Program Overview

Chemistry Co-op Program

The Chemistry Co-op program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in chemistry, combined with practical work experience. The program is structured to allow students to alternate between academic terms and paid work terms, providing them with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.

Program Description

Chemistry is the study of the structure and behavior of molecules, including the construction of molecules with specific properties for use in areas such as pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Students in the Chemistry Co-op program will focus on the determination of trace chemicals in the environment using techniques for separation and spectroscopic analysis, as well as the design of new materials for the microelectronics industry.

University of Guelph Advantage

The University of Guelph has a national and international reputation for excellence in research and teaching in chemistry. The faculty includes award-winning professors in chemical education, electrochemistry, toxicology, biochemistry, and spectroscopy. The co-op process is designed to respond to the needs of employers, allowing them to post, interview, and hire students throughout the semester.

Student Strengths

Students in the Chemistry Co-op program will develop a sound knowledge of the theoretical foundations of chemical sub-disciplines, including analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. They will also gain practical laboratory proficiency in wet bench chemistry, including inorganic and organic synthesis, quantitative analysis, and analytical instrumentation. Additionally, students will develop excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Chemistry Work Term Schedule

The Chemistry Co-op program is structured to allow students to complete a series of work terms, alternating with academic terms. The schedule is as follows:

• Year One: Academic terms in the fall and winter, with an off-term in the summer
• Year Two: Academic terms in the fall and winter, with a work term in the winter
• Year Three: Academic terms in the fall and winter, with a work term in the summer
• Year Four: Work terms in the fall and summer, with an academic term in the winter
• Year Five: Academic terms in the fall, with a work term in the summer

Chemistry Course Sequencing

The Chemistry Co-op program includes a range of courses, sequenced to provide students with a comprehensive education in chemistry. The courses include:

Year One

• Fall: Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biology, Calculus I, Introductory Mechanics, General Chemistry I, and a liberal education elective
• Winter: General Chemistry II, Introductory Electricity and Magnetism, Discovering Biodiversity or Biological Concepts of Health, Introduction to Co-operative Education, and Linear Algebra I

Year Two

• Fall: Organic Chemistry I, Structure and Bonding, Analytical Chemistry I, Applied Differential Equations, and an elective
• Winter: Work Term One
• Summer: Structure and Spectroscopy, Introduction to Biochemistry, Statistics I, Analytical Chemistry II, and an elective

Year Three

• Fall: Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Organic Chemistry II, Main Group Chemistry, Quantum and Computational Chemistry, and an elective
• Winter: Transition Metal Chemistry, Chemical Discovery, and three electives or restricted electives
• Summer: Work Term Two

Year Four

• Fall: Work Term Three
• Winter: Five electives or restricted electives
• Summer: Work Term Four

Year Five

• Fall: Five electives or restricted electives

Restricted Electives

Students in the Chemistry Co-op program are required to complete at least 3.50 credits from the 3000/4000 level, including:

• 1.50 credits from: Chemical Industry, Safety, and Sustainability, Electrochemistry and Sensors, Materials and Solid State Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Organic Reactivity, Advanced Organic Synthesis, Bioorganic Chemistry, or Advanced Physical Chemistry
• 2.0 credits from: Structure and Function in Biochemistry, Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure, Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology, Metabolic Processes, Chemical Instrumentation, Chemistry Research Project I, Chemistry Research Project II, Molecular and Nanoscale Spectroscopy, Biochemical Toxicology, or Topics in Toxicology