Chemical Technology

If you love lab work and you're looking for a program that can launch you into a great career in just two years, check out the Chemical Technology program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic.

Chemical Technologists find employment throughout the province of Saskatchewan and beyond its borders. Many different industries employ graduates from the program including food manufacturing, mining, agriculture, cannabis, chemical manufacturing, and oil and gas. A Chemical Technology diploma will allow you the flexibility to choose a career path that suits you.

Chemical Technology is a nationally accredited, two-year diploma program offered through Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Saskatoon Campus, Idylwyld Dr. The program is designed to give you a well-rounded foundation in scientific principles and analytic practices--essential building blocks for a flexible career. You'll build knowledge and skills in:

• analytical instrumentation
• organic, physical, analytical and environmental chemistry
• handling and manipulating chemicals
• laboratory quality control and assurance
• recording, processing and reporting data

Learning is hands-on--you'll spend almost as much time in labs as in the classroom. And you'll apply what you've learned during a four-week industry research project.

Diploma to a Degree

Turn your Chemical Technology diploma into a university degree in just two years. Saskatchewan Polytechnic has transfer agreements with the University of Regina and University of Saskatchewan. You can also transfer into programs at Athabasca University (Alberta), Memorial University (Newfoundland), and Royal Roads University (B.C.). Use your diploma to ladder into a mining engineering technology degree at Queen's University in Ontario.

Bachelor of Applied Management Degree

Diploma graduates are also eligible to take the Bachelor of Applied Management degree right here at Saskatchewan Polytechnic with only two years of additional study. Remote classes and part-time options are available.

Learning Environment

• 24 students are accepted each year
• Students will experience lectures and laboratory classes, as well as tours of relevant industrial laboratories
• Class hours are from 8 am – 4 pm daily; if desired, students can take part time studies and complete the program over 3 years
• Homework is required outside of scheduled class time

High Employment Rate

Because the program is designed with input from industry, your education matches real-world needs. And that’s why Saskatchewan Polytechnic science graduates are so highly sought after by employers. A recent survey shows that the majority of Chemical Technology graduates are employed in a training-related field.

Get a Global Learning Experience

As a student in this program, you can sharpen your intercultural skills. You may have an opportunity to study and learn abroad. Learn more about global learning experiences at Sask Polytech.

Your Career

Chemical technologists can choose from a variety of job possibilities. Saskatchewan Polytechnic graduates are working as laboratory analysts, laboratory technologists, research technical assistants and sales managers.

Chemical Technologists work in a wide range of industries: agriculture, mining, oil and gas, chemical production, environmental protection, ethanol and malt production, food research, product testing, occupational health, and new opportunities are available in the cannabis industry. Job openings are often available in commercial, industrial or government laboratories, or in chemical product sales.

Potential Careers

Sample Job Title	NOC Classification1	Earning Potential2
Chemical Technologist	Chemical Technologists and Technicians (2211)	$37,400 - $90,700
Laboratory Technologist/Technician	Chemical Technologists and Technicians (2211)	$37,400 - $90,700
Quality Control/Assurance Technologist/Technician	Chemical Technologists and Technicians (2211)	$37,400 - $90,700

Start Date(s): September
Length: 70 weeks

Year 1 - 38 weeks; Year 2 - 32 weeks

Students will enroll in a four week industry specific research project in January of semester 3.
*Relocation may be required

• Saskatoon

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 with a minimum 60% in each of the following subjects: English Language Arts A30, English Language Arts B30, Chemistry 30 and Pre-Calculus 30*
• English Language Requirement

Note

• Accepted applicants may be required to provide evidence of a Criminal Record Check prior to entering the practicum component of the program. At the discretion of the practicum agency, you may be declined access to a clinical or work placement based on the contents of the Criminal Record Check. The cost of the Criminal Record Check is your responsibility.

*Previous Saskatchewan mathematics requirement also accepted:

• Minimum of 60% in a 30-level math

Alternative Admission

Applicants who do not possess the academic qualifications for a program may be admitted if evidence of probable success can be established through an alternative admission assessment. Applicants are automatically considered for alternative admission. However, some specific admission requirements may still need to be met.

ACCUPLACER©

Refer to the ACCUPLACER© cut scores for this program below, and review additional details concerning Alternative Admission using Accuplacer.

• 250 Arithmetic
• 256 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics
• 256 Reading
• 250 Writing
• 4 Writeplacer

Post-secondary

Some programs allow applicants to meet the admission grade level requirement using 15 approved post-secondary credits. Review additional information.

If the program applied to has specific course requirements, they may be met through alternative post-secondary courses. Review already approved courses that may be used for admission purposes for your programs.

Admission Method

First Qualified/First Admitted

The First Qualified/First Admitted (FQFA) process is used for the majority of Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs. When we determine that you meet the program's admission requirements, you will be offered admission based on the date you fully qualify for the program. The earlier you provide the appropriate documents and information that qualify you for admission to the next intake, the earlier you might begin your studies. Your application, once qualified, is always considered for the next intake. 

Applicants to programs with multiple intakes in an academic year remain in the application pool until the last intake for that academic year has begun. Programs using the FQFA process receive applications year round and maintain an application pool for each academic year. Qualified applicants who are not offered a seat must reapply for the next academic year. 

Sponsored programs or programs targeted to specific groups do not accept applications year round or maintain an application pool.

See Admission Processes for more information about this method of admission.

Estimates are based on current rates and are subject to change. Amounts for a program may vary by campus. Totals shown here include all mandatory fees as well as approximate cost for books and supplies. Visit the Tuition and Fees web page for a complete breakdown of tuition and fees for this program.

 

2022/23 Academic Year

Year 1 - $9,625
Year 2 - $7,770

International Students

View tuition rates for international students.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

 

Note: 

• Each semester consists of major and minor subjects.
• Full-time students must take all courses listed plus any other courses deemed necessary.
• Applicants from industry are eligible to take any semester or part of any semester if they can demonstrate adequate background knowledge (this may require an entrance examination).
• Some industry opportunities require Criminal Record Checks and/or drug and alcohol testing.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Saskatchewan Polytechnic recognizes that adults learn in many different ways. This includes acquiring knowledge and skills through life and work experience or non-formal training.

See link(s) below to get more information about PLAR.

• Candidate Guide
• Candidate Guide (Department of Arts and Sciences courses)
  • communications, mathematics, sciences, social sciences
• Candidate Guide (Standardized Computer Courses)
• More about PLAR

Transfer Credit

Many Sask Polytech students benefit from transferring course credit. You may be eligible to transfer credit to Sask Polytech or to another college or university.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, Saskatchewan Polytechnic gives away more than $2 million in student awards during the academic year.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic offers student awards for every certificate and diploma program at every campus. Not all student awards are based on marks - some are based on financial need or things like community or volunteer involvement.

More about scholarships

Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC) – Technologist Level

The Chemical Technology diploma program is accredited by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC). This opens the door to professional certification as an Applied Science Technologist (A.Sc.T.). And that means greater career credibility, mobility and earning power. 

Professional Registration

Technology Professionals Saskatchewan

Technology Professionals Saskatchewan is the provincial regulatory body for graduates of this Saskatchewan Polytechnic program.  As a graduate of an accredited program recognized by Technology Professionals Saskatchewan, your academic training places you on an expedited path towards obtaining professional registration as an Applied Science Technologist (A.Sc.T.) or Certified Technician (C.Tech.).  For more information, visit tpsk.ca

Are you an international applicant? Do you have questions or need help? Find out how to apply as an international applicant  or contact international@saskpolytech.ca.

Program Head

Amy Douglas
amy.douglas@saskpolytech.ca
306-659-4382

 

• Indigenous Student Experience
• Personal Readiness

• Women in Trades and Technology

• BioScience Technology
• Environmental Engineering Technology