Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry - Co-operative Program (direct entry)

The program information below was valid for the fall 2022 term (September 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • Co-operative
  • Doctoral
  • Joint
  • Research
• Registration option(s) 
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
• Study option(s) 
  • Thesis

• Minimum requirements 
  • A Master of Science (MSc) degree (or equivalent) in Science with at least a minimum overall standing of 75% in the last 2 years (domestic students only).
  • A student is eligible to apply for direct admission to the PhD in Chemistry - Co-operative program if they have a first class Honours Bachelor of Science degree, or the equivalent, and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Course requirements are reduced by 1 course for students admitted directly to the PhD program from a Bachelor of Science (BSc).
• Application materials 
  • Supplementary information form
  • Transcript(s)
• References 
  • Number of references:  3
  • Type of references: 

    academic

• English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Thesis option:

Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)

Courses 

• Students must successfully complete 2 one-term courses (0.50 unit weight) beyond the 4 courses that are required for the Master's degree.
• 4 of the 6 required one-term courses, including the CHEM 794 Master's Seminar, must be completed within the first two academic terms in residence. Half of the graduate courses must be taken within the Department of Chemistry. 1 of the 2 graduate courses may be taken through other departments within their registered University or students may request a transfer credit for a course taken from another University to meet the course requirements. Students are advised to consult with their supervisor in the selection of courses.

Link(s) to courses

• Chemistry (CHEM) courses

Academic Integrity Workshop

Graduate Studies Work Report

• After successful completion of the two terms of coursework, the candidate will spend one year (three terms) working in an industrial or governmental laboratory. Registration in the Co-operative option commits students to the acceptance of employment either through a regular interview procedure organized by Co-operative and Experiential Education (CEE), or, where their interests are best served, on an assignment that the GWC² (Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry) may determine. On completion of the work year, a student will be required to submit a work report which will be evaluated by the GWC² and CEE. Following successful completion of the work year, the student will return to the GWC² to continue work on the PhD thesis and complete the PhD requirements.

PhD Seminar

• Students must present a 30-minute seminar.

PhD Comprehensive Examination

• Students are required to meet the University-level PhD Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements outlined in the “Minimum requirements for the PhD degree” section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar (GSAC).
• In addition to the University-level PhD Comprehensive Examination minimum requirements, students in the PhD in Chemistry - Co-operative program are also required to meet the following requirements:
  • PhD students admitted with a Master’s degree must complete the examination during their 2nd term. Students admitted directly from a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree must complete the examination during their 5th term.
  • The Examining Committee will consist of two Chemistry graduate faculty members and one member from the opposite campus (where applicable, from Guelph or Waterloo).
  • The examination will be chaired by the GWC² (Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry) Director, or designate. The supervisor will not attend the examination.
  • If the first attempt is unsuccessful, the student will be granted a 2nd attempt to take place not less than 2 and not more than 4 months from the date of the 1st attempt.

PhD Thesis

• Students must submit and defend an acceptable PhD thesis.

Other requirements 

• Direct admission from a BSc: students who are admitted directly to the PhD from a BSc are required to complete 4 regular graduate courses, a Master’s Seminar and research proposal (in the second term), a PhD Seminar and (oral) Comprehensive Examination (in the fifth term), and a PhD Thesis to complete their degree requirements.