Chemistry (BSc)

Chemistry is the study of the structure and properties of matter, including the energy changes that accompany chemical reactions. The understanding gained from these studies is applied in the prediction of the behaviour of matter and in the interpretation of a wide variety of phenomena. Chemistry is linked closely with a number of other subjects, ranging from astrophysics and earth science to the biological and medical sciences, which involve matter at various levels of complexity. Chemists play a key role in the development of treatments which are helping to cure and alleviate diseases and prolong life spans. Our high standard of living depends heavily on the contributions of chemists to agriculture, manufacturing, new technologies and the development of efficient means of transportation and communication.

York's cutting-edge program recognizes the most recent developments in chemistry such as proteomics and nanotechnology. Our Chemistry program has great professors, small-group tutorials, peer mentoring and state-of-the-art labs. Because we run a smaller program than at many other large universities, we're able to give you lots of support. You'll get plenty of hands-on experience in research labs guided by professors.

There are three streams to choose from:

• Pharmaceutical & Biological Chemistry

  • This fast-growing field looks at how biological and chemical systems interact. For example, how do you design drugs to target a specific problem in the biological system? If you’re interested in the life and health sciences, this option provides solid grounding in both chemistry and the basics of biological science.

• Materials Chemistry

  • This program is designed for students with an interest in polymers, electronic materials, optical materials, magnetic materials, surface chemistry, biosensors, biomaterials, crystallography and other aspects of chemistry related to the preparation, characterization and use of specialized solid state materials. This stream will provide you with a solid grounding in Chemistry as well as a specialized exploration of the chemistry of solid-state substances, their preparations and properties.

• Analytical Chemistry

  • In the Analytical Chemistry stream, you will receive training in the fundamentals of chemical analysis and separation. As a graduate from this stream, you will be highly desirable to industry and government agencies.

Chemistry provides excellent preparation for entrance to graduate studies and research in all areas of chemistry. As a graduate, you will find exciting careers in forensics, the pharmaceutical industry, government research agencies and with independent manufacturers. Many go on to further studies in law, medicine and dentistry. Chemistry is also great preparation if you want to be an analytical chemist, technical writer, paint formulation chemist, food and drug analyst, product tester, perfumer, cosmetic chemist or air quality specialist.