Students of the Bachelor of Arts, Major and Minor in Chemistry program in the lab
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Chemistry (BA)

  • Program Length 
    4 Years
  • Credential 
    Bachelor Degree
  • Options 
    Minor
  • Fully Available at 
    Nanaimo
  • Partially Available at 
    Cowichan, tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)

The Chemistry (BA) Program

The Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Chemistry is designed to be taken as part of a Double Minor or as a Major and Minor combination. The program introduces students to the traditional sub-disciplines of Chemistry, with a particular emphasis on analytical and environmental chemistry. The course selection is designed to maintain broad appeal and relevance to a variety of career objectives, including teaching environmental consulting, and academic research. Students will gain an appreciation for the role of chemistry in many aspects of modern scientific enquiry, including hands-on experience with modern chemical instrumentation and techniques.

The curriculum has been designed to focus on the underlying principles to provide an understanding of physical, chemical and biological processes. Courses develop critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills which are encouraged by close student-instructor interactions and student-student mentorship.

Requirements for a Minor

Students must fulfill all Institutional B.A. Degree Requirements, including Degree English Requirements and courses listed below:

Years 1 and 2

Credits

Select one of the following: 

  • Complete all of:
    • CHEM 140 - (Chemistry Fundamentals I)
  • Complete all of:

4

Select one of the following:

  • Complete one of:
    • CHEM 141* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)
    • CHEM 142* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II)
  • Complete all of:
    • CHEM 141A* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II Theory) 
    • CHEM 142L - (Chemistry Fundamentals II Laboratory)
  • Complete all of:
    • CHEM 142A* - (Chemistry Fundamentals II Theory) 
    • CHEM 142L - (Chemistry Fundamentals II Laboratory)

4

Select a minimum of 12 credits of 200-level Chemistry courses.** BIOL 201 can be counted towards these credits.

12
* CHEM 142A/142 is for students who have taken Chemistry 12 and scored at least a C+. CHEM 141A/141 is for students who do not meet this Chemistry 12 requirement. Both courses share the same laboratory material, and final examination.
** Students should check upper-level course prerequisites to guide second year course choices.

Years 3 and 4

Credits

Select a minimum of 18 credits of Chemistry courses numbered 300 or above.*

18

* Check individual course prerequisites.

Notes:

  • CHEM 490 and CHEM 491 require 9 upper-level CHEM credits that includes at least 3 credits of CHEM 312, 351, or 352.
  • Not all courses are offered every year; please check the website (VIU Chemistry) to find out which courses are offered each year.

Work Placement Opportunities

Research

The Applied Environmental Research Laboratory (AERL) is a state-of-the-art lab where pure and applied research in the environmental sciences is conducted in collaboration with public and private partners. The lab is fully equipped for foliar, soil and water analysis by both traditional and emerging methods. Some of the instrumentation is incorporated into upper-level chemistry lab courses. In the final year, students have an option to complete a one-semester directed research project, under the supervision of a faculty member. The AERL also provides year-round employment opportunities for senior students to assist faculty with environmental sampling, chemical analysis, method development, and data interpretation.

Some research projects that have recently been conducted at the AERL include:

  • The development of a novel technique for the rapid detection of volatile contaminants in air and drinking water;
  • an investigation of the effects of variable retention logging practices on the water chemistry of small coastal streams;
  • geochemical analysis of Gulf Island groundwater samples;
  • bioaccumulation of heavy metals in marine mammal parasites;
  • the role of photochemical and microbial processes in the biodegradation of woodwaste leachates;
  • and an assessment of land use impacts on water quality in the Englishman River watershed.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (30 credits x $166.40 per credit)

4,992.00

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

199.68

Student Services fee (30 credits x $7.35 per credit)

220.50

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

7,397.98
Notes

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees for One Year*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $11996.55 per semester)

23,993.10

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month)

220.80

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate cost for books and supplies for one year

1,500.00

Total

26,905.70
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts Program has four intakes per year; September, January, May, and June. 

Application Fee
45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erica Ellenchuk
Phone: 250.746.3512
Email: Erica.Ellenchuk@viu.ca

Comments

Questions about becoming a student can be directed to the Office of Future Students at 250.740.6672 or email Connect@viu.ca.
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$45.16
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Erin Johnson
Phone: 604.485.8033
Email: Erin.Johnson@viu.ca

Comments

Please consult Student Services/Advising at 604.485.2878 or email PR.StudentAffairs@viu.ca for more information on program or admission requirements.

International

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 2, 2025
Next Intake(s)

The Bachelor of Arts program has one intake each Fall and one intake each Spring.

Accepting International Applications
Yes
Application Fee
$150.00
Accepting Late Applications
Yes
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
International Admissions Officer Contact

Name: Elham Akhoundi
Phone: 250.740.6400
Email: Study@viu.ca

Comments

For prospective international applicants, please send your inquiries to WorldVIU@viu.ca.

Previous versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.