University of Ottawa

Overview

The Chemical Engineering – Science, Society and Policy (M.Sc.) program at the University of Ottawa offers a unique blend of advanced chemical engineering training and evidence-based policy analysis. This program equips students with the skills to understand how scientific research, regulatory frameworks, and ethical considerations influence decision-making in both industry and government settings.

What you'll study

This full-time M.Sc. program typically spans 24 months and combines rigorous graduate-level coursework with an original research thesis. Students will engage in a curriculum that emphasizes both chemical engineering principles and policy analysis pertinent to societal challenges.

Typical components

• Core chemical engineering graduate courses covering subjects such as transport phenomena, thermodynamics, reaction engineering, and separation processes.
• Science–society–policy focused coursework that explores decision-making at the intersection of science and policy, research communication, and governance considerations.
• Research training encompassing methodology, literature review, and thesis preparation.
• Thesis based on original research that addresses an engineering problem with implications for policy, society, or governance.

Example course themes

• Research Methodology and Communication
• Decision at the Interface of Science and Policy
• Organic Electronics
• Heat Transfer
• Advanced Transport Phenomena
• Synthetic Membranes in Biomedical Engineering
• Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
• Adsorption Separation Processes
• Advanced Chemical Reaction Engineering

Note: Course availability and sequencing may vary based on term and supervisor research area.

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess an honours bachelor’s degree with a specialization or major in chemical engineering (or a related field) and a minimum average of 70% (B).

Career prospects