Royal Military College of Canada

The Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) is unique in Canada as a federal institution whose principal function is to provide higher education and training for military and civilian personnel of the Department of National Defence. Civilians who are Canadian citizens are eligible to attend RMC as graduate students without joining the military. RMC is one of the very few bilingual Canadian universities and is the only one in which undergraduate students can take all courses in the official language of their choice, English or French. Graduate courses may be given in English or French and all theses for master's or doctoral degrees may be written in English or French.

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at RMC offers research thesis programs leading to the degrees of master of applied science (MASc), master of science (MSc) and doctor of philosophy (PhD). These degrees feature three specialty fields: chemical and materials science and engineering, environmental science and engineering, and nuclear science and engineering. Research work is carried out by 24 faculty, 10 technicians and about 200 academic support staff. These professionals represent a variety of disciplines: chemical, materials and metallurgical engineering, chemistry, nuclear engineering, environmental science and engineering, biochemistry, biomedical engineering and medicine. Their expertise represents a unique blend of interdisciplinary cooperation rarely witnessed in most universities.

The MASc and MSc programs require the completion of at least five one-term courses to supplement the thesis. The thesis consists of a research project intended to help students expand their knowledge of the field, develop independent inquiry and gain experience in writing a definitive treatise. The department also offers a non-thesis program leading to a master of engineering (MEng), which consists of eight one-term courses, plus a project in the subject areas noted above.

At least 12 months of full-time study, which comprise the residence period, are required to complete a master's program.

The PhD program requires completion of at least eight one-term courses beyond the baccalaureate level or a minimum of four approved one-term courses beyond the master's level. A doctoral thesis is required and must not only embody the results of original investigation conducted by the student on an approved topic of research, but also constitute a significant contribution to existing knowledge in the field. At least 24 months of full-time study, which comprise the residence period, are required to complete the PhD degree. Normally about three years and six months are required to complete the PhD beyond the master's level.