Chemistry & Chemical Biology www.chemistry.mcmaster.ca

The Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology at McMaster is a vibrant place to study and do research in the chemical sciences. The quality of our faculty and facilities, as well as the strong links between our department and other departments makes McMaster Chemistry & Chemical Biology one of the best departments in Canada to do productive research and gain hands-on access to modern instrumentation within a stimulating learning environment.

The study of Chemistry deals with the properties and reactions of chemical substances, and their interactions with energy and with one another. Chemistry is involved in the development of diverse products such as cell phones, computers and flat panel displays, biodegradable plastics, fuel and solar cells, optical communications networks, and new pharmaceuticals. Chemistry also plays the central role in detecting, identifying, and remediating toxic substances in our environment.

Chemical Biology is the study of biological molecules and living organisms using the strategies, tools and techniques of Chemistry. It crosses the borders between chemistry, biochemistry and biology, integrating tools from all three disciplines. Chemical biologists use small molecule probes and advanced analytical methods to solve complex biological problems such as the mechanisms of disease, the regulation of biological pathways and the roles of different biomolecules in controlling cellular function (or dysfunction).

CHEMISTRY & CHEMICAL BIOLOGY FACULTY OF SCIENCE

FOCUS OF STUDYHonours Chemistry provides students with a unique integrated and inquiry-based approach to research and problem-solving in chemistry and chemistry-related areas. Students work in an elite laboratory facility with access to the most modern instrumentation found in any university in Canada. Graduates of Honours Chemistry have a unique perspective on how the tools of chemistry are used to solve complex problems ranging from the design and synthesis of new drugs or catalysts, to the development of new materials for applications in fields as varied as nanotechnology, medical research and environmental protection – all from the perspective of fundamental chemical concepts.

Honours Chemical Biology addresses problems in drug discovery, bioassay development, the molecular basis of disease and using small molecules to regulate biological functions. Students complete a set of required courses, including, Inquiry in Chemical Biology and Chemical Biology Laboratory I, a laboratory course that teaches hands-on skills in Chemical Biology. Level III and IV courses include more advanced topics in bio-organic chemistry, bioanalytical techniques, and drug development. The main feature of Level IV is the opportunity to carry out a research project, under the supervision of a faculty member, performing leading edge research using state-of-the-art instrumentation to address a biological problem using chemical tools.

RESEARCHThe quality of research and teaching in the Department has been recognized externally by a range of recent prestigious awards to new and established faculty, including: Alex Adronov (2013 CSC Award for Research Excellence in Materials Chemistry), Paul Ayers (Canada Research Chair in Theoretical Chemistry; 2014 Rutherford Memorial Medal of the RSC; 2013 NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship, among others), John Brennan (Canada Research Chair in Bioanalytical Chemistry), Philip Britz-McKibbin (2010 American Society of Analytical Chemistry Award for Young Investigators in Separation Science), Michael Brook (2017 Chemical Institute of Canada Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award; 2016 American Chemical Society F.S. Kipping Award in Silicon Chemistry), Adam Hitchcock, FRSC (Canada Research Chair in Materials Research, 2001-16), William Leigh (2010 Inter-American Photochemical Society Award in Photochemistry), Pippa Lock (2014 3M National Teaching Fellowship, 2014-2015 OCUFA Teaching Award), Jose Moran-Mirabal (2015 Ontario Ministry of Research & Innovation Early Researcher Award), Yurij Mozharivskyj (Canada Research Chair in Solid State Chemistry of Responsive Materials, 2006-16), Gary Schrobilgen, FRSC (2012 ACS Lifetime Achievement Award in Fluorine Chemistry, 2011 Humboldt Award), Harald Stöver (2016 Chemical Institute of Canada Macromolecular Science and Engineering Award), and John Valliant (Canada Research Chair in Medical Isotopes and Molecular Imaging Probes; 2014 Brockhouse Canada Prize for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Engineering).

The department offers undergraduate research opportunities in six major thrust areas: Analytical and Environmental Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical and Theoretical Chemistry. Between 55 and 65 undergraduates are hired for summer research each year.

FACILITIESMcMaster Regional Centre for Mass SpectrometryNuclear Magnetic Resonance FacilityX-Ray Crystallography Facility

CO-OP OPPORTUNITIESCo-op programs in Honours Chemistry and Honours Chemical Biology are available beginning in Level III. They are five-year programs that include two 8-month work terms. Employment rates have been consistently excellent, with students spending work terms in research and development and product development in a number of different areas including:

Polymers PharmaceuticalsPlastics Agriculture Pulp and paper Water treatmentPetroleum Specialty productsPharmaceuticals ForestryHealth Academia

LEVEL II PROGRAMS

Honours Chemistry (Honours B. Sc.)

Honours Chemical Biology (Honours B. Sc.)

Chemical and Physical Sciences (B. Sc.)

ADM

ISSI

ON R

EQUI

REM

ENTS Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average

of at least 5.0 including:

• 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3 with an average of at least 6.0 • 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3 • 3 units from PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03• 12 units from the Science I Course List

Enrolment in this program is limited and possession of the published minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Selection is based on academic achievement but requires, as a minimum, completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 5.0 including:

• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3 • 6 units BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03 with a grade of at least C+ in each • 6 units CHEM 1A03, 1AA3 with an average of at least 6.0 • 3 units from PHYSICS 1A03, 1C03• 6 units from the Science I Course List

Completion of any Level I program with a Grade Point Average of at least 3.5 including:• 3 units from MATH 1A03, 1LS3, 1X03, 1ZA3• 9 units from CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, 1E03, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3,

1C03, 1CC3, 1D03, 1E03 with an average of at least 4.0• 12 units from the Science I Course List

ADM

ISSI

ON N

OTES 1. PHYSICS 1AA3 or 1CC3 must be completed by the end of

Level II and is very strongly recommended in Level I.

2. Students with credit in MATH 1X03 or 1ZA3 may use either as a substitution for MATH 1A03 or 1LS3.

3. Students are strongly recommended to complete one of MATH 1AA3, 1LT3, 1XX3 (or 1ZB3) in Level I and MATH 1B03 (or 1ZC3) in either Level I or II.

Prior to registration, students should carefully review the prerequisites of courses they anticipate taking in subsequent sessions as well as the admission requirements of programs they may seek transfer to.

SCIENCE I COURSE LIST: ASTRON 1F03, BIOLOGY 1A03, 1M03, BIOPHYS 1S03, CHEM 1A03, 1AA3, ENVIRSC 1C03, 1G03, GEOG 1HA3, 1HB3, MATH 1A03, 1AA3, 1B03, 1LS3, 1LT3, 1MP3, MEDPHYS 1E03, PHYSICS 1A03, 1AA3, 1C03, 1CC3, PSYCH 1F03, 1X03, 1XX3, SCIENCE 1A03

POSSIBLE CAREERS

Chemists and Chemical Biologists are in great demand because of their unique problem-solving skills and the extent to which chemistry permeates other fields of science, medicine and engineering. Graduates from our programs are prepared for a wide variety of careers and have gone on to graduate school, and professional schools in the following areas:

Graduate studies, doing research to earn a PhD

Medical school

Pharmacy

Bachelor of Education

MBA

Law, other professional schools

Other graduates head straight into careers in:

Advanced Materials Development

Catalysis Design and Development

Forensic Science

Nanotechnology

Pharmaceutical Research and Development

Radiochemist

Teaching

Biotechnology

Environmental Science

Medicine and Medical Research

Patent Law

Polymers

Quality Assurance/Control

Medical Isotopes

... and much more!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Chemistry & Chemical Biology Information SessionTuesday, March 28, 2017, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm, ABB, Room 102Followed by ‘Meet the Profs’ at 6:30 pm in ABB, Room 273

CONTACT INFORMATIONwww.chemistry.mcmaster.ca | advisor@chemistry.mcmaster.caABB, Room 156