Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

The PhD program in chemistry is a thesis-based program where students undertake research with faculty supervision. Typically, the research falls within the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. Students are also required to four one-term graduate courses in addition to completing their research, and they must present a seminar to the Department of Chemistry on a subject other than their research topic.
The Department of Chemistry offers thesis-based Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, both requiring course work and thesis research. The Department provides an outstanding academic environment for those with an interest in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical chemistry, and chemical biology. Within each of these areas, Department members have vast expertise in: materials/polymer chemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical physics, nanoscience/nanotechnology, energy storage/conversion, computational/theoretical chemistry, glycomics, metabolomics, proteomics, catalysis, molecular electronics, natural product synthesis, and solid state chemistry.

The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Candidates should normally be graduates in chemistry, however the Department will accept qualified applicants with degrees in related fields (cf., biochemistry or other bioscience programs from candidates who wish to pursue the chemical biology PhD program, and mathematics and/or physics background compensating for deficiencies in chemistry from those who wish to enter the chemical physics PhD program.)

English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta, and all applicants must be proficient in English before admission. International applicants must be able to demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) at the time of application. You can demonstrate ELP in several ways, including education, examination and secondary school coursework. TOEFL iBT, in-person or special at-home edition - Total score of 90 with a score of at least 21 on each of the individual skill areas (internet-based) or equivalent. IELTS - 6.5, with at least 6.0 on each test band. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment - Overall 70 with at least 60 on each subtest.