Chemistry


On this page: Introduction | Programs |
See also: Faculty Members | Course Descriptions | Course Winter Timetable |

Introduction

Chemistry is a challenging intellectual pursuit and a dominant force in shaping our civilization. Chemistry places strong emphasis on an understanding of the structures and properties of individual atoms and molecules, and on using this understanding to interpret and predict the behaviour of matter. Many of the concepts of physics, and the methods of mathematics, are basic to chemistry. Chemistry is of fundamental importance to many other subjects including astrophysics, biological sciences, environmental science, geology, materials science, and medical sciences. These and other aspects of the subject are reflected in the courses offered, and the programs recommended by the Department.

The Department has made extensive changes to its course and program offerings in the last few years. These changes included a revision of first year courses, substantial modifications to later-year courses, the introduction of updated specialist programs in Biological Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, and Environmental Chemistry, and brand-new programs in Molecular Biophysics and Synthetic & Catalytic Chemistry. Opportunity also exists to undertake a Nanoscience minor in collaboration with the National University of Singapore.

Students can choose between two first year options according to their intended area of specialization.

CHM151Y1 is the course that is strongly recommended for all students who will be following one of the specialist programs involving chemistry, including Biological Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry or who will be including a substantial amount of chemistry in their degree (such as those following a chemistry major program). CHM151Y1 features a unique «Course Community» which significantly supports and enhances the student learning experience.

The combination of CHM138H1 and CHM139H1 is recommended for students who intend to take programs in the Life or Health Sciences that do not require a large amount of chemistry. These courses may be taken in any order, and not in the same session.

The outlines of these first year courses, together with those for later-year offerings, are shown in this Calendar. More detailed information is available from the Department, and is posted at www.chem.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/courses/1st.html. Students who are following programs that contain a substantial number of chemistry courses are strongly advised to take courses in the proper year (i.e. 200-series in second year, etc.). Following the correct sequence will enhance the level and balance of preparation for all later year courses, and timetable conflicts will be avoided.

Students whose current programs may be affected by the introduction of new or revised chemistry courses are advised to consult the Department at the earliest possible opportunity.

Students requiring more information about Chemistry programs and courses are invited to visit or phone the Undergraduate Office, Lash Miller Chemical Laboratories, room 151 (416-978-6033).

Chemistry Programs

Biological Chemistry (Science program)

Consult Professor M. Nitz, Department of Chemistry.

Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least two 400-series courses)

First Year: BIO150Y1/(BIO120H1, BIO130H1); (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY138Y1/140Y1/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second and Higher Years:
1. BCH210H1; BIO250Y1/(BIO240H1, BIO241H1)/(BIO220H1, BIO230H1); CHM217H1, CHM225Y1/(CHM220H1, CHM221H1), CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1 (CHM249H1 strongly recommended); 0.5 MAT/CSC/STA credit
2. CHM347H1, CHM348H1, CHM379H1.
3. At least one of the following: CHM317H1, CHM327H1, CHM338H1, CHM343H1, CHM410H1, 438H1, CHM499Y1
4. Further 300/400-series courses in BCH or CHM, including CHM437H1, CHM447H1, and479H1 to make a total of 14 full courses. CSB450H1 is also acceptable.

Chemical Physics (Science program)

Consult Professor S. Whittington, Department of Chemistry.

Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least 1.5 400-series courses)

First Year: (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1), MAT137Y1/MAT157Y1; PHY140Y1/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Higher Years:
1. APM346H1; CHM225Y1, CHM326H1, CHM327H1, CHM328H1; MAT223H1/MAT240H1, MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1, MAT244H1, MAT334H1; PHY250H1/251H1, PHY254H1/255H1, PHY354H1/351H1, PHY350H1/352H1; CHM423H1/(PHY355H1/PHY356H1, PHY456H1/457H1)
2. Two full course equivalents from CHM217H1, CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1 (CHM249H1 strongly recommended), CHM310H1, CHM317H1, CHM338H1, CHM348H1, CHM415H1
3. Further 400-series half-courses in CHM/PHY to make a total of 14 full courses

Chemistry (Science program)

Consult Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, Department of Chemistry.

Enrolment in the Specialist, Major and Minor Chemistry programs requires completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least thREE 400-series courses)

First Year: (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY138Y1/140Y1/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second Year: CHM217H1, CHM225Y1/(CHM220H1 with minimum grade of B, CHM221H1), CHM238Y1, CHM249H1; MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1

Third and Fourth Years:
1. BCH210H1, CHM326H1/CHM328H1, CHM327H1
2. Further 300/400-level full course equivalents in CHM/MAT/another science, including at least three of CHM317H1, CHM338H1, CHM343H1/346H1, CHM379H1, CHM410H1, 438H1, CHM499Y1 and at least thREE 400-level CHM full course equivalents to make a total of 14 full courses.

Major program:
(8 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one CHM half course equivalent at the 400-level)

First Year: (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1

Second Year: At least two of CHM217H1, CHM220H1/CHM225Y1, CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1 (CHM249H1 strongly recommended)

Third Year: At least two of CHM317H1, CHM327H1, CHM338H1, (CHM343H1/346H1), CHM348H1, CHM379H1

Fourth Year: Further 200/300/400-level CHM courses to make a total of seven CHM full course equivalents (CHM299Y1 excluded)

Minor program:
(4 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one CHM full-course equivalent at the 300+ level)

First Year: CHM151Y1/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1)

Second Year: At least one of CHM217H1, CHM220H1/CHM225Y1, CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1(CHM249H1 strongly recommended)

Third Year: At least one of CHM317H1, CHM327H1, CHM338H1, CHM343H1/346H1, CHM348H1, CHM379H1

Fourth Year: Further 200/300/400-level CHM courses to make a total of four CHM full course equivalents (CHM299Y1 excluded)

Environmental Chemistry (Science program)

Consult Professor J. Murphy, Department of Chemistry

Specialist program:

(13.5 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

Jointly sponsored by the Centre for Environment and the Department of Chemistry, this program focuses on analytical theory, instrumentation and mechanistic understanding of organic and inorganic contaminants in soil, water, air and biological tissues.

Enrolment in this program is limited. It requires prior completion of 4 courses with a minimum GPA of 2.3. Three courses must be from the First Year list. Apply through the Centre for Environment by: 1st Round: TBA; 2nd Round: TBA at: www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/undergraduate.

First Year: BIO150Y1/(BIO120H1, BIO130H1); (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY138Y1/140Y1/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second Year: CHM217H1, CHM225Y1/(CHM220H1, CHM221H1), CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1 (CHM249H1 strongly recommended); ENV235Y1
Third and Fourth Years:
1. CHM310H1, CHM410H1, CHM415H1; ENV234Y1, ENV222Y1/(ENV221H1, ENV222H1)/GGR222Y1/JGE221Y1/ENV321Y1
2. One additional FCE fROM 300/400-series CHM courses
3. ENV421H1/CHM499Y1

Minor program:

(4 full courses or their equivalent; must include at least one full-course equivalent at the 300+-level)

Environmental chemistry is the study of the chemical impacts of humankind’s activities on the soil, air, and water. This minor provides a balanced fundamental background in chemistry as well as an introduction to the major issues associated with environmental chemistry. It is a Type 1 program.
1 (CHM138H1, CHM139H1)/CHM151Y1
2. One full course equivalent from CHM217H1, (CHM220H1, CHM221H1)/CHM225Y1, CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1
3. ENV235Y1
4. Any two of CHM310H1, CHM317H1, CHM410H1, CHM415H1

Synthetic and Catalytic Chemistry (Science program)

Consult Professor. R. Batey, Department of Chemistry.

Enrolment in this program requires completion of four courses; no minimum GPA required.

Specialist program:

(14 full courses or their equivalent)

This program focuses on the fundamentals and practical aspects of modern synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, and the understanding and applications of catalytic reactions. The program will prepare students for career paths as synthetic / discovery chemists, in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biomedical, crop protection, materials and related sectors, or for academic research and teaching positions.

First Year: (CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/(CHM138H1, CHM139H1); MAT135Y1/MAT137Y1; PHY138Y1/140Y1/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)

Second and Higher Years:
1. BCH210H1, CHM217H1, CHM225Y1/(CHM220H1 with minimum grade of B, CHM221H1), CHM238Y1, CHM247H1/CHM249H1 (CHM249H1 strongly recommended); MAT235Y1/MAT237Y1
2. CHM317H1, CHM338H1, CHM342H1, CHM343H1, CHM347H1, CHM348H1.
3. CHM432H1, CHM440H1, CHM441H1, CHM443H1.
4. CHM499Y1 and/or CHM398H0 in areas relevant to the program (to be approved by the Department)
5. Further 300/400-series courses in CHM, including CHM325H1, CHM328H1, CHM379H1, CHM416H1, 421H1, CHM434H1, CHM437H1, 438H1, CHM447H1 and479H1 to make a total of 14 full courses.

Nanoscience Minor Program (offered jointly with the National University of Singapore)

Consult: Dr. A. Dicks, Department of Chemistry

This physical science-based Type 3 minor program represents a unique opportunity to study chemistry and physics in a different cultural environment. Students take core subjects at the first-year level in Toronto and spend the Winter session of their second or third year at the National University of Singapore, where they are enrolled in lecture courses and undertake a faculty-supervised research project.

(4 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one CHM full-course equivalent at the 300+ level)

1. CHM151Y1/CHM139H1, PHY140Y1/(PHY151H1, PHY152H1)/(PHY131H1, PHY132H1)
2. NUS227H0, NUS228H0, NUS328H0, NUS398H0*
3. Further CHM courses to make a total of four full course equivalents
*NUS courses must be taken at the National University of Singapore during either the Winter session of second year studies or the Winter session of third year studies.
For more information, contact the Undergraduate Office (LM 151, 416-978-6033, undergrd@chem.utoronto.ca), and the International Student Exchange Office (ISXO, www.utoronto.ca/student.exchange).

Materials Chemistry Program - See Materials Science
Molecular Biophysics - See Physics
Pharmaceutical Chemistry - See Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Planetary Science Program - See Planetary Science