Chemistry

You + Waterloo = great chemistry

A student in the Chemistry program at the University of Waterloo.

Fire up the Bunsen burners in one of Canada’s top 10 chemistry programs. You’ll study everything from biochemistry and inorganic chemistry to polymer chemistry, nanoscience, and more.

Specialize in bio-based chemistry and learn how to synthesize chemicals from renewable resources such as ethanol, corn, or cellulose. You'll focus on designing chemical products that are biodegradable. Or you can specialize in computational chemistry to study the fundamental properties of atoms, molecules, and reactions using quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. You'll learn to solve chemical problems using computer modeling and simulations.

Meanwhile, you can gain 20 months of paid work experience through Waterloo's co-op program, allowing you to explore possible career paths while earning money to help pay for your education. If you’re eyeing a career in teaching or academia, hone your instruction skills as a teaching assistant.

Breifcase Available as a co-op and regular program

Person Qualify for membership in the Chemical Institute of Canada

book icon Available as a major and minor

Chemistry admission requirements

Ontario students: six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English (ENG4U) (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Advanced Functions (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Calculus and Vectors (minimum final grade of 70% is required)
Two of Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, or Physics (Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, and/or Physics are recommended)

Admission averages: Low 80s

We recommend completing the Admission Information Form once you've applied.

Not studying in Ontario? Search our admission requirements.

How to apply

Apply to Physical Sciences and choose Chemistry as your major.

Blue powder in a container in a chemistry lab.

A Chemistry degree balances theory and practical work. Follow your interests by choosing to focus on areas such as analytical, organic, and polymer chemistry.

What will you learn?

Programs/majors in the Faculty of Science start right in first year. To select your program with confidence, here’s some handy info to get you started.

Skills you'll develop with this major

Technical laboratory skills, including designing experiments and manipulating DNA
Critical thinking
Data analysis
Teamwork
Time management

This isn't an exhaustive list – rather a glimpse into the skills a Chemistry major can provide.

Your experience will be unique, and the skills you develop will depend on your goals; which courses you take; and your involvement with any clubs, jobs, or research projects.

Types of courses you'll take

59% Chemistry courses, 27% electives, 7% math, 5% physics, 2% communications courses This is a general guideline. The ratio of courses may change slightly from year to year.

Get tips from Waterloo students

Monthly topics include how to choose a university program, what it's like to be a Waterloo student, and more.

Questions? Ask a student!

Contact a Science student ambassador to learn about their experience.

Ask them questions such as why the chose their program, what the classes are like, and how you can get involved on campus.

First-year courses and beyond

September to December

CHEM 121/121L - Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter/Laboratory
ENGL 193/SPCOM 193 - Communication in the Sciences
MATH 127 - Calculus 1 for the Sciences
Choose one of:
- PHYS 121/121L - Mechanics/Lab
- PHYS 111/111L - Physics 1/Lab
Plus one elective

January to April

CHEM 125/125L - Chemical Reactions, Equilibria and Kinetics/Laboratory
CHEM 140 - Introduction to Scientific Calculations
MATH 128 - Calculus 2 for the Sciences
Choose one of:
- PHYS 122/122L - Waves, Electricity and Magnetism/Lab
- PHYS 112/112L - Physics 2/Lab
Plus one elective

After first year

Most of the classes you’ll take will be Chemistry courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

View a list of all the courses required for your degree.

Sample upper-year courses

CHEM 381 – Bioorganic Chemistry
CHEM 357 – Physical Biochemistry
CHEM 340 – Introductory Computational Chemistry
CHEM 356 – Introductory Quantum Mechanics

Customize your degree

Add a specialization in Bio-based Chemistry or Computational Chemistry to focus your studies or choose one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students to include additional areas of interest.

What sort of labs do you do?

Starting in first year, you'll begin with experiments that focus on your chemical techniques: studying redox reactions, making electrochemical cells, performing titrations, and even creating acetaminophen.

After first year, you'll be responsible for the organic synthesis of pharmaceuticals as well as experiments with inorganic semi-conductors and nanoparticles, computational models, and instruments used to analyse samples (mass spectrometry, chromatography). By graduation, our students say they feel like a real chemist and have gained solid confidence in the lab!

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

By alternating school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your Chemistry degree, you can explore new career areas and types of employers as your interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Brewing analytical technician
Chemical technologist
Science tutor
Discovery analyst (pharmacology)
Quality assurance technician
Pharmacist assistant
Product developer

Sample co-op employers

Colgate Palmolive Canada
Labatt Ontario Breweries
Agriculture & Agri-foods Canada
Apotex Inc.
Grand River Foods Ltd.
Ontario Ministry of Environment & Climate Change
University of British Columbia

What can you do with a Chemistry degree?

Many students choose to continue their education (such as a specialized Master's degree) to pursue careers in research or teaching. There are also many chemist positions if you plan to start your career upon graduation. You can work as quality control and analytical chemists in research and development, bio-based materials, the food industry, pharmaceutical or agricultural companies, energy and the environment, universities and research institutions, craft breweries, water treatment facilities, and other manufacturing factories. These are jobs you can also try out as a co-op student!

Graduates

Analytical Chemist - Apotex Pharmachem Inc.
Chemist - GlaxoSmithKline Healthcare Inc.
Contact Lens Integration Lead - Medella Health
Organic Chemist - NeurAxon Inc.
Senior Technician - Vineland Research and Innovation Centre
Instrumentation Analyst - ALS Environmental
Product Developer - JD Sweid Foods

Learn about the future of careers in science.

"We gain lots of hands-on experience, including advanced six-hour labs in upper years! In chemistry, it's so important to apply what you learn in class. I actually felt like a 'real' chemist and was prepared to take on research during co-op terms."Lilli, fourth-year Chemistry student (specialization in Materials Chemistry)

Click Apply to Physical Sciences and select Chemistry as your major

Beaker Offered through the Faculty of Science

Cap Earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Honours Chemistry

Ready to learn more?

Visit the Department of Chemistry website
Related programs

Grab your lab goggles

With 20+ laboratory courses to choose from, you’ll log more than 200 hours at the bench by the end of your second year. In your final year, you can delve into the world of research with your own year-long project.

Get professional credentials

When you graduate with your Chemistry degree, you’ll be eligible for a professional chemist membership from the Chemical Institute of Canada — and be ready to create the future of fuels, plastics, drugs, foods, and other consumer products.