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Course Options
Research Component
PhD Promotion Opportunities
Funding Timelines
Complete your MSc within 4 to 5 terms |
Enter the graduate program with advanced standing |
Eligible for promotion to the PhD program |
The Department of Chemistry offers a combined program of Bachelor/MSc or MASc (Chemistry). This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honours or Specialization program (Chemistry) to take up to four - 1.5 unit modules (or the equivalent of two term courses) in Chemistry at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing.
Research begun in the summer of their third year and/or their 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 to 5 terms.
Admission
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Application Deadline: |
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| Application Form: Accelerated Master's Application Form (PDF, 199KB) Accelerated Master's Application Form - Fillable (PDF, 205KB) |
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Expected Start Date: |
Admission to the combined program is a two-step process.
Step 1:
- Students who are entering their 4th year of the Major or Specialization program in Chemistry and have a minimum A- (A minus) average will have the option to apply for admission to the combined program (permission to take graduate level courses) in the winter term of their 3rd year.
- All applications will then be reviewed by the undergraduate chair. If accepted into the combined program, in Year 4 of the BSc (Honours or Specialization) program students will be permitted to take up to four 1.5 unit graduate modules (or equivalent of two term courses) for a maximum total of 6 unit credits towards 12 unit credits that are required for the MSc degree. These courses will count towards electives in the Major and electives and/or options in the Specialization for the BSc degree.
Step 2:
- For admission to the MSc program in Chemistry with advanced standing, students will be expected to complete the standard SGS application process, have an overall B+ or higher in the undergraduate degree, and have demonstrated significant research productivity in the 4th year thesis project.
- In order for the student to be granted advanced standing in the MSc degree program, they must have received a final grade of at least B- (B minus) in the graduate course(s) taken during the 4th year and meet all other requirements for admission to the MSc program in Chemistry.
Course Options
4th Year Course Options
- Required to take CHEM 801 in Fall (this is a pass/fail course)
- Option of taking up to four - 1.5 unit graduate modules (or the equivalent of two term lecture courses)
- Example:
- CHEM 803 (3 units) Fall
- CHEM 805/806 (1.5 units each) Fall
- Example:
- Only two of the four modules may be double-numbered courses such as CHEM 422/880
- Encouraged to attend the departmental seminars on Fridays at 11:30 am
Chemistry Graduate Course Offerings
MSc Course Requirements
- CHEM 801 Safety in the Laboratory
- CHEM 802 Chemistry Seminar Program
- CHEM 803 Principles of Scientific Communication
- Six - 1.5 unit graduate modules (or the equivalent of three term lecture courses). At least 4 modules must be from among those offered by the Department of Chemistry.
Note: It is recommended that students meet with the Undergraduate Chair prior to selecting their courses to discuss course requirements for the BSc degree.
- Review which graduate modules will be offered.
- Registration for graduate courses requires the permission of your research supervisor and the department.
- Complete an SGS Academic Change Form by the Undergraduate Add/Drop deadline.
- Signature of supervisor required
- Submit to the Graduate Assistance for department signature and processing
Research Options
There are two research options available for students enrolled in the accelerated MSc program: May Start or September Start. Depending on which start is chosen, the opportunity to complete the MSc degree will vary between 4 to 5 terms.
7: Average number of terms to complete a non-accelerated MSc degree
May Start (Summer of 3rd Year)
- Research begun in May of 3rd Year
- Report summarizing research submitted to supervisor, graduate assistant (for graduate file) and CHEM 497 coordinator before beginning
- 4th year thesis project 4th Year Thesis Project - September to April (Fall/Winter)
- Copy of final thesis submitted to graduate assistant for graduate file
- Continue research as graduate student in May of 4th year
- Examiner from 4th year thesis project should continue as member of graduate supervisory committee
- 3rd year summer research and 4th year thesis project can be used as foundation
- Possibility to defend MSc thesis within 4 terms enrolled as a graduate student
September Start (Fall of 4th Year)
- 4th Year Thesis Project - September to April (Fall/Winter)
- Copy of final thesis submitted to graduate assistant for graduate file
- Continue research as graduate student in May of 4th year
- Examiner from 4th year thesis project should continue as member of graduate supervisory committee
- 4th year thesis project can be used as foundation
- Possibility to defend MSc thesis within 5 terms enrolled as a graduate student
PhD Promotion Opportunities
Students enrolled in the Accelerated Master's program are still eligible for promotion to the PhD program without completing their Master's by attempting the PhD Candidacy/Comprehensive Exam.
To be eligible to attempt the PhD Candidacy Examination, the candidate must have:
- The support of their supervisor;
- A first class (A minus) overall average on at least four - 1.5 unit graduate modules or equivalent, plus CHEM 803 with a majority of A's in these courses;
- Completed a minimum of one "satisfactory" research progress meeting with their Supervisory Committee past their 4th year project examination;
- and Be within 8 to 16 months from the date of first registering as a graduate student in the Master's program.
Funding
Research begun in May of 3rd year will be SWEP or RA supported.
There is no funding during Fall/Water of 4th year as research is part of CHEM 497.
Graduate funding starts May of 4th year when officially registered as a graduate student and is guaranteed for two years at the MSc level. See Financial Support for more information on graduate student stipends.
| May Start Timeline | |
| 3rd Year | February-April |
| Apply to the Accelerated M.Sc. Program. Submit completed form indicating research area and proposed/suggested supervisor(s) with attached transcript and CV/resume. | |
| May 1 | |
| Begin research component of M.Sc. in supervisor's laboratory (SWEP, RA Supported). | |
| July | |
| Choose your 4th year courses which should/could include graduate offerings. Graduate courses require department consent. | |
| 4th Year | September 1 |
| Submit a progress report on your summer research to your supervisor, the graduate assistant, and the CHEM497 coordinator prior to beginning 4th year project. | |
| By February 1 | |
| Apply to Graduate School to be eligible for Entrance Scholarships and Awards, and be formally accepted to the M.Sc. Program and officially begin May 1. | |
| 1st Year MSc | May 1 |
| Officially begin M.Sc. Program. Form a supervisory committee of which should include your 4th Year project examiner. | |
| December | |
| Meet with supervisory committee for annual progress. | |
| January-April | |
| Option to promote to Ph.D program by completing a Ph.D Candidacy Exam. | |
| September Start Timeline | |
| 3rd Year | February-July |
| Apply to the Accelerated M.Sc. Program. Submit completed form indicating research area and proposed/suggested supervisor(s) with attached transcript and CV/resume. | |
| July | |
| Choose your 4th year courses which should/could include graduate offerings. Graduate courses require department consent. | |
| 4th Year | September 1 |
| Begin your CHEM497 project. | |
| By February 1 | |
| Apply to Graduate School to be eligible for Entrance Scholarships and Awards, and be formally accepted to the M.Sc. Program and officially begin May 1. | |
| 1st Year MSc | May 1 |
| Officially begin M.Sc. Program. Form a supervisory committee of which should include your 4th Year project examiner. | |
| April | |
| Meet with supervisory committee for annual progress. | |
| May-August | |
| Option to promote to Ph.D program by completing a Ph.D Candidacy Exam. | |
Contact
Undergraduate Chair |
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Dr. Anne Petitjean and Dr. Diane Beauchemin |
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Graduate Coordinator |
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Dr. Avena Ross |
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