Does Simon Fraser University give transfer credit for IB Chemistry HL?

What to watch for:

• Your next course is likely CHEM 281 (Organic Chemistry I). Its prerequisite is CHEM 121 with a minimum C-, and it lists CHEM 122 as a corequisite — both of which your IB transfer credit satisfies. CHEM 281 includes its own lab component and focuses on structure, bonding, spectroscopy, and reaction mechanisms. If your IB preparation leaned more toward calculation and memorization than mechanistic reasoning, the shift toward concepts like resonance, hybridization, and curved-arrow notation may require some adjustment.
• This credit does not include CHEM 126 (General Chemistry Laboratory II). CHEM 121 includes an integrated lab, so your transfer credit covers that component. However, CHEM 126 — the standalone lab course that complements CHEM 122 — is not part of the IB award. This matters primarily for chemistry majors and honours students, because CHEM 126 is a prerequisite for upper-year laboratory courses including CHEM 216 (Analytical Chemistry Lab) and CHEM 236W (Inorganic Chemistry Lab). If your degree plan requires those courses, you will need to take CHEM 126 separately. For students in programs like biological sciences, kinesiology, or health sciences, check your specific degree requirements — many do not require CHEM 126.
• Credit removal is one-way. SFU will remove IB credit upon request if you haven't yet enrolled in the equivalent course — but they will not restore it after removal. This makes the decision to decline credit permanent, so consider your options carefully before requesting removal.