Note: 91社区鈥檚 new Course Catalogue will replace the eCalendar. The Course Catalogue is expected to go live the week of April 22nd. When the new site is published, "mcgill.ca/study" will be redirected to the new Course Catalogue website.
Course information on this site is not reflective of offerings for the 2025鈥�2026 academic year. Some irregularities may occur as we move operations to the incoming Course Catalogue.
The office for Science and Society is dedicated to the promotion of critical thinking and the presentation of practical scientific information to the public, educators, and students in an accurate and responsible fashion. The office answers queries from the public as well as from the media, with a view toward establishing scientific accuracy. The office also offers a variety of educational and interesting presentations on scientific topics and its members contribute to a number of courses under the umbrella of 鈥淭he World of Chemistry鈥�.
| Director |
|---|
| Joseph A. Schwarcz |
| Members |
| Ariel Fenster; David N. Harpp |
Chemistry is both a pure science, offering a challenging intellectual pursuit, and an applied science whose technology is of fundamental importance to the economy and society. Modern chemists seek an understanding of the structure and properties of atoms and molecules to predict and interpret the properties and transformations of matter and the energy changes that accompany those transformations. Many of the concepts of physics and mathematics are basic to chemistry, while chemistry is of fundamental importance to many other disciplines, such as the biological and medical sciences, geology, metallurgy, etc.
A degree in chemistry leads to a wide variety of professional vocations. The large science-based industries (petroleum refining, plastics, pharmaceuticals, etc.) all employ chemists in research, development, and quality control. Many federal and provincial departments and agencies employ chemists in research and testing laboratories. Such positions are expected to increase with the currently growing concern for the environment and for consumer protection. A background in chemistry is also useful as a basis for advanced study in other related fields, such as medicine and the biological sciences. For a business career, a B.Sc. in Chemistry can profitably be combined with a master's degree in Business Administration, or a study of law for work as a patent lawyer or forensic scientist.
There are two main programs in the Department of Chemistry: Honours and Major. There are also a number of B.Sc. Liberal and other programs available. Interested students may inquire about these at the Student Advisory Office, Room 118A, Pulp & Paper Building, or see mcgill.ca/chemistry/current-undergraduate-students/advising.
The goal of this minor program is to provide interested B.Sc. students with a good grounding in chemistry through an introduction to one of the traditional sub-disciplines in chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical).
For more information, see Minor Chemistry (20 credits).
The B.Sc.; Minor in Chemical Engineering is designed for Chemistry students who wish to study the problems of process engineering and its related subjects, and the important link between molecular sciences and industrial processing. This Minor will not provide requirements for registration as a licensed (professional) engineer.
For more information, see Minor Chemical Engineering (24 credits).
For more information, see Liberal Program - Core Science Component Chemistry - General (49 credits).
For more information, see Major Chemistry (59 credits).
For more information, see Major Chemistry - Bio-organic (63 credits).
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. The program may be completed in 65 or 66...
For more information, see Major Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (66 credits).
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
For more information, see Honours Chemistry (71 credits).
Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.
For more information, see Honours Chemistry - Bio-organic (75 credits).
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. This program may be completed in 74 or 75...
For more information, see Honours Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (75 credits).
For more information, see Physics (PHYS).
