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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.

Explore our programs

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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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ.

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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ! 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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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
P. Chem

Natasha Befus

Upgrading - Chair, Chemistry - Professor
Office: Portable 3 101
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2259
AACP instructor Natasha Befus

I did my BSc in Chemistry at La Sierra University in Southern California and then went on to do my MSc in Biochemistry at Lomas Linda University.  My research studied protein uptake in Caco2 cells, which are used as a model for intestinal epithelial barrier.  It specifically studied using HIV-1 Tat peptide to target and increase uptake in enterocytes.  Although I started my career doing research for a biotechnology firm (Invitrogen) in San Diego, California, my first desire was to become a teacher.  I came back to Vernon in 2006, and shortly thereafter returned to school to get my BEd in Math/Science Secondary Education.  I joined the college in 2009, teaching in the Adult Upgrading department.  It is rewarding to be able to share my love of chemistry with others, particularly students.  

Credentials:
MSc, Biochemistry, Loma Linda University
BEd, Secondary Education, University of British Columbia Okanagan
BSc, Science, La Sierra University

Luis Del Rio

Chemistry
Office: Portable 3 101
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 6476

Dr. Carl Doige

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

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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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 Professor
Office: Main Building D354
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4345
Richard Federley

Credentials:
PhD, Chemistry, WSU

Jasmine Korcok

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

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 ¹û½´ÊÓƵ 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, birding, and cross-country skiing. 

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

Leonard Lermer

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

Elizabeth-Anne Strohm

Chemistry Professor
Office: Portable 3 101
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4335
Elizabeth Strohm Headshot

Chemistry is my passion and I enjoy teaching students Chemistry in a way that is easy to understand and fun to learn! During the summer I spend time hiking, cycling, and camping and in the winter I love cross country skiing with my family.

Credentials:
BSc Hon., MSc, Chemistry, UBC

Maria Tsemperouli

Chemistry
Office: Portable 3 101
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4386

Isabelle Curyk

Laboratory Technician - Biology & Chemistry
Office: C Building 288A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4923

Jeff Therrien

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

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

Christian Riddell-Meyer

Laboratory Technician - Biology & Chemistry
Office: C Building 288A
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4935
Christian Riddle-Meyer Headshot

Scott Richardson

On Leave
Office: Main Building D354
Campus: Vernon
Phone:

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