Chemistry

All that glitters may not be gold, but at least it contains free electrons.
-- John Desmond Baernal

What do Chemistry Graduates do?
Chemistry is often called the central science - offering key tools for understanding everything from modern materials to industrial processes, our environment, and living systems.

The Natural Sciences Division seeks to shape a rich learning environment for King's students and faculty. Drawing on our own experience, as well as what we've learned from others, we have recently set out four goals for enriching our science and mathematics learning environment at King's. These goals are to:

Create a Community of Active Learners
Commit to Excellent Teaching, Scholarship and Mentoring
Teach From and Not Just About Nature
Show Students That Specialization is Not Enough: Science as a Human Enterprise

Canadian chemists are employed in research, development and quality control laboratories; chemical, petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries; mineral, metal and pulp and paper industries as well as in a wide variety of manufacturing, utility, health, educational and government establishments. Of the ten strong growth sectors projected by the Government of Alberta in 2000, four are in areas which have chemistry and chemical engineering as a central component - oil and gas; petrochemicals; agriculture, food and beverage; and forest products. Chemistry also plays a key role in the development of advanced materials (plastics, composites and advanced ceramics), in biotechnology, and the environmental sector. Chemists are listed as an "occupation of particular importance to Alberta."

King's Chemistry major can be combined with minors in a variety of areas to accommodate student needs. Of particular interest to students intending to work at the interface with biology (biochemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology) will be a major in chemistry and a minor in biology. Other attractive interfaces are: Chemistry/Business, Chemistry/ Mathematics-Computing Science, and Chemistry/Environment. Students interested in careers in the environmental sector can enrol in the King's 4-year B.Sc. ENVS (Chemistry) program, which provides an internship experience in the environmental industry.

Chemistry graduates are also often interested in professional schools or graduate schools. In consultation with your faculty advisor, we can make sure that you have an appropriate selection of courses to meet the requirements of professional schools such as medicine or dentistry, or prepare yourself for further study in Chemistry. This 4-year program is nationally accredited, and final-year chemistry students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor on a research project.

Unique Features of The King's Chemistry Programs
Our chemistry program places you, as a student, in a community of active learners, working with faculty committed to excellent teaching, mentoring and scholarship. You will work with award-winning faculty members in the natural sciences, who are passionate about teaching and actively engaged in research projects with undergraduate students. You'll learn too, that science is a human enterprise, and that scientific processes occur in historical, social and religious contexts.

Graduates leave with a strong chemistry background, mathematical skills, the ability to work independently, excellent oral and written communication skills, and problem-solving abilities. These are all desired qualifications for Canadian chemists, as indicated by Human Resources and Development Canada (Human Resources and Development Canada).

Chemistry

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