Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry - Environmental Chemistry

Our interrelationship with the environment, and our ability to understand and control its implications, requires us to properly understand and evaluate the factors that affect it. Environmental chemistry is a broad and interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on the sources, transport, reactions and sinks of chemical species in air, soil and water. This area of research includes studies of both polluted and unpolluted environments, since knowledge of unpolluted environments is essential for understanding polluted conditions. It further includes the study of simulated conditions as a means of assessing the fundamental chemical processes that are operational in more complex systems. Our Department features research that focuses on issues that are fundamental to our understanding of the environment.

UBC Chemistry strongly encourages all international applicants to apply for direct entry into our PhD program, as the number of admissions offered to international MSc applicants is very limited.

Applicants who meet the academic requirements (see below) and demonstrate advanced research ability, may apply for direct admission to the PhD program. Students entering directly from a bachelor's degree must, within the first 24 months of study, complete 12 credits with a first class average, of which at least 9 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing, to maintain registration as a doctoral student.

For direct entry to the PhD program, an overall average of B plus (from all courses taken in their Bachelor's degree) is required for all applicants.

For entry to the PhD program by students with an MSc

For applicants who hold a credential/degree from a Canadian or USA post-secondary institution, a B+ average in senior undergraduate level courses is required, along with a successfully defended Master thesis.

For applicants who hold an international credential/degree, an overall average of B plus (from all courses taken in their Bachelor's degree) is required, along with a successfully defended Master thesis.

The minimum overall TOEFL score for graduate admission to the Department of Chemistry is 92 on the internet-based test with minimum component scores of 23, 22, 23 and 22 for reading, writing, listening and speaking, respectively. For IELTS, a minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required with a minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the academic IELTS test. Self-reported test scores on applications are considered unofficial. Applicants must also contact the testing agency (TOEFL or IELTS) and request the official test scores be sent to UBC electronically as part of their application.