Chemistry, Ph.D

Course Requirements

The minimum course requirement for the Ph.D. degree varies with sub-disciplines as follows:

Analytical, Organic, Physical, and Theoretical Chemistry: There is no course requirement at the Ph.D. level for students who have completed the M.Sc. requirements (listed here ). Students with direct entry into the Ph.D. program (without first completing an M.Sc.) must complete a minimum of two prescribed modules within their sub-discipline (See Service Module List under Chemistry Courses ), and must present a departmental research colloquium. However, in all cases, additional courses may be recommended by the supervisory committee.

A student who enters the Ph.D. program in these sub-disciplines with an appropriate M. Sc. degree from another university must complete a minimum of two prescribed modules, or the equivalent, and present a departmental research colloquium (see here ). Additional courses may be recommended by the supervisory committee in cases where background is deemed inadequate for the research being undertaken.

Inorganic Chemistry: The minimum course requirement for students in this sub-disciplined is two graduate modules or the equivalent beyond the requirements for the M.Sc. degree. Students with direct entry into the Ph.D. program (without first completing an M.Sc.) must complete a minimum of two prescribed modules within this sub-discipline (see Service Module List under Chemistry Courses ), and must present a departmental research colloquium. However, in all cases, additional courses may be recommended by the supervisory committee.

A student who enters the Ph.D. program in this sub-discipline with an appropriate M.Sc. degree from another university must complete a minimum of two prescribed modules, or the equivalent, and present a departmental research colloquium (see here ). Additional courses may be recommended by the supervisory committee in cases where background is deemed inadequate for the research being undertaken.

Comprehensive Examination

All Ph.D. candidates must pass a Comprehensive Examination, taken within the first 20 months after beginning Ph.D. work that tests breadth of knowledge within the student’s major field of study. The Comprehensive Examination will require the submission of a document that provides a review of a relevant, current field of research, along with an original proposal for research. The defence will consist of a brief presentation, followed by an oral examination.

Thesis, Seminar and Defence

A thesis embodying the results of original research must be defended in a final oral examination. Prior to the defence, Ph.D. students must present a departmental seminar describing the contributions made as a result of graduate research.

Departmental Colloquia and Seminars

The departmental colloquium program is a mandatory component of the M.Sc. program, designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop scientific presentation and critical thinking skills. All students must present a colloquium describing their own research during the second year of graduate studies. Colloquium presenters are expected to provide detailed, professional presentations of their research progress. Regular attendance at departmental colloquia is expected from all graduate students, and is mandatory for M.Sc. students and direct-entry Ph.D. students during the first two years of their program. Students attending the colloquia are expected to ask critical questions of the presenter.

Attendance at departmental seminars is expected of all students within the department. These seminars comprise a combination of externally invited speakers, faculty members from McMaster, and senior Ph.D. students who are nearing the Ph.D. defence.