Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Notes Applicable to all Honours Programs in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology

1. The Honours programs consist of a specified set of basic requirements and a wide choice of electives, allowing for interdisciplinary studies or the opportunity to complete a Minor. Honours Chemistry and Honours Chemical Biology are also available as five-year co-op programs, with entry beginning at Level III.
2. In some cases there are Level II and III prerequisites for Level III and IV courses. The prerequisites should be considered when choosing your Level II and III courses.
3. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising from the Departmental Undergraduate Advisor (email: advisor@chemistry.mcmaster.ca). 
4. Certain Level IV courses are offered in alternate years. Students are advised to consider course offerings carefully in planning their course selection for Levels III and IV.

Notes Applicable to all Honours Chemistry Programs

1. McMaster’s Honours Chemistry program is structured such that laboratory experience in the conventional sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry is obtained through three integrated laboratory courses that are distinct from the lecture courses - CHEM 2LA3  and 2LB3  in Level II and CHEM 3LA3  in Level III. The Level II laboratory courses stress the development of fundamental and advanced skills in the synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic molecules and materials, chemical analysis, and the measurement of physical properties; together they provide in excess of 55 hours of “Organic Chemistry” laboratory experience. The Level III course focuses on more advanced skills.
2. The Honours Chemistry and Honours Chemistry Co-op programs fulfill the academic requirements of the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
3. For those considering postgraduate studies in Chemistry, it should be noted that 18 units of Level IV Chemistry or related subjects are required for consideration for admission at McMaster and most graduate schools in Canada. CHEM 4G09 A/B  is strongly recommended.
4. BIOCHEM 2EE3  or any Biochemistry course that has a Biology course as the prerequisite are an acceptable alternative to BIOCHEM 3G03 . CHEM 4IB3  or a Level III or IV Chemical Biology course are also acceptable substitutes providing these units are taken as elective to the Honours Chemistry program requirements.
5. CHEM 2PC3  is recommended for all Chemistry students, but not required for students who complete MATH 1B03  (or 1ZC3 ) in either Level I or II and who complete one of MATH 1AA3 , 1LT3 , 1XX3  (or 1ZB3 ) in Level I.
6. CHEM 3RP3  provides the opportunity for students to integrate a one term work/research experience into an elective academic course. CHEM 3EP3 A/B S  allows students to obtain credit for an experiential placement. Further details may be obtained from the Undergraduate Advisor, in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (email: advisor@chemistry.mcmaster.ca).
7. CHEM 4G09 A/B  cannot be taken concurrently with CHEM 3LA3  or CHEM 3RP3  given the time commitment required for the Senior Undergraduate Thesis.

B.Sc. Three-Level Degree

A three-level program with a Chemistry orientation is available through the B.Sc. in Chemical and Physical Sciences .