Chemistry

Master of Science (MSc)



Meet Jessica Winslade, graduate student in Chemistry

“The Western Chemistry Department has been amazing for helping me broaden and solidify my chemistry knowledge. We're exposed to so many different conferences where we get to showcase our research, as well as guest visiting speakers, and we have state-of-the-art facilities such as Surface Science Western.”

Supervisor: Dr. Zhifeng Ding

Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
During my final year of undergraduate studies, I had the privilege of completing a thesis – an opportunity that many universities don’t offer to undergraduate students. This experience opened my eyes to the impactful research being conducted in the Western chemistry department. I worked with state-of-the-art equipment at Surface Science Western (SSW) alongside incredibly knowledgeable researchers who provided invaluable support along the way. I also participated in an annual conference (SOUSCC – Southwestern Ontario Undergraduate Student Chemistry Conference), where I was able to network with colleagues from various universities and learn about their research and experiences. This exposure helped me recognize the outstanding opportunities that the Western chemistry department offers its students, reinforcing my decision to pursue my graduate studies here.

Where’s your favourite place on campus?
I love studying anywhere outdoors on campus. We’re so fortunate to have such a stunning, well-kept campus!

Describe your research.
Under the supervision of Dr. Zhifeng Ding, I am researching electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL). ECL is the process in which electrogenerated ions combine in a solution, producing an excited species via electron transfer and emitting light. This process is remarkably sensitive with excellent resolution and can be used with various compounds, including but not limited to metal complexes, organic molecules, dyes, polymers, and nanocrystals. The Ding group has pioneered the determination of the quantum efficiency of various complexes, advancing the development of ECL. Applications of ECL imaging include bioanalysis, cancer cell detection, and fingerprint analysis, among others.

How do you de-stress?
Rock climbing, hiking, crocheting, knitting, reading, and hugs!

Do you belong to any university or community groups?
I am involved in Let’s Talk Science at Western, as well as the Chemistry Club (WUChem) and the USC Outreach Program (REACH).

What advice would you like to share?
The best advice I can offer to anyone considering applying to Western Chemistry is to reach out and connect with the department. The faculty and staff here are incredibly supportive and helpful—truly the most welcoming I've encountered at Western. Darlene and François were particularly instrumental in answering all of my questions and ensuring I felt right at home.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Darlene DiValentin (dhagen@uwo.ca)
Graduate Program Coordinator

Department of Chemistry

Western University
Chemistry Building Rm 116
London, Ontario N6A 5B7

t. 519-661-2111 ext. 81543
f. 519-661-3022

The Department of Chemistry offers programs of study that lead to the Master of Science (MSc) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. All programs are research-based.

Taking a modern view of the chemical sciences, the four main research themes reflect Western’s open-minded and multidisciplinary approach to research. Research is broadly characterized into the themes of: Chemical Biology and Biomaterials; Synthesis, Catalysis and Molecular Materials; Materials: Design, Function and Characterization; and Theory and Computation.

Program Length

  • 6 Terms

Program Design

  • Full-time study
  • Thesis-based

Funding Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • A four-year Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, college, or institute with an overall academic standing of at least B+ (75%).
  • Applicants must have a research experience and demonstrate significant potential to undertake research.
  • Especially for applicants from related disciplines, provide a clear statement on your academic qualifications and how past training and experiences have positioned you for success in graduate teaching and research for the proposed area of study within chemistry.
  • For applicants who have not yet been conferred the BSc degree, all program requirements must be completed prior to the start of the MSc studies.

Additional Requirements

  • Previous degrees must have a research component.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language by a satisfactory achievement within the last two years in one of the following:

  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language(TOEFL). The minimum acceptable score for chemistry is 90, with no individual score below 20 for the internet based version; 230 for the standard electronic version; or 570 for the paper and pencil version, although some programs require a higher minimum score.[Western's TOEFL ID is 0984]. TOEFL Study Guide: http://www.discoverbusiness.us/education/online-mba/resources/toefl/
  • The International English Language Testing Service(IELTS)of the British Council. The minimum acceptable score for Chemistry is 7 in each category out of 9. The IELTS is offered in 6 test centres in the US and 3 in Canada.
  • The Duolingo English Test is available online (takes 1 hour) and is offered at a reasonable cost. The minimum acceptable score for admission to the Chemistry program is 120. Western University and the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies receives scores from Duolingo directly. When completing the Duolingo English Test, please select “Western University-Graduate Studies” from the Institution list to ensure your results are available.
  • The Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL Assessment). The minimum acceptable score is 70 in each section. The CAEL Assessment is offered in several countries throughout the world as well as Canada.
  • Fanshawe College’s ESL Program. The requirement is graduation from Level 10, English for Academic Purposes, with a minimum 80% in all components. Official proof of graduation required.
  • Western English Language Centre. The requirement is successful completion of the program.
Students who are required to present evidence of proficiency in English must make their own arrangements to write the TOEFL, IELTS, or CAEL and to have the official results sent directly to the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies by the testing agency.

Other formal evidence of graduate level proficiency in English (as determined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies) may be considered in lieu of these test scores.

Application Deadline

Domestic Applicants:

  • December 1 - Winter Term
  • April 15 - Summer Term
  • July 1 - Fall Term

Applications are accepted year-round; however, you should try to meet the deadlines above in order to be accepted for the term you are applying to. Domestic students are welcome to apply to winter, fall, and summer terms. Please note: we are currently not accepting international student applications.

Domestic applicants: Acceptance notifications are processed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Fields of Research

  • Inorganic
  • Organic
  • Physical/Analytical