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Chemistry (CHEM)

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Note: This is the 2019–2020 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .

Chemistry (CHEM)

Location

Location

  • Otto Maass Chemistry Building
  • 801 Sherbrooke Street West
  • Montreal QC H3A 0B8
  • Departmental Office: Room 322
  • Telephone: 514-398-6999
  • Website: www.mcgill.ca/chemistry

Office for Science and Society

Office for Science and Society

The Office for Science and Society is dedicated to the promotion of critical thinking and the presentation of practical scientific information to the public, educators, and students in an accurate and responsible fashion. The Office answers queries from the public as well as from the media, with a view toward establishing scientific accuracy. The Office also offers a variety of educational and interesting presentations on scientific topics and its members contribute to a number of courses under the umbrella of “The World of Chemistry.”

Director
Joseph A. Schwarcz; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
Members
Ariel Fenster; L.Sc., D.E.A.(Paris), Ph.D.(McG.)
David N. Harpp; A.B.(Middlebury), M.A.(Wesl.), Ph.D.(N. Carolina), F.C.I.C. (William C. Macdonald Professor of Chemistry)

About Chemistry

About Chemistry

Chemistry is both a pure science, offering a challenging intellectual pursuit, and an applied science whose technology is of fundamental importance to the economy and society. Modern chemists seek an understanding of the structure and properties of atoms and molecules to predict and interpret the properties and transformations of matter and the energy changes that accompany those transformations. Many of the concepts of physics and mathematics are basic to chemistry, while chemistry is of fundamental importance to many other disciplines, such as the biological and medical sciences, geology, metallurgy, etc.

A degree in chemistry leads to a wide variety of professional vocations. The large science-based industries (petroleum refining, plastics, pharmaceuticals, etc.) all employ chemists in research, development, and quality control. Many federal and provincial departments and agencies employ chemists in research and testing laboratories. Such positions are expected to increase with the currently growing concern for the environment and for consumer protection. A background in chemistry is also useful as a basis for advanced study in other related fields, such as medicine and the biological sciences. For a business career, a B.Sc. in Chemistry can profitably be combined with a master's degree in Business Administration, or a study of law for work as a patent lawyer or forensic scientist.

Chemistry courses at the university level are traditionally divided into four areas of specialization:
  1. organic chemistry, dealing with the compounds of carbon;
  2. inorganic chemistry, concerned with the chemistry and compounds of elements other than carbon;
  3. analytical chemistry, which deals with the identification of substances and the quantitative measurement of their compositions; and
  4. physical chemistry, which treats the physical laws, kinetics, and energetics governing chemical reactions, behaviour of materials, and molecular structure.
Naturally, there is a great deal of overlap between these different areas, and the boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. After a general course at the introductory level, courses in organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry are offered throughout the university years. Since chemistry is an experimental science, laboratory classes accompany most undergraduate courses. In addition, courses are offered in polymer, theoretical, green, nano, and biological chemistry to upper-year undergraduates.

There are two main programs in the Department of Chemistry: Honours and Major. There are also a number of B.Sc. Liberal and other programs available. Interested students may inquire about these at the Student Advisory Office, Room 118A, Pulp & Paper Building, or see www.mcgill.ca/chemistry/current-undergraduate-students/advising.

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Chemistry Faculty

Chemistry Faculty

Chair
D. Perepichka
Director of Graduate Studies
G. Cosa
Emeritus Professors
T.H. Chan; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.), F.C.I.C., F.R.S.C.
A. Eisenberg; B.S.(Wor. Poly.), M.A., Ph.D.(Princ.), F.C.I.C.
B.C. Eu; B.Sc.(Seoul), Ph.D.(Brown)
D.G. Gray; B.Sc.(Belf.), M.Sc., Ph.D.(Manit.), F.C.I.C.
E.D. Salin; B.Sc.(Calif.), Ph.D.(Ore.), F.C.I.C.
M.A. Whitehead; B.Sc., Ph.D., D.Sc.(Lond.), F.C.I.C.
Professors
M.P. Andrews; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.)
P. Ariya; B.Sc., Ph.D.(York)
B.A. Arndtsen; B.A.(Car.), Ph.D.(Stan.)
K. Auclair; B.Sc.(UQAC), Ph.D.(Alta.)
C.J. Barrett; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Qu.)
D.S. Bohle; B.A.(Reed), M.Phil., Ph.D.(Auck.)
I.S. Butler; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Brist.), F.C.I.C.
G. Cosa; B.Sc.(Argentina), Ph.D.(Ott.)
M.J. Damha; B.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.), F.C.I.C.
D.N. Harpp; A.B.(Middlebury), M.A.(Wesl.), Ph.D.(N. Carolina), F.C.I.C.
A. Kakkar; B.Sc., M.Sc.(Chan. U., India), Ph.D.(Wat.)
R.B. Lennox; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.), F.C.I.C., F.R.S.C.
C.J. Li; B.Sc.(Zhengzhou), M.S.(Chin. Acad. Sci.), Ph.D.(McG.), F.R.S.C.
J. Mauzeroll; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Texas-Austin)
D. Perepichka; B.Sc.(Donetsk St. U, Ukraine), Ph.D.(Nat. Aca. Sci., Ukraine)
D.M. Ronis; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(MIT)
B.C. Sanctuary; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
H. Sleiman; B.Sc.(A.U.B.), Ph.D.(Stan.)
Y.S. Tsantrizos; B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.(McG.)
T.G.M. van de Ven; Kand. Doc.(Utrecht), Ph.D.(McG.)
P. Wiseman; B.Sc.(St. FX), Ph.D.(W. Ont.)
Associate Professors
A.S. Blum; B.A.(Princ.), Ph.D.(Wash.)
T. Friščić; B.Sc.(Zagreb), Ph.D.(Iowa)
J.L. Gleason; B.Sc.(McG.), Ph.D.(Virg.)
P. Kambhampati; B.A.(Car. Coll.), Ph.D.(Texas)
J. P. Lumb; B.Sc.(Cornell), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
A. Mittermaier; B.Sc.(Guelph), Ph.D.(Tor.)
N. Moitessier; M.Sc., Ph.D.(Nancy)
A. Moores; B.Sc., Ph.D.(École Polytechnique, Paris)
J.F. Power; B.Sc., Ph.D.(C'dia)
L. Reven; B.A.(Car.), Ph.D.(Ill.)
B. Siwick; B.A.Sc. Eng. Sci., M.Sc., Ph.D.(Tor.)
Assistant Professors
M. Harrington; B.A.(Delaware), Ph.D.(Calif., Santa Barbara)
R. Khaliullin; B.S.(INEOS RAS, Moscow), M.S.(Mendeleev Univ., Moscow), Ph.D.(Calif., Berk.)
E. McCalla; B.Sc.(Mt. All.), M.Sc.(McG.), B.Ed.(Nfld.), Ph.D.(Dal.)
M. McKeague; B.Sc., Ph.D.(Car.)
T. Preston; B.Sc.(Tor.), M.Sc.(UWS), Ph.D.(Br. Col.)
C.J. Thibodeaux; B.Sc.(Louisiana St.), Ph.D.(Texas)
Adjunct Professors
N. Braidy, I. Wharf, R. Zamboni
Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Chemistry (20 credits)

For more information, see Minor Chemistry (20 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Minor Chemical Engineering (24 credits)

A Chemical Engineering Minor will be of interest to Chemistry students who wish to study the problems of process engineering and its related subjects. A student completing this Minor will be able to make the important link between molecular sciences and industrial processing. This Minor will not provide Professional Engineering accreditation.

For more information, see Minor Chemical Engineering (24 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Chemistry - Biological (47 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Liberal Program - Core Science Component Chemistry - General (49 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry (59 credits)

For more information, see Major Chemistry (59 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry - Atmosphere and Environment (63 credits)

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry - Bio-organic (63 credits)

For more information, see Major Chemistry - Bio-organic (63 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (66 credits)

This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences.

For more information, see Major Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (66 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry - Materials (62 credits)

For more information, see Major Chemistry - Materials (62 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Major Chemistry - Measurement (62 credits)

The B.Sc.; Major in Chemistry; Measurement provides an emphasis on additional background and advanced courses of interest to physical and analytical chemists.

For more information, see Major Chemistry - Measurement (62 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry (71 credits)

Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry (71 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry - Atmosphere and Environment (75 credits)

Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry - Atmosphere and Environment (75 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry - Bio-organic (75 credits)

Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry - Bio-organic (75 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (75 credits)

This program trains students in the fundamentals of chemistry and develops the physical science, computational, and mathematical skills needed for advanced biophysical chemistry research in the biomedical and biotechnology industries. The program features integrative, interdisciplinary courses in bio-physical sciences.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry: Biophysical Chemistry (75 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry - Materials (74 credits)

Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry - Materials (74 credits).

Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) - Honours Chemistry - Measurement (74 credits)

The B.Sc. Honours in Chemistry; Measurement provides an emphasis on additional background and advanced courses of interest to physical and analytical chemists. Note: Attainment of the Honours degree requires a CGPA of at least 3.00.

For more information, see Honours Chemistry - Measurement (74 credits).

Chemistry (CHEM) Related Programs

Chemistry (CHEM) Related Programs

Joint Honours in Physics and Chemistry

Joint Honours in Physics and Chemistry

For more information, see Physics (PHYS).

Programs, Courses and University Regulations—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)
Faculty of Science—2019-2020 (last updated Aug. 13, 2019) (disclaimer)
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