How to Apply to Chemistry at Memorial University of Newfoundland: B.Sc. Entry, No Direct Choice of the Major at Application, Declaring After Ten Courses with About 65% in First-Year Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics, and Admission and Prerequisites for Canadian Students, International Students (Including Applicants from China) and Transfer Students

Memorial University of Newfoundland (Memorial) is in St. John’s, the capital of Newfoundland and Labrador. Its chemistry major is a B.Sc. in the Faculty of Science, and you cannot choose chemistry when you apply: you complete university courses first and then declare the major. This guide summarizes the pages for fall 2027 entry for Canadian students, international students (including applicants from China) and transfer students. Where the website does not say, we write “not published” and point you to where to check.

Chemistry: degrees and directions

• Department and degree: the chemistry major sits in the Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science on the St. John’s campus, four years, with major, minor and honours options. The degree is the B.Sc.; the website does not list a B.A. in chemistry.
• Chemistry-related majors in the list: the B.Sc. page lists three: Chemistry, Chemistry (Biological) and Computational Chemistry. The Chemistry (Biological) page describes “a chemistry degree with a solid base in biology”, preparing students to specialize in the chemistry of biological systems, suitable background for graduate study in any area of chemistry and for health-related careers such as medicine, and giving two teachable subjects for teaching at the intermediate and secondary levels; its sample first-year schedule adds Biology 1001 and 1002. The Computational Chemistry page was not read; the website only says that students in that major must take Physics 1050 and 1051 in first year.
• Joint programs: applied mathematics/chemistry, chemistry/Earth sciences, chemistry/human biosciences and chemistry/physics (all B.Sc. honours). Chemistry majors and honours students may also take a minor in applied science (process engineering) through the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
• Facilities and research: the website says the department has state-of-the-art spectroscopic and analytical instrumentation and high-performance computing such as ACEnet. It does not describe a capstone, research project or work-year requirement.
• Co-op: the B.Sc. page marks the majors with co-op by an asterisk (behavioural neuroscience, biology, computer science, economics, psychology); the chemistry-related majors are not marked, and the chemistry page does not mention co-op. Ask the Department of Chemistry.
• Accreditation: whether the chemistry degree carries external professional accreditation (for example from the Chemical Institute of Canada) is not published on the pages read; ask the department.
• Careers listed include art conservation, brewing, chemical laboratory technician, school or university educator, patent lawyer, clinical chemist and forensic chemist, with a note that some careers need graduate study, experiential learning or professional exams.
• Outside this guide: medicine (M.D.), nursing, pharmacy and other professional degrees, and the biology-type majors, are not covered here; see the program overview on the website.

How to get into the chemistry major

• At application: choose the Bachelor of Science on the application form to enter the Faculty of Science. The website says plainly that you cannot choose chemistry (or Chemistry (Biological)) as your major at the time of application; you first complete university-level courses. Direct entry to the faculty requires the general admission requirements, including appropriate mathematics and a laboratory science.
• When you declare: you complete 30 credit hours (10 courses) including 6 credit hours in chemistry, 6 in mathematics, 6 in physics (recommended) or 6 in another science other than mathematics, and 6 in critical reading and writing (CRW) courses with at least 3 in English. The page says students are “expected to achieve a 65% average or better in first-year chemistry, mathematics and physics courses”. After completing them you contact the Department of Chemistry and submit the Declaration/Change of Academic Program form; the website encourages finishing these in the first two semesters and says exceptional students may be accepted as chemistry majors after one semester. The Chemistry (Biological) page repeats exactly the same declaration conditions as the chemistry page.
• Where the website is inconsistent: the B.Sc. page says entry to a specific major normally requires at least ten three-credit courses and that some majors are competitive for a limited number of placements, and that students are encouraged to choose after first year, while the chemistry page lists only the course mix and the 65% expectation, mentions no cap on places, and allows exceptional students after one semester. Rely on the Department of Chemistry.
• Sample first year (10 courses): Mathematics 1000 and 1001, Chemistry 1050 and 1051, Physics 1050 (1020) and 1051 (1021), English 1090 plus a CRW course, and two electives. Students taking Mathematics 1090 in fall are advised to take Mathematics 1000 or 1006 in winter and Mathematics 1001 in spring so they can take Chemistry 2301 in the fall of second year. This is only a sample; see an academic advisor.
• Example upper-year courses: CHEM 2301 Thermodynamics and Kinetics, CHEM 2302 Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy, CHEM 3211 Inorganic Chemistry.

Prerequisites and course placement

• High school subjects: direct entry to the Faculty of Science needs a Grade 12 mathematics course and a laboratory science from the general list (Ontario SCH4U, BC Chemistry 12, Alberta Chemistry 30 and Newfoundland and Labrador Chemistry 3202 are all on the list). The website does not require high school chemistry for the chemistry major as such, but first-year chemistry is placed by prior preparation.
• CHEM 1050 and CHEM 1010 (see the chemistry criteria chart): at St. John’s, CHEM 1050 requires Grade 12/senior secondary chemistry (Chemistry 3202 in the province) with at least 65%; students with no chemistry background, a weak background or less than 65% (provincial students also include those with only Chemistry 2202) must take CHEM 1010 first. Students who need the preparatory course can follow a three-course plan, 1010 in fall, 1050 in winter and 1051 in spring; the website says taking 1051 only in the fall of second year still allows a four-year chemistry major but needs careful planning. It also says all first-year chemistry courses involve problem solving in which mathematics is essential, so strong high school mathematics matters for 1010 and 1050. Only six credit hours from these introductory chemistry courses count toward a chemistry major or honours.
• Mathematics: the chemistry first-year schedule uses Mathematics 1000 and 1001; placement into Mathematics 1000 depends on high school mathematics results, and the mathematics criteria chart and placement test were not read, so check the website. Students registered in Physics 1050 must also be registered in (or have credit for) Mathematics 1000, and in Physics 1051 in Mathematics 1001.
• Physics: 1020/1021, 1050/1051 or a mixed combination; students in Computational Chemistry or the chemistry/physics joint honours must take Physics 1050 and 1051.
• AP/IB credit: Memorial has AP and IB transfer credit pages that were not read for this guide; check the website. No chemistry admission test or interview is mentioned.

School level: how and when to apply

• How to apply: create an account in Memorial’s own online application system, fill in the application, pay the fee and upload documents (see the application steps). Memorial says general admission decisions normally arrive within 10 business days after all documents are uploaded, while competitive-entry programs are decided by the faculty or school, typically two to four weeks after the program’s application and document deadlines. The chemistry pages list no separate application deadline or extra documents. The B.Sc. is not one of the competitive-entry programs listed separately on the deadlines page, so the general deadlines apply.
• Intakes and deadlines: there are fall (September), winter (January) and spring (May) intakes. For fall, the general application opens on September 10 a year ahead, the priority deadline is March 1, the document deadline is August 20 and the application closes on September 9. For winter the priority deadline is October 1 and the document deadline December 20; for spring they are February 1 and April 30. Late applications and documents are processed “as time and resources permit”. The table prints no year, and a footnote says the general application closes on the first day of the semester, which differs from the September 9 in the table, so check that these dates apply to fall 2027. High school students applying for fall must apply by March 1 to be considered for early entrance scholarships.
• International applicants are advised to apply at least 12 weeks before the semester starts to leave time for a study permit; see the Government of Canada site for processing times.
• Application fee (Canadian dollars, fees page): $70 for Canadian citizens and permanent residents, $300 for international applicants, non-refundable; a Visa or MasterCard credit card is required and debit cards are not accepted.
• Documents: Grade 12 students in Newfoundland and Labrador do not upload a transcript, as Memorial obtains it from the provincial Department of Education. Other high school students upload final Grade 10 and 11 transcripts and current Grade 12 registrations. Transfer students upload their final high school transcript and transcripts from every college or university attended. Whether the B.Sc. asks for an essay or reference letters is not stated on the pages read; check with the university.
• Standardized tests: the B.Sc. and curriculum pages read do not require SAT or ACT scores.

Canadian applicants (by province)

• General admission requirements: complete high school graduation and hold a senior-level (Grade 12) course in each of five subject areas: English, mathematics, a laboratory science, social studies or a modern/classical language, plus one elective. You need an average of at least 70% across the five courses with a pass in each; where several courses fit one area the highest grade counts. Direct entry to the B.Sc. requires suitable mathematics and laboratory science courses. For applicants missing required courses Memorial has a “missing required subjects” page, which was not read for this guide.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: the provincial page asks for 10 senior credits (English 3201; Mathematics 3200 or 3201; a laboratory science such as Biology 3201, Chemistry 3202 or Physics 3204; social studies or a language; two elective credits) averaging at least 70%, plus two further credits each in mathematics and laboratory science at a lower level that are not used in the average.
• Ontario: the Ontario page lists one of MDM4U, MHF4U or MCV4U for mathematics, one of SBI4U, SCH4U, SES4U or SPH4U for laboratory science, and English such as ENG4U, with a 70% average over the five courses.
• British Columbia: the BC page lists English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12, Foundations of Mathematics 12, Pre-Calculus 12 or Calculus 12, and Anatomy and Physiology 12, Chemistry 12, Geology 12 or Physics 12 for laboratory science, with a 70% average over the five courses.
• Alberta: the Alberta page lists English Language Arts 30-1, Mathematics 30-1, 30-2 or 31, and Biology 30, Chemistry 30 or Physics 30 for laboratory science, with a 70% average over the five courses.
• Other provinces and territories: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut each have their own page under Canadian high school curriculum requirements; those were not read for this guide, so check the website.
• In-province and out-of-province students: the tuition table for new undergraduates puts “N.L. and other Canadian students” in a single rate (see Costs below).
• Scholarships for domestic students: the Early Scholar program. For the fall 2027 intake, domestic students are considered automatically on their early admission average and the amount is guaranteed at early acceptance: 98% and above $6,000, 95%–97.9% $2,000, 93%–94.9% $1,000. The early average uses the best mathematics, science and English grades completed by the end of Grade 11; you must apply by March 1 of your graduation year; the award is not renewable, and to be eligible for scholarships in second year you need scholarship standing in first year. Named entrance scholarships based on the final admission average are listed on the other entrance scholarships page and may replace the Early Scholar award.

International applicants (including applicants from China)

• International high school curricula: the international curriculum requirements pages list requirements by curriculum and country, with a general page for countries not listed. The IB, American-style and other pages were not read for this guide, so check the website. The Newfoundland and Labrador page shows IB as: mathematics “analysis and approaches” or “applications and interpretation” at Standard or Higher level, and biology, chemistry or physics at Standard or Higher level for the laboratory science.
• AP/IB credit: the provincial pages say applicants with certain IB or AP courses “may be eligible for transfer credit”; which courses count was not read, so check the website.
• English: see “English language requirement” below.
• Scholarships: the international students page says international students are considered automatically for entrance scholarships after admission, with no separate application and no guarantee; they are for the first year only and not renewable, and international transfer students are considered only if fewer than 31 credit hours are transferred. The other entrance scholarships page says Memorial’s International Entrance Scholarships do not exceed $6,000 each annually and require paying the full international fee, registering for at least 9 credit hours in each of two semesters of the first year, normally fewer than 31 transfer credit hours and scholarship standing. The Early Scholar page says international students are reviewed on academic merit until the allocated funds are exhausted, with the end date reassessed regularly.
• Work and study permits: the B.Sc. page mentions the on-campus work programs MUCEP and ISWEP, but their eligibility rules were not read. Study permit, co-op and work permit rules are not set out on the pages read; check with Memorial and the Government of Canada.
• Proof of funds: not published on the pages read; check the website.

Applicants from China (separate section)

• Credential: the Senior Secondary School Certificate.
• Required subject areas: English, mathematics, a laboratory science (biology, chemistry or physics), social studies or a modern/classical language, and an elective; applicants missing subjects are pointed to the “missing required subjects” page (not read).
• Grades: a minimum average of 75 in the required subject areas at senior level, with a pass in each. The China page does not mention the gaokao, so whether gaokao results can stand in for these documents is not published; ask the admissions office (admissions@mun.ca).
• English: the China page requires proof of English proficiency through a standardized test (see below).
• Documents: current high school students submit an official English test result when they apply (for early acceptance); applicants who have finished high school without attending a post-secondary institution also submit an official English test result. The materials listed for the stage after exams (verified acceptance) were not shown on the page read, so check the website. Verification of the transcript or certificate by CDGDC or CHESICC may be required if Memorial asks. Documents can be mailed or couriered to the Office of the Registrar, or emailed to admiss.docs@mun.ca (documents only, no replies). Applicants who have attended a college or university apply as transfer students.
• Competitive programs: the China page says some programs are competitive for a limited number of spaces and may ask for a higher average or supplementary information.

English language requirement

• Four routes (see the English language requirement): two years of full-time high school in Canada with Grade 12 English; at least 15 credit hours (or a two-year credential) at a recognized English-language post-secondary institution (Memorial lists recognized countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Singapore, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa; China is not on the list); completion of Memorial’s Intensive English Program or Intensive English Bridge Program at Grenfell Campus; or an approved standardized test.
• Test scores (taken within two years and verifiable, test scores page): IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with at least 6 in reading and writing (UKVI accepted, General Training not accepted); the new TOEFL iBT scale 4.5 overall with at least 4.0 in reading and writing (Home Edition included), or 83 overall with at least 20 in reading and writing for valid tests taken up to January 2026; Duolingo 115; PTE Academic 60; CAEL 60; Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency 176; Michigan English Test 59.
• Falling short: applicants below the minimum scores may be considered for early acceptance if they enrol in the Intensive English Program or Bridge Program.

Transfer students (including from colleges)

• Entry: the transfer page says applicants who have attended a recognized post-secondary institution are normally expected to be in good academic standing and eligible to continue at the last institution; if the transcript does not show this, a cumulative average of at least 55% (or equivalent) is assessed. Applicants required to withdraw must wait three full semesters. The English language requirement still applies. Competitive-entry programs are limited and may need a higher average or supplementary information.
• Documents: upload your latest transcripts from every post-secondary institution after applying, and the high school transcript is encouraged. Official transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution or through an authorized service such as MyCreds; documents not in English or French need a certified English translation. Detailed course outlines may be needed for transfer credit evaluation, and Memorial advises submitting everything at least two months before the semester starts.
• Credit and the major: The chemistry page only states the conditions for “current Memorial students” to declare the major. How transfer credit counts toward those courses, and any extra conditions for transfer students, are not published on the pages read; ask the department and the Office of the Registrar.
• Scholarships: international transfer students are considered for entrance scholarships only if fewer than 31 credit hours are transferred; whether Canadian transfer students are considered was not covered by the pages read.

Costs

• Tuition (tuition page, Canadian dollars, per 3-credit-hour course, rates for new undergraduates; Memorial says fall 2026 is held at the fall 2025 level during a tuition freeze): $675 per course for “N.L. and other Canadian students” and $2,250 per course for international students. The same table also shows the originally planned fall 2026 rates ($702 and $2,340). Rates for fall 2027 are not published on the pages read; check the university’s finance pages.
• Earlier cohorts: students who entered before 2022 have a separate rate table, not covered here.
• Other charges: the rates exclude recreation, residence, student organization and miscellaneous fees. The Pharm.D. has a tuition differential and is outside this guide.
• Program-specific tuition: apart from the Pharm.D., the pages read do not mention any program-specific tuition for the programs covered here.

Sources: Memorial University website chemistry major; Chemistry (Biological); Bachelor of Science; chemistry criteria chart; application steps; deadlines; application fees; Canadian high school requirements; international high school requirements; China requirements; English language requirement; English test scores; transfer applicants; tuition; Early Scholar; international entrance scholarships. Most dates on the pages carry no year; they are summarized here for September 2027 entry, so confirm against the latest website.