ÎüʪÊÓƵ

Department of Chemistry

Chemistry student works with beakers in the lab

From rare earth metals in your smart phone screen, to organic compounds that build all living things, discover how atoms, molecules and ions interact to make up the world around us.

Associate of Science Degree

An Associate of Science Degree will give you direct transfer to third year studies at many universities.

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Associate of Science Degree
  • Kelowna, Vernon
  • Penticton, Salmon Arm
  • Associate Degree
  • International students

Explore our courses

Explore Chemistry courses available at ÎüʪÊÓƵ.

Meet our faculty

Terry Heidt

Chair - Chemistry
Office: C Building 368A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4728

I have worked in a variety of laboratory and research settings: as a research analyst for NovaBioMed Inc. in Kentville, NS (2005-2006), as a genetics researcher for a group at UBC (2007), as a quality control technician for Ashland chemicals in Winfield, B.C. (2007-2008), and as a chemical technologist at Suncor Energy in Fort McMurray, AB (2008-2009). I taught chemistry at the University of Alberta as a laboratory instructor and help-session tutor (2010-2011). A significant portion of my research involved the chemical synthesis of model asphaltenes in an organic/inorganic research group. I have been a chemistry professor at ÎüʪÊÓƵ since 2018.

 

Credentials:
MSc, Chemistry, University of Alberta
BHK, Human Kinetics, UBC
BSc, Chemistry and Physics, OUC

Sydney Acton

Chair - Water Engineering Technology, Professor - Chemistry
Office: C Building 290B
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6430
Photo of Sydney Acton

I grew up in the Okanagan where I completed my BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at UBCO. During my undergraduate studies I also gained experience in the world of water working in a water conservation/public outreach role and as a lab technician at the Duteau Water Treatment Plant. I then pursued my MSc research under Dr. Keillor at the University of Ottawa, where I specialized in organic chemistry and chemical biology.  I discovered my passion for teaching early during my studies as a Chemistry Tutor and Teaching assistant and I am thrilled to have returned home to teach Chemistry at OC! I serve as a dual member of the Water Engineering Technology (WET) and Chemistry Departments and currently hold the position of Chair of the WET Department. I have been a professor at OC since 2019. Outside the classroom, you’ll likely find me enjoying the natural beauty of this region!

Credentials:
MSc, Chemistry, University of Ottawa
BSc (Hons), Chemistry, UBC Okanagan

Leonard Lermer

Chemistry
Office: C Building 289
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4643

Dr. Carl Doige

Chemistry
Office: Main Building D366
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2286

Although my initial career goal was to work as an academic researcher, various life influences brought me to my first real job as a teacher at the high school level in an international school in Bangkok, Thailand. After eleven years, I moved back to Canada and was fortunate to join the Chemistry Department at ÎüʪÊÓƵ in 2005. Now having taught science for over a quarter century, I continue to be curious about and humbled by the art and science of learning and teaching.

Credentials:
PhD, Biochemistry, University of Guelph
BSc, Chemistry, McGill University
Dipl. Ed., McGill University

Dr. Richard Federley

Chemistry
Office: C Building 245B
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4345
Richard Federley

Credentials:
PhD, Chemistry, WSU

Jasmine Korcok

Chemistry
Office: C Building 344G
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4851

I did my B.Sc. (Chemistry) at the University of Guelph and M.Sc. at SFU, where I studied thermal expansion properties of d10 dicyanometallate coordination polymers under the supervision of Prof. Danny Leznoff. I have been teaching since 2011 and became a professor at ÎüʪÊÓƵ in 2013. I am passionate about helping students understand challenging chemical concepts and develop important transferable skills. I love nature so I enjoy activities that get me outside in my free time, like hiking and cross-country skiing. I am an enthusiastic birdwatcher and will be on Extended Study Leave in 2020-2021 to study ornithology.

Credentials:
MSc, Inorganic Chemistry, Simon Fraser University
BSc, Chemistry, University of Guelph

Jeff Therrien

Chemistry
Office: C Building 282
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4342

It is my joy and privilege to teach chemistry and see my students grow in knowledge, understanding, competence, and a sense of wonder. I completed by PhD in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. Mike Wolf (UBC Vancouver) where I designed and synthesized novel electrocatalysts for carbon dioxide conversion. This project combined a wide breadth of chemical subdisciplines: organic and inorganic synthetic chemistry, catalysis, electrochemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and quantum-mechanical computational design and modelling of molecular properties. I love to bring a broad, relevant, and applied perspective to my chemistry courses.

Credentials:
PhD, Chemistry, UBC Vancouver
BSc (Hons), Chemistry, UBC Okanagan

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