Join us at Laurier

Becoming a Golden Hawk means more than just cheering on our (really good) varsity teams – it means being a student who cares about your community, who works hard in the classroom, and who takes advantage of all the learning opportunities that can happen outside the classroom, too.

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate Admissions Graduate Admissions

Steps to Apply

Undergraduate AdmissionsGraduate Admissions

Chemistry and Physics (BSc)

waterloo

Focus on the chemical and physical properties of materials at the bulk and the nanoscale. This program is experiential with experimental and computational labs in chemistry and physics. Learn how to design new materials with unique mechanical, optical, electronic or magnetic properties. Be prepared to apply new-found skills in fields ranging from chemistry and physics to computing and medicine.

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Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll get in the Chemistry and Physics program:

Check out the Chemistry Experience Guide and Physics Experience Guide.

 

2020 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2019/20

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term)     OUAC code: UCP
Ontario High School Admission Requirements
  • Minimum admission range: mid 70s.
  • Competitive admission range based on last year’s admitted students: low 90s.
  • English at 60%.
  • Chemistry at 75%.
  • Advanced Functions at 75%.
  • Calculus and Vectors at 75%.
  • All prerequisite courses calculated in admissions average, including English.
Canadian Admission Requirements (Outside of Ontario)

Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under Ontario High School Admission Requirements.
International Admission Requirements

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements; you must also meet all program-specific requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

English-Proficiency Requirement

Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you experience success in your academic courses.

Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.

We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.

If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.

Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) Program

The Laurier English and Academic Foundation (LEAF) program is an academic English program for Laurier applicants who have to prove English proficiency. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English- proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the LEAF program.
College Pathways

Completed the first year of a college program:

  • Minimum admission average of 75% for part-time studies in a Bachelor of Science (BSc) program.
  • Minimum admission average of 80% for full-time studies in a BSc program.

Completed a two-year diploma or two years of a three-year advanced diploma:

  • Minimum admission average of 70% for part-time studies in a BSc program.
  • Minimum admission average of 75% for full-time studies in a BSc program.

Completed a two to three-year advanced diploma:

  • Minimum admission average of 75% for full-time studies in a BSc program.
Note: Possession of the minimum admission average does not guarantee admission. Unless otherwise noted, you are considered for admission into full-time studies.
Other Admission Requirements

Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for university students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more. 

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Options and Courses

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Computer Science Minor
  • Mathematics Minor
  • Minors in science, social science or humanities disciplines

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

Sample First-Year Courses

  • Calculus I
  • Calculus II
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry I
  • Fundamentals of Chemistry II
  • Intro to Linear Algebra
  • Mechanics
  • Thermodynamics and Waves
  • 1.5 elective credits

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Data Communication and Networks
  • Fibre Optics
  • Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Science
  • Introductory Biochemistry
  • Optical Networks
  • Organic Chemistry II: Structure and Functional Chemistry for Chemists

Similar Programs

Co-op

Co-op is a way to integrate what you are learning in the classroom with practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, earn money, develop your network, and graduate with work experience.

You can apply for admission to co-op in your first year and may be eligible for an admission interview early in your second year. As a student in this program, you will be eligible to complete paid work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.

Interested? Learn more about co-op.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"As someone with an interest in both chemistry and physics, it was a tough choice to pick between the two coming into Laurier in first year.  This program gave me the chance to develop my interests in both at the same time."

"I would recommend the Chemistry and Physics program for students who are interested in more theoretical chemistry or physics, materials science, or want to learn about what lies between the fields of chemistry and physics."

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • analytical chemist
  • biochemist
  • health care professional
  • pharmacist/pharmacologist
  • product tester/developer
  • toxicologist
  • computational physicist
  • industrial hygienist
  • light and optics specialist
  • nuclear medical technologist
  • system/software engineer

Explore more careers for Chemistry and Physics graduates.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

"It's interesting to see how the two disciplines — chemistry and physics — complement each other. For example, I found that having taken the Thermodynamics and Waves course helped me better understand material in the Physical Chemistry course. And taking the Analytical Chemistry course helped me improve my understanding of some of the concepts I learned in previous Physics labs."

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 519.884.0710 x3385 or see all contact information.

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