Admission

The Guelph-Waterloo Centre for Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry is a joint graduate program offered by the Departments of Chemistry at the University of Guelph and the University of Waterloo. You may apply for admission through either University. Your choice of University will not impact your final decision regarding a supervisor or campus. To begin your application, choose the University where you THINK you may be doing your research. Afterwards you will be directed back to this page where you will complete the additional application requirements listed below.

Helpful Files

Fast Facts on the (GWC)2

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply Guide

Research Areas Faculty Email Listings

Application Links

Apply via the University of Guelph

Apply via the University of Waterloo

Information on applying through the University of Waterloo Applicant QUEST

If you would like to visit the centre and discuss a potential study and research program with the members of the faculty, please contact the centre office and such arrangements can be made. Please refer to the Travel and Visiting Student Guide for information on traveling to meet with the Guelph-Waterloo Centre faculty members.

Supplementary Information Requirements

For the University of Guelph, the (GWC)² also requests that you fill out the following forms.

Career Goals: a page explaining your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree.
Research Interests: a page indicating your areas of interest and possible reseach advisors.

For the University of Waterloo, the (GWC)² also requests that you complete the online Supplementary Information Form providing information on your career goals and research interests.

All University of Guelph Application Material Should be Mailed to this Office

The Director
Guelph-Waterloo Centre for
Graduate Work in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department of Chemistry
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON N1G 2W1
CANADA

All University of Waterloo Application Material Must be uploaded using Applicant Quest.

Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to provide certification of English language proficiency through one of the accepted examinations. Please refer to the How to Apply Guide for the specific program requirements for proof of English proficiency.

University of Waterloo accepted examinations

University of Guelph accepted examinations

Applicants educated outside of Canada may also be required to take a GRE subject area test in chemistry and/or biochemistry depending upon the research areas they are applying for. You will be notified if this is necessary. You can arrange to take this test by visiting the ETS web site.

Eligibility Requirements

Admission to (GWC)² is based on certain eligibility guidelines and varies depending upon the program you intend to enter. Below are the guidelines which determine a candidate's admissibility for the various programs offered by (GWC)². Each case is examined individually and offers of admission depending on other factors, including the availability of an appropriate research advisor.

For the M.Sc. program

A student is encouraged to apply for admission to the M.Sc. program if he/she has a minimum standing of 75% in the last two years of an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited University.

For the M.Sc. Co-operative option

A student is encouraged to apply for admission to the M.Sc. Co-operative option if he/she has a minimum standing of 75% in an Honours Bachelor of Science degree, or the equivalent, from an accredited university. The Co-op M.Sc. option is not available to students who have completed a Co-op program as undergraduates. These students are, however, eligible for admission to the Co-op Ph.D. program. To be accepted as a Co-op student, applicants must find a supervisor that is interested in taking the Co-op student into their research program. This is more likely to happen where the supervisor has a research program strongly linked with an industrial partner who shares the research interest of the researcher. Thus the research carried out under the supervisor can be continued.

For the Ph.D. program

A student is encouraged to apply for admission to the Ph.D. program at the discretion of the Director. In general, a student will be required to possess the qualifications as listed for the M.Sc. program, together with a Master of Science degree comparable to those awarded by North American universities, and suitable references from the institution at which the M.Sc. degree was awarded. However, direct admission to the Ph.D. program from a B.Sc. is possible for students who graduated with a first class standing. The University of Guelph has additional requirements for Ph.D. Direct entry. Please refer to the following Guide.

A student who is registered in (GWC)² as a Master's candidate may be permitted under certain circumstances to change his/her registration so that he/she may proceed towards a Ph.D. degree without writing an M.Sc. thesis. The following guidelines are used in deciding whether a student will be recommended to the appropriate University authorities to transfer directly to the Ph.D. program.

The request must be initiated by the student no later than the end of the third term in the M.Sc. program. Transfers will be made no later than the fourth term.
The applicant should have a superior academic record at both the undergraduate and graduate level, with a first class standing and above average performance in a minimum of two graduate courses plus Chem 794 (M.Sc. Seminar).
The applicant must have demonstrated an oral and written communication ability appropriate for a Ph.D. level student, and there must be clear evidence of research productivity and promise.
The request for direct transfer should be accompanied by supporting documentation from the advisor, the Advisory Committee, and another faculty member familiar with the student's research record.

Ph.D. Direct from M.Sc. Transfer Guidelines

For the Ph.D. Direct from B.Sc. Co-operative option

A student is encouraged to apply for admission to the Ph.D. Co-operative option if he/she has a first class Honours Bachelor of Science degree, or the equivalent, plus a first class Masters of Science degree, or equivalent, from an accredited university. To be accepted as a Co-op student, applicants must find a supervisor that is interested in taking the Co-op student into their research program. This is more likely to happen where the supervisor has a research program strongly linked with an industrial partner who shares the research interest of the researcher. Thus the research carried out under the supervisor can be continued.

Collaborative Programs

Toxicology MSc/PhD Collaborative Program

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Guelph participates in the Collaborative M.Sc./Ph.D. program in toxicology. Students choosing this option must meet the requirements of the toxicology program, as well as those of (GWC)² for their particular degree program. Three toxicology courses must be completed including Advanced Principles of Toxicology TOX*6000, Advanced Topics in Toxicology, TOX*6200, and a research project must be conducted with a participating faculty member at the University of Guelph. The OUAC application for the program is completed through the University of Guelph.

Nanotechnology MSc/PhD Collaborative Program

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Waterloo participates in the Collaborative M.Sc./Ph.D. program in Nanotechnology. The interdisciplinary research program, jointly offered by three departments in the Faculty of Science and four in the Faculty of Engineering, provide students with a stimulating educational environment that spans from basic research through to application. The goal of the collaborative program is to allow students to gain perspectives on nanotechnology from a wide community of scholars within and outside their disciplines in both course and thesis work.

The MSc collaborative program provides a strong foundation in the emerging areas of nano-science in preparation for the workforce or for further graduate study and research leading to a doctoral degree. Four key areas of research strengths have been identified: nanomaterials, nano-electronics design and fabrication, nano-instruments and devices, and nano-biosystems. The objective of the PhD program is to prepare students for careers in academia, industrial R & D and government research labs.

Students choosing this option must meet the requirements of the nanotechnology program, as well as those of (GWC)² for their particular degree program. Two nanotechnology courses must be completed including Fundamentals of Nanotechnology NANO 701 and Nanotechnology Tools NANO 702. Graduate Chemistry students are required to complete CHEM 794 M.Sc. Seminar and/or CHEM 795 Ph.D. Seminar and are exempted from the Nanotechnology Seminar milestone, but will be required to attend at least eight Nanotechnology seminars as part of their course requirements. A research project must be conducted with a participating faculty member at the University of Waterloo.The OUAC application for the program is completed through the University of Waterloo.