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Program Requirements

2025-2026 Academic Year

Chair
Ian Pottie, BSc (St. Mary’s University), PhD. (Memorial University of Newfoundland), Professor

Chemistry is the study of matter; its composition, the changes it undergoes, and the accompanying changes in energy. Chemistry is often called the “central science”, because a basic understanding of chemistry is essential for the study of subjects like biology, physics and ecology.

The Department of Chemistry at the Mount challenges students to be both analytical and creative. Small class sizes and, in many cases, the opportunity to participate in research prepares undergraduate students for their future endeavours; graduate school, medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, to name a few. Many of our students publish papers before they graduate, adding invaluably to their prospects in graduate school and the job market.

Any student wishing to pursue a major or honours program in chemistry should consult the department Chair, who will appoint an advisor to help the student plan an academic program. The department offers a Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry and, in cooperation with Dalhousie University, a joint honours degree in chemistry. These programmes are accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC), and that accreditation can have significant positive consequences for the job prospects and salary of graduates.

Valid WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) certification is required of all students who wish to take laboratory courses. WHMIS training sessions will be provided.

Admission Requirements

Review sections 2.1.4 Admission Requirements and 2.1.6 Additional Admission Requirements.

Students may count courses from a major, concentration and/or minor towards a second major, concentration and/or minor; however, students must complete a minimum of 50 percent of unique courses toward the second major, concentration and/or minor, unless otherwise stated in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.

Major

The degree with a major is intended for those students with a clearly focused interest who wish to gain knowledge in depth of a single discipline.

Students intending to complete the major degree must declare their intention to do so before they register for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

The Mount also offers a limited enrollment internship option.

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:
❏ a minimum of 8.0 and a maximum of 10.0 units in the major as follows:

CHEM 1011, 1012, 2101, 2201, 2301, 2302, 2401, 2402, 3101, 3102, 3401, 3402, 3501, 3502 (7.0 units)
1.0 additional unit of CHEM at the 3000 level or above
a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 8.0 units of CHEM

❏ 1.0 unit of PHYS (PHYS 1101 and 1102)
❏ 1.0 unit of MATH (MATH 1113 and 1114) Note: MATH 1113 and 1114 are required as co-prerequisites to CHEM 2301 and together fulfill the Core A requirement described below.
❏ 0.5 unit of MATH or CMPS (excluding MATH 1102, 1103, 2243 and 2245)
❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Science Communication, Statistics and Data Analytics or designated Applied Human Nutrition courses) as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ students may choose a second 3.0 unit minor in any area that offers a minor or up to 2.5 additional units of arts or science electives
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (exclusive of the major):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)

❏ at least 9.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.

Special Studies
Students may count a maximum of 4.0 units of directed/independent/research studies courses towards the degree, with no more than 2.0 units in any single discipline.

Major Certificate

Students who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science (General Studies) degree may apply to do a major certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the major degree listed above.

Combined Major

The combined major degree is intended for those students who wish to gain in-depth knowledge of two disciplines. Students must declare a major or combined major before registering for their sixth unit of coursework. Students who do not make this declaration within this time frame will not be permitted to register for further coursework.

The Mount also offers a limited enrollment internship option.

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units. In order to complete a combined major in Chemistry, the following requirements must be met:
❏ a minimum of 6.0 units and a maximum of 8.0 units in the Chemistry combined major as follows:

CHEM 1011, 1012, 2101, 2201, 2301, 2401
1.0 additional unit of CHEM at the 2000 level or above
2.0 additional units of CHEM at the 3000 level or above

❏ MATH 1113 and 1114 Note: MATH 1113 and 1114 are required as co-prerequisites to CHEM 2301 and together fulfill the Core A requirement described below.
❏ a second combined major specified by another program (Biology, Canadian Studies, Communication, Cultural Studies, Economics, English, Family Studies, French, Gerontology, History, Mathematics, Political Studies, Psychology, Sociology/Anthropology, Women’s Studies)
❏ a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 in the required 6.0 units of each combined major
❏ at least 5.0 units of the 12.0 units overall required for the combined majors must be at the 3000 level or above
❏ 1.0 unit from each core group A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies) (inclusive of the majors):

Core A – Sciences & Mathematics (1.0 unit)
Core B – Social Sciences (1.0 unit)
Core C – Humanities (1.0 unit)

❏ at least 9.0 units of the total 20.0 units must be at the 2000 level or above
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.

Students wishing to combine an arts major and a science major (e.g. Chemistry and English or Biology and Political Studies):
❏ must meet all of the requirements listed above
and
♦ to complete a BSc (Combined Major) primary science
discipline plus secondary arts discipline

must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in science disciplines

♦ to complete a BA (Combined Major) primary arts discipline
plus secondary science discipline

must complete a minimum 12.0 units of the total 20.0 units in arts disciplines

Joint Honours Degree

A Bachelor of Science, Honours degree given jointly with Dalhousie University, may be obtained in those areas of chemistry which form part of the honours program at Dalhousie. This joint program is accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.

Students wishing to register in the honours program should declare this intention as soon as possible, preferably within the second year of study. Approval of the department is necessary for a student to be accepted into the honours program.

Students must successfully complete 20.0 units with the following requirements:
❏ a minimum of 10.0 and a maximum of 12.0 units of CHEM

CHEM 1011, 1012, 2101, 2201, 2301, 2302, 2401, 2402, 3301, 3501, 4990
Dalhousie CHEM 3201, 3202, or 3203
CHEM 3101, 3102 or Dalhousie CHEM 3101
CHEM 3401, 3402 or Dalhousie CHEM 3304
2.5 additional units selected from the remaining CHEM courses

❏ MATH 1113, 1114, 2211, and 2212 Note: MATH 1113 and 1114 are required as co-prerequisites to CHEM 2301 and together fulfill the Core A requirement described below.
❏ PHYS 1101 and 1102
❏ a minor consisting of 3.0 units in a science field (Biology, Mathematics, Physics, Psychology, Science Communication or Statistics and Data Analytics) as specified by the department offering the minor. Students must achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the required 3.0 units
❏ 4.0 units of electives from core groups A, B, and C listed under the Bachelor of Arts (General Studies). At least 0.5 unit must be a course in which written assignments in the English language are considered frequently and in detail
❏ obtain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a grade of at least C- in 10.0 units of the required CHEM honours courses
❏ achieve a minimum of B- in the honours thesis
❏ obtain an overall GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken
❏ fulfilment of these general regulations governing honours degrees at both institutions
❏ Note: No more than 4.0 units from professional areas may be counted toward the degree. Courses included in the Applied Human Nutrition science minor will not be counted as professional electives.

Note: First-class honours will be awarded to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 or better in 10.0 units in the honours subject and no grade below B- in all courses counted for the degree beyond the first 5.0 units taken.

Joint Honours Certificate

Students who have graduated from Mount Saint Vincent University with a Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry may apply to do a joint honours certificate. Students must fulfill the requirements for the joint honours degree listed above and meet the University regulations regarding honours certificates.

Concentration

To obtain a concentration in Chemistry, students must fulfill the following requirements:

❏ CHEM 1011, 1012 and 2401
❏ 2.5 additional units of CHEM at the 2000 level or above, 1.0 unit of which must be at the 3000 level or above

Minor

To obtain a minor in Chemistry, students must fulfill the following requirements:

❏ CHEM 1011 and 1012
❏ 2.0 additional unit of CHEM at the 2000 level or above

Academic Note: This web-based calendar information is applicable for the 2025-2026 academic year which runs from September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2026.

For information on previous years, please consult the University Academic Calendars web page.