The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry focuses on experiential learning in small classes and labs. Chemistry students have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate research with instructors. Chemistry students can expand their learning with VIU’s state of the art Applied Environmental Research Laboratories (AERL), where they can work on collaborative research projects with private sector and community partnerships. Chemistry is taught through a combination of lectures and laboratory exercises with close student - instructor interactions and mentorship being a hallmark of the program. Current issues such as the fate and distribution of chemical species in the environment and biological systems, bio-mimetics, environmental ecology, toxicology, molecular design and catalysis as well as development of modern instrumental methods are introduced.