Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)



Meet Wilson Luo, PhD candidate in Chemistry

“In the Chemistry department, and at Western University in general, we have a wealth of resources and facilities available to us to conduct our research. If something isn’t available to you in your own lab, others groups readily offer their resources (instruments, glassware, etc.) as well their assistance. It’s all very friendly. More importantly, the scientific conversation never stops; students talk to each other, professors talk to each other, and professors talk to students. There is much collaboration within and outside of the department that fosters an interdisciplinary research environment. All of these factors help provide students with the tools to thrive and succeed in our graduate program.”

Supervisor: Dr. Mark Workentin

Where did you complete your undergraduate degree?
University of Windsor, Honours BSc in Chemistry

Why did you come to Western for your graduate degree?
I visited several universities prior to selecting Western to pursue my graduate degree. The reason I chose Western is simple: Western University was very welcoming. My visit to the Chemistry Department was planned with great care – I met with all the right people (professors, graduate students, facility managers), I was given a tour of the campus and the facilities that would be available to me and my research, and I was provided with the appropriate resources to facilitate the decision making process. I chose Western because it was a place I felt comfortable studying and working in for the next few years. Of course, we also have excellent research faculty and research facilities!

Describe your research in 100 words or less.
My research focuses on employing synthetic organic chemistry at the interface of nanomaterials to bestow upon them certain properties or functions that increase their utility beyond their ‘raw’ or native form. Nanomaterials exhibit very interesting and unique properties that can be exploited and engineered to perform a specific task, e.g. deliver a drug, strengthen a material, emit light, etc. As such, the goal of my research is to design these nanomaterial platforms that can undergo subsequent modification steps in a facile manner such that they can be used across scientific disciplines with ease for a variety of applications.

What are you most passionate about?
Improving myself and maintaining a fresh and positive outlook. I’d like to think that, in this way, you can find self-fulfillment and positively influence those around you.

What one thing would you like people to know about you?
When I was younger, the thought of pursuing graduate studies never crossed my mind. I didn’t know the first thing about being a scientist or researcher. Since I arrived at Western, I’ve had many excellent experiences with the campus, the department, and people around me. It has been a good fit and I feel 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.


The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program will help you become a career-ready graduate with the skills necessary to excel in your studies and achieve your future goals. By participating in the program, you will assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth, choose what skills you want to enhance during your time at Western, and learn how to articulate the skills you gained in your degree to optimize your future career opportunities. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.

Program Length

  • 12 Terms, from MSc entry
  • 15 Terms, from BSc direct entry

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 thesis-based MSc degree in chemistry, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, college, or institute with an overall academic standing of at least B+ (75%).
  • Excellent letters of recommendation.
  • 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 MSc degree, all program requirements must be completed prior to the start of the PhD studies.

Outstanding applicants possessing a four-year Bachelor of Science in chemistry, or a related discipline, from a recognized university, college, or institute with high academic standing and demonstrated research potential can apply for direct entry to the PhD program.

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

International Applicants:

  • March 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. International students are welcome to apply to the Fall term only.

International applicants: Acceptance notification begins in April.
Domestic applicants: Acceptance notifications are processed on a rolling basis throughout the year.

Fields of Research

  • Inorganic
  • Organic
  • Physical/Analytical