Doctorate in Philosophy Chemical Engineering at University of Ottawa - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

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Program overview

The Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD) in Chemical Engineering at the University of Ottawa is designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in teaching, research, and development within the field of chemical engineering. This program is offered by the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering within the Faculty of Engineering. Students will gain autonomy in conducting research, preparing scholarly publications, and promoting advancements in chemical engineering. The program is conducted in English and is structured to be completed within a maximum of four years.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemical Engineering program is structured to provide a comprehensive educational experience. Key details include:

Program Length: Maximum of four years.
Registration Status: Full-time.
Language of Instruction: English.
Research Focus: Students will engage in research activities in areas such as materials development, process engineering, clean technologies, renewable energy, and biomedical engineering.
Research Activities: Conducted in English, French, or both, depending on the research group.

Additionally, students have the option to fast-track from a Master’s to the PhD program under specific conditions, allowing for a seamless transition into doctoral studies.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemical Engineering program offers several unique experiences that enhance the educational journey:

Research Methodology and Communication: Students will learn essential skills for effective scientific communication and project management.
Comprehensive Examination: A critical assessment that must be completed within 16 months of enrollment.
Thesis Requirement: Students must present their thesis as a final oral examination, which can be submitted in traditional format or as a series of articles for publication.
Research Opportunities: Students can engage in diverse research areas, contributing to significant advancements in chemical engineering.
Seminars: Participation in seminars is compulsory, providing a platform for presenting research topics and papers.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemical Engineering program can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

University Professor: Teaching and conducting research at post-secondary institutions, contributing to academic knowledge and mentoring students.
Research Scientist: Working in laboratories or research facilities to develop new materials and processes in chemical engineering.
Process Engineer: Designing and optimizing industrial processes to improve efficiency and sustainability in manufacturing.
Consultant: Providing expert advice to organizations on chemical processes, safety, and regulatory compliance.
Project Manager: Overseeing engineering projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget while meeting quality standards.

These roles leverage the advanced knowledge and research skills acquired during the program, positioning graduates for success in various sectors, including academia, industry, and government.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit University of Ottawa official website

Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Chemical Engineering, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time:	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

12 terms

Area(s) of specialization

Material Development/Process Engineering/Clean Technologies

Your complete admission package must include

Application Fee:	CA$125.00 (non-refundable)
Recommendation letter(s):	2 It is highly recommended that you contact your referee prior to submitting your application to confirm their email address and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
Transcript(s):	1 You must upload copies of all transcripts from universities you have attended by using the uoDoc application. Transcripts must cover all courses and programs at any university you have attended, including regular programs (whether completed or not), exchanges, letters of permission, online or correspondence courses, courses taken as a non-degree student or visiting students, etc. If your transcript and degree certificate are not in English or French, you must submit a copy of a certified translation. Once you've received your offer of admission, if the offer contains any conditions for submitting official documents, you will need to upload them to uoDoc. Some exceptions apply. Previous or current Ottawa students do not need to submit a transcript of their studies at the University of Ottawa. Professional programs in rehabilitation require all transcripts, including those from uOttawa.
Language requirements (if applicable) Language proficiency test scores equivalencies:	TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Capacity for research and excellent knowledge of the English language Resume required Preference Form Please note that non required admission documents will not be consulted, conserved or returned to the student. These documents will be destroyed according to our administrative procedures.

Language Requirements

Program-Specific English Requirements

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

General Graduate English Requirements

English proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
TOEFL iBT Internet-based/Home Edition/Paper (for tests taken before January 21, 2026)*	84 (overall); 24 (writing); no partial score below 20
TOEFL iBT Internet-based / Home Edition/ Paper (for tests taken after January 21, 2026)*	4.5 or 86 (overall); 4.5 or 21 (writing); 4.5 or 22 (reading); 4.5 or 20 (listening); 4 or 20 (speaking)
IELTS Academic/ IELTS Academic One Skill Retake	6.5 (overall); 6.5 (writing); no partial score below 6
Cambridge English Proficiency Tests (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)	170 (overall); no partial score below 160
PTE (Pearson Test of English)	60 (overall); no partial score below 59
CAEL (Canadian Academic English Language Test)	70 (overall); no partial score below 60

* Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL is changing its grading system to a 1-6 band scale instead of a 1-120 band scale. Score reports will include results on both scales for the next two years.

The University of Ottawa accepts TOEFL MyBest^®scores for the TOEFL iBT test.

French proficiency test chart

Test	Minimum Required Score
DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française)	C1/C2
TCF (Test de connaissance du français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2
TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français)	B2 (overall); no partial score below B2

Where the program-specific and general graduate requirements above differ, whichever score is higher (stricter) applies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!