COMMON QUESTIONS

What research opportunities are available?

Co-op, volunteer, NSERC USRA, CHEM 448 (the latter is a directed studies course which can be done at any time of the year, including summer in third or fourth year), CHEM 445 (4th year laboratory), CHEM 449 (Honours thesis, but not just for Honours students), and other programs that will be advertised. Look for posters and emails, check the Chemistry Department website, and talk to your TAs and professors. For more information, see Research Opportunities.

How do I get into Honours Chemistry?

You apply directly to the various Combined Honours specializations through the FoS process. Students are not admitted directly into Honours Chemistry since it contains the same courses as the Majors specialization. If your average is high enough, the Chemistry Department Undergraduate Advisor will contact you over the summer regarding the possibility of moving from Majors to Honours. You need a minimum 68% average, no failures, and 30 winter session credits. Students with less than the 30 winter session credit requirements may be considered for Honours if by the end of the second year they have completed 60 winter session credits.

What is the difference between taking the Majors and Honours specializations?

Honours has 12 additional credits and a few additional course requirements over the last three years of the degree. The Honours specialization can give you an advantage in applications for graduate schools, professional schools (medicine, nursing, dentisty, law) and jobs.

What is the difference between Biochemistry and Chemistry?

Biochemistry is a subset of Chemistry. You can do biomechanical research in a Chemistry research group (and there are several in this department). Chemistry is often called the "central science," because Chemistry interconnects all the disciplines of science.

A new Combined Honours Chemical Biology specialization will be offered by the Chemistry Department, starting in September 2011.

What kinds of jobs can I get with a degree in Chemistry? How much do they pay? Will I need additional schooling?

You are limited only by your imagination and your willingness to try new things! Depending on your particular interests, you can work in industry, research and development, education or agriculture, just to mention a few. What you do in your job depends largely on the level of your degree: Bachelors, Masters or Ph.D. In general, the higher the degree, the more likely that you will work in a management or leadership role. Salary also varies with the degree obtained and where you work. The American Chemical Society (ACS) conducts and publishes annual salary surveys and also has good information about the career options (also, see "What do Chemists Do?") available to chemists.