Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry

The program information below was valid for the winter 2023 term (January 1, 2023 - April 30, 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.

• Admit term(s) 
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
• Delivery mode 
  • On-campus
• Program type 
  • 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. 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

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 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.