Why should I specialize in Chemistry?

What is Chemistry involved in?

  • Decreasing air pollution
  • Containing global warming by sequestering greenhouse gases
  • Improving the longevity of bone implants
  • Enhancing cancer treatment
  • Developing longer lasting batteries for electronics 

Is Chemistry for me?

We spoke with two Chemistry students who shared that Chemistry can be difficult, but if you find it interesting you should pursue it.

  • Are you curious about why and how things happen?
  • Do you like to tackle a challenge?
  • Do you find learning chemistry interesting?
  • Do you want to increase your laboratory experience?

Where can Chemistry take me?

Check out career options in Chemistry.

What skills will I gain?

  • Critical thinking
  • Verbal communication
  • Data analysis
  • Teamwork
  • Lab experience
  • Problem solving

"I've gotten a lot better at cooking at home...because I have so much experience measuring and synthesizing." - Amanda, third year Chemistry

Check out the key skills employers are looking for.

What are UBC Chemists doing?

Dr. Parisa Mehrkhodavandi

Developing 'green' biodegradable polymers, which have applications in medicine and could replace traditional plastics.

Learn more about Dr. Mehrkhodavandi

Dr. Keng Chou

Developing microscopes with super-resolution to view virus-host interactions in unprecedented detail.

Learn more about Dr. Chou

Dr. Jason Hein

Focusing on the discovery, design and study of new organometallic and organocatalytic reactions using robots.

Learn more about Dr. Hein

Dr. Curtis Berlinguette

Accelerating the discovery and deployment of clean energy technologies, including advanced solar cells and energy storage.

Learn more about Dr. Berlinguette

Learn more about Chemistry

Thank you to Dr. Jose Rodríguez Núñez, and students Amanda and Declan (third year undergraduates) for sharing their experiences in Chemistry to create this blog post.


  • Career Development
  • Planning Your Degree
  • Graduation Year
  • 2nd, 3rd and 4th Years
  • Moving to Second Year

Musqueam First Nation land acknowledegement

UBC Science acknowledges that the UBC Point Grey campus is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm.

Learn more: Musqueam First Nation

Faculty of Science

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