Chemistry

Chemistry: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science

Degree Programs

Chemistry

MSc

  • Fields:
    • Analytical Chemistry;
    • Environmental Chemistry;
    • Inorganic Chemistry;
    • Interdisciplinary;
    • Organic and Biological Chemistry;
    • Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics;
    • Polymers and Materials Chemistry

PhD

  • Fields:
    • Analytical Chemistry;
    • Environmental Chemistry;
    • Inorganic Chemistry;
    • Interdisciplinary;
    • Organic and Biological Chemistry;
    • Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics;
    • Polymers and Materials Chemistry

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

Faculty members of the Department of Chemistry are world leaders and research offerings are made in a rich array of ever evolving sub-disciplines (physical, organic, biological, materials, inorganic, theoretical, analytical, environmental, and nanochemistry). Research is conducted using state-of-the-art instrumentation housed in laboratories that have been newly built or recently renovated.

Modern facilities are available for research in the Department of Chemistry. The areas of interest cover a wide variety of topics in analytical, biological, environmental, inorganic, organic, materials, polymers, physical, and theoretical chemistry and their related interdisciplinary areas.

Contact and Address

Web: www.chemistry.utoronto.ca
Email: chem.gradcoord@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-3605
Fax: (416) 978-1631

Department of Chemistry
University of Toronto
Room 151, Lash Miller Building
80 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6
Canada

Chemistry: Graduate Faculty

Full Members

Abbatt, Jonathan - BSc, PhD
Al-awar, Rima - PhD
Aspuru-Guzik, Alan - PhD
Batey, Robert Alexander - BA, PhD
Brumer, Paul - BSc, PhD
Chan, Arthur - BS, MSc, PhD
Chin, Jik - MS, PhD
Cui, Haissi - PhD
Dhirani, Al-Amin - MSc, PhD
Donaldson, D. James - PhD
Fekl, Ulrich - MSc, PhD
Goh, M Cynthia - PhD
Gradinaru, Claudiu - PhD
Gunning, Patrick - BS, PhD
Houry, Walid - BS, MS, PhD
Howe, Jane - PhD
Izmaylov, Artur - PhD
Jockusch, Rebecca - BA, PhD
Kanelis, Voula - PhD
Kay, Lewis - PhD
Kerman, Kagan - BScPhm, MSc, ScD
Kluger, Ronald - AB, AM, PhD
Kraatz, Heinz-Bernhard - BA, MC, PhD
Kumacheva, Eugenia - MSc, PhD
Lautens, Mark - BSc, PhD (Chair and Graduate Chair)
Mabury, Scott - BS, PhD
McMillen, David - BSc, MS, PhD
Miller, R. J. Dwayne - BSc, PhD
Morris, Robert - BSc, PhD, Fellow NATO
Murphy, Jennifer - BCh, DChem
Nitz, Mark - BSc, PhD
Ogata, Alana - BS, PhD
Ozin, Geoffrey - BSc, PhD
Prosser, Scott - BSc, MSc, DPhil
Rousseaux, Sophie - PhD
Schofield, Jeremy - PhD
Seferos, Dwight - BCh, DChem
Segal, Dvira - BSc, DSc
Sherwood Lollar, Barbara - PhD
Shin, Jumi - AB, DPhil
Shoichet, Molly - PhD
Simpson, Andre - BSc, PhD
Simpson, Myrna - BS, DPhil
Song, Datong - BSc, PhD
Stephan, Douglas - BSc, PhD
Sullan, Ruby May - BSc, PhD
Taylor, Mark - BSc, DSc
Thompson, Michael - BSc, PhD, DSc, FRSC
Tran, Helen - PhD
von Lilienfeld Toal, Anatole - PhD
Voznyy, Oleksandr - BSc, MSc, PhD
Walker, Gilbert - BCh, PhD
Wania, Frank - MPH, PhD
Wheeler, Aaron - BS, PhD
Winnik, Mitchell - BA, PhD
Woolley, Drew - PhD
Yudin, Andrei - BS, PhD
Zhang, Xiaoan - MS, PhD

Members Emeriti

Georges, Michael - BS, PhD
Jones, Bryan - BSc, PhD, DPhil
Kapral, Raymond - BSc, PhD
Krull, Ulrich - BSc, MSc, PhD
Macdonald, Peter - BS, MS, PhD
McLean, Stewart - BSc, PhD
Polanyi, John - MSc, PhD, DSc, FRSC, FRS
Reynolds, William - BSc, PhD
Robinson, Edward - BSc, PhD, DSc
Tidwell, Thomas - BS, AM, PhD
Whittington, Stuart - BA, MA, PhD

Associate Members

Browning, Scott - BSc, MSc, PhD
D'eon, Jessica - PhD
Dicks, Andy - PhD
Edgar, Landon - PhD
Morra, Barbora - PhD
Muir, Derek - BSc, MSc, PhD
Piunno, Paul - PhD
Stone, David Charles - BSc, PhD

Chemistry: Chemistry MSc

Master of Science

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the department's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete 1.0 graduate full-course equivalent (FCE) including at least 0.5 graduate half-course equivalent in chemistry.

  • Students must participate in a seminar program. Attendance and presentation of a seminar are mandatory in order to receive the credit.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Submission of a thesis.

Program Length

3 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Chemistry: Chemistry PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

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 BSc 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

Each field requires a minimum of 2.0 to 3.0 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. Students who have completed the master's program may be considered for a course reduction of up to 1.0 FCE in the PhD program. Specific requirements for each field follow.

 

Field: Analytical Chemistry

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses:

    • 0.5 FCE in analytical chemistry in each of the areas of spectroscopy, separation science/electrochemistry, and advanced instrumentation/data analysis.

    • An additional 0.5 FCE to support the research program.

    • The number of courses required will be determined in consultation with the supervisor. Students who have completed the master's program may be considered for a course reduction of up to 1.0 FCE in the PhD program.

  • Presentation of two seminars. Participation in the Analytical Chemistry Seminar (CHM1190Y). Students must complete 25 Analytical Seminar Plus (ASP) points (PDF).

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Successful completion of an oral comprehensive field examination in Analytical Chemistry.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Environmental Chemistry

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses:

    • CHM1401H Transport and Fate of Chemical Species in the Environment (0.5 FCE).

    • At least one other course in Environmental Chemistry.

    • At least one CHM course to be chosen in consultation with the supervisor/supervisory committee and confirmed by the field representative.

    • The fourth course may be an approved course offered in a cognate department.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Presentation of two seminars (normally in Years 2 and 4). Participation in the Environmental Chemistry Seminar and colloquia program (CHM1590Y).

  • A written research proposal, defended orally, on a topic other than the primary research topic delivered prior to the end of Year 2.

  • Successful completion of an oral comprehensive field examination in Environmental Chemistry, normally completed following coursework and before the end of Year 2.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Inorganic Chemistry

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses:

    • One core half course (0.5 FCE): CHM 1270 or CHM1266H.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Participation in the Inorganic Chemistry Seminar (CHM1290Y): the presentation of one seminar each year in Years 2, 3, and 4, including one on an original research proposal.

  • Successful completion of an oral comprehensive field examination in Inorganic Chemistry.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Organic and Biological Chemistry

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses:

    • At least two Organic Chemistry graduate half courses selected from CHM1040H to CHM1068H (inclusive).

    • Students may be required to take courses offered in physical organic, synthetic organic, and biological chemistry. The courses will be selected in consultation with the supervisor and confirmed by the Graduate Studies Committee field representative.

  • Students must pass six cumulative exams in order for students to qualify to give the oral comprehensive field exam and advance to PhD candidacy. They are generally written on the first Friday of the month from October through May (inclusive).

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Participation in the Organic Chemistry Seminar (CHM1090Y): present two seminars, normally in Years 2 and 4.

  • Upon completion of coursework and cumulative exams, students will take an oral comprehensive field exam in Organic and Biological Chemistry.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Students may select an Experimental Physical Chemistry path requiring:

    • 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) consisting of a combination of two core half courses and two other half courses. The principle is that breadth of background preparation should be the major objective in course selection.

  • Or students may select a Theoretical Physical Chemistry path requiring:

    • 3.0 FCEs, including two core half courses. Specifics are to be determined by the research director and the student.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Presentation of two seminars, normally in Years 2 and 4. Participation in the Physical Chemistry Seminar (CHM1490Y).

  • Successful completion of an oral comprehensive field examination in Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Polymers and Materials Chemistry

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) from approved graduate courses:

    • At least one of the three core courses (CHM1206H, CHM1301H, CHM1302H).

    • A list of other courses considered appropriate to the Polymers and Materials Chemistry research area is available from the department.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Presentation of at least three seminars (a literature talk in Year 1 and presentations on the original research in Years 2 and 4). Participation in the Polymers and Materials Chemistry Seminar (CHM1390Y).

  • Upon the completion of coursework, successful performance in an oral comprehensive field examination in Polymers and Materials Chemistry.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

 

Field: Interdisciplinary

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Chemistry's additional admission requirements stated below.

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

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

  • Transfer to the PhD program may be considered during Year 1 of the master's program.

  • Acceptance into this field requires a research topic of a truly interdisciplinary nature; a written request must be submitted to the Graduate Coordinator.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including one core half course from the above fields.

  • In Year 1, students must complete the modules in CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (0.5 FCE; Credit/No Credit).

  • Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours (24 hours for direct-entry students) of additional 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.

  • Presentation of at least two seminars (normally in Years 2 and 4). Participation in the seminar program of an existing field of Chemistry.

  • Upon completion of coursework, successful completion of an oral comprehensive field examination in the fields of Chemistry deemed appropriate.

  • The main requirement for the PhD program is the execution of an original investigation that is presented in a thesis.

Program Length

4 years full-time; 5 years transfer-from-master's; 5 years direct-entry

Time Limit

6 years full-time; 7 years transfer-from-master's; 7 years direct-entry

Chemistry: Chemistry MSc, PhD Courses

Not all courses are offered every year. Please consult the department each session as to course availability.

All graduate courses for degree credit must be approved by the department. Subject to departmental permission, degree students in chemistry may take a limited number of graduate courses based on fourth-year Faculty of Arts and Science courses in chemistry or a cognate discipline. Approvals of such fourth-year courses will be considered on an individual basis. Third-year arts and science courses, or their essential equivalents, will not receive degree credit.

Professional Development

Course Code Course Title
CHM3000H Graduate Professional Development for Research and Teaching in Chemistry (Credit/No Credit)

Analytical Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1102H
Biosensors and Chemical Sensors
CHM1103H
Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry
CHM1104H
Separation Science
CHM1105H
Separations, Chromatography, and Microfluidics
CHM1106H
Lab Instrumentation
CHM1107H The -Omics Revolution and Mass Spectrometry
CHM1150H
Advances in Electroanalytical Chemistry and Electrochemical Sensors
CHM1190Y
Analytical Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM1410H
Analytical Environmental Chemistry
CHM2013H Research in Analytical Chemistry
CHM2014H
Research in Analytical Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1401H Transport and Fate of Chemical Species in the Environment
CHM1404H
Molecular Analysis of Natural Systems
CHM1410H
Analytical Environmental Chemistry
CHM1415H
Atmospheric Chemistry
CHM1420H
Environmental Chemistry of Soil
CHM1425H
Modelling the Fate of Organic Chemicals in the Environment
CHM1430H
Advanced Topics in Atmospheric Chemistry
CHM1590Y
Environmental Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM2534H
Research in Environmental Chemistry
EES1105H
Soil Contamination Chemistry

Inorganic Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1204H
Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis
CHM1205H
Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms
CHM1206H
Solid State Chemistry: Structure-Property Relations
CHM1258H
Reactions of Coordinated Ligands
CHM1263H
Bio-inorganic Chemistry
CHM1268H
X-Ray Crystallography
CHM1269H
Nanochemistry: A Chemistry Approach to Nanomaterials
CHM1270H
Frontiers in Inorganic Chemistry (core course)
CHM1290Y
Inorganic Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM2034H
Research in Inorganic Chemistry

Organic and Biological Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1003H
Physical Organic Chemistry II
CHM1004H
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CHM1005H
Applications of Spectroscopy in Organic Structure Determination
CHM1006H
Bioorganic Chemistry
CHM1008H
Biological Chemistry
CHM1040H
Modern Organic Synthesis
CHM1045H
Modern Physical Organic Chemistry
CHM1051H
Current Topics in Chemical Biology
CHM1054H
Topics in Bio-organic Chemistry
CHM1056H
Techniques for Studying the Chemical, Structural, and Dynamic Properties of Biomolecules
CHM1057H
Topics in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CHM1059H Chemical Biology in Complex Systems
CHM1060H
Advanced Topics in Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CHM1068H
Topics in Biological and Medicinal Chemistry
CHM1090Y
Organic Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM2044H
Research in Organic Chemistry
CHM2102H (0.25 FCE) Molecular Imaging in Diagnostic Medicine
CHM2103H (0.25 FCE) Chemical Glycobiology
CHM2104H (0.25 FCE) Biological Chemistry: Design and Evolution of Proteins and Nucleic Acids
CHM2105H (0.25 FCE) Medicinal Chemistry from the Enzyme’s Perspective
CHM2106H (0.25 FCE) Current Topics in Chemical Biology
CHM2107H (0.25 FCE) Optogenetics and Chemogenetics: Protein and Small Molecule Based Biomolecular Tools
CHM2108H (0.25 FCE) Kinetic Modelling in Chemistry and Biology

Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1441H
Mathematical Methods
CHM1443H
Intermediate Quantum Mechanics
CHM1446H Quantum Computation and Information Theory
CHM1448H
Modelling of Biochemical Systems
CHM1450H
Nanoscale Characterization with Scan Probe Microscopy
CHM1455H
NMR Spectroscopy I: Basic Theory and Applications for Biological Chemists
CHM1464H
Topics in Statistical Mechanics
CHM1478H
Quantum Mechanics for Physical Chemists (core course)
CHM1480H
Basic Statistical Mechanics (core course)
CHM1481H Reaction Kinetics and Dynamics
CHM1482H
Laser Spectroscopy and Photophysics
CHM1490Y
Physical Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM2024H
Research in Physical Chemistry

Polymers and Materials Chemistry

Course Code Course Title
CHM1206H
Solid State Chemistry: Structure-Property Relations
CHM1300H
Polymer Chemistry
CHM1301H
Organic and Inorganic Polymer Synthesis
CHM1302H
Physical Chemistry of Polymers
CHM1304H
Organic Materials Chemistry
CHM1390Y
Polymer and Materials Chemistry Seminar (Credit/No Credit)
CHM2304H
Research in Polymer and Materials Chemistry