# Chemistry
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemistry-phd
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/anthropology-ma-thesis
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis-based program
[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Program overview
Take the next step toward becoming a leader in a field that occupies a uniquely central place in science. Develop new approaches to everything from sustainable energy to treatment of disease in our innovative doctoral program. Our award-winning department includes 40 faculty members and 100-plus graduate students focused on advancing knowledge and finding solutions to problems in areas such as cleaner energy, health, and chemistry for the quantum-nano world. As you design and conduct your own original research, you will benefit from the support of state-of-the-art laboratories and tools, while your imagination will be fed by the department’s extensive research presentations and talks featuring world-class experts in the field of chemistry.
### Completing this program
- **Core Courses:** Students participate in two research seminars focusing on studies of the literature or current research.
- **Candidacy:** Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
- **Additional Courses:** May include electrochemical fundamentals, organometallic, organic, or inorganic chemistry, toxicology, or other topics.
- **Thesis:** Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
### Outcomes
Director of Research, Educator, Government Regulatory Scientist, Industrial Process Chemist, Medical Researcher, Research Scientist, Scientific Advocate (Business, Law, Government Policy), Team/Project Leader.
**A PhD in chemistry is usually considered a final degree.**
### Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
### Courses
One to four courses, depending on academic background
[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/CHEMPHD)
### Classroom delivery
### Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
### Supervisor
A supervisor is required at time of application; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program
### Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on [fees and fee regulations,](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/tuitionandfeesoverview/grad) and for information on [awards and financial assistance](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/studfinsupport/awardsgrad).
## Virtual Tour
Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.
[Take the FGS Virtual Tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/ucalgary/home/campuses/?utm_source=Explore+Programs+Pages&utm_medium=Web&utm_campaign=Circuit+Tour)
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## Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.\
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. [Contact the program](mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca) for more information.
---
1. [Tom Back](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/tom-back)
Unavailable
Organic & Medicinal Chemistry; Design and Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules
2. [Darren Derksen](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/darren-derksen)
Accepting Inquiries
Organic synthesis and methodology applied to natural product development
3. [Megan Engel](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/megan-engel)
Accepting Inquiries
Computational Biophysics, Molecular Simulation, Machine Learning, DNA/RNA nanotechnology, Nonequilibrium Physics, Molecular Machines
4. [Belinda Heyne](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/belinda-heyne)
Accepting Inquiries
Photochemistry & Nanotechnology
5. [Farideh Jalilehvand](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/farideh-jalilehvand)
Accepting Inquiries
Heavy Metal Complex Formation with Amino Acids
6. [Pierre Kennepohl](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/pierre-kennepohl)
Seeking Students
Electronic Structure and Properties of Molecules and Materials
7. [Susana Kimura-Hara](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/susana-kimura-hara)
Accepting Inquiries
Drinking Water Treatment and Water Reuse
8. [Viki Kumar Prasad](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/viki-kumar-prasad)
Accepting Inquiries
Quantum computing, Machine learning, Quantum chemistry, Data-driven chemistry
9. [Peter Kusalik](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/peter-kusalik)
Accepting Inquiries
10. [Justin MacCallum](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/justin-maccallum)
Accepting Inquiries
Biophysical Chemistry, Integrative Structural Biology, Biomolecular Recognition and Design
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## Admission requirements
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#### GPA
A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system.
#### Minimum education
MSc required. A four-year honours bachelor degree with a minimum 3.70 GPA will also be considered.
#### Work samples
None
#### Documents
None
#### Reference letters
Two
#### Test scores
None
---
#### **English language proficiency (ELP)**
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in different ways. For accepted criteria, please refer to the “Faculty of Science English Language Proficiency (ELP) Requirements” page in the [Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/pages/AtZIGQMl4WHoCe2qWSTP).
*\*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.*
#### Deadlines
**For admission on September 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents- apply by July 1
- International students - apply by March 1
**For admission on January 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents- apply by Nov. 1
- International students - apply by July 1
**For admission on May 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents- apply by March 1
- International students - apply by Nov. 1
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about
[international requirements](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/international-students)
## Are you ready to apply?
[Application process](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Learn more about this program
### Department of Chemistry
Science A 229\
University of Calgary\
2500 University Drive NW\
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4\
403.220.6252
[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca)
[Visit the departmental website](http://www.ucalgary.ca/chem/)
### Faculty of Science
University of Calgary\
2500 University Drive NW\
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4
[Visit the Faculty of Science's website](http://www.ucalgary.ca/science/)
## Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
#### [Chemistry](#collapse662478642)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemistry-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemistry-phd)
#### [Biological Sciences](#collapse1203992523)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biological-sciences-phd)
#### [Chemical and Petroleum Engineering](#collapse1660567524)
[Thesis-based MEng](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemical-and-petroleum-engineering-meng-thesis)
[Course-based MEng](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemical-and-petroleum-engineering-meng-course)
[Course-based MEng (Petroleum only)](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemical-and-petroleum-engineering-meng-cohort)
[Course-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemical-and-petroleum-engineering-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/chemical-and-petroleum-engineering-phd)
#### [Computer Science](#collapse1790359756)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/computer-science-msc-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/computer-science-phd)
#### [Geoscience](#collapse505026778)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/geoscience-msc-thesis)
[Course-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/geoscience-msc-course)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/geoscience-phd)
#### [Physics and Astronomy](#collapse1117557407)
[Course-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/physics-and-astronomy-msc-course)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/physics-and-astronomy-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/physics-and-astronomy-phd)
---
## Highlights of the Anthropology program
These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.
#### Engineering a Better Battery
Potential applications for new, solid-state lithium battery technology include electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and grids for storing renewable energy
[Read More](https://www.ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2017-01-19/scientists-clear-key-hurdle-building-more-powerful-stable-rechargeable-battery)
#### Chemistry Professor Wins Alberta Science Award
Warren Piers was recognized for outstanding leadership for work in organometallic chemistry.
[Read more](http://ucalgary.ca/utoday/issue/2016-10-31/ucalgary-makes-clean-sweep-astech-awards)
#### Three Minute Thesis
Practice your communication skills, build your network and learn about amazing UCalgary research
[Read more](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/my-gradskills/three-minute-thesis)
## Curious about the University of Calgary?
Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.
[Learn More about student life at UCalgary](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/student-life)