Chemistry, M.Sc.

Course Requirements

The minimum course requirement for the M.Sc. degree is five graduate modules(1.5 units each, 7.5 units total) or the equivalent, including CHEM 700 (1.5 units), with the remainder selected from any of the offered Chemistry modules, 600-level courses, or extra-departmental graduate courses (usually two module credits each). The minimum passing grade for any course is B-. Students are strongly encouraged to complete a minimum of two prescribed modules within their sub-discipline (see Chemistry, Ph.D ). A maximum of one 600-level course may be included in the minimum course requirement. In place of a 600-level course, students may instead receive advance credit for one Chemistry 400-level course taken (while completing 600-level material) in the department during their undergraduate degree at McMaster if a Chemistry 600-level equivalent of the course is listed in the Graduate Calendar (see Advance Credit). Advance credit must be approved by the supervisor of the student, the Associate Chair Graduate, Chemistry, as well as the Associate Dean Graduate, Science. Additional courses beyond the minimum requirement may be recommended by the supervisory committee.

Colloquium

M.Sc. candidates must present a departmental research colloquium (see here ).

Thesis and Defence

A thesis embodying the results of original research must be defended in a final oral examination.

Transfer to Ph.D.

Students who have made satisfactory progress in their research may apply to the department for transfer to the Ph.D. program, without first satisfying the M.Sc. thesis requirement. Students who have not yet completed all of the other requirements (other than the thesis) for the M.Sc. degree must do so within their first year in the PhD program. The transfer must occur within 22 months of starting the M.Sc. degree. The transfer examination involves the submission and defence of a report detailing the student’s research progress and a comprehensive proposal for future research.