In order to receive your degree, you must complete all your specific program degree requirements published in the GSPA Academic Calendar. Be aware of the important dates as posted in GSPA calendar and use the Engineering degree completion deadlines as guidance.
Visit the Engineering program Guidelines to find information about Engineering Degree requirements, Degree Completion deadlines and steps to graduate.
For graduate petitions and & student issues refer to the appropriate policy.
When student's have completed all their degree requirements they should Apply to Graduate through Quest. Student's will need to select the expected graduation term. Please select the term in which you expect all your degree requirements to be met.
Degree Requirements
For a complete list of your program's degree requirements, consult the GSPA Graduate Academic Calendar .
Degree Requirements and How to Satisfy Milestones/Degree Complete
MEng
Your MEng program's degree requirements are dependent upon the term in which you began your program. For a complete list of your degree requirements, consult the archived Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for the term in which you were admitted. If you began this term, consult the current calendar.
Specializations
Earn a Specialization by acquiring in-depth knowledge in one of four areas:
2. Polymer Science and Engineering
3. Process Systems Engineering
Each MEng Specialization requires a unique set of four graduate-level courses comprised of at least two compulsory courses and your choice from a list of possible elective courses. Courses taken towards your MEng Specialization will also be counted towards your degree requirements. You are required to register for the specialization you wish to complete during your first semester. Please complete the following form.
Courses
You can find the current term's course offerings on the Graduate Schedule of Classes and the Grad Chemical Engineering courses description.
Seminars
You need to attend at least 12 seminars as part of your MEng degree requirements.
Our Seminar Attendance Milestone page provides information on eligible seminars and the methods used to track your attendance.
Advise the Graduate Studies Assistant, MEng program when you have met your seminar attendance milestone so that the necessary paperwork can be processed.
Degree Completion
The degree completion process takes time. Please see your grad coordinator for instructions prior to applying to graduate in Quest, and then apply for graduation through Quest. If you completed the necessary courses to obtain a specialization please complete the following form, which will alert the MEng coordinator to add this to your degree
Checklist of degree requirements
Check your degree requirements for MEng Chemical Engineering and MEng Chemical Engineering Co-op.
- Check your degree requirements here
- Ensure you have taken all courses required for your degree
- Ensure you have satisfied your seminar attendance milestone
- The degree completion process takes time-at least one month before you intend to degree complete, apply for graduation through Quest- before you do this please contact your advisor. If you completed the necessary courses to obtain a specialization please complete the following form, which will alert the MEng coordinator to add this to your degree.
MASc
As you pursue your MASc in the Department of Chemical Engineering, you may find the following resources helpful.
MASc Degree Requirements
Your MASc program's degree requirements are dependent upon the term in which you began your program. For a complete list of your degree requirements, consult the archived Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for the term in which you were admitted. If you began this term, consult the current calendar.
If you are studying within Nanotechnology or Water programs, please view the program-specific MASc degree requirements in the appropriate calendar.
Courses
The Department provides tentative course scheduling for the two upcoming terms so you can plan your studies in advance. You can find the current term's course offerings on the Graduate Schedule of Classes.
See the Graduate Schedule of Classes and program-specific pages of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for Nanotechnology and Water courses.
Seminar Attendance
You are required to attend at least 12 seminars as part of your MAsc degree requirements. If you are in a collaborative program, you may have additional requirements.
Our Seminar Attendance Milestone page provides information on eligible seminars and the methods used to track your attendance.
Thesis
MASc students are responsible for submitting and defending their thesis (oral exam) that presents the research they completed during their degree. You and your supervisor(s) will work together to determine the topic and scope of your MASc thesis.
Your written thesis should accomplish the following:
-
Define a substantial research problem
-
Provide a comprehensive review of the literature in the research problem area
-
Describe the theoretical, analytical and/or experimental solution
-
Provide a comprehensive set of conclusions and recommendations
For more information about the process of preparing for your defence (oral exam), formatting your thesis and submitting it to UWSpace for approval, visit the thesis page.
For complete instructions and timelines for the MASc thesis process, visit the MASc and MArch degree completion page.
Oral Examination
Chemical Engineering MASc students are required to complete a MASc Oral Examination in which they demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the research contained in their thesis document. Specifically, candidates should demonstrate the following:
-
Ability to define the research problem presented in the thesis
-
Analytical understanding of the relevant literature
-
Capacity to critically evaluate the outcomes presented in the thesis document
See the Guidelines for Final Oral Examination of MASc Graduate Students for more information.
Please register your oral examination.
Once details are confirmed regarding your Oral Examination, please book a room with our Department Secretary, Alternatively, if you are doing your Oral Examination remotely, you are responsible for setting up these details. Please create a calendar invite for yourself and your readers so that everyone is aware of the time/date/place of your Oral Examination.
Degree Completion
For complete instructions and timelines for the degree completion process, visit the MASc and MArch degree completion page.
The degree completion process takes time. Start planning for this final stage of your degree at least a couple of months in advance. Please see your grad coordinator for instructions prior to applying to graduate in Quest, and then apply for graduation through Quest.
Final Steps
Once you have completed all of your academic obligations, your final – and very important step is to complete the Department Sign-Off Sheet.
PHD
As you pursue your PhD in the Department of Chemical Engineering, you may find the following resources helpful.
PhD Degree Requirements
Your Doctorate program's degree requirements are dependent upon the term in which you began your program. For a complete list of your degree requirements, consult the archived Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for the term in which you were admitted. If you began this term, consult the current calendar.
If you are studying within Nanotechnology or Water programs, please view the program-specific PhD degree requirements in the appropriate calendar.
The number and type of courses you must take is determined by the type of degree you were admitted with. Those admitted with an MASc, for example, must take three graduate level elective courses, while those admitted without an MASc must take five graduate level elective courses. The course calendar provides more information about the specific course requirements you must meet.
Consult the Courses section of your degree requirements in the appropriate Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for details.
Courses
The Department provides tentative course scheduling for the two upcoming terms so you can plan your studies in advance. You can find the current term's course offerings on the Graduate Schedule of Classes.
See the Graduate Schedule of Classes and program-specific pages of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar for Nanotechnology and Water courses.
Seminar Attendance
You are required to attend at least 12 seminars as part of your PhD degree requirements. If you are in a collaborative program, you may have additional requirements.
Our Seminar Attendance Milestone page provides information on eligible seminars and the methods used to track your attendance.
Engineering PhD Comprehensive Examination
The PhD degree is awarded after candidates have satisfied the Examining Committee that their thesis is a substantial original Comprehensive Exam.
To graduate, you must pass a comprehensive exam, normally taken within 16 months (or four terms) of beginning your program. This exam involves the discussion of a research proposal and focusses on:
- The suitability of your proposed thesis topic
- The adequacy of your preparation for completing the proposed research
- Your knowledge of the fundamental concepts of chemical engineering
In a process unique to the Department of Chemical Engineering, PhD candidates are responsible for coordinating the time and date of their own comprehensive exam. You will coordinate these exam details with your examining committee, including the committee Chair that has been assigned to your exam.
Research Proposal
All PhD students must complete a research proposal which will consist of a double-spaced report of no more than fifty (50) pages including tables, diagrams, references and appendices. The PhD proposal guidelines apply to the final draft of the proposal that is shared with the PhD advisory committee in the Department of Chemical Engineering.
Scheduling your CHE PhD Comprehensive Exam
- At least five weeks before you would like to complete your exam, contact the Chemical Engineering Department’s Manager of Graduate Studies to be assigned a Chair for your comprehensive exam.
- Coordinate the date and time of the comprehensive exam with the examining committee, including the assigned Chair. Contact the Department Secretary to book the location.
At least four weeks before your exam date,
- Submit your completed PhD Comprehensive Examination Form to the Manager of Graduate Studies.
- Manager of Graduate Studies Chemical Engineering will create a Calendar Invite, invite all committee members to the event, with the expectation that Student/Supervisor will provide connectivity information for update.
- Complete the PhD Comprehensive Registration Form.
- For more information about completing your PhD Comprehensive Exam milestone, the associated requirements and the process for booking your examination, see the Faculty of Engineering’s PhD Comprehensive Exam page.
-
Prior to your Comprehensive Exam date, if you plan to do this remotely or hybrid, you are strongly encouraged to reach out to our IT personnel (dherman@uwaterloo.ca) to test your connection.
PhD Advisory Committee Meeting and Report:
- Students are required to engage in a 30-60 minute, in-person or remote, PhD Advisory Committee meeting, composed of a 15-minute presentation by the student to report research progress along with a written summary of courses and milestones completed.
- The PhD Advisory Committee provides the student with a PhD Advisory Committee Report describing progress on coursework and milestones completed and an assessment by each committee member of the student’s progress (excellent, satisfactory, unsatisfactory) in the following areas:
-
- Understanding of material
-
- Ability to handle discussion
- Preparation, presentation, and organization
- Research progress
- Coursework progress
- Overall
-
- Students with a MASc degree must complete a PhD Advisory Committee meeting during the 3rd term after completing their PhD comprehensive examination, with no extensions.
- Students without a MASc degree must complete a PhD Advisory Committee Meeting during (i) the 4th term from the start of their program and (ii) the 3rd term after completing their PhD comprehensive examination, with no extensions.
- All PhD students will be required to complete a 2nd PhD Advisory Committee Meeting the 3rd term after completion of a previous PhD Advisory Committee Meeting in which their overall progress was assessed as “unsatisfactory” unless they have scheduled a PhD comprehensive examination or defense during that term.
Process for completion of milestone:
1. Before starting the process, please ensure that you have provided Judy with the names of (2) internal committee members who will be on your committee.
2. Once the committee members are populated in our system, you will be provided with a link and be required to coordinate your Meeting either in person/hybrid/or fully remotely (your choice).
3. Each committee member will assess your progress/provide feedback.
4. Once complete, you will receive a copy of your committee's feedback.
PhD Thesis and Defence
For more information about the process of preparing for your defence, formatting your thesis and submitting it to UWSpace for approval, visit the thesis page.
The Faculty of Engineering’s PhD degree completion page provides all the information you need to coordinate your thesis submission, apply for graduation, organize your committee and defend your thesis.
In addition to the Faculty of Engineering’s administrative requirements, please register your PhD Defense with the Department.
*Prior to your Phd Defence date, if you plan to do this remotely or hybrid, you are strongly encouraged to reach out to our IT personnel (dherman@uwaterloo.ca) to test your connection.
Remote PhD Defence
Manager of Graduate Studies Chemical Engineering will create a Calendar Invite, invite all committee members to the event, with the expectation that Student/Supervisor will provide connectivity information for update.
Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs prepared the following resources to help you successfully complete your PhD defence remotely:
The thesis topic is decided by the student and supervisor(s), in consultation with an advisory committee. The proposed research program is also examined during the Comprehensive Examination. Follow the steps to PhD Degree completion and be aware of the degree Completion Deadlines .
Once you have completed all of your academic obligations, your final – and very important step is to complete the Department Sign-Off Sheet.
Degree Completion
For complete instructions and timelines for the degree completion process, visit the PhD degree completion page.
The degree completion process takes time. Start planning for this final stage of your degree at least a couple of months in advance. Please see your grad coordinator for instructions prior to applying to graduate in Quest, and then apply for graduation through Quest.
Final Steps
Once you have completed all of your academic obligations, your final – and very important step is to complete the Department Sign-Off Sheet.