Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry at Dalhousie University offers considerable training in the major branches of chemistry and degree options accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC). Complete your undergraduate degree as a major, or consider completing an honours or co-op degree and/or earning one or more certificates if certain courses are taken as part of the program.
Your Major Map: Chemistry
The Chemistry Major Map highlights academic and co-curricular opportunities and provides an overview of how students can customize their degree. Students are encouraged to connect with advising supports at Dalhousie and use the Academic Calendar and Timetable to create their course plan.
Where your degree can take you
The Honours BSc or Advanced Major is the expected professional requirement for a chemist and is accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
A BSc degree in Chemistry provides great preparation for a variety of careers. The skills and knowledge acquired through this program can be applied, but are not limited to career paths in:
Medicine, law, government, business administration, biochemistry, oceanography, research, education, and geology, Many industries such as chemicals, oil, paint, pharmaceuticals, food additives, analysis companies, agrichemical, mining, energy, battery, defense, breweries, and health agencies, among many others need chemists.
Core competencies gained
Discipline-level skills:
- A background in basic sciences and various applications in mathematics, statistics, physics, and biology
- Knowledge of the composition and properties of matter, as well as the manner in which substances are transformed
- Training in all the major branches of chemistry, such as organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biological chemistry
- Exploration of the complex ways in which periodic table elements combine, both theoretically and within a laboratory setting
Transferable skills:
- Academic writing and presentation skills
- Critical thinking and analytical skills
- Communication skills
- Numeracy skills
- Time/project management
- Leadership and teamwork
- Basic statistical analyses
- Research skills
- Data analysis
- Laboratory techniques
Possible careers and employment
Chemistry Alumni can be employed within a variety of industries and have multiple career path options. These are influenced by the student's elective courses, experiential learning choices, and certificates. Some of the options below will typically require additional or graduate-level training*, while some can be pursued following the completion of baccalaureate program only.
- Art conservator
- Analytical chemist*
- Bench chemist
- Biochemist*
- Chemical engineer*
- Color development chemist
- Drug application reviewer
- Environmental chemist*
- Food scientist*
- Forensic chemist*
- Geochemist*
- Laboratory technician
- Medicinal chemist*
- Medical technologist*
- Pharmacy technician
- Product chemist
- Research assistant
- Teacher/professor*
- Quality control technician
- Water purification chemist
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