 3 years at U of A, U of C or U of L

Delivery: 
Main Campus
Program Cost Estimates: 
Program Cost Estimates

Contact Information

Contact Name: 
Dr. Nancy Brown
Contact Title: 
Associate Dean
Contact Phone: 
403.342.3400 OR 1.888.732.4630
Contact Email: 
inquire@rdc.ab.ca
University Transfer Program

One Year University Transfer Program:

For the most current university program and transfer information, see the Planning Guides in Academic Advising.

Related Careers

Chemists conduct research to develop new or improved materials, compounds, and substances. They are employed in a wide variety of industries, including:

  • chemical
  • petrochemical
  • pharmaceutical
  • mineral
  • metal
  • pulp and paper
  • manufacturing
  • utilities
  • health
  • education
  • government

Completing BSc Chemistry can lead to work in industry or be a step toward a career in teaching, medicine, etc. The specialization program prepares you for a career as a professional chemist in research or industrial labs, or it can prepare you for graduate work in chemistry.

Chemists also work in technical sales and service, and in managing regulatory programs. Employment for chemists is expected to grow in the chemical products, chemical service, and environmental fields.

The Program

RDC offers the first year of studies.

Transfer Features

The courses offered in this program can be transferred to most universities. The courses you select must meet the program requirement of the university chosen.

Requirements
Admission Requirements: 

Related Link: Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admissions page for detailed group descriptions.

1. Minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Chemistry 30
  2. ELA 30-1
  3. Mathematics 30-1
  4. Physics 30
  5. Subject from Group A, B, or C (Mathematics 31 recommended)

OR

2. Mature Student

You must be 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year before the program starts, and have a minimum average of 60% with no mark below 50% in:

  1. Chemistry 30
  2. ELA 30-1
  3. Mathematics 30-1
  4. Physics 30
    (Mathematics 31 recommended.)

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements: 

You must pass 20 term university transfer courses or a minimum of 60 credit hours, and achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 to receive a Diploma in University Transfer Studies.

Program Content
University of Alberta

(Please note these credits are U of A credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1 (Honours or Specialization)

  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212/CHEM 351 (9 credits)
  • ENGL 219/ENGL 220 or ENGL 219/Arts Option (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 (or MATH 203)/MATH 204 (6 credits)
  • Take one combination of PHYS 241/PHYS 247  or PHYS 205/PHYS 226(6 credits)
  • Arts or Science Option (3 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

CHEM 351

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. The molecular structure, nomenclature, reactions, reaction mechanisms, structure determination and stereochemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and alkyl halides is discussed. Important organic compounds related to industry, agriculture and everyday use (polymers, fats, soaps, pesticides, medicinals, etc) are introduced. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 Note: You can only get credit for one of CHEM 241, CHEM 251 and CHEM 351.

ENGL 219

Explore university-level essay composition and the skills related to critical reading, interpretation, and argument. Prerequisite: ELA 30-1 or equivalent. NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 219 and ENGL 210.

ENGL 220

The course explores a range of literary genres while continuing to focus on deepening the required structural and critical skills related to thinking and writing about literature. Pre-requisite: Engl 219 NOTE: Credit will not be granted for both ENGL 220 and 210.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

PHYS 241

A calculus-based course in physics in which the kinematic and dynamic properties of particles and bodies in motion are described and quantified through the study of forces, work and energy, momentum, rotation and special relativity. Prerequisite: Physics 30 and Math 30-1. Corequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or 212. Note: Credit is granted in only one of PHYS 203, 205, 231 or 241.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics, vectors, and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Math 30-1; Physics 30 strongly recommended.

PHYS 226

Fluid statics and dynamics, gases, kinetic interpretation; electrostatics; currents and circuits; magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; nuclear radiation, its interaction with matter and applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Note: Credit may only be obtained for one of the following: PHYS 226, 246, 247 or 269

University of Calgary

(Please note these credits are U of C.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • CHEM 211 & CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • PHYS 205 & PHYS 226 (6 credits)
  • MATH 202 or 203 (3 credits)
  • Five Options (15 credits)


 

Year 1 Course Descriptions

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics, vectors, and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Math 30-1; Physics 30 strongly recommended.

PHYS 226

Fluid statics and dynamics, gases, kinetic interpretation; electrostatics; currents and circuits; magnetic fields; electromagnetic induction; nuclear radiation, its interaction with matter and applications. Prerequisite: PHYS 205 Note: Credit may only be obtained for one of the following: PHYS 226, 246, 247 or 269

University of Lethbridge

(Please note these credits are U of L credits.)

Suggested Pattern Year 1

  • CHEM 211/CHEM 212 (6 credits)
  • PHYS 241 or PHYS 205 (3 credits)
  • MATH 202 (or MATH 203)/MATH 204/MATH 221 (9 credits)
  • Fine Arts or Humanities requirements* (6 credits)
  • Social Science requirements* (6 credits)
Year 1 Course Descriptions

CHEM 211

The first introductory-level chemistry course that focusses on the foundations of atomic properties and chemical reactions. Topics include: stoichiometry, reactions and titrations, ideal gases, atomic structure and bonding, chemical equilibrium, and acids and bases. Prerequisite: Chem 30 and Math 30-1.

CHEM 212

The second introductory-level chemistry course that further expands upon the foundations of various chemical reactions and systems by discussing their equilibrium and reaction rates. Topics include: buffers, titration curves, solubility and complex ion equilibria, thermodynamics and thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisite: Chem 211.

MATH 202

Introduction to Calculus with skill development lab. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus . Prerequisite: Math 30-1. Note: You should take Math 203 instead if you have at least 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both Math 202 and 203.

MATH 203

Introduction to Calculus. Review of analytic geometry. Differentiation of elementary, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Applications of the derivative. Integration. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Prerequisite: Math 31 or equivalent. Note: You should take MATH 202 instead if you have less than 70% in Math 31. You cannot have credit in both MATH 202 and 203.

MATH 204

Differentiation and integration of trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Indeterminate forms and improper integrals. Techniques of integration. Applications. Prerequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or equivalent. Note: You cannot have credit in both MATH 204 and MATH 213.

MATH 221

Solving linear systems of equations, matrix algegra, determinants, vectors, lines and planes, subspaces of n-space, and applications. Introduction to linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors. Prerequisite: Math 30-1

PHYS 241

A calculus-based course in physics in which the kinematic and dynamic properties of particles and bodies in motion are described and quantified through the study of forces, work and energy, momentum, rotation and special relativity. Prerequisite: Physics 30 and Math 30-1. Corequisite: MATH 202 or 203 or 212. Note: Credit is granted in only one of PHYS 203, 205, 231 or 241.

PHYS 205

A non-calculus course in physics. Kinematics, vectors, and forces in equilibrium. Linear and rotational motion. Dynamics of particles (oscillations). Prerequisite: Math 30-1; Physics 30 strongly recommended.