Program Overview

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Doctor of Philosophy (Chemical and Materials Engineering)

Introduction

The Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering offers facilities for advanced training and research leading to the Master of Engineering, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Chemical Engineering and in Materials Engineering. Degrees are granted in Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Process Control, and Welding Engineering. Welding Engineering is not available at the doctoral level.

Why Study This Program?

The program provides students with the opportunity to engage in research in various fields, including fluid mechanics and rheology, reaction kinetics and catalysis, mass transfer and separation processes, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and environmental engineering. Many research programs are oriented toward better utilization of natural resources in the province.

Active Research Areas

• Mineral processing
• Coal preparation
• Modelling and simulation
• Intelligent processing of materials and solidification processing
• Hydrometallurgy
• Pyrometallurgy
• High-temperature electrochemistry
• Corrosion
• Physical and mechanical metallurgy
• Process metallurgy
• Welding metallurgy
• Powder metallurgy
• Ancient materials
• Ceramic materials
• Electronic materials

Entrance Requirements

The Department's minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. Students applying to a PhD program directly from a BSc must have an average of at least 3.5 on a four-point scale in the last 60 units or two years of undergraduate or graduate work at the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution.

English Language Proficiency

For applicants with international qualifications, proof of English Language Proficiency is required. Acceptable tests and scores include:

• TOEFL: minimum score of 92 (internet-based) with at least 21 in each section
• IELTS: overall band score of 7.0 with at least 6.0 on each band
• CAEL: minimum overall score of 65 with at least 60 on each subtest
• PTE Academic: minimum score of 62

Application Deadlines

• For Fall (September) admission: April 1 for international students, August 15 for Canadian and Permanent Resident students
• For Winter (January) admission: October 1 for international students, December 1 for Canadian and Permanent Resident students

Program Requirements

Students must successfully complete seven courses (20.0 units) and a thesis.

Coursework

• Six 3-unit courses approved by the Associate Dean Graduate Students
  • At least three courses must be 600-level or higher courses in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering
  • The remaining three courses must be at the 500-level or higher in the Faculty of Engineering, or at the 400-level or higher in a Science department
• CME 600 - Introduction to Research Methods (must be completed in the first year)

Thesis

Students are required to complete a thesis that embodies the results of independent research. All PhD students are required to deliver one public presentation on their research.

Candidacy Exam

The Candidacy exam must be held within 16 months of the initial registration in the program for full-time students. The research proposal must be submitted within 13 months of the initial registration in the program.

Seminar

Students are required to attend a minimum of six seminars of the D.B. Robinson Distinguished Seminar Series per academic year throughout the duration of their program.

Ethics Requirement

Engineering students must complete GPS ethics requirements based on their programs.

Professional Development Requirement

Engineering students must complete GPS's professional development requirement.

Residence Requirement

The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.

Academic Standing Requirement

Any graduate student who has gone directly into a PhD program after their BSc program is required to maintain a first-class standing (cumulative GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0).

Length of Program

The maximum time to complete the PhD program as set by the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies is six years.

Tuition and Fees

Graduate assistantships are available for qualified students on a part-time or full-time basis. Scholarships and fellowships are available for research in chemical engineering, materials engineering, and process control. All MSc and PhD students are guaranteed a minimum level of financial support subject to acceptable performance.