Chemical Engineering

McMaster University

Chemical and Process Engineering: blue ink subject illustration

Optional co-op. The designation requires at least 12 months of verified work.
Work experience
Optional co-op. The designation requires at least 12 months of verified work.
McMaster Engineering undergraduate co-op rules
87% minimum
Academic minimum
The university publishes a 87% academic minimum, not an entering-average range.
McMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policy

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadlineThursday, November 19, 2026

OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades
2027 entry
School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.
Official deadline

Other deadline details

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry

No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
No single OUAC deadline
University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply

Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked Aug 14, 2026

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites

ENG4UEnglish
MCV4UCalculus and Vectors
SCH4UChemistry
SPH4UPhysics

Complete the OSSD and six Grade 12 U/M courses, including the four named prerequisites. Co-op grades are excluded.
McMaster considers applicants with an average of at least 87% and a completed supplementary application. Selection depends on the applicant pool.

Application steps

Entry terms · Fall 2027

McMaster Engineering I direct choice MEK. Regular and co-op options share this academic track.

Step 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
McMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policyMcMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policy
Step 2Apply through OUAC
- Create your application and select this program.
OUACOUAC
Step 3Academic documents for your applicant category
- Canadian high school applicants outside Ontario upload the requested records to the Applicant Portal. Uploaded records can support initial review; accepted conditional offers require final official transcripts. Current Ontario high school applicants follow the separate instructions rather than sending unrequested records.
McMaster transcripts and documentsMcMaster transcripts and documents
Step 4English test results, if required
- When English proficiency evidence is required, IELTS, TOEFL and other accepted test results must come directly from the testing centre.
McMaster direct submission of language resultsMcMaster direct submission of language results
Step 5Select the Chemical Engineering Track (MEK) when ranking Engineering I options in OUAC.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policyMcMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policy
Step 6Rank up to two tracks in one Engineering application. McMaster considers the alternate only if the preferred track is not offered.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policyMcMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policy
Step 7Complete the Engineering I Kira Talent assessment and submit any required documents for your applicant category.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
McMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policyMcMaster Engineering Fall 2027 entry tracks and ranking policy

Complete the shared Engineering I Kira assessment. The 87% academic minimum is for consideration and does not guarantee an offer.

Applicant pathways

Direct track progression

Students admitted to this Engineering I track

Complete the shared Level I required courses and remain in good academic standing to progress to the corresponding Level II discipline.
The published calendar specifies completion of the 31 core units and a cumulative GPA of at least 4.0 on the 12-point scale.

Degree requirements

Required courses and electives

Engineering I requires 37 units, including 31 core units and 6 approved complementary studies elective units. Complete WHMIS as well.

References

Grades and academic standing

Progressing to Level II requires the 31 core units and a cumulative GPA of at least 4.0 on the 12-point scale.

References

Credits and degree requirements

Students entering Level II follow the calendar in effect in their year of Level II entry.
Engineering & Management requires a separate competitive Level II application and at least 63% in ECON 1B03. Engineering & Society also requires a competitive Level II application.

References

Program facts

Academic minimum

Co-opOptional co-op. The designation requires at least 12 months of verified work.

Check work experience options

Majors & specializations

Polymer Materials and Manufacturing

BEng

Choose from a prescribed list that includes polymer reaction engineering and polymer processing. Advanced Laboratory Skills includes a polymer materials and manufacturing lab.

Published requirements

Courses

Published common Engineering I courses for Fall 2027. The selected discipline begins in Level II.

Engineering I · common first year8 listed

37 units: 31 core units and 6 approved complementary studies elective units. WHMIS is also required.

CHEM 1E03General Chemistry For Engineering I3 credits
Explore bonding, chemical structure, energy and electrochemistry.
ENGINEER 1P13Integrated Cornerstone Design Projects In Engineering13 credits
Work in teams on design projects combining computation, communication and sustainability.
MATH 1ZA3Engineering Mathematics I3 credits
Learn differentiation, optimization and integration with applications.
MATH 1ZB3Engineering Mathematics Ii-A3 credits
Extend calculus into differential equations, series, polar coordinates and partial derivatives.
MATH 1ZC3Engineering Mathematics Ii-B3 credits
Study linear systems, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues and complex numbers.
PHYSICS 1D03Introductory Mechanics3 credits
Study mechanics including Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotation and harmonic motion.
PHYSICS 1E03Waves, Electricity and Magnetic Fields3 credits
Study oscillations, waves, interference, circuits, electric potential and magnetic fields.
WHMIS 1A00Introduction to Health and Safety0 credits
Learn laboratory safety practices and hazardous-materials information procedures.