Bachelor of Science Degree BSc in Chemistry
A Bachelor of Science degree is a three year degree. A degree in Chemistry usually involves combining three of the five core streams taught at UC (University of Canterbury):
- Organic chemistry
- Medicinal chemistry & biological chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Analytical & environmental chemistry
- Physical chemistry and chemical physics
It requires a total of 360 points with 254 points from the Science schedule. 216 points must be from above 100-level, including 84 points at 300-level of which 56 points must be in a single science subject.
Note that 116 points are available in Chemistry at 200-level and a further 168 at 300-level.
You should try to include in your degree as broad a range of chemistry and related subjects as you can.
Variations on Core Chemistry
Many students undertake a chemistry-based degree that is directed to either biological or physical aspects of the subject:
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Biology-orientated chemistry
A chemistry degree at UC can be readily adapted to focus on biological aspects of chemistry. Students with strong biological interests generally base their degree around organic chemistry and then customize this through the choice of complementary courses. One possibility is to pursue a biochemistry degree.
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Physics-orientated chemistry
Students with an interest in chemical physics generally base their degree around the physical chemistry stream described on page 10 and augment this core with some combination of the other chemistry streams, i.e. inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and/or analytical & environmental chemistry, along with courses from physics and mathematics.
Chemistry as a compliment to other studies
The central role of chemistry in science means that many people choose to take chemistry courses because they are an important support to their other studies such as biochemistry, biology, earth sciences, engineering, environmental science, forestry, geology, health sciences or physics. The Department of Chemistry offers a variety of courses to cater for all types of professional development.
Chemistry is an important component of studies in: agriculture; biochemistry; biology; biotechnology; consumer & applied sciences; engineering; environmental science; forensic science; forestry; horticulture; human nutrition; law; materials science; medicine; nanotechnology; optometry; pharmacy; nuclear chemistry; veterinary science and many others.