Why Study Chemistry?

The federal government has stated that Science and Technology (S&T) are central to the success and growth of the economy of Canada (see "Science & Technology for the New Century: A Federal Strategy," March 1996). Moreover, it is recognized by students that a university education in science will prepare them for the challenges of an S&T- based economy. The three areas of focus for future economic development are biotechnology, communications, and the environment. Chemistry is fundamental to environmental science and biotechnology.

Chemistry is seen as a central discipline in science, required at various levels for undergraduate programs in physics, biology, biochemistry, family & nutritional sciences, engineering, physiotherapy, and pharmacy, as well as others.

A majors program in chemistry provides graduates with invaluable problem-solving skills, and prepares them for professional programs such as business administration, law, education, medicine, library science, or journalism. In the workplace, majors graduates may find employment in government labs or in industry as laboratory technologists or plant chemists in pharmaceuticals, the petroleum field, or analytical laboratories.

Graduates of the honours program will pursue graduate degrees (MSc, PhD) at graduate school in Chemistry or Environmental Science. Indeed, many schools offering post-secondary degrees in environmental science require a first degree in a mainstream discipline such as chemistry. In industry or government labs, the honours graduate would pursue a career as a "professional" chemist, with career advancement in research or management.

It is crucial that today's graduates are well-prepared to compete in the real world. At UPEI we are in a unique position - we have the opportunity to provide a progressive, state-of-the-art chemistry program that addresses the needs of students in a small, friendly, and interactive environment.

BSc Program

• Requirements for Chemistry Major
• Requirements for Chemistry Honours

Program Description

The Chemistry Department's programs have undergone major transformations in recent years, resulting in the advent of a new honours program, designed for "professional chemists" who intend to advance to graduate school or pursue careers as chemists in industrial or government laboratories; and a revised majors program intended for students who will proceed to a second profession-oriented degree or diploma program, or seek employment as, for example, laboratory technicians. The full program, including both majors and honours, is described in the University Calendar. Much of the core of the Chemistry programs offered at UPEI is in line with nationally recognized requirements found at many universities; that is, a first year of General Chemistry, followed by a year of Organic Chemistry and a minimum of one year in each of the subdisciplines of Physical, Inorganic, and Analytical Chemistry.

An important distinction, however, is the inclusion of two undergraduate research-oriented courses, in addition to the normal Honours Research Dissertation. Thus a key focus of our program is the introduction of undergraduates to research, initially at the sophomore level (Chem 282) and later in Chem 482, a one-semester research project course. Such courses are key to developing problem-solving and independent thinking/decision-making skills. The advantage we have at UPEI is that in relatively small class sizes, there is extensive opportunity for close student-faculty interaction, providing an optimum environment for learning and practising these skills.

Such research skills are unique in a majors program, and will serve our graduates well as they pursue careers in the "real world."