The Synthetic & Catalytic Chemistry Specialist is a limited enrolment program that includes appropriate courses in chemistry, mathematics, physics and biochemistry during the first two years. It focuses on the fundamental and practical aspects of modern synthetic organic and inorganic chemistry, and the understanding and applications of catalytic reactions: several of which have formed the basis of recent Chemistry Nobel Prizes. This program is fully accredited by the Canadian Society for Chemistry.
The important Synthetic & Catalytic Chemistry Specialist program objectives are as follows:
- to provide a program that is highly structured in design such that students will focus their studies in the traditional sub-disciplines of inorganic, analytical, organic, and physical chemistry during second year, and then progress to take upper-year courses in these areas and in biological/environmental chemistry.
- to give second-year students opportunities for hands-on learning through laboratory work in the four traditional chemistry sub-disciplines.
- to provide upper-year students with exceptional access to experiential learning via advanced laboratory activities and development of superior communication skills through required courses in analytical, inorganic, synthetic organic and mechanistic organic chemistry, as well as organic spectroscopy.
- to ensure students enroll in a capstone third-year or fourth-year research course under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
- to give students the option to obtain professional development skills and direct work experience through the Arts & Science Internship Program.
- to provide excellent preparation for graduate-level studies in different sub-disciplines of chemistry provided that appropriate options are chosen in fourth-year, and/or for careers in a wide range of chemistry-related professional fields (e.g., as synthetic/discovery chemists, in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, biomedical, crop protection, materials and related sectors, or in academic research and teaching positions).
Students enrolled in the Synthetic & Catalytic Chemistry Specialist program are eligible to complete the departmental Focus in Green Chemistry and/or the Focus in Practical Chemical Analysis if the appropriate courses are taken.
Consult:
Professor Rob Batey, Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Enrolment Requirements:
This is a limited enrolment program. Students must have completed 4.0 credits and meet the requirements listed below to enrol. Minimum grades in required courses or their equivalents are needed for entry, and these minimums change each year depending on available spaces and the number of applicants. The following courses must be completed:
(CHM135H1, CHM136H1)/CHM151Y1)
To ensure that students admitted to the program will be successful, applicants with a final grade lower than 63% in any of the required courses will not be considered for admission. Please note that obtaining the minimum final grades does not guarantee admission to the program.
Students in this program have the option to request enrolment in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream. Students can apply for the ASIP stream after Year 1 (Year 2 entry) or after Year 2 (Year 3 entry, starting Fall 2024). Full details about ASIP, including student eligibility, selection and enrolment, are available in the ASIP section of the Arts & Science Academic Calendar. Please note that the majority of students enter ASIP in Fall term of Year 2. Space is more limited for Year 3 entry. Students applying for Year 3 entry must have been admitted to the Synthetic & Catalytic Chemistry Specialist in the Summer after Year 2.
Completion Requirements:
(14.0 credits)
First Year: ( CHM151Y1 strongly recommended)/ ( CHM135H1, CHM136H1); ( MAT135H1, MAT136H1)/ MAT137Y1/ MAT157Y1; ( PHY131H1, PHY132H1)/ ( PHY151H1, PHY152H1)
Second and Higher Years:
- BCH210H1, CHM217H1, ( CHM220H1/ CHM222H1, CHM223H1), CHM228H1, ( CHM236H1, CHM237H1)/ CHM238Y1, ( CHM249H1 strongly recommended)/ CHM247H1
- CHM317H1, CHM338H1, CHM342H1, CHM343H1, CHM347H1, CHM348H1
- CHM432H1, CHM440H1, CHM441H1, CHM443H1
- CHM395Y1/ CHM499Y1/ PHC489Y1 and/or CHM397H0/ CHM398H0 in areas relevant to the program with prior approval by the Department
- Additional 300/400-level courses from CHM, which may include courses from among CHM325H1, CHM355H1/ CHM328H1, CHM379H1, CHM416H1, CHM434H1/ CHM455H1, CHM437H1, CHM447H1 and CHM479H1 to a total of 14.0 credits.
Students in this program have the option to complete the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) stream.
This page was updated on August 26, 2025. Please consult the Arts & Science Academic Calender for the most up-to-date program requirements.