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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

PhD and MSc programs are available for full-time study only.

Specializations: Analytical, Applied, Bio-Organic, Bio-Physical, Electrochemistry, Environmental, Inorganic, Materials, Organic, Organometallic, Physical, Polymer, and Theoretical Chemistry

These areas do not constitute formal divisions, and the thesis research may cut across the traditional lines.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Science admission requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy

a) Two reference letters with reference forms. Letters and forms must bear the referee's signature and the letter must be printed on official letterhead from the referee's institution and sent in a sealed envelope or from an institutional email account.  The reference form is available from

b) An appropriate letter of recommendation is one written by an individual who can provide an assessment of the applicant's background and capabilities with respect to our department.  An applicant currently registered in a graduate degree program, or who has recently completed a graduate degree program, must submit one letter of reference from his/her program supervisor

c) For applicants required to prove proficiency in English, a TOEFL score of 580 (written test), 92 (internet-based test), an IELTS score of 7.5, a MELAB score of 83, or a PTE score of 64

Master of Science

For applicants with a Master of Science (MSc) degree:

a) A Master of Science degree recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies;

b) An admission grade point average of 3.30 or better on a four-point scale.

Doctor of Philosophy

For applicants with a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree:

a) A four-year Honours degree or its equivalent

b) An admission grade point average of 3.70 or better on a four-point scale

Deadlines for submission of complete applications for students with international transcripts:
March 1 for September admission
July 1 for January admission
November 1 for May admission

Deadlines for submission of complete applications for students with Canadian transcripts:
July 1 for September admission
November 1 for January admission
March 1 for May admission

Advanced credit for graduate courses taken as an unclassified student, or qualifying student may be given for courses in which the student obtains a grade of “B” or higher.

A reduction in course requirements may be given for students who completed graduate courses at other institutions.  This will be determined on program entry and after consultation with the research supervisor and the graduate office.

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Science requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science

a) Three half-course equivalents (500-level or above). Normally a minimum of two half courses will be Chemistry courses

Doctor of Philosophy

a) Four half-course equivalents (500-level or above) for students entering with a four-year Honours BSc degree or equivalent. Normally, a minimum of three half courses will be Chemistry courses

b) A minimum of one and a maximum of four half courses for students entering with an MSc degree or equivalent. The number of half courses will be determined by consultation between the student, the supervisor, and the Graduate Director

Students who transfer to the doctoral program will be given credit for courses taken in the MSc program.

Each student must participate in the Department's Chemistry 601 and 603 Research Seminars in each year he/she is registered in a graduate program.

A Master of Science student planning to apply for a transfer to a doctoral program must notify his/her supervisory committee at least one month before the committee meeting which takes place at the end of the student's first year in program.

Doctoral students are required to complete written and oral candidacy examinations. Further details may be obtained from the Department’s Handbook of Graduate Studies available at: .

The oral examination component will include questions on the research proposal. Final thesis oral examinations are open.

Financial assistance is normally available to all qualified students in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TA), Faculty of Graduate Studies Support (FGSS), and Trust funding. TA and FGSS are not normally available beyond twenty-eight months in a Master’s program and fifty-two months in a doctoral program.

For further information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar.