COURSE CURRICULUM

Chemistry for the Medical Sciences at the University of Victoria is a structured program designed to prepare students for careers in healthcare and health-related professional studies while maintaining a strong foundation in chemistry. In the first year, students study core subjects such as biology, general and reactive chemistry, mathematics, physics, and academic writing, along with electives that build a broad scientific base. In the second year, the program becomes more specialized with courses in cell biology, organic chemistry, synthetic laboratory work, thermodynamics, and either statistics or quantitative analysis, along with health-related electives such as genetics, anatomy, nutrition, physiology, microbiology, psychology, anthropology, or biomedical ethics. In the third and fourth years, students focus on advanced chemistry and biochemistry, including bio-organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and biochemical principles. They also complete laboratory training and upper-level chemistry courses while selecting additional health-focused subjects such as human genetics, immunology, neuroanatomy, pharmacology, and molecular biology. The program also includes options from psychology, health sciences, and biomedical ethics to support preparation for medical and professional school pathways. Electives provide flexibility to explore related disciplines. Overall, this degree integrates chemistry with biological and health sciences, equipping students with strong analytical, scientific, and interdisciplinary skills for careers in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, biomedical research, and other healthcare professions.