Last updated: October 22, 2001 @ 08:47AM

Chemistry

Chair
Ian D. Brindle

Professors Emeriti
Martin S. Gibson, Richard R. Hiatt, David C. Moule

Professors
Ian D. Brindle, G. Ronald Brown, J. Stephen Hartman, Herbert L. Holland, Jack M. Miller, Mary Frances Richardson, Stuart M. Rothstein

Associate Professors
Jeffrey K. Atkinson, Fred Capretta, James McNulty, Andrew G. Reynolds

Assistant Professors
Heather L. Gordon, Art van der Est

Research Professor (honorary)
Mikio Chiba

Adjunct Professor
Klaus Kaiser

Senior Demonstrator
Gail Neff

Senior Demonstrator - Research Technician
Donna Vukmanic

Co-ordinator, Analytical Services
T.R.B. Jones

Director, Co-operative Programs
Cindy Dunne

Co-operative Program Co-ordinator
Ian D. Brindle

General Information

Administrative Assistant,
Christine Skorski
(905) 688-5550, extension 3406
Mackenzie Chown E206
http://www.brocku.ca/chemistry/

Chemistry is the study of matter and its interactions with various forms of energy. Brock students are involved in the analysis, synthesis and purification of substances, determining their structures and properties and explaining the mechanisms of processes.

Our programs stress chemical principles and practice through research in organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and theoretical chemistry, as well as the related fields of bio-inorganic and bio-orgaic chemistry and chemical physics. Research interests of the department include development of sol-gel derived materials for use as catalysts, oxidation of organic molecules by fungi, the chemistry of plant-insect interactions, new chiral ligands for asymmetric catalysis, new approaches in natural product synthesis, molecular spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry including organometallic mass spectrometry, quantum chemistry, pesticide and trace element analysis, protein affinity labelling, and structure-activity correlations of anticancer pharmaceuticals.

The honours program in Chemistry is designed to give the student a broad knowledge of chemistry as well as depth in areas in which the student is most interested. A research project must be successfully completed and a thesis written as part of the requirements for an honours degree. The honours program and certain of the combined honours programs listed below, when taken with CHEM electives, satisfy the requirements for membership in the Chemical Institute of Canada and are the normal requirements for admission to graduate school in chemistry.

The Chemistry Co-op program combines academic and work terms over a four and one half year period. Students spend two years in an academic setting, where they acquire the necessary background prior to taking the first work placement. Successful completion of courses in the core areas of Chemistry provides the necessary academic background for the work experience. In addition to the current fees for courses in academic study terms, Chemistry Co-op students are assessed an annual administrative fee (see the Schedule of Fees).

Admission to the Co-op program is on the basis of marks and a review of personal résumés and employer availability. An interview may be required. The normal requirement for admission is an minimum 80 percent on six OACs (or equivalent). As this is a limited enrolment program, admission is not guaranteed by attainment of the minimum requirement. The Co-op Programs Office and the Department of Chemistry will facilitate admission decisions.

Eligibility to continue is based on the student's major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the Chemistry Co-op program, but may continue in the non Co-op Chemistry stream. Students admitted to the Chemistry Co-op program must follow the Co-op program schedule. Failure to adhere to the schedule may result in removal from the Chemistry Co-op program. For further information, see the Co-op Programs section of the Calendar, and contact the Department of Chemistry.

The requirement for graduation with a Chemistry (honours) degree is a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average. The Chemistry Co-op program designation will be awarded to those students who have honours standing and who have successfully completed a minimum of twelve months of Co-op work experience.

The equipment available in the Mackenzie Chown Complex is actively used for both teaching and research. Undergraduate students gain hands-on experience in operating modern equipment for separating of complex mixtures, determining molecular structures, and making quantitative measurements. Newer equipment is computer-controlled and is connected to the University's Ethernet backbone. The department also has a variety of computers and UNIX workstations for advanced computation, data interpretation and molecular modelling.

Instrumentation includes 200- and 300- MHz NMR cryospectrometers for solution and high-resolution solids studies. A high resolution double focusing magnetic mass spectrometer interfaced to a data acquisition system allows for acquisition of positive and negative ion spectra with EI, CI and FAB sources. A GC interface and linked scanning add to the suite of capabilities of this instrument. A modern ion trap HPLC/MS/MS spectrometer is available with ESI and APCI sources and full MS/MS scanning. A dedicated HP quadrupole GC/MSD is also available. The research laboratories are all equipped with modern computer-interfaced equipment including liquid and gas chromatography systems for analytical and preparative work, UV/Visible spectrophotometers, FT-IR spectrophotometers, lasers, DCP and ICP spectrometers, AA spectrometers and an autopolarimeter. This instrumentation is augmented by a range of modern facilities available through the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, which support work in biochemistry, especially work involving proteins, nucleic acids, yeasts and bacteria.

Students should consult the Department Chair when planning years 3 and 4 of the BSc (honours) and BSc with a major programs, or year 3 of the BSc (pass) program.

In addition to its own programs, the Chemistry department participates in combined major programs with six other departments and is also a major participant in the Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Environment, and Oenology and Viticulture programs.

Program Notes
  1. PHYS 1F90 is preferred; note that professional schools may require an introductory PHYS credit with a lab.
  2. The elective credits are normally taken from the Faculty of Mathematics and Science (except ASTR 1F00, BIOL 1F25, ERSC 1F90 and SCIE 1F30).
  3. COSC 1P93 is recommended. MATH 2F05 is recommended for students interested in physical chemistry and MATH 2P81 and 2P82 are recommended for students interested in analytical chemistry.
  4. CHEM 3P40 and 3P41 are required for CHEM majors and are highly recommended for combined majors. At least one of these is a prerequisite for most projects in CHEM 4F90 and 4F91 and should be taken in year 3 by students intending to proceed to a year 4 thesis in Chemistry. Combined majors proceeding to research in organic and inorganic chemistry must take CHEM 3P40 while combined majors proceeding to research in analytical, physical, and theoretical chemistry must take CHEM 3P41.
  5. Students planning to pursue graduate studies in Chemistry are strongly recommended to take at least two and one-half CHEM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above covering at least three of the sub disciplines of physical, inorganic, analytical and organic chemistry, in addition to CHEM 4F90 and 4F91. Chemistry majors planning to pursue graduate studies in biochemistry or biological chemistry are strongly recommended to take CHEM 4P27, 4P67, or 4P68, and two additional year 4 CHEM credits.
  6. Students with a minimum 70 percent in OAC chemistry take CHEM 1F92. They may not take CHEM 1P00 without permission from the Department, which is granted only in exceptional cases.
  7. In all 20 credit degree programs, at least 12 credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above, six of which must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above and of these, three must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above. In all 15 credit degree programs, at least seven credits must be number

Honours Programs

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program note 1)
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12, 2P20, 2P21, 2P32, 2P42 and 2P63
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51
·   one-half COSC or MATH credit (see program note 3)
·   one elective credit (see program note 2)
Year 3
·   CHEM 3P40 and 3P41
·   two credits from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P51, 3P53
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51 (not taken in year 2)
·   one and one-half elective credits (CHEM 3P60 recommended) (see program notes 2 and 5)
Year 4
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91
·   one credit from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P51, 3P53 (not taken in year 3)
·   one CHEM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit (see program notes 2 and 5)

Chemistry Co-op (honours only)

Students admitted to the Chemistry Co-op program must follow the program schedule as listed below. Failure to adhere may result in removal from the program.

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program note 1)
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12, 2P20, 2P21, 2P32, 2P42 and 2P63
·   SCIE 0N90
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51
·   one-half COSC or MATH credit (see program note 3)
·   one elective credit (see program note 2)
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 0N01
Year 3
Fall Term:
·   CHEM 3P20, 3P31, 3P40 and 3P51
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51 (not taken in year 2) or one-half elective credit
Winter Term:
·   CHEM 0N02
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 0N00 (optional)
Year 4
Fall Term:
·   CHEM 0N03
Winter Term:
·   CHEM 3P21, 3P32, 3P41, 3P53
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51(not taken in year 2) or one-half elective credit
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 0N04
Year 5
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91
·   one CHEM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   two elective credits

Research-oriented Co-op (honours only)

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program note 1)
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Science context credit
Summer Term:
·   one-half elective credit
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12, 2P20, 2P21, 2P32, 2P42 and 2P63
·   COSC 1P93
·   MATH 2F05 or 2P81and 2P82
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51
·   SCIE 0N90
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 0N01 and CHEM 2P98
Year 3
Fall Term:
·   CHEM 3P20, 3P31, 3P40 and 3P51
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51 (not taken in year 2), or one-half elective credit
Winter Term:
·   CHEM 0N02
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 0N00 (optional)
Year 4
Fall Term:
·   CHEM 0N03 and 3P98
Winter Term:
·   CHEM 3P21, 3P32, 3P41and 3P53
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51 (not taken in year 2), or one-half elective credit
Summer Term:
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91
·   one-half elective credit (see program note 7)
Year 5
Fall Term
·   One-half CHEM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit

BSc with a Major Program

This program is identical to the honours program (non Co-op) listed above in years 1 to 3. It differs from the honours program in that honours standing is not required for entry into year 4, and year 4 does not include the research project and thesis courses (CHEM 4F90 and 4F91). Combined majors should consult the Chair.

Year 4
·   One credit from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P40, 3P51, 3P53 (not taken in year 3)
·   three CHEM credits numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one elective credit (CHEM 3P60 and either CHEM 3P62 or CHEM 3P63 recommended)

Pass Program

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

BSc Honours in Chemistry: Environmental Stream

The following has a biological content. A similar pattern with ERSC or GEOG courses replacing BIOL courses is possible. Consult the Chair. This program does not satisfy the requirements for membership in the Chemical Institute of Canada.

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   BIOL 1F90
·   ENVI 1P90 and 1P91
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02 or MATH 1P97 and 1P98
·   PHYS 1F25 or 1F90
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63
·   CHEM 2P20, 2P21, 2P32 and 2P42
·   BIOL 2Q04
·   ENVI 1P10
·   one-half BIOL credit
·   one Humanities context credit
Year 3
·   CHEM 3P40 and 3P41
·   two credits from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P60
·   ENVI 3P01 and 3P02
·   one elective credit (BIOL recommended)
Year 4
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91
·   ENVI 4P88
·   one CHEM credit numbered 3(alpha)90 or above
·   one and one-half elective credits (CHEM or BIOL recommended)

Biochemistry

Consult the Biochemistry calendar entry for a listing of program requirements.

Biotechnology

Consult the Biotechnology calendar entry for a listing of program requirements.

Concurrent BSc/BEd

The Faculty of Mathematics and Science and the Faculty of Education co-operate in offering a concurrent pass BSc/Bed program for students interested in teaching mathematics or science at the elementary level to grade 8. Consult the Education-Concurrent BSc/BEd calendar entry for a listing of course requirements.

Combined Major Programs

Combined honours and pass programs can be taken in Chemistry/Biology, Chemistry/Computer Science (Honours only), Chemistry/Earth Sciences, Chemistry/Environment. In most of the combined major programs a research project must be successfully completed and a thesis written as part of the requirements for an honours degree.

Chemistry and Mathematics

Honours

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   MATH 1P01, 1P02 and 1P12
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90
·   COSC 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12 or 2P63
·   CHEM 2P20, 2P32 and 2P42
·   MATH 1P40
·   one credit from MATH 2F05, 2P03 and 2P08
·   one of PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50, 2P51 · the Humanities context credit or Social Science context credit not taken in year 1
Year 3
·   CHEM 3P40 or 3P41
·   CHEM 3P51 and 3P53
·   MATH 2F40, 2P81 and 2P82
·   MATH 2P12 and 3P60 or MATH 3P08 and 3P09
·   one-half CHEM credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
Year 4
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91
·   CHEM 3P20 and 3P21, or CHEM 3P31 and 3P32
·   one credit from MATH 2P12 and 3P60, 3P08 and 3P09 (not taken in year 3)
·   one CHEM or MATH credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Chemistry and Physics

Honours

Year 1
·   CHEM 1F92 (see program note 6)
·   one of PHYS 1F20, 1F25, 1F90 (see program note 1)
·   MATH 1P01 and 1P02
·   one Humanities context credit
·   one Social Science context credit
Year 2
·   CHEM 2P12, 2P20, 2P32 and 2P42
·   PHYS 2P20, 2P31, 2P50 and 2P51
·   MATH 2F05
Year 3
·   CHEM 3P51
·   PHYS 3P35 and 3P36
·   MATH 3P08 and 3P09
·   one and one-half credits from CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P40, 3P41, 3P53
·   one elective credit
Year 4
·   CHEM 4F90 and 4F91 or PHYS 4F90 and 4F91
·   one of CHEM 3P20, 3P21, 3P31, 3P32, 3P40, 3P41, 3P53
·   one CHEM or PHYS credit numbered 2(alpha)90 or above
·   one of PHYS 3P20, 4P61, 4P70
·   one elective credit (see program note 7)
Pass

Satisfactory completion of the first three years of the honours program entitles a student to apply for a pass degree.

Brock-Mohawk College Articulation Agreement

This agreement allows Brock to admit Mohawk graduates who have a minimum 75 percent overall average in the Chemical Engineering Technology Program to the honours BSc program in Chemistry. Students receive credit for the first two years of the honours BSc program and can complete the requirements for the honours degree within two years. Many Mohawk transfer students elect to take the pass BSc degree, which can be completed with just five additional credits taken at Brock.

Master of Science (MSc) Program

Candidates with either an honours or a pass BA or a BSc degree in Chemistry, or equivalent, may apply to the Director of Graduate Studies Office for entry into this program. Candidates holding a pass degree will be required to take a qualifying year, similar to year 4 of the honours program, before formally enrolling for the MSc degree. Candidates may be required to write Graduate Record Aptitude and Advanced Chemistry Examinations.

Candidates with an honours degree, or who have completed a qualifying year, require a minimum of one year of full-time study. The department offers a wide range of courses and research opportunities in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and theoretical chemistry.

For further information about the MSc program see the Graduate Calendar and the department's Graduate Studies brochure.