Chemistry Honours (B.Sc.) (71 credits)
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 71
Program Description
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Program Prerequisites
Pre-Program Prerequisites
Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1. and CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2., BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology., MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry., MATH 140 Calculus 1./MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A./MATH 151 Calculus B., PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics./PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism. or PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves./PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics., or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. do not have to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Required Courses (53 credits)
A computer science course, either COMP 202 Foundations of Programming. or COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
., is strongly recommended during U1 for students who have no previous introduction to computer programming. Students should contact their adviser on this matter. Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 Calculus 3. during U1 is also strongly recommended. Physics PHYS 242 Electricity and Magnetism. should be completed during U2.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 213 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1 | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A fundamental study of aromatic and polar unsaturated functional groups including reaction mechanisms, multi-step synthesis, regioselectivity, and modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 273 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling See course page for more information |
| CHEM 281 | Inorganic Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 332 | Biological Chemistry. | 3 |
Biological Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An introduction to biological chemistry. Topics will include chemistry and structure of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids; protein and nucleic acid biosynthesis; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; membranes and membrane transport; bioenergetics; redox reactions in biological chemistry; gene expression; cloning, RNA and
antibody technologies; genomics and proteomics. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 345 | Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 355 | Applications of Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 365 | Statistical Thermodynamics. | 2 |
Statistical Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Molecular basis of thermodynamics with applications to ideal gases and simple solids. Topics to be covered will include: calculation of thermodynamic functions, chemical equilibrium constants, Einstein and Debye models of solids, absolute reaction rate theory, Debye-Hückel theory of strong electrolytes. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 367 | Instrumental Analysis 1. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 377 | Instrumental Analysis 2. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 392 | Experimental Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Experimental Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Experiments related to the theoretical principles, synthetic techniques and instrumental methods used in modern experimental chemistry, including aspects of green chemistry and nanochemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 493 | Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles. See course page for more information |
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 2 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 242 | Electricity and Magnetism. | 2 |
Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media. See course page for more information |
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level but the Chemistry courses must be replaced by courses in that discipline if students wish to be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec. Students from outside Quebec or transfer students should consult the Academic Adviser.
See http://www.mcgill.ca/chemistry/current-undergraduate-students/advising/.
- 2
Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. are not required to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
6 credits of research1:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 470 | Research Project 1. | 6 |
Research Project 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A course designed to give students research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental and /or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 480 | Undergraduate Research Project 2. | 3 |
Undergraduate Research Project 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 A course designed to give students additional research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
- 1
Students may take up to 12 Research Project credits but only 6 of these may be used to fulfil the program requirement.
6 credits of Chemistry courses at the 300 level or higher, or MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations. plus 3 credits of Chemistry courses at the 300 level or higher, and
6 credits of Chemistry courses at the 400 level or higher.
Chemistry - Bio-organic Honours (B.Sc.) (75 credits)
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 75
Program Description
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Program Prerequisites
Pre-Program Prerequisites
Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1. and CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2., BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology., MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry., MATH 140 Calculus 1./MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A./MATH 151 Calculus B., PHYS 101 Introductory Physics - Mechanics./PHYS 102 Introductory Physics - Electromagnetism. or PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves./PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics., or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. do not have to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Required Courses (57 credits)
A computer science course, either COMP 202 Foundations of Programming. or COMP 208 Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
., is strongly recommended during U1 for students who have no previous introduction to computer programming. Students should contact their adviser on this matter. Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 Calculus 3. during U1 is also strongly recommended.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 200 | Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Molecular Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The physical and chemical properties of the cell and its components in relation to their structure and function. Topics include: protein structure, enzymes and enzyme kinetics; nucleic acid replication, transcription and translation; the genetic code, mutation, recombination, and regulation of gene expression. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 201 | Cell Biology and Metabolism. | 3 |
Cell Biology and Metabolism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 This course introduces the student to our modern understanding of cells and how they work. Major topics to be covered include: photosynthesis, energy metabolism and metabolic integration; plasma membrane including secretion, endocytosis and contact mediated interactions between cells; cytoskeleton including cell and organelle movement; the nervous system; hormone signaling; the cell cycle. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 213 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 242 | Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. 1 | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 1 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 252 | Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. | 4 |
Organic Chemistry 2 for Chemistry and Biochemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A fundamental study of aromatic and polar unsaturated functional groups including reaction mechanisms, multi-step synthesis, regioselectivity, and modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 273 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling See course page for more information |
| CHEM 281 | Inorganic Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 345 | Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 355 | Applications of Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 367 | Instrumental Analysis 1. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 377 | Instrumental Analysis 2. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 392 | Experimental Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Experimental Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Experiments related to the theoretical principles, synthetic techniques and instrumental methods used in modern experimental chemistry, including aspects of green chemistry and nanochemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 493 | Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents. See course page for more information |
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 2 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 242 | Electricity and Magnetism. | 2 |
Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media. See course page for more information |
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level but the Chemistry courses must be replaced by courses in that discipline if students wish to be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec. Students from outside Quebec or transfer students should consult the Academic Adviser.
See http://www.mcgill.ca/chemistry/current-undergraduate-students/advising/.
- 2
Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. are not required to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
6 credits of research1:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 470 | Research Project 1. | 6 |
Research Project 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A course designed to give students research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental and /or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 480 | Undergraduate Research Project 2. | 3 |
Undergraduate Research Project 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 A course designed to give students additional research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
- 1
Students may take up to 12 Research Project credits but only 6 of these may be used to fulfil the program requirement.
9 credits from the following:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 202 | Basic Genetics. | 3 |
Basic Genetics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Introduction to basic principles, and to modern advances, problems and applications in the genetics of higher and lower organisms with examples representative of the biological sciences. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 301 | Cell and Molecular Laboratory. | 4 |
Cell and Molecular Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and
molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how
research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an
introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 365 | Statistical Thermodynamics. | 2 |
Statistical Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Molecular basis of thermodynamics with applications to ideal gases and simple solids. Topics to be covered will include: calculation of thermodynamic functions, chemical equilibrium constants, Einstein and Debye models of solids, absolute reaction rate theory, Debye-Hückel theory of strong electrolytes. See course page for more information |
| MATH 315 | Ordinary Differential Equations. | 3 |
Ordinary Differential Equations. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions. See course page for more information |
| MIMM 211 | Introductory Microbiology. | 3 |
Introductory Microbiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A general treatment of microbiology bearing specifically on the biological properties of microorganisms. Emphasis will be on procaryotic cells. Basic principles of microbial genetics are also introduced. See course page for more information |
| MIMM 214 | Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. | 3 |
Introductory Immunology: Elements of Immunity. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic immunology, organs and cells, elements of innate immunity, phagocytes, complement, elements of adaptive immunity, B-cells, T-cells, antigen presenting cells, MHC genes and molecules, antigen processing and presentation, cytokines and chemokines. Emphasis on anatomy and the molecular and cellular players working together as a physiological system to maintain human health. See course page for more information |
| MIMM 314 | Intermediate Immunology. | 3 |
Intermediate Immunology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 An intermediate-level immunology course covering the cellular and molecular basis of lymphocyte development and activation in immune responses in health and disease. See course page for more information |
| MIMM 323 | Microbial Physiology. | 3 |
Microbial Physiology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to the composition and structure of microbial cells, the biochemical activities associated with cellular metabolism and how these activities are regulated and coordinated. The course will have a molecular and genetic approach to the study of microbial physiology. See course page for more information |
| PHGY 209 | Mammalian Physiology 1. | 3 |
Mammalian Physiology 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Physiology of body fluids, blood, body defense mechanisms, muscle, peripheral, central, and autonomic nervous systems. See course page for more information |
| PHGY 210 | Mammalian Physiology 2. | 3 |
|
and 3 credits of additional Chemistry courses at the 400 level or higher.
Physics and Chemistry Honours (B.Sc.) (80 credits)
Offered by: Physics (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 80
Program Description
This program provides a strong basis in both chemistry and physics. It contains a core of chemistry courses and a mix of honours-level courses in physics and mathematics.
To graduate with an Honours degree, a student must have, at time of graduation, a CGPA of at least 3.0 in the required and complementary courses of the program, as well as an overall CGPA of at least 3.0.
This is a specialized and demanding program. The student will have two advisers, one from Chemistry and the other from Physics. This program may be completed in 80 or 83 credits.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Program Prerequisites
Students entering Physics programs from the Freshman program must have successfully completed the courses below or their equivalents. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 110 | General Chemistry 1. | 4 |
General Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A study of the fundamental principles of atomic structure, radiation and nuclear chemistry, valence theory, coordination chemistry, and the periodic table. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 120 | General Chemistry 2. | 4 |
|
| PHYS 131 | Mechanics and Waves. | 4 |
|
| PHYS 142 | Electromagnetism and Optics. | 4 |
|
3 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 111 | Principles: Organismal Biology. | 3 |
Principles: Organismal Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to the phylogeny, structure, function and adaptation of unicellular organisms, plants and animals in the biosphere. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 112 | Cell and Molecular Biology. | 3 |
Cell and Molecular Biology. Terms offered: Winter 2026 The cell: ultrastructure, division, chemical constituents and reactions. Bioenergetics: photosynthesis and respiration. Principles of genetics, the molecular basis of inheritance and biotechnology. See course page for more information |
| MATH 133 | Linear Algebra and Geometry. | 3 |
Linear Algebra and Geometry. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Systems of linear equations, matrices, inverses, determinants; geometric vectors in three dimensions, dot product, cross product, lines and planes; introduction to vector spaces, linear dependence and independence, bases. Linear transformations. Eigenvalues and diagonalization. See course page for more information |
7-8 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| MATH 140 | Calculus 1. | 3 |
Calculus 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Review of functions and graphs. Limits, continuity, derivative. Differentiation of elementary functions. Antidifferentiation. Applications. See course page for more information |
| MATH 141 | Calculus 2. | 4 |
Calculus 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 The definite integral. Techniques of integration. Applications. Introduction to sequences and series. See course page for more information |
| MATH 150 | Calculus A. | 4 |
Calculus A. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Functions, limits and continuity, differentiation, L'Hospital's rule, applications, Taylor polynomials, parametric curves, functions of several variables. See course page for more information |
| MATH 151 | Calculus B. | 4 |
Calculus B. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Integration, methods and applications, infinite sequences and series, power series, arc length and curvature, multiple integration. See course page for more information |
Note: Either MATH 140 Calculus 1. and MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B..
Required Courses (68 credits)
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 212 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 213 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 273 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling See course page for more information |
| CHEM 281 | Inorganic Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 355 | Applications of Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 365 | Statistical Thermodynamics. | 2 |
Statistical Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Molecular basis of thermodynamics with applications to ideal gases and simple solids. Topics to be covered will include: calculation of thermodynamic functions, chemical equilibrium constants, Einstein and Debye models of solids, absolute reaction rate theory, Debye-Hückel theory of strong electrolytes. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 493 | Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 556 | Advanced Quantum Mechanics. | 3 |
Advanced Quantum Mechanics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Quantum mechanical treatment of species of chemical interest. Introduction to perturbation theory, both time-dependent and time-independent. Treatment of the variational principle. Introduction to atomic spectra. Chemical bonding in terms of both the valence bond and molecular orbital theory. Elementary collision theory. Interaction of radiation with molecules. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 574 | Introductory Polymer Chemistry. | 3 |
Introductory Polymer Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A survey course on the structure of polymers, kinetics and mechanisms of polymer and copolymer synthesis; characterization and molecular weight distributions; polymer microstructure, the thermodynamics of polymer solutions; the crystalline and amorphous states, rubber elasticity and structure-property relationships. See course page for more information |
| COMP 208 | Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
. | 3 |
Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences
and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods.
See course page for more information |
| MATH 247 | Honours Applied Linear Algebra. | 3 |
Honours Applied Linear Algebra. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Matrix algebra, determinants, systems of linear equations. Abstract vector spaces, inner product spaces, Fourier series. Linear transformations and their matrix representations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalizable and defective matrices, positive definite and semidefinite matrices. Quadratic and Hermitian forms, generalized eigenvalue problems, simultaneous reduction of quadratic forms. Applications. See course page for more information |
| MATH 248 | Honours Vector Calculus. | 3 |
Honours Vector Calculus. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Partial derivatives and differentiation of functions in several variables; Jacobians;
maxima and minima; implicit functions. Scalar and vector fields; orthogonal curvilinear coordinates. Multiple integrals; arc length, volume and surface area. Line and surface integrals; irrotational and solenoidal fields; Green's theorem; the divergence theorem. Stokes' theorem; and applications.
See course page for more information |
| MATH 249 | Honours Complex Variables. | 3 |
Honours Complex Variables. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Functions of a complex variable; Cauchy-Riemann equations; Cauchy's theorem and consequences. Taylor and Laurent expansions. Residue calculus; evaluation of real integrals; integral representation of special functions; the complex inversion integral. Conformal mapping; Schwarz-Christoffel transformation; Poisson's integral formulas; applications. Additional topics if time permits: homotopy of paths and simple connectivity, Riemann sphere, rudiments of analytic continuation. See course page for more information |
| MATH 325 | Honours Ordinary Differential Equations. | 3 |
Honours Ordinary Differential Equations. Terms offered: Winter 2026 First and second order equations, linear equations, series solutions, Frobenius method, introduction to numerical methods and to linear systems, Laplace transforms, applications. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 241 | Signal Processing. | 3 |
Signal Processing. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Linear circuit elements, resonance, network theorems, diodes, transistors, amplifiers, feedback, integrated circuits. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 251 | Honours Classical Mechanics 1. | 3 |
Honours Classical Mechanics 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Newton's laws, work energy, angular momentum. Harmonic oscillator, forced oscillations. Inertial forces, rotating frames. Central forces, centre of mass, planetary orbits, Kepler's laws. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 257 | Experimental Methods 1. | 3 |
Experimental Methods 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introductory laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Introduction to computers as they are employed for laboratory work, for data analysis and for numerical computation. Previous experience with computers is an asset, but is not required. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 258 | Experimental Methods 2. | 3 |
Experimental Methods 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced laboratory work and data analysis as related to mechanics, optics and thermodynamics. Computers will be employed routinely for data analysis and for numerical computation, and, particularly, to facilitate the use of Fourier methods. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 350 | Honours Electricity and Magnetism. | 3 |
Honours Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Fundamental laws of electric and magnetic fields in both integral and differential form. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 352 | Honours Electromagnetic Waves. | 3 |
Honours Electromagnetic Waves. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Vector and scalar potentials; plane waves in homogeneous media; refraction and reflection; guided waves; radiation from simple systems; dipole and quadrupole radiation; introduction to fields of moving charges; synchrotron radiation; Bremsstrahlung. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 357 | Honours Quantum Physics 1. | 3 |
Honours Quantum Physics 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Experimental basis for quantum mechanics; wave-packets; uncertainty principle. Hilbert space formalism. Schrodinger equation: eigenvalues and eigenvectors: applications to 1-d problems including the infinite and finite potential wells and the harmonic oscillator. Tunneling. Time independent perturbation theory. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 457 | Honours Quantum Physics 2. | 3 |
Honours Quantum Physics 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Angular momentum and spin operators. Operator methods in quantum mechanics. Coupling of spin and angular momenta. Variational principles and elements of time dependent perturbation theory (the Golden Rule). Solution of the Schrodinger equation in three dimensions. Applications to the hydrogen and helium atoms and to simple problems in atomic and molecular physics. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 558 | Solid State Physics. | 3 |
Solid State Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Properties of crystals; free electron model, band structure; metals, insulators and semi-conductors; phonons; magnetism; selected additional topics in solid-state (e.g. ferroelectrics, elementary transport theory). See course page for more information |
Complementary Courses (12-15 credits)
(with at least 3 credits in Chemistry and 3 credits in Physics)
0-3 credits from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 1 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. See course page for more information |
- 1
Note: A student who has not taken MATH 222 Calculus 3. (or equivalent) prior to entering the program must take it in their first semester, increasing the program credits from 80 to 83. The student must then take MATH 314 Advanced Calculus. in their second semester instead of MATH 248 Honours Vector Calculus., if scheduling requires it.
3 credits selected from:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 593 | Statistical Mechanics and Machine Learning for Chemistry. | 3 |
Statistical Mechanics and Machine Learning for Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Intermediate topics in statistical mechanics and related machine learning: ensemble theory, critical phenomena, static and time-dependent phenomena, linear response and fluctuations, Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulation methods, data driven simulation methods: MaxEnt modeling, generative machine learning, active learning. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 559 | Advanced Statistical Mechanics. | 3 |
Advanced Statistical Mechanics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Scattering and structure factors. Review of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; correlation functions (static); mean field theory; critical phenomena; broken symmetry; fluctuations, roughening. See course page for more information |
9 credits selected from the list below:
Note: PHYS 459D1 Research Thesis. and PHYS 459D2 Research Thesis. are taken together.
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 480D1 | Undergraduate Research Project 2. | 1.5 |
Undergraduate Research Project 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A course designed to give students additional research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 480D2 | Undergraduate Research Project 2. | 1.5 |
Undergraduate Research Project 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A course designed to give students additional research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 505 | Computer Modeling of Molecules and Materials. | 3 |
Computer Modeling of Molecules and Materials. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A comprehensive introduction to computational methods and software for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. The main focus of the course is on important practical aspects of chemistry-related computer modeling: how to perform simulations reliably and efficiently, and how to interpret simulation results. Two main classes of computer simulations--electronic structure methods and statistical mechanics methods--will be discussed in detail together with a wide range of chemical examples. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 531 | Chemistry of Inorganic Materials. | 3 |
Chemistry of Inorganic Materials. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Structure, bonding, synthesis, properties and applications of covalent, ionic, metallic crystals, and amorphous solids. Defect structures and their use in synthesis of specialty materials such as electronic conductors, semiconductors, and superconductors, and solid electrolytes. Basic principles of composite materials and applications of chemistry to materials processing. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 575 | Chemical Kinetics. | 3 |
Chemical Kinetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Kinetic laws, measurement of reaction rates, transition state and collision theory, experimental techniques in reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, RRKM theory, Marcus theory of electron transfer, photochemistry and catalysis. Recent developments and their application to chemical and biological problems. Elementary reactions in gas, solution and solid phases and on surfaces. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 585 | Colloid Chemistry. | 3 |
Colloid Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Principles of the physical chemistry of phase boundaries. Electrical double layer theory; van der Waals forces; Brownian motion; kinetics of coagulation; electrokinetics; light scattering; solid/liquid interactions; adsorption; surfactants; hydrodynamic interactions; rheology of dispersions. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 351 | Honours Classical Mechanics 2. | 3 |
Honours Classical Mechanics 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Rigid bodies, angular momentum, gyroscope, moment of inertia, principal axes, Euler's equations. Coupled oscillations and normal modes. Lagrangian mechanics and applications. Hamiltonian mechanics. Topics in advanced analytical mechanics. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 359 | Advanced Physics
Laboratory 1. | 3 |
Advanced Physics
Laboratory 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 404 | Climate Physics. | 3 |
Climate Physics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 This course covers the essentials of climate physics through the lens of one-dimensional, vertical atmospheric models. This includes shortwave and longwave radiative transfer, convection, phase changes, clouds, greenhouse gases, and atmospheric escape. This is an adequate level of detail for understanding Earth's climate, paleoclimate, anthropogenic climate change, or pursing studies of Solar System planets and extrasolar planets. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 434 | Optics. | 3 |
Optics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Fundamental concepts of optics, including applications and modern developments. Light propagation in media; geometric optics and optical instruments; polarization and coherence properties of light; interference and interferometry; diffraction theory and applications in spectrometry and imaging; Gaussian beams, Fourier optics and photonic band structure. A laboratory component provides hands-on experience in optical setup design, construction and testing of concepts introduced in lectures. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 459D1 | Research Thesis. | 3 |
|
| PHYS 459D2 | Research Thesis. | 3 |
|
| PHYS 469 | Advanced Physics Laboratory 2. | 3 |
Advanced Physics Laboratory 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Advanced level experiments in physics including quantum effects and some properties of condensed matter physics and modern physics. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 479 | Physics Research Project. | 3 |
|
| PHYS 512 | Computational Physics with Applications. | 3 |
|
| PHYS 562 | Electromagnetic Theory. | 3 |
Electromagnetic Theory. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Electrostatics, dielectrics, magnetostatics, timevarying fields, relativity, radiating systems, fields of moving charges. See course page for more information |
Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry Honours (B.Sc.) (75 credits)
Offered by: Chemistry (Faculty of Science)
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Program credit weight: 75
Program Description
This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences.
Degree Requirements — B.Sc.
This program is offered as part of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree.
To graduate, students must satisfy both their program requirements and their degree requirements.
- The program requirements (i.e., the specific courses that make up this program) are listed under the Course Tab (above).
- The degree requirements—including the mandatory Foundation program, appropriate degree structure, and any additional components—are outlined on the Degree Requirements page.
Students are responsible for ensuring that this program fits within the overall structure of their degree and that all degree requirements are met. Consult the Degree Planning Guide on the SOUSA website for additional guidance.
Program Prerequisites
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
Pre-Program Requirements: Students entering from the Freshman program must have included CHEM 110 General Chemistry 1. and CHEM 120 General Chemistry 2., BIOL 111 Principles: Organismal Biology. or BIOL 112 Cell and Molecular Biology., MATH 133 Linear Algebra and Geometry., MATH 140 Calculus 1./MATH 141 Calculus 2. or MATH 150 Calculus A./MATH 151 Calculus B., PHYS 131 Mechanics and Waves./PHYS 142 Electromagnetism and Optics., or their equivalents in their Freshman year. Quebec students must have completed the DEC with appropriate science and mathematics courses. Note that students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. do not have to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Required Courses (65 credits)
Completion of Mathematics MATH 222 Calculus 3. and MATH 315 Ordinary Differential Equations. during U1 is strongly recommended.
Bio-Physical Sciences Core
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 219 | Introduction to Physical
Molecular and Cell Biology. | 4 |
Introduction to Physical
Molecular and Cell Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to molecular and cell biology from a physical perspective. Techniques and methodologies, both experimental and computational, are included in the presentation of each thematic module.
See course page for more information |
| BIOL 319 | Introduction to Biophysics. | 3 |
Introduction to Biophysics. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Emerging physical approaches and quantitative measurement techniques are providing new insights into longstanding biological questions. This course will present underlying physical theory, quantitative measurement techniques, and significant findings in molecular and cellular biophysics. Principles covered include Brownian motion, low Reynolds-number environments, forces relevant to cells and molecules, chemical potentials, and free energies. These principles are applied to enzymes as molecular machines, membranes, DNA, and RNA. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 395 | Quantitative Biology Seminar. | 1 |
Quantitative Biology Seminar. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Overview of concepts and current research in quantitative biology; theoretical ecology and evolution, computational biology, and physical biology. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 212 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. 1 | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025 A fundamental study of aliphatic compounds and saturated functional groups including modern concepts of bonding, reaction mechanisms, conformational analysis, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry. See course page for more information |
| MATH 222 | Calculus 3. 2 | 3 |
Calculus 3. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Taylor series, Taylor's theorem in one and several variables. Review of vector geometry. Partial differentiation, directional derivative. Extreme of functions of 2 or 3 variables. Parametric curves and arc length. Polar and spherical coordinates. Multiple integrals. See course page for more information |
| MATH 223 | Linear Algebra. | 3 |
Linear Algebra. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Review of matrix algebra, determinants and systems of linear equations. Vector spaces, linear operators and their matrix representations, orthogonality. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization of Hermitian matrices. Applications. See course page for more information |
| MATH 315 | Ordinary Differential Equations. | 3 |
Ordinary Differential Equations. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 First order ordinary differential equations including elementary numerical methods. Linear differential equations. Laplace transforms. Series solutions. See course page for more information |
| MATH 323 | Probability. | 3 |
Probability. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Sample space, events, conditional probability, independence of events, Bayes' Theorem. Basic combinatorial probability, random variables, discrete and continuous univariate and multivariate distributions. Independence of random variables. Inequalities, weak law of large numbers, central limit theorem. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 329 | Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. | 3 |
Statistical Physics with Biophysical Applications. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. This interdisciplinary course introduces Statistical Physics illustrated with modern biophysical applications. Principles covered include partition functions, Boltzmann distribution, bosons, fermions, Bose Einstein condensates, Ferni gases, chemical potential, thermodynamical forces, biochemical kinetics, and an introduction to noise and phase transitions in biology. See course page for more information |
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
- 2
Students who have successfully completed MATH 150 Calculus A. and MATH 151 Calculus B. are not required to take MATH 222 Calculus 3..
Chemistry
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 213 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Thermodynamics. Topics include gas laws, kinetic theory of collisions, heat capacity, enthalpy, thermochemistry, bond energies, the entropy and free energy functions, absolute entropies, Maxwell relations and chemical and thermodynamic equilibrium states, phase rule and phase diagrams, ideal solutions, colligative properties, solubility, electrochemistry, Debye-Hückel Theory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 222 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. 1 | 4 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Summer 2025, Winter 2026 Modern spectroscopic techniques for structure determination. The chemistry of alcohols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and amines, with special attention to mechanistic aspects. Special topics. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 267 | Introductory Chemical Analysis. | 3 |
Introductory Chemical Analysis. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Qualitative and quantitative analysis. A survey of methods of analysis including theory and practice of semimicro qualitative analysis and representative gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental methods. The laboratory component includes introductory experiments in analytical chemistry emphasizing classical and instrumental methods of quantitative analysis. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 273 | Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. | 3 |
Introductory Physical Chemistry 2: Kinetics and Methods. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Kinetics: Transition State Theory, complex reactions, free-radical reactions, chain reactions, catalysis, reactions at surfaces, ionic effects of reactions in solution, photochemistry. Methods: physical chemistry laboratory, differential equations and linear algebra applied to physical chemistry, computation methods for data analysis and modeling See course page for more information |
| CHEM 281 | Inorganic Chemistry 1. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 1. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Basic concepts of electronic structure and molecular bonding will be developed and applied to the understanding of common materials. Acid-base chemistry. Survey of the chemistry of the main group elements. Introduction to coordination and organometallic chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 345 | Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Introduction to Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to quantum chemistry covering the historical development, wave theory, methods of quantum mechanics, and applications of quantum chemistry. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 355 | Applications of Quantum Chemistry. | 3 |
Applications of Quantum Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 A survey of the principles of electronic, vibrational and rotational spectroscopy. Magnetic resonance and computational methods. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 367 | Instrumental Analysis 1. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 1. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An introduction to modern instrumental analysis emphasizing chromatography, atomic spectroscopy and computational data analysis. Analytical methods to be examined in detail include gas-liquid and high performance liquid chromatography, LC mass spectrometry, and common methods of atomic determinations using flames/furnaces/plasma sources. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 377 | Instrumental Analysis 2. | 3 |
Instrumental Analysis 2. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Spectroscopic methods of analysis will be studied with respect to fundamentals, operational aspects and instrument design. Topics will range from UV-visible to x-ray spectrometry. Methodologies will be evaluated with respect to their application in spectrometric systems. Laboratory automation will be studied and applied in the laboratory. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 470 | Research Project 1. | 6 |
Research Project 1. Terms offered: Summer 2025 A course designed to give students research experience. The student will be assigned a project supervisor and a research project at the beginning of the session. The project will consist of a literature survey, experimental and /or theoretical work, a written research report and an oral examination. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 493 | Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. | 2 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Selected experiments to illustrate more advanced physico-chemical principles. See course page for more information |
| PHYS 242 | Electricity and Magnetism. | 2 |
Electricity and Magnetism. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Properties of electromagnetic fields, dipole and quadropole fields and their interactions, chemical binding of molecules, electromagnetic properties of materials, Maxwell's equations and properties of electromagnetic waves, propagation of waves in media. See course page for more information |
- 1
Denotes courses with CEGEP equivalents.
The courses are omitted from the program of students who have successfully completed them at the CEGEP level. Students completing the program will not be eligible for admission to the Ordre des chimistes du Québec without additional chemistry electives. This program is not currently accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
Complementary Courses
(9-10 credits)
3 credits of:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. See course page for more information |
6-7 credits of:
Course List
| Course |
Title |
Credits |
| BIOL 300 | Molecular Biology of the Gene. | 3 |
Molecular Biology of the Gene. Terms offered: Fall 2025 A survey of current knowledge and approaches in the area of regulation of gene expression, post-transcriptional control of gene expression, and signal transduction. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 301 | Cell and Molecular Laboratory. | 4 |
Cell and Molecular Laboratory. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 An introduction to biology research and communication with a focus on cell and
molecular biology. Through conducting a series of project-based experiments and writing a final report, molecular and synthetic biology techniques such as gene cloning, manipulation, protein isolation and characterization and how
research is conducted, analyzed and communicated will be addressed. In addition, an
introduction to bioinformatics methods and their role in analysis will be provided. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 316 | Biomembranes and Organelles. | 3 |
Biomembranes and Organelles. Terms offered: Fall 2025 The course focuses on biomembranes and subcellular organelles and their implications for disease. The topics include: protein and lipid biochemistry, membrane structure and transport; intracellular compartmentalization, protein sorting and modification, intracellular membrane trafficking; energy transfer, organization and dynamics of chloroplasts and mitochondria; extracellular matrix and cell walls. See course page for more information |
| BIOL 551 | Principles of Cellular Control. | 3 |
Principles of Cellular Control. Terms offered: Winter 2026 Fundamental principles of cellular control, with cell cycle control as a major theme. Biological and physical concepts are brought to bear on control in healthy cells.. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. | 3 |
Introductory Organic Chemistry 3. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Topics covered may include the following: Aromatic compounds, heterocyclic chemistry, sulfur and phosphorus chemistry, organosulfur and organophosphorus compounds, and biomolecules such as lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, polypeptides, DNA and RNA. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 381 | Inorganic Chemistry 2. | 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry 2. Terms offered: Fall 2025 Introduction to transition metal chemistry, coordination numbers and geometry, and nomenclature will be followed by a discussion of crystal field theory and its applications to problems in spectroscopy, magnetochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Several aspects related to applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis and bioinorganic systems will be discussed. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 502 | Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. | 3 |
Advanced Bio-Organic Chemistry. Terms offered: Winter 2026 This course will cover biologically relevant molecules, particularly nucleic acids, proteins, and their building blocks. In each case, synthesis and biological functions will be discussed. The topics include synthesis of oligonucleotides and peptides; chemistry of phosphates; enzyme structure and function; coenzymes, and enzyme catalysis; polyketides; antiviral and anticancer agents. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 514 | Biophysical Chemistry. | 3 |
Biophysical Chemistry. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Physical chemistry concepts needed to understand the function of biological systems at the molecular level, including the structure, stability, transport, and interactions of biological macromolecules. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 520 | Methods in Chemical Biology. | 3 |
Methods in Chemical Biology. Terms offered: Fall 2025 An overview of advanced techniques at the leading edge of Chemical Biology, including some or all of: biological imaging, kinetics of enzyme inhibition, combinatorial synthesis, atomic force microscopy of biological molecules, self assembling biomimetic structures, oligonucleotide therapeutics, biomolecular X-ray crystallography, computational methods, and nuclear magnetic resonance applied to protein interactions. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 555 | Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. | 3 |
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. The fundamental principles underlying Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be covered and applied to biomolecules and materials chemistry. Topics include multidimensional spectra, molecular dynamics, the density matrix, and the product operator formalism. See course page for more information |
| CHEM 575 | Chemical Kinetics. | 3 |
Chemical Kinetics. Terms offered: this course is not currently offered. Kinetic laws, measurement of reaction rates, transition state and collision theory, experimental techniques in reaction kinetics, reaction mechanisms, RRKM theory, Marcus theory of electron transfer, photochemistry and catalysis. Recent developments and their application to chemical and biological problems. Elementary reactions in gas, solution and solid phases and on surfaces. See course page for more information |
| COMP 208 | Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
. | 3 |
Computer Programming for Physical Sciences and
Engineering
. Terms offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Programming and problem solving in a high level computer language: variables, expressions, types, functions, conditionals, loops, objects and classes. Introduction to algorithms such as searching and sorting. Modular software design, libraries, file input and output, debugging. Emphasis on applications in Physical Sciences
and Engineering, such as root finding, numerical integration, diffusion, Monte Carlo methods.
See course page for more information |
