| Location | Email Address | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| 126 Chemistry Building | chemgpa@yorku.ca | chemistry.gradstudies.yorku.ca |
The Graduate Program in Chemistry offers programs of study leading to the MSc and PhD degrees. Areas of specialization include analytical, atmospheric, biological, environmental, inorganic, materials, organic, physical, and theoretical chemistry, and chemical physics. Special opportunities are available in modern aspects of air pollution, mass spectrometry, protein identification and characterization, combinatorial chemistry, organic synthesis and reaction kinetics.
In both research-based MSc and PhD programs, graduate students work closely with a supervisor. Thus, no student is admitted to either program unless a faculty member agrees to supervise that student.
Admission Requirements
Graduates with a four-year degree in chemistry or biochemistry (or its equivalent, with a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth year level), normally with at least a B average, may be admitted as candidates for the MSc degree.
Qualifying Year
Graduates lacking the necessary undergraduate preparation may qualify for admission as undergraduate Special Students in the Faculty of Science. During the qualifying year, graduates are required to raise their qualifications to the minimum level required for admission as candidates. While admissions are dealt with by the Undergraduate Admissions Office, students are advised to consult with the Director of the graduate program regarding course load and selection.
Note: Successful completion of studies as a Special Student at the undergraduate level does not guarantee admission to the graduate program.
Graduates with a four-year degree in chemistry or biochemistry (or its equivalent, with a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth year level), or with an honours degree in chemistry, normally with at least a B average, may be considered for admission as candidates for the PhD degree. Normally, however, such graduates must first register as candidates for the MSc degree.
If their progress is satisfactory they may apply for entry into the PhD program, generally after 24 months, and without necessarily completing the thesis requirements for the MSc degree. A graduate wishing to apply from the MSc program for admission to the PhD program must write a report of their research progress and submit this for approval to the examining committee, usually completed during the annual research evaluation exercise.
Degree Requirements
MSc
There are two routes by which a student may achieve an MSc degree in chemistry, either by research thesis or by coursework.
a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the Supervisory Committee through annual enrollment in the Research Evaluation Course (Chemistry 7000 3.0). This requires an annual progress report, consisting of a written paper, a public oral presentation, and an oral examination, usually in May each year. An overall rating of “pass” results in credit for Chemistry 7000 3.0 up to a maximum of 6 credits, and a statement of the student’s progress in the student’s record. In the event of receiving an overall rating of “failure,” the student is normally required to withdraw from the program. Failure to enrol in the annual Chemistry 7000 3.0 course and/or to submit the completed research evaluation form within 30 days of the oral examination will result in receiving an “F” in the course, and withdrawal from the program.
b) In addition to the Research Evaluation course, each student must complete a minimum of 6 credits from courses offered by the Graduate Program in Chemistry. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor.
c) Students may be required to take up to two full undergraduate courses if this is necessary to strengthen the student’s background in relevant areas.
Candidates must conduct a research study and report the results in appropriate thesis form. The research and thesis should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality, and understanding of the area of investigation at an advanced level. After the formal submission of the thesis, an oral examination, normally centred on the thesis and matters related to it, is held.
Candidates for the MSc degree by coursework must either:
a) successfully complete 18 credits chosen from courses offered by the Graduate Program in Chemistry, and conduct a full-course (6
credits) literature survey and write a review essay, which is submitted to an examining committee for approval.
or,
b) successfully complete 21 credits chosen from courses offered by the Graduate Program in Chemistry, and conduct a half-course (3 credits) literature survey and write a review essay, which is submitted to an examining committee for approval.
or,
c) successfully complete 24 credits chosen from courses offered by the Graduate Program in Chemistry.
Some courses within the Graduate Program in Chemistry may be offered on a once-per-week basis during weekday evenings. The options of an MSc degree by coursework, or by coursework and review essay are therefore particularly suited to part-time candidates. Because of the special nature of research work, the MSc degree option by research is generally only open to full-time candidates.
A series of lectures on various topics in contemporary chemical research are presented by the faculty, visiting scientists and graduate students. Each graduate student is expected to attend throughout the time they are registered as a full-time student.
Students may submit a petition to the Graduate Program Director to take graduate courses outside the Chemistry program for credit.
The MSc program can be completed on a full-time (research thesis) or part-time (coursework) basis. Entry is normally in the fall term.
Candidates may take up to four years to complete the requirements for the MSc degree by coursework, or coursework and review essay on a part-time basis but a shorter period is desirable. Full-time candidates are normally expected to complete the requirements for the MSc degree in two years (six terms).
For those students who complete degree requirements earlier than 3 terms, they must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of 3 terms of full-time study. All requirements for a master’s degree must be fulfilled within 12 terms (4 years) of registration as a full-time or part-time master’s student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.
PhD
Candidates (PhD I & II) for the PhD degree must fulfil the following requirements:
a) All entering students plan a research program with their supervisor at the start of their degree studies. Progress in research is monitored by the Supervisory Committee through annual enrollment in the Research Evaluation courses (Chemistry 7001 3.0). This requires an annual progress report consisting of a written paper, a public oral presentation, and an oral examination, usually in May each year. An overall rating of “pass” results in credit for Chemistry 7001 3.0 and a statement of the student’s progress in the student’s record. In the event of receiving an overall rating of “failure,” the student is normally required to withdraw from the program. Failure to enrol in the annual Chemistry 7001 3.0 course and/or to submit the completed research evaluation form within 30 days of the oral examination will result in receiving an “F” in the course, and withdrawal from the program.
b) In addition to Research Evaluation, each student must take a minimum of 12 credits from courses offered by the Graduate Program in Chemistry. These should be chosen in consultation with the student’s supervisor. The 12 credits need to be completed by the end of the sixth term. Permission of the Graduate Program Director is required for an extension to this time limit for course work completion. For students entering the PhD program with an MSc degree, a maximum of six credits may be allowed for courses taken at York University or at another recognized university.
Candidates must conduct a research study and report the results in appropriate dissertation form. The research and dissertation should demonstrate the candidate’s independence, originality, and understanding of the area of investigation at an advanced level. After the formal submission of the dissertation, an oral examination, normally centred on the dissertation and matters related to it, is held.
Students may submit a petition to the Graduate Program Director to take graduate courses outside the Chemistry program for credit.
The PhD program can be completed on a full-time basis. Entry is normally in the fall term.
Normal degree completion time for full-time PhD students is 18 terms (6 years). Doctor of Philosophy students must register and pay fees for a minimum of the equivalent of six terms of full-time registration. All requirements for a doctoral degree must be fulfilled within 18 terms (6 years) of registration as a doctoral student in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies’ registration policies.