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ELEMENTS. CHEMICALS. MINERALS. MOLECULAR. PHYSICAL.
Welcome to the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Chemistry studies the elements that comprise all matter. Everything around us - the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the cars we drive, and even our bodies - are made from these elements.
Biochemistry is the study of all living systems at the molecular level. It looks at the chemical and physical basis of life and how these living systems interact with their environments.
Chemistry is often called the central science as it deals specifically with the 112 elements that comprise all matter. There are five branches of chemistry: analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and theoretical chemistry. The primary focus of the program is to provide you with extensive theoretical knowledge in all five branches of chemistry while enhancing your technical and practical skills with hands-on experience and research opportunities.
The Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Biological Sciences jointly offer a multi-disciplinary major in biochemistry for the 40-course Bachelor of Science (BSc). You can also select a general major in the sciences and choose biochemistry courses as options. Biochemistry will help you develop a strong background in the basic sciences and extensive laboratory skills. Thereby, it provides background for a diverse range of careers in the life sciences, including professional programs such as medicine and veterinary medicine.
The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry is home to many advanced instruments which enable cutting-edge research. These tools include nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infra-red, Raman, UVvisible, atomic absorption spectrometers, macromolecular x-ray diffractometer, isothermal titration calorimeter, and a surface plasmon resonance spectrometer.
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Department Highlights
Dr. Marc Roussel to receive Excellence in Teaching Award
A passionate teacher who works to ensure his students, regardless of their level, learn not just content but the skills they need to solve problems long after they’ve left university, Dr. Marc Roussel has been named the 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award winner.
Following an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship at McGill University, Roussel joined the University of Lethbridge in 1995. A theoretical chemist, he has taught courses from first year to graduate school.
To provide students with the best possible resources for success, Roussel has written three textbooks, starting with a text for his second-year physical chemistry course. Roussel was also an early adopter of the “flipped classroom,” where students are expected to complete assigned readings before class so that class time can be spent working together on problems.
Alumnus Dr. Dylan Girodat returns to ULethbridge to spark scientific curiosity in students
Dr. Dylan Girodat (BSc '13, PhD '19), originally from Southern Alberta, has returned to his roots at the University of Lethbridge, where he's eager to give back to the community that shaped his journey. After five years of research in the United States, he's excited to teach and mentor undergraduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (Without the Link please), sharing the opportunities that ignited his own passion for science. With a focus on the intricate workings of RNA-protein complexes and their implications for cancer research, Girodat is dedicated to fostering an engaging and inclusive learning environment that empowers the next generation of researchers.
Shining Graduate Taylor Adamitz
Taylor Adamitz's (MSc '24) academic career at the University of Lethbridge took an exciting turn when his professor invited him to research tungsten hexafluoride during the summer. This experience ignited his passion for pursuing a master's degree in chemistry focused on industrial applications. My research focuses on Lewis acid behaviour of tungsten hexafluoride as it pertains to mixed ligands, tridentate terpyridine, and phosphine oxides. The goal is to better understate the reactivity and other properties of this powerful oxidizer and resulting products of reaction and translate them into industrial applications.
Shining Student Uvindu Abeysekara: A journey of academic excellence, research, and community engagement at ULethbridge
With unwavering determination, creativity, and an outgoing nature, Uvindu Abeysekara's ULethbridge journey serves as an inspiration, urging us to seize opportunities and push beyond our comfort zones for a transformative university experience.
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From iGEM to innovating antibiotics: Sydnee Calhoun's inspiring journey at ULethbridge
From her early involvement in the iGEM competition to her research in the field of biochemistry, Sydnee Calhoun (MSc '23 (BSc Co-op '19)) has left an indelible mark on the University and …
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Shining Student Ty Dudas
Third-year neuroscience student Ty Dudas embraces ULethbridge’s liberal education philosophy and takes courses outside his major. This discovery led him to organic chemistry and research he hopes will be used to make …
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Career Bridge: Centre for Work-Integrated Learning and Career Development
Put Your Knowledge to Work
Whether you’re looking for a more in-depth learning experience by assisting with research projects on campus or by testing your knowledge in a real-life work setting, we can help! The University of Lethbridge is proud to offer you an exceptional opportunity to explore professional development through academic programs and services designed to give you a competitive edge in a fast-changing world.
You have a bright future — experience it via Career Bridge at uLethbridge!