Doctorate in Philosophy Chemistry and Specialization Chemical and Environmental Toxicology 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 Chemistry with a specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology is a comprehensive program designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and research skills in the field of chemistry and toxicology. This program is offered by the University of Ottawa in collaboration with Carleton University, providing students access to a wide range of resources and expertise. The program emphasizes the study of toxic substances and their effects on living systems, preparing graduates for impactful careers in research and academia. Students will engage in rigorous research activities, contributing to the understanding of chemical transport, fate, and biological accumulation of toxic substances.

Program structure

The Doctorate in Philosophy Chemistry program is structured to provide a robust educational experience over a period of 48 consecutive months, typically requiring 12 full-time terms to complete. The program includes:

Thesis-based research, allowing students to conduct original research under the supervision of faculty members.
Access to shared research facilities between the University of Ottawa and Carleton University, enhancing collaborative opportunities.
Participation in a collaborative specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, which enriches the academic experience.
Opportunities to engage in seminars and comprehensive examinations as part of the academic requirements.

Students are encouraged to explore various research areas, including inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and analytical chemistry, while also having the option to take additional courses based on their backgrounds and interests.

Featured Experiences

The Doctorate in Philosophy Chemistry program offers several unique experiences that enhance the learning journey:

Joint Program: The Ottawa-Carleton Chemistry Institute (OCCI) combines the strengths of both universities, providing a rich collaborative environment.
Research Facilities: Students have access to state-of-the-art research facilities shared between the two campuses.
Collaborative Specialization: The program includes a specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, allowing students to delve deeper into this critical area of study.
Seminars: Students are required to present their research in departmental seminars, fostering communication skills and academic engagement.
Comprehensive Examination: A rigorous examination process ensures that students have a solid understanding of their field before proceeding to their thesis work.

Career Options

Graduates of the Doctorate in Philosophy Chemistry program with a specialization in Chemical and Environmental Toxicology can pursue a variety of career paths in Canada, including:

Research Scientist: Conducting experiments and analyzing data to advance knowledge in chemistry and toxicology.
Environmental Consultant: Advising organizations on environmental regulations and the impact of chemicals on ecosystems.
Regulatory Affairs Specialist: Ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations related to chemical substances.
Academia: Teaching and conducting research at universities, contributing to the education of future scientists.
Pharmaceutical Scientist: Developing and testing new drugs, focusing on their safety and efficacy.

These roles leverage the advanced research skills and specialized knowledge gained 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.

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Last updated on 2026-10-05

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Chemistry and Specialization Chemical and Environmental Toxicology, PhD

Degree Offered: PhD

Available Options for Program

Student status

Full-Time (English Program only):	Yes
Part-Time:	No

Language

English:	Yes
French:	No

Minimum Requirements

B+ in a related master's degree

Average time to completion

12 full-time terms; 48 consecutive months

Area(s) of specialization

Inorganic chemistry
Organic chemistry
Theoretical chemistry
Biological chemistry
Analytical chemistry
Physical chemistry

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. Academic references preferred.
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:	French Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based) English Program: TOEFL 84/New TOEFL 4, 24 (Writing); 20 (Individual)/IELTS 6.5, 6.5 (Writing); 6 (Individual) (Internet-based)
Required document(s):	Resume A letter of intent outlining your career goals and proposed research area. We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors early. To register, you need to be accepted by a thesis supervisor. International students must show proof of funding in the form of a supervisor stipend and a combination of scholarships and/or in-trust accounts. A good knowledge of either English or French and good ability to write in English is required. 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, write and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or 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!