Chemistry Master's (MSc), Doctorate (PhD)

Why do your MSc in Chemistry at Dal?

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We are an enthusiastic department with an international reputation and world-class research facilities. In addition to being one of Canada’s leading research-intensive universities, our graduate program is the largest east of Montreal.

Housed in a historic building located in the centre of the university campus, our department features newly renovated research laboratories containing a wide range of highly specialized, state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Our master's students do outstanding research in every area of chemistry with highly motivated faculty members, post-doctoral workers, undergraduate students and technical support staff.

Several of our faculty have worldwide rankings for impact and hold an impressive number of prestigious research chairs. The large number of research grants held by faculty reflect the excellence of our department and our graduate studies program.

You'll find our atmosphere is highly collegial with many collaborations and interactions between research groups. Coming to Dalhousie Chemistry ensures you are on the right track to start your career.

Program Details

Master of Science in Chemistry (MSc)

Choose a research supervisor

Before you begin your studies at Dalhousie, we encourage you to visit the department or start an email correspondence with faculty members whose research interests you. The best way to find a research supervisor that matches your interests is to:

  • Discuss ideas and projects with prospective supervisors
  • Ask faculty for descriptions of possible research projects
  • Write to the Graduate Secretary for general information

Program structure

First year:

  • Carry out research
  • Pass two graduate classes
  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) in undergraduate laboratories
  • Meet with your supervisory committee before the year’s end

Year two:

  • Continue and complete research
  • Deliver a departmental seminar on a topic unrelated to your research
  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) in undergraduate laboratories
  • Write master's thesis
  • Undergo a final oral defence of your thesis

Further information:

Degree requirements

  • Classes: Candidates for the MSc degree require a minimum of two one-term classes of Core Chemistry Classes, or an alternative set of classes totaling six credit hours.
  • Seminar: Present a departmental seminar of acceptable quality
  • Teaching Assistantship: Requires a total of 270 hours of TA experience
  • Thesis and oral examination: Produce an acceptable thesis and defend it successfully

Minimum residence:

  • From a BSc Honours is 12 months
  • From a BSc Major is 24 months
Graduate handbook for Chemistry
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Download our Graduate handbook [PDF - 1.2 MB] for full details on all graduate programs available in the Department of Chemistry.

Next: View PhD program details