Graduate Studies
Our department offers thesis-based MSc and PhD degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. Both degree programs require coursework and research under the supervision of a faculty member. Visit our Research Areas page to learn about prospective research topics.
Find information on admissions and application procedures at the following Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research pages:
- Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) admission procedures.
- Minimum admission standards for Canadians, Permanent Residents and international students.
- The Graduate Online Application for Admission.
Students who are not exempt from the English language requirements are expected to meet the following minimum standards: TOEFL 20, 20, 20 (new, paper), or 20 (iBT) or Duolingo 110 or IELTS 6.5.
Application Deadlines:
Fall admission: April 15
Winter admission: August 15
Spring/Summer admission: December 15
Applications for which the interest of a particular potential supervisor has already been secured can be considered outside of these deadlines.
Financial Support:
Students accepted into our graduate program are generally guaranteed financial support in the form of scholarships, fellowships, teaching assistanships, or research assistantships to help cover tuition and living expenses. No separate application for financial support is required. Please contact potential supervisors or our graduate studies coordinator for more information.
In addition to departmental financial support, students can increase their stipend with additional internal or external graduate scholarships. For more information about scholarships and awards, please contact the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.
For further information, please contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator: Dr. Mohan Babu.Quicklinks for Graduates
Our Programs
- Attend all department seminars each semester they are on campus
- Present a department seminar and two progress reports on their research
- Complete and defend a research thesis
| Course |
Credit Hours
|
| CHEM 800 |
3 credit hours
|
| CHEM 8xx* | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 8xx* | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 901 |
21 credit hours
|
| Total |
30 credit hours
|
* Only one of these courses can be given by the student's supervisor. Courses outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.
Note: Students with less than our recommended undergraduate background for graduate study may be accepted as a qualifying MSc student, with additional supplementary undergraduate course(s) assigned to them.
The Doctorate program may be entered in one of three ways:
- Entrance after a completed MSc
- Entrance after a completed BSc
- Transfer from our MSc program (See FGSR Calendar/Program Changes and Program Transfers)
The Doctorate program consists of the following minimum credit-hour requirements listed below. In addition, it is mandatory for all students to:
- Attend all department seminars each semester they are on campus
- Present two department seminars and three progress reports on their research
- Complete and defend a research thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry (after MSc)
| Course | Credit Hours |
| CHEM 800* | 3 or 0 credit hours |
| CHEM 801 |
3 credit hours
|
| CHEM 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 901* | 48 or 51 credit hours |
| Total |
60 credit hours
|
* A student may be granted an exemption from CHEM 800 by the Department Head if the student can show that he/she has successfully completed an equivalent course. If granted the exemption, the student would be expected to complete an additional three credit hours of CHEM 901.
** Courses from outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry (after BSc)
| Course |
Credit Hours
|
| CHEM 800* |
3 or 0 credit hours
|
| CHEM 801 |
3 credit hours
|
| CHEM 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| CHEM 901* |
75 or 78 credit hours
|
| Total |
90 credit hours
|
* A student may be granted an exemption from CHEM 800 by the Department Head if the student can show that he/she has successfully completed an equivalent course. If granted the exemption, the student would be expected to complete an additional three credit hours of CHEM 901.
** Courses from outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.
The Master's program consists of the following minimum credit-hour requirements listed below. In addition, it is mandatory for all students to:
- Attend all department seminars each semester they are on campus
- Present a department seminar and two progress reports on their research
- Complete and defend a research thesis
| Courses |
Credit Hours
|
| BIOC 800 |
3 credit hours
|
| BIOC 8xx* | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 8xx* | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 901 |
21 credit hours
|
| Total |
30 credit hours
|
* Only one of these courses can be given by the student's supervisor. Courses outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.
Note: Students with less than our recommended undergraduate background for graduate study may be accepted as a qualifying MSc student, with additional supplementary undergraduate course(s) assigned to them.
The Doctorate program may be entered in one of three ways:
- Entrance after a completed MSc
- Entrance after a completed BSc
- Transfer from our MSc program (See FGSR Calendar/Program Changes and Program Transfers)
The Doctorate program consists of the following minimum credit-hour requirements listed below. In addition, it is mandatory for all students to:
- Attend all department seminars each semester they are on campus
- Present two department seminars and three progress reports on their research
- Complete and defend a research thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry (after MSc)
| BIOC 800* | 3 or 0 credit hours |
| BIOC 801 |
3 credit hours
|
| BIOC 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 8xx** |
3 credit hours |
| BIOC 901* | 48 or 51 credit hours |
| Total |
60 credit hours
|
* A student may be granted an exemption from CHEM 800 by the Department Head if the student can show that he/she has successfully completed an equivalent course. If granted the exemption, the student would be expected to complete an additional three credit hours of CHEM 901.
** Courses from outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry (after BSc)
| BIOC 800* |
3 or 0 credit hours
|
| BIOC 801 |
3 credit hours
|
| BIOC 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 8xx** | 3 credit hours |
| BIOC 901* |
75 or 78 credit hours
|
| Total |
90 credit hours
|
* A student may be granted an exemption from CHEM 800 by the Department Head if the student can show that he/she has successfully completed an equivalent course. If granted the exemption, the student would be expected to complete an additional three credit hours of CHEM 901.
** Courses from outside of a student's discipline may be substituted with the permission of the Department Head.