T

he choice of where to pursue graduate studies is an important decision that is unique to every individual. One must consider carefully not only the specific project to be undertaken, but also the relationship with the supervisor, compatibility with the research group, comfort within the department, and quality of life in the institution’s location. The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at McMaster provides not only wide-reaching opportunities for research in virtually all branches of chemistry, but also a highly supportive and collegial research atmosphere. Our faculty are dedicated to the training of students and provision of unlimited research opportunities. The mid-size nature of our department allows students to interact with multiple research groups and faculty, forging long-standing friendships that last beyond the time spent in graduate studies. Additionally, the informal nature of interactions between students and faculty, staff, and administration provides a relaxed and supportive environment within the department. Students are given the opportunity to learn, first hand, how to use advanced characterization equipment within our facilities, providing invaluable training for future careers. In addition, we provide students with numerous scholarships that recognize academic, teaching, and research excellence, as well as travel awards that enable students to attend conferences abroad.

McMaster University is located on the west end of Hamilton, Ontario, which is situated on the most westerly edge of Lake Ontario.  The campus sits on the edge of a conservation area called Cootes Paradise, and is extremely picturesque (see the virtual tour).  As a city, Hamilton is undergoing a renaissance from its industrial past to a future that is more geared to attracting high-tech companies. A critical component of this transition is the newly established McMaster Innovation Park , which will house research institutes, a future hotel, small companies, and inclubator space for startup companies that will employ future graduates. In addition to this, Hamilton is a great place to live. There are numerous walking, hiking, running, and biking trails throughout the city. The Niagara Escarpment (known locally as “the mountain”) is surrounded by parkland and boasts dozens of waterfalls that can be accessed through various hiking trails. The Royal Botanical Gardens is a world-class botanical centre with numerous gardens for visitors to walk through. On a larger scale, Hamilton is situated half-way between Toronto and Niagara Falls, both of which are enjoyable destinations. The Niagara area contains picturesque towns such as Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls, and is Canada’s premier wine-making region, with numerous well-known wineries. Toronto is Canada’s largest city, providing outstanding night-life that includes clubs, theatre, shopping, cultural events, sports, etc. In addition, Pearson International Airport is the largest of three easily accessible airports in the Hamilton area, providing daily flights to practically anywhere in the world, which is useful for travel to conferences, home, and leisure abroad.

We encourage you to explore the department through the links below, and find out for yourself why Chemistry at McMaster is the right choice for you.

Links
Application Process
Admission Requirements
Financial Support
Research Active Faculty
Facilities
The Chemistry Program
The Chemical Biology Program
MCGSS