Chemistry (BSc)
Chemistry explains the world around you — from plastics to pills to pizza. At UVic, you won’t just learn the theory. You’ll build a strong foundation in chemistry while gaining hands-on lab experience from early in your degree.
You’ll study everything from core chemistry fundamentals to emerging scientific discoveries — and graduate with practical skills that prepare you for careers in research, health, industry and sustainability.
Our traditional chemistry degree follows a chemistry-intensive path that’s ideal for graduate school or careers working directly in chemistry research or industry.
Admissions
Learn everything you need to know about becoming a UVic student, from choosing a program and reviewing admission requirements to submitting your application and reporting your grades.
If you have questions, talk to a UVic recruiter or come to one of our recruiting events
Courses
Our course schedule lets you know when a specific course is available.
Visit the Undergraduate Calendar for a comprehensive list of all chemistry courses.
Career options
Chemistry is a strong foundation for many related careers and fields of study. Some career options are:
- Agricultural Scientist
- Chemical biology researcher
- Clinical chemist
- Environmental scientist
- Medical/health professional
- Petroleum scientist
- Pharmaceutical researcher
- Pharmacist
Funding
UVic offers scholarships, bursaries, awards and other funding opportunities to help you further your education and succeed in your studies. Explore funding options at UVic or learn more about receiving funding as a chemistry student.
Hands-on learning
Co-operative education (co-op)
After a first year of study, full-time UVic students can alternate co-op work terms with academic terms. Through the co-op program, chemistry students have gained valuable experience working jobs at research projects, pharmaceutical companies, breweries, equipment manufacturers and more.
Visit our co-op section or head to Co-operative Education to learn more.
Research opportunities
As they complete their studies, students can partake in undergraduate research. Chemistry offers non-traditional courses that let students help with departmental research while exploring research areas of their own interest.
Laboratory skills
Students practice proper lab safety and sharpen their analytical skills in our modern lab facilities.
Honours
An honours degree helps you gain research experience and the chance to practice thesis defence.
Students who enjoy chemistry and intend on doing graduate studies benefit from pursuing an honours degree. If you are considering grad school, an honours degree can provide a clearer picture of what to expect and support your decision making.
All students require the permission of the department to enter an Honours Program. It is strongly recommended to wait until you complete your second year before contacting the department about entering honours.
While there is no specific GPA entry requirement for Chemistry BSc honours, a 5.50 GPA is strongly recommended before entry. Students will need a graduating GPA of 5.50 to graduate with an honours degree. Failing to meet this requirement will revert your program back to Major.
To apply for honours:
- Email chemadvisor@uvic.ca. From there they will email the advising centre that chemistry accepts you into honours.
- Submit a request to change your program through DeclareMe
Read more about declaring & managing your program.
General and minor programs
Chemistry offers a general and minors program.
A general program allows students to study broadly in two disciplines in the last two years of a degree program with 9.0 units at the 300- or 400-level in each of these two disciplines.
A minor is an optional program that allows you to study in an area outside your Honours, Major, or General program.
Visit the Undergraduate Calendar to view program requirements for the General or Minor program.
Questions?
For further help, reach out to an academic advisor.