Program Overview:
About Chemistry
Known simply as the central science, every scientific field necessitates an understanding of chemistry. Chemistry helps broaden our understanding of the world and how it operates. As a StFX Chemistry student, you will evolve academically under the instruction of award-winning professors who will work closely with you to help achieve your goals and create an exciting learning environment.
Why Study Chemistry at StFX?
As science has evolved, so has the Chemistry Department at StFX. It now emphasizes nanoscale and catalytic chemistry balanced with all major components of the field: physical, organic, inorganic, analytical and biochemistry. You will learn within state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms from a faculty possessing expertise in all of the traditional subdisciplines of chemistry.
We combine a traditional focus of one-on-one learning with advanced technology applications to produce graduates who excel in the field. Class sizes are small, particularly at the junior and senior level, which allows for plenty of faculty-student interaction and academic flexibility.
The Department of Chemistry at StFX offers:
- Honours, advanced major, and major programs at the BSc level
- Joint honours and joint advanced majors BSc programs with most of the other sciences
- Postgraduate research degree (MSc)
First Year at a Glance
Your first year will have you exploring the fundamentals of chemistry, including the nature of atoms, ions and molecules, chemical formulae, and more. Our introductory courses also feature lab components in order to bolster your learning with hands-on experience. In addition to chemistry, you will take introductory calculus as well as additional scientific courses of your choice.
Concentrations
While pursuing your Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree, you can concentrate your studies in one of the following areas:
Sustainable Chemistry and Renewable Energy
The field of Sustainable Chemistry considers the intersection of chemistry with society, economy and environment. It embraces elements of a “green” approach to chemical synthesis (i.e. Green Chemistry) for pollution reduction and environmental remediation. It addresses the impacts of the chemical industry on society, balancing the need for doing things in a sustainable manner while maintaining industry’s economic competitiveness.
Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a scientific field that focuses on chemical processes occurring at cellular and molecular levels. The field combines chemistry and biology for examining chemical reactions and chemical structures and living organisms.
This information can be used to understand the molecular mechanism of various diseases and/or health inequalities, to develop new vaccines and medical treatments, to genetically engineer crops to withstand changing climate conditions, or to produce sustainable fuels using biological reactions.
Future Opportunities
Chemistry at StFX can be the foundation for further studies in top graduate and professional schools, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and education all over the world. It is a broad-based field that holds the key to all scientific career paths. Just to name a few:
- Anesthesiologist
- Dentist
- Education / Teacher
- Environmental Chemist
- Forensic Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Medicine / Physician
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacologist
- Toxicologist
