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Overview

Learning MethodsMajor FocusThe AC DifferenceCareer Outlook

Learning Methods

The aim of the Chemistry Department at Alexander College is to provide exceptional opportunities for students in learning the fundamental principles of chemistry through a combination of engaging lectures and interactive laboratory programs.

Major Focus

Our chemistry courses stress understanding of chemical principles, as well as the experimental basis of the science by developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The AC Difference

Chemistry at AC is the right place for those who seek an excellent and stimulating education. Many opportunities are awaiting for you including a range of accredited course offerings, devoted faculty members, small class sizes and excellent lab facilities.

Career Outlook

Majoring in chemistry can help you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare you for a career centered in the scientific world, research, teaching or various fields of industry including chemicals, medical, health sciences, pharmacology, biotechnology and nanotechnology.

Course Descriptions

Select a course below to see full descriptions. (#) Indicates amount of credits per course

CHEM 100 Introductory Chemistry (4)

The course begins with a review of core concepts, then covers gases, thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, properties of solutions including freezing point depression and boiling point elevation, and oxidation and reduction. The course consists of lectures, tutorials and integrated laboratory experiments. It can be used as a prerequisite for Chemistry 101 by students without Chemistry 12.

Prerequisite(s):

ENGL 098, MATH 100 (recommended)

Transfers to:

UBC CHEM 1st (3), Not for credit in Science or Applied Science
SFU CHEM 111 (4), Q/B-Sci
UVIC CHEM 091 (0)
UNBC CHEM 1XX (4)
TRU CHEM 1XXX (3), Not for credit in BSc

CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I (4)

This laboratory-lecture course is designed for students who want to pursue a major or minor degree program in science. The course provides an introduction to the principles of chemistry with emphasis on the theory of atomic and molecular structure and bonding. The course consists of lectures, tutorials and integrated laboratory experiments.

Prerequisite(s):

ENGL 098, MATH 12 or MATH 100, CHEM 12 or CHEM 100

Transfers to:

UBC CHEM 1st (4); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UBC CHEM 121 (4) & UBC CHEM 123 (4); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UBC CHEM 120 (3) & UBC CHEM 130 (3) & UBC CHEM 1st (2)
SFU CHEM 121 (4), Q/B-Sci
UVIC CHEM 101 (1.5); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UVIC CHEM 101 (1.5) & UVIC CHEM 102 (1.5)
UNBC CHEM 1XX (4); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UNBC CHEM 100 (3) & UNBC CHEM 101 (3) & UNBC CHEM 120 (1) & UNBC CHEM 121 (1)
TRU CHEM 1510 (3)

CHEM 102 Principles of Chemistry II (4)

This laboratory-lecture course is designed for students who want to pursue a major or minor degree program in science. The course provides an introduction to the principles of chemistry with emphasis on chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics, and organic chemistry. The course consists of lectures, tutorials, and integrated laboratory experiments.

Prerequisite(s):

ENGL 098, CHEM 101

Transfers to:

UBC CHEM 1st (4); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UBC CHEM 121 (4) & UBC CHEM 123 (4); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UBC CHEM 120 (3) & UBC CHEM 130 (3) & UBC CHEM 1st (2)
SFU CHEM 122 (2) & SFU CHEM 126 (2), Q
UVIC CHEM 1XX (1.5); ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UVIC CHEM 101 (1.5) & UVIC CHEM 102 (1.5)
UNBC ALEX CHEM 101 (4) & ALEX CHEM 102 (4) = UNBC CHEM 100 (3) & UNBC CHEM 101 (3) & UNBC CHEM 120 (1) & UNBC CHEM 121 (1)
TRU CHEM 1500 (3)

CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4)

Students will study the fundamental aspects of modern organic chemistry as illustrated by the structure, physical and spectroscopic properties and reactions of alkanes, cycloalkanes, alkenes, dienes, alkynes, halogen compounds, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones. The laboratory component is designed to complement the lecture material and give students experience with basic analytical techniques.

Prerequisite(s):

ENGL 099, CHEM 102

Transfers to:

UBC CHEM 2nd (4); ALEX CHEM 201 (4) & ALEX CHEM 202 (4) = UBC CHEM 213 (3) & UBC CHEM 223 (3)
SFU CHEM 281 (4), Q
UVIC CHEM 231 (1.5)
UNBC CHEM 1XX (4); ALEX CHEM 201 (4) & ALEX CHEM 202 (4) = UNBC CHEM 201 (3) & UNBC CHEM 203 (3) & UNBC CHEM 250 (1) & UNBC CHEM 251 (1)
TRU CHEM 2120 (3)

CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4)

Students will study the structure and reactions of aromatics, polycyclic aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds, and their enolates, and an introduction to the chemistry of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The laboratory component is designed to complement the lecture material and give students experience with basic analytical techniques. Note: This course is a continuation of CHEM 201.

Prerequisite(s):

ENGL 099, CHEM 201

Transfers to:

UBC ALEX CHEM 201 (4) & ALEX CHEM 202 (4) = UBC CHEM 213 (3) & UBC CHEM 223 (3)
SFU CHEM 283 (3), Q & SFU CHEM 286 (1), Q
UVIC CHEM 234 (1.5)
UNBC ALEX CHEM 201 (4) & ALEX CHEM 202 (4) = UNBC CHEM 201 (3) & UNBC CHEM 203 (3) & UNBC CHEM 250 (1) & UNBC CHEM 251 (1)
TRU CHEM 2220 (3)

Faculty

Jason Mirzaei (PhD, MSc, BSc)

Instructor

Jason Mirzaei (PhD, MSc, BSc)

Instructor

Dr. Jason Mirzaei is a chemistry lecturer at Alexander College. He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Manitoba, for his work on developing functional nanomaterials, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at UBC. He has authored and co-authored more than 15 refereed publications and has received several awards and scholarships for his dedication to research and teaching excellence.

Since 2010, Dr. Mirzaei has taught and supervised first to third year students in general, physical and organic chemistry courses. He is especially interested in the use of innovative instructional techniques including online assignment systems, interactive simulations, videos, and social media for teaching chemistry. Being a passionate educator, he has been very keen to explore pedagogical principles and new teaching practices. He has completed serval certifications and workshops in teaching including the Certification in Higher Education Teaching (CHET) program delivered by the Centre for Advancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Manitoba and Instruction Skills Workshop at Alexander College.

When he is not working, Dr. Mirzaei enjoys spending time with his family, listening to various podcasts, travelling locally and internationally, and inventing new ideas

Miriam Grob (PhD, MSc, BSc)

Instructor

Miriam Grob (PhD, MSc, BSc)

Instructor

Dr. Grob received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Saarbrücken in Germany for designing highly efficient and sensitive separation methods for surface-active substances using non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis.

Dr. Grob immigrated to Canada and worked as a research associate at the University of British Columbia for 10 years. Her research focus was in medicinal chemistry where she investigated the modes of action of anti-viral and anti-cancer drugs through chromatography and mass spectrometry. Dr. Grob published her work in multiple scientific journals and cooperated closely with pharmaceutical companies that worked in joint venture with the University of British Columbia and specifically appointed her for her research.

Dr. Grob is an A+ graduate from the Provincial Instructor Diploma program granted to her by the Ministry of Advanced education and in addition earned several teaching certificates including the Instruction Skills Workshop certificate from the University of British Columbia and from Alexander College.

Resources

The Historical Thinking Project

The Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) is a national not-for-profit organization committed to advancing the chemical sciences and engineering through its three constituent societies.
Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC)
Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering (CSChE)
Canadian Society for Chemical Technology (CSCT)
www.cheminst.ca/

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Khan Academy

A non-profit educational organization created in 2005 by Salman Khan with the goal of creating a set of online tools that help educate students. www.khanacademy.org/science/chemistry

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Periodic Videos

A collection of short videos about each of the elements in the Periodic Table, produced by the University of Nottingham. www.periodicvideos.com/

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Web Spectra

A library of spectroscopy problems for chemistry students to practice interpretation. www.webspectra.chem.ucla.edu//

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Open Text BC

Introductory Chemistry- 1st Canadian Edition is an open source textbook written by Jessie A. Key and David W. Ball. www.opentextbc.ca/introductorychemistry/

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