Curriculum: Overview

First Year:The BSc in Chemistry shares a point of entry with the BSc programs in Biology, Contemporary Science, Mathematics and its Applications, and Medical Physics, through which all new science students at Ryerson complete a common first year. This allows students to explore various science-based routes to degree completion before they commit to the Chemistry program. In addition to BSc foundation courses, the first year of studies will include an introduction to the use of computers as scientific tools, and an orientation course that will support students in making a successful transition to university and planning their steps to degree completion. All students in Science programs must enroll in SCI 180 in their first semester of studies.

Upper Years:Because this is a strongly applications-oriented program, a large proportion of student learning will take place in the laboratory. Lab hours account for a significant amount of learning time in every semester, supported by a solid grounding in the theory and principles of chemical science. In the upper years of the curriculum, students will focus on developing their technological expertise and exploring the research and industrial applications of chemical science. Depending on the course sequence selected they may pursue a BSc in Chemistry, Chemistry with a Biology Minor, Chemistry with an option in Applied Physics.

In the final year, with permission of the Department, students may opt to undertake an independent, faculty-supervised thesis project.

Chemistry with a Biology Minor:Students who wish to pursue a Biology Minor may do so by selecting six biology courses from Table I as professional and professionally-related electives, subject to the Biology Minor requirements and restrictions. Please refer to the Minors Policy section of this calendar for further information.

Applied Physics Option:This option will be of interest to students who wish to pursue a chemistry degree with a greater emphasis on physical chemistry and a more interdisciplinary focus towards physics. By selecting from a range of professional and professionally-related electives, students may acquire expertise in solid state physics, biophysics, radiation biology or medical diagnostic techniques – all within the context of an undergraduate chemistry program. This option begins in third semester. Students who wish to select the Applied Physics Option must make an Academic Plan change when choosing their courses for second year. Students may choose to pursue a regular or co-operative educational program within this option.

Optional Specialization in Management Sciences:

Students who opt for this specialization will gain a solid foundation in management science courses, specifically tailored to better prepare them for a career in engineering or applied science management or for graduate studies in management related specializations (e.g. MBA). Students must complete all first year courses and obtain a CLEAR Standing to be eligible to enroll in this specialization.

Furthermore, in order to continue taking courses within the specialization, students must maintain their CLEAR Standing. Students' CGPAs will continue to be calculated based only on their required program courses and separate CGPAs will be computed for courses in the specialization. In order to have the additional specialization designation reflected on their degrees, students must successfully complete all six courses in the specialization and achieve a CGPA of 2.00 or more before graduation.

Courses within the optional specialization cover four major areas in management science: Strategic Engineering Management, Operations Management/Operations Research, Financial Sciences, and Organizational Sciences. Required courses include: Managerial Accounting, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Management, Operations Management, and Organization Design & Dynamics. Elective courses span the following: Investment Analysis, Management Information Systems, Operations Research, and Project Management.

Required courses: EMS 201, EMS 202, EMS 204, EMS 303, ECN 801.

Elective courses (select one): EMS 203, EMS 301, EMS 302, EMS 304.

Courses are offered in the Spring/Summer term. All required courses are prerequisite to the corresponding elective courses. For example, EMS 201 is a prerequisite to EMS 301. Additional prerequisites may be required. See the course description pages for details.