Chemistry & Biochemistry (MSc)
Master of Science (MSc)
Offered by:
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Arts and Science
Program overview
The Master of Science in Chemistry provides you with research options in numerous areas of growing importance such as: materials chemistry, medicinal chemistry, genomics, protein structure and nanoscience. Chemical sciences are fundamental in today’s world, impacting every aspect of our society from health to the environment. Our internationally renowned faculty will help you attain your research goals and you will have access to our specialized research centres and state-of-the-art facilities. The program allows you to experience the immediate impact of your research through a Co-op MSc program, in which research is conducted for an employer while directing your work towards a thesis project. Master’s students who wish to continue their academic training may transfer to the PhD program, with approval from the Graduate Studies Committee.
Admission Requirements
- Honours or specialization degree in chemistry or biochemistry or its equivalent.
- Comparable qualifications in related areas such as biology or physics may also be acceptable.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
Please see the Chemistry Courses page for course descriptions.
Chemistry MSc (45 credits)
| 6 | credits of courses listed under the Chemistry MSc Topics Courses List, in the general field of the student's research project |
| 3 | credits of courses listed from the Chemistry MSc Topics Courses List, outside the field of the student’s research project (acceptable to the supervisory committee) |
| 33 | credits: |
| 3 | credits: |
| Note: With permission from their supervisory committee, students are allowed to take graduate level courses from other departments relevant to their research problems, as partial fulfillment towards their degree requirements. |
Chemistry MSc Topics Courses List
Topics in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Topics in Bioorganic and Organic Chemistry Topics in Physical Chemistry Topics in Bioinorganic and Inorganic Chemistry Topics in Multidisciplinary Chemistry Topics in Biochemistry Topics in Instrumentation |
Topics in Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry
| • CHEM 610 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 611 Advanced Bioanalytical Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 612 Analytical Separations (3.00) • CHEM 614 Modern Aspects of Mass Spectrometry: Metabolomics and Proteomics (3.00) |
Topics in Bioorganic and Organic Chemistry
| • CHEM 620 Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 621 Physical Organic Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 623 Modern Aspects of Practical Mass Spectrometry (3.00) • CHEM 625 Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 626 Reactive Intermediates (3.00) • CHEM 627 Supramolecular Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 629 Polymer Chemistry and Nanotechnology (3.00) |
Topics in Physical Chemistry
| • CHEM 630 Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 631 Computational Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 633 Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 635 Interfacial Phenomena (3.00) • CHEM 636 Molecular Modelling of Proteins (3.00) • CHEM 638 Physics and Chemistry of Solid State Electronic Materials (3.00) |
Topics in Bioinorganic and Inorganic Chemistry
| • CHEM 640 Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 643 Organometallic Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 645 Bioinorganic Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 646 Industrial Catalysis (3.00) • CHEM 647 Solar Energy Conversion (3.00) |
Topics in Multidisciplinary Chemistry
| • CHEM 650 Selected Topics in Multidisciplinary Chemistry (3.00) • CHEM 651 Nanochemistry (3.00) • CHEM 652 Nanomaterials Characterization (3.00) • CHEM 658 Aquatic Biogeochemistry (3.00) • CHEM 666 MSc Seminar (3.00) |
Topics in Biochemistry
| • CHEM 670 Selected Topics in Biochemistry and Biophysics (3.00) • CHEM 674 Chemical Ecology (3.00) • CHEM 676 Structure and Function of Biomembranes (3.00) • CHEM 677 Enzyme Kinetics and Mechanism (3.00) • CHEM 678 Protein Engineering and Design (3.00) |
Topics in Instrumentation
| • CHEM 690 Selected Topics in Instrumentation (3.00) • CHEM 691 Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (3.00) • CHEM 692 Experimental Protein Chemistry (3.00) |
Your completed application will include:
- Application form and Fee
- An up-to-date, complete copy of your Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Three Letters of Reference and assessment form
- An original Statement of purpose written in your own words. It should outline your background, experience, goals, and why you would like to enter the program
- Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (if applicable)
- Applicants whose primary language is not English, are required to submit official language test scores, unless exempted.
For IELTS, a minimum score of 6.5 or more is required in each component; for TOEFL, a minimum score of 20 or more is required in each component. This Department does not give conditional acceptances to improve English.
Please apply online. Read the how-to guide for application procedures.
Consult the graduate calendar for a list of courses and our department site for current courses offered.
We are committed to providing students the support they need to focus on their studies.
Funding at a minimum level of $18,000 per annum in financial support for up to two years is guaranteed for graduate students with satisfactory performance each year. This financial support is a combination of research bursaries from your supervisor in support of your thesis research, teaching assistantships from the Faculty, and entrance awards available through the Faculty of Arts and Science and the School of Graduate Studies. Consideration for Entrance Awards is automatically part of the admissions process for all new students.
Further information can be found on the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry’s funding page and Financial Aid and Awards.
The department is housed in a custom-designed facility equipped with state-of the-art laboratories and research centres, groups or platforms. These facilities include:
- Centre for Biological Applications in Mass Spectrometry
- Centre for Research in Molecular Modeling
- Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics
- Centre for NanoScience Research
- Integrated Platform for the Analysis of Biomolecular Functions, Interactions and Structure
Many of these facilities are shared with Concordia’s other ground-breaking science departments: biology, physics, psychology and exercise science. The proximity of researchers working in various disciplines helps foster innovative and productive collaborations.
Concordia has a long-standing tradition of preparing Master’s students for careers demanding a broad spectrum of research and technical skills. The program is designed to advance analytical and experimental knowledge in chemistry or biochemistry through a combination of specialized courses, seminars and a supervised original research project culminating in a thesis. In addition to departmental course offerings, students can take advantage of crossover teaching with other science departments, and workshops offered through GradProSkills to hone their soft skills.