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Chemistry (MSc)

Chemistry (MSc)

Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and Faculty of Science

waterloo

Our Master of Science (MSc) program in Chemistry covers the traditional and modern disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry. The research conducted by our expert faculty is interdisciplinary in nature, and enriched by close collaboration between research groups within and outside the department.

Our strength is in our relatively small and well-integrated department, which provides you with a strong education in modern aspects of chemistry and biochemistry, as well as experience in cutting-edge research combined with close mentoring from faculty members.

Faculty with a diverse range of interests.

Program provides transferable and practical skills for life after graduation.

Eligible full-time students may receive funding.

Program Details

Program Structure

Our MSc in Chemistry is a 24-month (six consecutive terms), full-time program.

Students must defend a thesis based on original research. They are also required to complete two or three half-credit courses, one of which can be from another graduate program at Laurier, and four half-credit research seminar courses. In the seminar course, students must present at least one seminar based on their thesis research. Other seminars are presented by faculty and invited speakers.

Research Focus

The research in our faculty spans a wide range of interests, from biophysics of biomolecular interactions to environmental chemistry to organic and inorganic synthesis, and from structural analysis and chemistry of molecules in living cells to preparation of nanocomposite materials for applications such as sensors or catalysts.

Course Offerings

Curriculum

The MSc in Chemistry program is aimed at providing students with transferable practical skills, as well as a comprehensive background in a variety of close-knit chemical disciplines. Graduates will be prepared to use their acquired knowledge and experimental skills in organic, inorganic, biological, physical and analytical chemistry to solve multifaceted theoretical and experimental problems.

Sample Courses

Half-credit courses vary by year but may include:

CH600: Organic Chemistry IV: Advanced Organic Synthesis
CH622: Aquatic Geochemistry
CH640: Topics in Nanomaterials and Biomaterials
CH645: Environmental Heterogeneous Catalysis
CH652: Membrane Transport and Cellular Communication
CH680: Advanced Topics in Chemistry and Biochemistry

"Immerse yourself in all Laurier has to offer while completing your graduate education. Enjoy the journey – remember to have fun too!"

Paula C. Fletcher, associate dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Admissions

Take the first step in your graduate education and apply to one of our graduate programs. Follow our three-step admission process — we’ll walk you through how to apply and prepare for your first day as a graduate student.

Start: Fall (September), Winter (January) or Spring (May)
Format: Full-time
Application opens:
- January intake: Sept. 1 (international applicants) or Nov. 16 (domestic applicants)
- May intake: Dec. 16 (international applicants) or March 16 (domestic applicants)
- September intake: May 1 (international applicants) or Aug. 16 (domestic applicants)
Application deadline:
- January intake: Aug. 31 (international applicants) or Nov. 15 (domestic applicants)
- May intake: Nov. 15 (international applicants) or March 15 (domestic applicants)
- September intake: March 30 (international applicants) or Aug. 15 (domestic applicants)

Your Next Steps

Contact a Faculty Member Tuition and Funding Apply Now

Questions? Contact chemgrad@wlu.ca.

Award-Winning Faculty

Laurier professor wins prestigious international award for innovative teaching.

Research Excellence

Chemist Hind Al-Abadleh named Laurier’s University Research Professor.

Award-Winning Faculty

Laurier professor wins prestigious international award for innovative teaching.

Research Excellence

Chemist Hind Al-Abadleh named Laurier’s University Research Professor.

Waterloo Campus

This program is available on Laurier's Waterloo campus.

Laurier's Waterloo campus is home to more than 19,000 graduate and undergraduate students. Tucked into several city blocks, this campus is walking distance to your classrooms, food, and various campus amenities.

Laurier is a leading force in research among Canadian universities, and many of our research centres and institutes are housed in Waterloo.

Learn more about Laurier's campuses.

Tuition and Funding

Regardless of the type of graduate degree program you intend to pursue, financial planning is important. At Laurier, we want to provide you with as much information as possible about a variety of scholarship and funding opportunities and equip you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

"With contributions from several university-based partners, ASPIRE provides graduate students and postdoctoral researchers with informative, hands-on professional skills training essential for degree and post-degree success."

Brent Wolfe, Associate Dean, Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Careers

When you graduate from our program, you’ll be an independent scientist ready to meet the challenges of our contemporary global society. You can also continue your studies towards a professional degree, or a PhD degree at Laurier or another postsecondary institution.

A sample of the many diverse career opportunities in the field of chemistry:

research or lab technologist
lab instructor or technologist in academia
biotechnologist
science educator
industrial chemist

Your Path to Post-Degree Success

ASPIRE is Laurier's professional skills development training program for graduate students. The program helps you craft an individualized, extracurricular learning plan tailored to your professional journey and entry to the workplace.

Research Chat

A podcast showcasing graduate students' research and experiences at Laurier.

Laurier 601

Laurier's incoming student support program will help you transition into graduate studies.

Celebrating Laurier Achievements

Watch a video recognizing the many forms of Laurier scholarship and creativity.

Research Chat

A podcast showcasing graduate students' research and experiences at Laurier.

Laurier 601

Laurier's incoming student support program will help you transition into graduate studies.

Celebrating Laurier Achievements

Watch a video recognizing the many forms of Laurier scholarship and creativity.

Faculty

Learn about the interests and ongoing research of our faculty members. If their research interests you, email the professor directly to set up a meeting. Include information about yourself, your skills, your experience, and why you’re interested in their research.

Hind Al-Abadleh
Professor

Environmental physical chemistry of atmospheric and soil surfaces
Application of nanomaterials to environmental remediation and emission control

Anthony J. Clarke
Dean, Faculty of Science
Professor

Enzymology, glycobiology

Louise Dawe
Associate Professor

Small molecule X-ray crystallography and supramolecular chemistry
Chemistry education

Lillian DeBruin
Associate Professor
Graduate Coordinator

Membrane biochemistry
Biochemistry education

Dmitri Goussev
Professor

Organometallic synthesis with “pincer”-type ligands
Green chemistry

Ian Hamilton
Professor

Computational chemistry; structure, dynamics and reactivity of clusters
Theoretical chemistry; quantum-classical correspondence, Information Theory

Geoff Horsman
Associate Professor

Natural product biosynthesis
Biochemical characterization of microbial enzymes and pathways

Masoud Jelokhani-Niaraki
Professor

Biophysical properties of membrane-interacting proteins

Vladimir Kitaev
Professor

Synthesis and optical properties of nanoparticles

Stephen MacNeil
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry education; metacognition and self-regulated learning

Kenneth Maly
Associate Professor

Design, synthesis, and characterization of new organic materials including liquid crystalline materials

Scott Smith
Professor

Aquatic environmental chemistry

Michael Suits
Associate Professor

Structural biology

Dirk Wallschläger
Professor

Environmental chemistry and toxicology; selenium biogeochemistry

Join us at Laurier

Chemistry (MSc)