Chemistry: Chemistry PhD; Field: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics

PhD Program; Field: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics

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 select one of the following paths:

  • Experimental Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs):

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 1.0 FCE in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director. The principle is that breadth of background preparation should be the major objective in course selection.

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

or

  • Theoretical Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 3.5 FCEs:

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 2.0 FCEs in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director.

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

  • Doctoral students may request a course reduction of 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.

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

  • Annual participation in CHM1490Y Physical Chemistry Seminar: presentation of two seminars, normally in Years 2 and 4.

  • 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.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination, to be successfully completed in the student's 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 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; Field: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program. After one year of study in the MSc, students may apply for the transfer having completed 1.0 FCE of graduate courses and having the support of their supervisor.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must select one of the following paths:

  • Experimental Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs):

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 1.0 FCE in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director. The principle is that breadth of background preparation should be the major objective in course selection.

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

or

  • Theoretical Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 3.5 FCEs:

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 2.0 FCEs in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director.

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

  • Doctoral students may request a course reduction of 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.

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

  • Annual participation in CHM1490Y Physical Chemistry Seminar: presentation of two seminars, normally in Years 2 and 4.

  • 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 4 of the program to fulfil the 24-hour requirement.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination, to be successfully completed in the student's 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 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; Field: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics (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 satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements.

  • An exceptional student with an appropriate BSc degree may be admitted directly to the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

Coursework. Students must select one of the following paths:

  • Experimental Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs):

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 1.0 FCE in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director. The principle is that breadth of background preparation should be the major objective in course selection.

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

or

  • Theoretical Physical Chemistry path requiring successful completion of 3.5 FCEs:

    • 1.0 FCE in core courses from the following: CHM1478H, CHM1480H, CHM1482H, CHM1488H.

    • 2.0 FCEs in other half courses selected in consultation with the research director.

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

  • Doctoral students may request a course reduction of 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.

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

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

  • Annual participation in CHM1490Y Physical Chemistry Seminar: presentation of two seminars, normally in Years 2 and 4.

  • 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 4 of the program to fulfil the 24-hour requirement.

  • Oral comprehensive field examination, to be successfully completed in the student's 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 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

 

Chemistry