Chemistry: Chemistry PhD

Students in the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program conduct research and scholarship at the forefront of the chemistry field. Faculty offer opportunities for research and training in a wide range of subdisciplines, including analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, biological, physical and polymer/materials chemistry, and at the intersections between these areas.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an appropriate master's degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto master's program; or 3) direct entry following completion of an appropriate Bachelor of Science degree.

PhD students select one of the following fields:

  • Analytical Chemistry

  • Environmental Chemistry

  • Inorganic Chemistry

  • Organic and Biological Chemistry

  • Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics

  • Polymers and Materials Chemistry

  • Interdisciplinary, which allows combinations with the other fields, or with other disciplines

Students select their field by enrolling in the corresponding research course and seminar program during their first academic session of the program, after selecting their faculty supervisor. In the case of the Interdisciplinary field, a written request for admission must be submitted to the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies, along with a letter of support from the research supervisor. A written request and accompanying letter of support from the research supervisor are also required from students who wish to change fields during their PhD studies.

Each field has specific requirements and requires a minimum of 2.5 to 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses, depending on the field of study and the student's academic background. The number of courses required will be determined in consultation with the supervisor.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit a complete application according to the instructions and must satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements.

  • Appropriate master's degree from a recognized university with a minimum average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto B+.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must successfully complete 2.5 to 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 2.0 to 3.0 FCEs from approved graduate courses relevant to the student's declared field. The required number of FCEs, along with the specific courses that are required, vary by field, as outlined in the field requirements below. Doctoral students may request a course reduction for up to two half-course equivalents taken from an appropriate MSc program. The request is to be accompanied by a rationale indicating the justification for the course reduction in the context of the knowledge base and skill set required for the student's doctoral studies and is to be signed by the thesis supervisor.

  • Completion of the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry in Year 1. The requirement is waived if a student successfully completed this course at the master's level.

In addition to the above coursework, students must complete the following:

  • Presentation of two seminars, specific to the student's field, and completion of set field seminar requirements (0.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit), as outlined in the field listings. Certain fields may require the completion of more presentations.

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours of professional development training spread evenly over the categories: Communication, Personal Effectiveness, and Research and Teaching Skills. Consult with the Graduate Office for a list of eligible activities. Typically, students are expected to complete roughly six hours of additional professional development training per year in Years 2 to 4 of the program to fulfil the 18-hour requirement.

  • Further requirements specific to the declared field, as outlined in each field listing.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination. Students must successfully complete an oral comprehensive field examination in their declared field by the end of Year 3.

  • Thesis. The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a presented in a written thesis and successfully defended at a Final Oral Examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit a complete application according to the instructions and must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements.

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program. Students applying for the transfer should have completed 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) of graduate courses and must have the support of their supervisor.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must successfully complete 2.5 to 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 2.0 to 3.0 FCEs from approved graduate courses relevant to the student's declared field. The required number of FCEs, along with the specific courses that are required, vary by field, as outlined in the field requirements below. Coursework completed in the master's program may count toward this requirement where applicable; doctoral students may request a course reduction for up to two half course equivalents taken from an appropriate MSc program. The request is to be accompanied by a rationale indicating the justification for the course reduction in the context of the knowledge base and skill set required for the student's doctoral studies and is to be signed by the thesis supervisor.

  • Completion of the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry in Year 1. The requirement is waived if a student successfully completed this course at the master's level.

In addition to the above coursework, students must complete the following:

  • Presentation of two seminars, specific to the student's field, and completion of set field seminar requirements (0.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit), as outlined in the field listings. Certain fields may require the completion of more presentations.

  • Students must complete a minimum of 24 hours of professional development training spread evenly over the categories: Communication, Personal Effectiveness, and Research and Teaching Skills. Consult with the Graduate Office for a list of eligible activities. Typically, students are expected to complete roughly six hours of additional professional development training per year in Years 2 to 5 of the program to fulfil the 24-hour requirement.

  • Further requirements specific to the declared field, as outlined in each field listing.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination. Students must successfully complete an oral comprehensive field examination in their declared field by the end of Year 4.

  • Thesis. The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a presented in a written thesis and successfully defended at a Final Oral Examination.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must submit a complete application according to the instructions and must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements.

  • Exceptional students with an appropriate Bachelor of Science degree may be added directly to the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must successfully complete 2.5 to 3.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • 2.0 to 3.0 FCEs from approved graduate courses relevant to the student's declared field. The required number of FCEs, along with the specific courses that are required, vary by field, as outlined in the field requirements below.

  • Completion of the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry in Year 1.

In addition to the above coursework, students must complete the following:

  • Presentation of two seminars, specific to the student's field, and completion of set field seminar requirements (0.0 FCE; Credit/No Credit), as outlined in the field listings. Certain fields may require the completion of more presentations.

  • Students must complete a minimum of 24 hours of professional development training spread evenly over the categories: Communication, Personal Effectiveness, and Research and Teaching Skills. Consult with the Graduate Office for a list of eligible activities. Typically, students are expected to complete roughly six hours of additional professional development training per year in Years 2 to 5 of the program to fulfil the 24-hour requirement.

  • Further requirements specific to the declared field, as outlined in each field listing.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination. Students must successfully complete an oral comprehensive field examination in their declared field by the end of Year 4.

  • Thesis. The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a presented in a written thesis and successfully defended at a Final Oral Examination.

Note: to build the skills needed to conceptualize, design, and implement research in chemistry, direct-entry PhD students may expect to undertake two more academic sessions of research than students who enter the PhD program at the outset of their program.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Chemistry