A degree from Queen’s Department of Chemistry is highly regarded and an important consideration in today’s competitive science and technology job market.
Our $56 million state of the art building is home to the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance facility and its eight high-field instruments, an on-site Mass Spec facility with four mass spectrometers, an X-ray diffractometer, a CFI-funded facility for materials characterization and more unique equipment in faculty labs.
Launch successfully into your chosen career field or graduate studies with a degree in Chemistry which will provide both hands-on learning experiences and transferrable skills such as working in a team, critical thinking and problem solving.
Questions? Contact us at ugadm@chem.queensu.ca.
Why Chemistry at Queen's?
Chemistry opens very broad career options |
Extensive experiential training for hands-on learning |
All major and specialization students will conduct research in 4th year |
Programs are accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry |
Degree Programs at a Glance
A detailed description of each program is available under Degree Programs. The table below provides a brief overview of our Chemistry degree programs.
| Bachelor of Arts |
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| Bachelor of Science |
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| Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
Major
Specialization
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Major-Minor degree programs: students can combine Chemistry with other degree programs (for instance, Biology Major with a Chemistry Minor or Chemistry Major with an Economics Minor).
Admission into, and progress through, an honours degree program requires a minimum cumulative average of 65% after 1st and subsequent years.
Careers in Chemistry
Chemists deal with matter. They study and transform matter into the molecules that cure or treat our ailments, that keep our homes warm in the winter, that clean our hair and clothing, that give us new textiles, that test and enhance our water quality, and so on.
A degree in Chemistry can equip you with hands-on practical and transferable skills including:
- Academic and technical skills to conduct research, understand scientific journal articles, trouble-shooting, explain and interpret data.
- Organizational skills to compile, organize and maintain accurate records.
- Written and oral communication skills to prepare and present reports from research ideas and information using current technology.
- Observation and decision making skills.
- Team working in a multidisciplinary context.
- Resource and time management.
Degree Programs and Career Choices
| BScH, Major or Specialization |
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| BSc, General |
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Many careers are available to chemists, including:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Chemical sales
- Food and flavor Chemistry
- Geochemistry
- Hazardous waste management
- Science writing
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Chemical information specialists
- Waste management
- Catalysis
- Forensic Chemistry
- Chemical education
A number of outstanding web sites discuss the careers available to chemists. Here are links to a few:
- The Canadian Society of Chemistry maintains a career services section.
- The American Chemical Society maintains an excellent website on Chemistry careers. It contained detailed descriptions of the careers mentioned above, along with details on many other careers.
- The Royal Society for Chemistry maintains a career options section.
- Indiana University maintains a Wiki on Careers in Chemistry.
Prepare for Your Career
Choosing Chemistry at Queen's provides you with the opportunity to gain the experience and qualifications necessary to launch successfully into graduate studies or a career after graduation. Not only will your degree provide the foundation for building your knowledge and skills, but you will have access to resources on campus which offer unique and life-changing experiences.
Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP)
With start dates in May, September or January, the Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program offers paid and full-time positions that will let you test drive a career while gaining real world experience. You will graduate with "Professional Internship" on your degree, build network connections, and receive support from Queen's staff in job search and during internship.
- Work terms: 12-16 months long
- Eligibility: 2nd or 3rd year students with a minimum GPA of 1.9
- Visit the Career Services website for more information