Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry - Nanotechnology

The program information below was valid for the fall 2023 term (September 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023). 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.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Program information

  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Spring
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Program type 
    • Collaborative
    • Doctoral
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
  • Study option(s) 

Admission requirements

  • 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).
    • Direct admission to the PhD program from a Bachelor of Science (BSc) program is also possible for outstanding students who graduated with an overall 89% standing at the undergraduate level. Course requirements are reduced by one course for students admitted directly to the PhD program from a BSc.
  • Application materials 
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      academic
  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

Degree requirements

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete 3 half credit core courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 nanotechnology core course, and 1 elective graduate level CHEM course (0.50 unit weight).
    • Students who have completed their Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc) degree in Nanotechnology Engineering or a Master’s degree in Nanotechnology at the University of Waterloo can not take NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology. Instead, they can choose any 1 course from the list of nanotechnology core courses.
    • Students admitted with an appropriate Honours Bachelor’s degree who transfer directly to the PhD program must complete 5 half credit courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 nanotechnology core course, CHEM 784 Foundations of Literature Review, CHEM 794 Master's Seminar, and 1 elective graduate level CHEM course.
    • Students who transfer directly from a Master’s program to the PhD program must complete 6 half credit courses (0.50 unit weight) including NANO 600 Introduction to Nanotechnology, 1 nanotechnology core course, CHEM 784 Foundations of Literature Review, CHEM 794 Master's Seminar, 1 elective course, and 1 graduate level CHEM course.
    • Nanotechnology core courses:
      • NANO 601 Characterization of Nanomaterials
      • NANO 602 Structure and Spectroscopy of Nanoscale Materials
      • NANO 603 Nanocomposites
      • NANO 604 Nanomechanics and Molecular Dynamics Simulations
      • NANO 605/SYDE 683 Design of MEMS & NEMS
      • NANO 606/SYDE 682 Advanced MicroElectroMechanical Systems: Physics, Design & Fabrication
    • Core courses are designed to provide the base knowledge and skill set required to prepare students for more specialized courses and to conduct interdisciplinary nanoscale research.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • PhD Seminar
    • Students must present a 30-minute seminar.
    • Seminar attendance requirements can be completed by attendance at any combination of Chemistry and Nanotechnology seminars.
  • 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 - Nanotechnology 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 complete an original research thesis dissertation.
Approved Doctoral Dissertation Supervisors (ADDS) list
Department of Chemistry website
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry - Nanotechnology future students program page