A huge congratulations to this year’s exec team for winning the Canadian Society for Chemistry Student Chapter Merit Award for the second year in a row, as well as the Helen McCrae Award for student engagement. Thank you for your hard work, everyone!
Would you like the opportunity to become more involved with the Department of Chemistry as part of a dedicated undergraduate team?
The Undergraduate Chemistry Society is building its Executive Team for the 2015/2016 academic year.
We will be accepting nominations for the following positions. Students going on co-op or exchange terms are encouraged to apply for positions where campus presence is not necessary for both academic terms.
Voting will take place at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8th in Chem D213 and is open to Chemistry students only. If you are unable to attend the UCS elections, we will be accepting votes by proxy through ucspresident@gmail.com until 4:00 pm on Wednesday, April 8th.
Executive Positions for the 2015-2016 Academic Year
Secretary (1)
The secretary is required to be on campus both terms to attend all meetings. The secretary’s duties include: taking notes and preparing meeting minutes at UCS meetings to be sent to all other executives and maintaining the UCS membership list and locker rental list.
Academic Coordinator (2)
The academic coordinators are tasked with contacting graduate schools to host recruitment events at UBC. They are also responsible for ensuring UCS’s exam packages for 1st and 2nd year chemistry classes are up-to-date and filled with relevant questions. This position involves frequent liaising with faculty and graduate students. This role spans the entire academic year; each academic coordinator is required to be on campus for at least one term.
Social Coordinator (2)
The social coordinators organize all the social events hosted by UCS throughout the year. This includes: 2-Bucks-a-Beaker (two per term) and Faculty Meet and Greet (one per term). Procurement of a liquor license, alcohol, pop and chips (2BaB) and cheese and crackers (Faculty Meet and Greet) are required duties. This role spans the entire academic year, and it is strongly preferred that each person be on campus for both terms.
Forum Coordinator (2)
The forum coordinators organize UCS’s annual Chemistry Forum, held in late February/early March, where invited speakers from various industries showcase the role their chemistry degrees have had in shaping their careers. While the event takes place during second term, the majority of the event preparation must be completed during first term. Organization of the all-day event includes, but is not limited to: communicating with potential speakers, ordering catering, booking the event space, and managing a given budget for the event.
Chemistry Undergraduate Research Conference (CURC) Coordinator (1)
The CURC coordinator is responsible for this annual conference held in late March, which showcases original research conducted by undergraduate students. Organization of this event includes: scheduling undergraduates to give presentations, ordering catering, and booking the event space. This position requires more involvement in the second term.
Internal Outreach Officer (1)
This position involves the organization of UCS events, such as lab coat tie-dye and lab tours, for promoting the Department of Chemistry to undergraduate students. This position involves liaising with faculty members, as well as undergraduate and graduate students. The internal outreach officer is required to be on campus both terms.
External Outreach Officer (1)
The external outreach officer is tasked with spearheading UCS’s new community outreach program, in collaboration with UBC Chemistry Outreach. This initiative involves UCS executives giving chemistry demonstrations at elementary and secondary schools, aiming to inspire an enthusiasm for the sciences in young children. The external outreach officer is required to be on campus both terms.
Communications Coordinator (1)
The communications coordinator is responsible for maintaining all of UCS’s social media accounts, including: Facebook (Michael Acceptor) and Twitter (@UCS_UBC). Enthusiastic promotion of all UCS events on Facebook is the key to success for UCS’s events. This position, spanning both terms, does not require the elected executive to be on campus.
Grad Coordinator (2)
The grad coordinators organize Chemiformal, a celebratory event for graduating Chemistry students held in late March. This position spans both terms, with most of the event planning taking place during the second term, though some preparation will be needed in the first term. Organization of the event includes, but is not limited to: booking the event venue, hiring a DJ, procuring prizes, and conducting ticket sales. The grad coordinators will work to plan the event within a given budget.
Website Coordinator (1)
The webmaster is responsible for maintaining UCS’s website: this involves making regular posts detailing event information and updating the website as needed. Experience with WordPress and/or UBC CMS is strongly preferred, while knowledge of HTML/CSS is an asset. This role spans both academic terms, but the elected executive will not be required to be on campus.
Graphic Designer (1)
The graphic designer is responsible for communicating with other UCS executives and generating posters, website graphics, pamphlets, and other promotional material as per the event coordinators’ needs. The graphic designer will work to produce posters that balance aesthetics and functionality to attract attention to UCS-hosted events. Experience with industry standard design software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, is strongly preferred — UCS strives to maintain a professional presence. Experience with designing material for print is a strong asset. This position spans both academic terms, but the executive will not be required to be on campus.
SUS Representative (1)
The successful candidate will be nominated by UCS to serve as the Chemistry Representative on the Science Undergraduate Society’s (SUS) council; UCS will support this representative in his or her campaign and ensure successful election. The SUS representative will serve as the primary link between UCS and other SUS clubs and will be required to attend both SUS and UCS meetings. As such, the SUS representative is required to be on campus for both academic terms.
Candidates are welcome to declare their nominations until 11:59 pm on Monday, April 6th. Please email ucspresident@gmail.com with your 3 ranked positions and a short blurb describing your interest and qualifications.
If you have any questions, please email ucspresident@gmail.com.
The event pamphlet is now available for viewing here!
Interested in research in the chemical sciences? Don’t know what is going on in the frontier of research? Then come to the Chemistry Undergraduate Research Conference (CURC)!
By annual tradition, the Undergraduate Chemistry Society invites senior graduate students who have completed or are in the progress of completing research to give oral presentations about their work.
This year, with the support of TA Instruments and the Department of Chemistry at UBC, we are happy to host speakers from diverse fields of research, including the synthesis of tungsten complexes for olefin metathesis, construction of key fragments of natural products, development of chiral nematic crystals, computational studies of carbon nanotubes, and much more.
Event details:
Date: Thursday, April 2
Time: 12:30–3:30 PM
Location: Dodson Room @ IKBLC
If you are interested in attending the event, please sign up at https://ucs.chem.ubc.ca/
Note that space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible. As per usual, refreshments and lunch will be provided.
If you have any questions, please send us an e-mail at undergraduatechemistrysoci
Spend the final 2BaB of the school year with fellow chemists and friends!
Event details:
Date:Friday, March 27, 2015
Time: 5:30-10:00 PM
Location: Abdul Ladha Science Student Center
Price: Beaker + Drink ($5), Drink ($2)
Note: This is a 19+ Event: 2 pieces of ID required – 1 government issued photo ID + secondary ID (not including student cards)
Date: Monday, February 23, 2015
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Location: Chemistry D213
RSVP: http://goo.gl/forms/69SyCVhfPG
The Undergraduate Chemistry Society is proud to host Ph.D. Candidate Alex Bushuyev from McGill University. Mr. Bushuyev studies photomechanical motion in single crystals of azobenzenes and pseudostilbenes.
Come find out how you can apply, what scholarships are available, and what life is like in Montreal!
Lunch will be provided, but space is limited! Please RSVP by Sunday night, February 22nd.
Getting ready to apply for grad school? Unsure of how to put together a solid application that will stand out? The Undergraduate Chemistry Society @ UBC is hosting a Graduate School Application Workshop this month aimed at helping prospective grad students with their applications.
The session will be lead by Dr. Michael Wolf and Dr. Laurel Schafer, who will provide valuable advice concerning the formation of applications, obtaining references, and required standardized exams. In particular, this is an opportunity to learn what it takes to be a successful applicant, receiving attention from admission departments and professors alike.
Date: Friday, February 27th, 2015
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: CHEM D317
Thank you for your interest. Please RSVP @ https://ucs.chem.ubc.ca/gradapps by the night of Tuesday, February 24th if you would like to attend this workshop — space is limited. Lunch will be provided.
Have you ever wondered what a real research lab looks like? Are you interested in research and are curious about what the environment will be? If you missed out on our first round of lab tours, you’re in luck!
The Undergraduate Chemistry Society is pleased to be hosting Round 2 of our Chemistry Lab Tours. Students will get an opportunity to explore research labs outside of the chemistry building and discover more about each professor’s research through a guided visit.
March 10th (1:00 – 2:00 pm)
Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) – Dr. Harry Brumer
Fundamental and Applied Carbohydrate Enzymology
RSVP by Sunday night, March 8th: https://ucs.chem.ubc.ca/
March 12th (2:00 – 3:00 pm)
Advanced Materials and Processing Engineering Laboratories (AMPEL) – Dr. Dan Bizzotto
Electrochemistry/Surface Chemistry – Study of Molecular Films Adsorbed onto Electrode Surfaces
RSVP by Tuesday night, March 10th: https://ucs.chem.ubc.ca/
All students interested in attending lab tours must RSVP. Spots are very limited, so RSVP today!
Please feel free to contact ucsoutreach@gmail.com with any questions.
Chemistry Forum is an annual event held at UBC, hosted by the UBC Undergraduate Chemistry Society, featuring short presentations from individuals from various fields of chemistry who will have opportunities to speak to and interact with undergraduate chemistry students about their experiences. The main goal of Chemistry Forum 2015 is to illustrate to students the versatility of a chemistry degree.
Guest speakers include professionals from BC Research Inc., BioteQ Environmental Technologies, Carson Graham Secondary, SWITCH Materials, TRIUMF, and UBC!
A catered lunch will be provided for all attendees.
The dress code is smart formal/casual formal.
Attendees MUST RSVP in order to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!
Interested in finding out more about your professors’ research interests? Want to witness first-hand what goes on in their research labs? UCS has organized something just for you: lab tours!
Thursday, January 29 (12:30 – 1:50 pm)
Thursday, February 5 (12:30 – 1:50 pm)
You must RSVP here in order to come! Spots are filling up fast.
Have you always wondered what your instructors are like outside of class? Come and mingle with your favourite instructors and find out more about their research interests at this event hosted by your Undergraduate Chemistry Society. We will be providing wine and cheese at this 19+ event. Please RSVP here if you would like to come!
Date: Thursday, February 5
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: CHEM D211
Important notes: This is a 19+ event, and students must RSVP to come — please complete and submit the linked form. There is a venue capacity of 45 people.
Join UCS on Wednesday, February 11 for your very own swanky tie-dyed lab coat!
Event information:
Date/time: Wed, Feb 11 1-5pm
Location: CHEM C324
Pricing: $3 for members, $5 for non-members/ $25 new lab coat
RSVP information:
Location: CHEM D132 (UCS Lounge), cash only
RSVP Dates: Jan 26 – Feb 6
RSVP Times: M/W/F @ 12-1 pm, T/Th @ 12:30-1:30 pm
For more information, please contact undergraduatechemistrysociety@
Note: if you are interested in attending this information session, please RSVP at undergraduatechemistrysoci
The Department of Chemistry now offers two new opportunities for chemistry research and study in Europe. Professor Edward Grant of the Department of Chemistry serves as the UBC academic advisor for both programs and will be hosting an information session on Friday, January 16th, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM in CHEM D215. An overview of the opportunities is given below:
1. The Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program (TASSEP)
Beginning with the 2015-16 academic year, UBC undergraduate students can choose to attend any of 19 prominent European universities, for a year of well-guided study abroad under the auspices of TASSEP, the Trans-Atlantic Science Student Exchange Program.
Some features of TASSEP:
2. The Free University of Berlin
UBC has begun a second program of exchange with the Free University of Berlin, which will pilot next year will all of the above features of TASSEP. When fully implemented, this program will offer the opportunity for a dual degree. Outstanding students may elect to study at the Free University of Berlin for a second year, at which time the dual degree option could well be available.
Come celebrate the start of a new semester and the new year with fellow chemists at 2BaB!
Date: Friday, January 16th, 5:30 PM- 10 PM
Location: CHEM D211
Prices: Beaker + Drink Ticket ($5), Drink Ticket ($2)
Note: This is a 19+ event, so please bring two pieces of identification (including one photo ID)!
UBC CHEM Class of 2015:
If you are intending to graduate in May 2015, please book an appointment for your Artona grad photos. You must be photographed before Feb.3, 2015 to be included on the department composite:
* Book online: http://ubc-chemistry.artona.
* Session includes professional business and grad portraits
* Don’t forget the $60 deposit! (See PDF for details)
Questions? Contact Artona below!
www.artonagroup.com/faq
csr@artonagroup.com
604-872-7272 ext. 0
Mon. to Sun. 9am to 9pm
2BaB is back — just in time for end-of-term celebrations!
Join us on Friday, November 21 from 5:30 – 10:00 PM in the Grad Lounge (CHEM D211)! We’ll be serving beer and cider — it’s $5 for a beaker with a free drink ticket included, or $2 for refills! Bring your own beaker if you have one!
This is a 19+ event, so make sure you have two pieces of identification on hand (including one piece of photo ID).
Need some extra practice for your upcoming finals? UCS is selling final exam prep packages for the following courses:
Chem 121
Chem 233
Chem 202
Chem 203
Price: $15 each / $10 for members
Location: in front of Chem B150
Date: Monday, November 17th – Friday, November 28
Hours: M/W/F 10am-3pm, T/Th 9:30am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-3:0pm
Update: Did you miss our workshop? Get caught up by checking out this slideshow, courtesy of one of our presenters, Ms. Angela Pau!
Ever wonder how you should approach your professors to ask about research opportunities? How you should communicate with people in the professional world? How do you write an effective résumé and cover letter, especially when you have limited work/research experience?
This year, the Undergraduate Chemistry Society @ UBC is pleased to announce that Ms. Angela Pau, a Career Educator from the Centre for Student Involvement & Careers, will be running a workshop to aid undergraduate students in honing their professional communication skills. Dr. Michael Wolf will be co-presenting and bringing his perspective as a professor in the Chemistry department.
Date: Monday, October 20
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM
Location: CHEM D213
Thank you for your interest. Please RSVP here if you would like to attend this workshop.
Have you always wondered what your instructors are like outside of class? Come and mingle with your favourite instructors and find out more about their research interests at this event hosted by your Undergraduate Chemistry Society. We will be providing wine and cheese at this 19+ event. Please RSVP here if you would like to come!
Date: Thursday, October 23
Time: 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: CHEM D211
Important notes: This is a 19+ event, and students must RSVP to come — please complete and submit the linked form. There is a venue capacity of 45 people.
The beginning of a new school year means it’s time to equip yourself with some invaluable items: namely, lab manuals, safety glasses, all-cotton lab coats, and safety gloves! Stop by the Grad Lounge at CHEM D211 (note: not D215!) on Sept 3rd – 5th (9am – 2pm) or Sept 8th – 12th (10am – 2pm) and stock up on some lab goods (bring cash!).
UCS will also be selling memberships and renting out lockers, so check that out, too!
It’s time to get your drink on — at the first 2BaB of this school year!
Join us on Friday, September 12th from 5:30 to 10:00 PM in the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre! We’ll be serving beer and cider — it’s $5 for a beaker with a free drink ticket included, or $2 for refills! Bring your own beaker if you have one!
This is a 19+ event, so make sure you have two pieces of identification on hand (including one piece of photo ID).
Huge congratulations to this year’s UCS exec team for winning the Canadian Society for Chemistry Student Chapter Merit Award. Thank you for all of your hard work, everyone!
Please join us at this year’s Chemistry Undergraduate Research Conference on Thursday, March 27 in the Lillooet Room at the Irving K. Barber Library. This year’s CURC will be featuring the following presenters: Dan Cojocaru, Daniel Kwon, Daniel Beh, Molly Sung, Jennifer Moon, and Alyssa Dalton. Presentations will include a question and answer period, where a panel of judges and audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions to the presenters.
To learn more about each respective speaker’s research, please print out this booklet for viewing.
UCS and CHBE present: Drop the Base, a tight-and-bright-themed 2-Bucks-a-Beaker! Join us, along with your fellow chemists and chemical engineers, on Friday, March 21 from 5:30 – 10:00 PM at the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre.
As usual, drink (or pizza!) tickets are $2 apiece and $5 will net you a sweet beaker with a complimentary drink/pizza ticket. This is a 19+ event, so make sure you bring two pieces of ID (including one photo ID). Check out the Facebook event here!
Interested in finding out more about your professors’ research interests? Want to witness first-hand what goes on in their research labs? UCS has organized something just for you: lab tours!
Thursday, Feb 27 (12:30 – 2 pm)
Thursday, March 13 (12:30 – 2 pm)
Thursday, March 20 (12:30 – 2 pm)
More information can be found on this poster. You must RSVP here in order to come! Spots are filling up fast.
Not sure what you want to do after your BSc in Chemistry? Join us for a day filled with presentations given by professionals working in various fields related to chemistry, including guest speakers from AFCC, Xenon Pharmaceuticals, Inception Sciences Canada, Powertech Labs, and Perkin-Elmer. You’ll hear about the type of work they do and the career path they took to get there. Afterwards, enjoy lunch while networking with our guest speakers.
When: March 6th, 2014: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre
Students must RSVP here in order to come. We hope to see you there!
Update (Feb 3/14): due to unforeseen circumstances, the graduate school information session with Professor Prosser will be rescheduled to a later date. Please check back for more information.
Professor Scott Prosser from the University of Toronto’s Department of Chemistry will be speaking at a graduate school information session on Thursday, February 6th at room Chem D317, between 12:30 – 2:00 pm. Lunch (pizza and beverages!) will be provided for all attendees.
RSVP for this by sending us an email here.
Have you always wondered what your professors are like outside of class? Come and mingle with your favourite instructors and find out more about their research interests at this event hosted by your Undergraduate Chemistry Society. We will be providing wine and cheese at this 19+ event. Please RSVP if you would like to come!
For the first time ever, UCS is hosting a tie dye lab coat event! Join us on February 11/12 between 2:00 – 5:00 PM in CHEM C324 with your washed lab coat.
Spots are very limited, so please RSVP by emailing undergraduatechemistrysociety@gmail.com! The cost is $3 for members and $5 for non-members.
Check out our Facebook event here.
What better way to start off the year than with a 2BaB event hosted by UCS?!
Join us on January 17th from 5:30 – 10:00 PM in the Grad Lounge in CHEM D211! We’ll be serving beer and cider — it’s $5 for a beaker with a free drink ticket included, or $2 for refills! Bring your own beaker if you have one!
This is a 19+ event, so make sure you have two pieces of identification on hand (including one piece of photo ID).
Check out our Facebook event here!
Dr. George K. H. Shimizu from the University of Calgary’s Department of Chemistry will be the guest speaker at a graduate school information session on Thursday, January 16th at room Chem D317, between 12:30 – 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Please RSVP here if you’re able to attend!
After including UCS’s pledge of matching every $5 collected at our last 2-Bucks-a-Beaker event with a $2 contribution, a total of $80 was donated to Red Cross relief efforts in the Philippines. This $80 amount will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Canadian government. A sincere thanks to everyone for your generosity!
Need some extra practice for your upcoming finals? UCS is selling final exam prep packages for the following courses:
Chem 121
Chem 233
Chem 202
Chem 203
Price: $15 each / $10 for members
Location: in front of Chem B250
Date: Tuesday, November 19th – Friday, November 29
Hours: MWF 10am-3pm, T/Th 9:30am-12:30pm and 2:00pm-3:30pm
2BaB is back! And just in time for end-of-term celebrations!
Join us on November 22 from 5:30 – 10:00 PM* in the Abdul Ladha Science Student Centre! We’ll be serving beer and cider — it’s $5 for a beaker with a free drink ticket included, or $2 for refills! Bring your own beaker if you have one!
This is a 19+ event, so make sure you have two pieces of identification on hand (including one piece of photo ID).
Check out our Facebook event here!
*We will have a “safewalking” team on-site, in case you need to walk home alone.
Dr. Munira Khalil from the University of Washington will be speaking at a graduate school information session on Thursday, November 7th at room Chem D213, between 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Please RSVP here if you’re able to attend!
Have you always wondered what your professors are like outside of class? Come and mingle with your favourite instructors and find out more about their research interests at this event hosted by your Undergraduate Chemistry Society. We will be providing wine and cheese at this 19+ event. Please RSVP if you would like to come! Check out the Facebook event here.
If you’re thinking about approaching a professor for a research opportunity, but you’re not sure how to do so effectively, UCS has just the workshop for you: hosted by Ms. Kimberley Rawes from the Centre of Student Involvement, the focus of this workshop is to aid undergraduate students in improving their professional communications skills. Dr. Laurel Schafer will also be co-presenting to provide insight on this topic from the perspective of a professor.
Date: October 15, 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Location: Chem D213
Other notes: this event is open to all students and lunch will be provided!
Facebook event: here
Source, under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license
Dr. Jason Hein from The University of California at Merced will be speaking at a graduate school information session on Friday, September 27 at room Chem D213, between 2:00 – 3:30 pm. Lunch will be provided for all attendees.
Please RSVP here if you’re able to attend!
[portfolio_slideshow]
Thank you to everyone who was able to make it out to our first 2BaB event of the year — the turnout was fantastic! Please be on the lookout for our next social event!