Chemical Engineering

Contact Us

Phone
(514) 340-4711 ext. 3262

Fax
(514) 340-4159

Office
A-571, Main Building

Email us

COVID-19 INFORMATION FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERING STUDENTS

The Department of Chemical Engineering wants to ensure that its community remains well informed during the summer and fall semesters, which are being held online and are taking place in a constantly changing environment due to the global pandemic of Covid-19.

For any information about the start of the school year at Polytechnique, internships, online evaluations, access to the buildings, etc., please visit the new Polyvirtuel website (available in English soon).

For any specific questions related to chemical engineering, especially in relation to the various initiatives that will be developed to support you during this period or access to research laboratories, this information page is for you.

Don't forget to check your emails regularly, and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

If you are experiencing psychological distress, please contact the Student Health Assistance Program support service, available to all students at Polytechnique Montréal, by calling toll-free 1-833-202-4570 (service offered 24/7). A professional will answer you directly.

Due to the current situation in relation to COVID-19, student service offices are not accessible. However, you can contact advisors by email at sep-reussite@polymtl.ca.

If you have any questions, please contact us via our Facebook page or contact your teachers or program manager directly.

The Academic support virtual office (BUreau Virtuel d’Accompagnement ACadémique (BUVAAC)) for baccalaureate students is open from Monday August 31st to Wednesday December 9th 2020. Here are the time slots (closed from October 12 to 16 - school break).

Monday from 9am to 12pm
Tuesday from 9am to 12pm
Wednesday from 13pm to 16pm
Thursday from 13pm to 16pm
Friday from 9am to 12pm

Access BUVAAC

Polyvirtuel : your reference for the fall trimester at Polytechnique Montréal

The Polyvirtuel page is there to support and help you. You'll find the answers to your questions on topics such as:

  • The return to school
  • What will happen during the fall semester and how evaluations will be conducted
  • Looking for an internship during a pandemic
  • Bursaries and financial aid
  • Help for students with special needs
  • International exchange programs
  • Accessing Polytechnique and the different services
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) from chemical engineering students

Please note that several answers to our Frequently Asked Questions are informed by the chemical engineering department’s perception of the situation. The answers therefore apply to GCH courses and activities only and will not necessarily be valid for courses given by other departments. We advise you to contact the teachers of these courses directly if you have any questions, or to consult the Polyvirtuel website.

*** Last updated : June 5, 2020 ***

Fall semester

How will the fall semester take place?

The fall semester will be held online. For more information on this subject, please consult the Polyvirtuel website.

How will students who have gone back to their native countries be able to follow their courses?

For more information about the fall semester, please consult the Polyvirtuel website.

What happens if I get the virus and have to miss classes or an exam because of it?

For all the information about the procedures to follow if you catch Covid-19 or if you have to quarantine yourself, please consult the Polyvirtuel website.

ANXIETY REGARDING THE CURRENT SITUATION AND YOUR WORKING ENVIRONMENT

I’m afraid I will have trouble concentrating when studying at home because my environment is not conducive to study. What can I do?

We are aware that this is an exceptional situation which will require adaptation. To help you, we have compiled a series of resources to help you study better online.

If you are experiencing psychological distress, please contact the Student Health Assistance Program support service, available to all students at Polytechnique Montréal, by calling toll-free 1-833-202-4570 (service offered 24/7). A professional will answer you directly.

Due to the current situation in relation to COVID-19, student service offices are not accessible. However, you can contact advisors by email at sep-reussite@polymtl.ca.

For any emergency, please contact 911.

How can I manage school stress in addition to the current situation?

If you are experiencing psychological distress, please contact the Student Health Assistance Program support service, available to all students at Polytechnique Montréal, by calling toll-free 1-833-202-4570 (service offered 24/7). A professional will answer you directly.

Due to the current situation in relation to COVID-19, student service offices are not accessible. However, you can contact advisors by email at sep-reussite@polymtl.ca.

For any emergency, please contact 911.

ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND SOFTWARE

How can we access the library’s various resources, such as reference books?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for all the information regarding access to library resources.

How can we access software such as Hysys, Matlab and Visio?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for all the information about access to different resources and computer labs. Your course coordinators will contact you at the beginning of the semester to let you know about access to specific programs.

How can I buy my books or school supplies at Coopoly?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for any questions about access to the Coopoly bookstore.

LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS, PRACTICAL WORK and GROUP WORK

How will we be able to do the experiments required in our courses in the fall semester?

Course coordinators will contact you to give you more information about experiments and access to laboratories.

How can we do our group work remotely?

For some courses, a discussion forum will be available on Moodle to facilitate communications and exchanges. There are also several free applications for online chat, such as Zoom, Skype, Messenger, WhatsApp, Slack, etc. You can also use Google Docs to work on a common document. We suggest that you experiment with several tools and use the ones that best suit your needs. Polytechnique also offers access to Webex Team and Webex meeting.

I am a graduate student, when will I have access to the labs to continue my research?

Chemical engineering laboratories will be open from June 8, 2020, according to a pre-established schedule that you will have to follow.  Please visit the "Access to Research Laboratories" section of this web page for more information on the procedures required to access the laboratories.

ACCESS TO TEACHERS AND TEACHER ASSISTANTS

Will it be possible to speak to teachers and / or lecturers by phone or other application (e.g. Skype) for more complex discussions or questions?

Each professor will specify their communication methods, but in general, it will be possible to communicate with your teachers via Zoom or another application.

STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Will students who are normally entitled to SEP accommodations for their assessments still benefit from these?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for more information.

INTERNSHIPS

Is there still time to find a summer internship?

The deadline for registering for an internship has been extended from May 31 to June 30, 2020. For more information on finding internships during a pandemic, please visit La Boussole, the newest tool created by the Internship and Jobs Service.

Contact your internship coordinator by email if your employer decides to cancel your internship. They will take over to discuss and think with your employer about the best solution to consider in the current environment.

I haven’t found a summer internship yet, and I’m concerned about what is happening with the industry at the moment. What should I do?

The deadline for registering for an internship has been extended from May 31 to June 30, 2020. For more information on finding internships during a pandemic, please visit La Boussole, the newest tool created by the Internship and Jobs Service.

I plan to do an internship in the fall, what should I do?

The recruitment period for fall internships has begun. For more information on the search for internships during a pandemic, please visit La Boussole, the newest tool created by the Internship and Jobs Service. If you have any questions, please contact a coordinator in the Internship and Jobs Service.

If I can’t do my internship this summer, but need it to complete my studies, what are my options?

Visit the Internship and Jobs Service website or contact the internship coordinators who can help you choose the best option.

GRADUATING STUDENTS

What are the new situation’s impacts for students graduating this semester?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for information on activities for graduates.

Will I still be able to receive my ring and my diploma?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for information on activities for graduates.

GRADUATE STUDIES

What happens with the presentation of my master's thesis, the defence of my doctoral thesis or the oral part of my comprehensive exam that was scheduled for the summer or fall semester?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for more information. If you have any questions, you can also contact Brigitte Langevin, the students officer, at brigitte.langevin@polymtl.ca.
 
When can we resume research activities in the laboratories?

Chemical engineering laboratories will be open from June 8, 2020, according to a pre-established schedule that you will have to follow.  Please visit the "Access to Research Labs" section of this web page for more information on the procedures required to access the laboratories.

My research is delayed because I haven't had access to laboratories for months. Will I be able to postpone my thesis’s submission?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for more information. If you have any questions, you can also contact Brigitte Langevin, the students officer, at brigitte.langevin@polymtl.ca.

Who should I contact if I have questions about my graduate studies?

You can contact Brigitte Langevin by email at brigitte.langevin@polymtl.ca

MISCELLANEOUS

What happens if I get the virus and have to miss classes or an exam because of it?

For all the information about the procedures to follow if you catch Covid-19 or if you have to quarantine yourself, please consult the Polyvirtuel website.

Can I go retrieve my personal items from my locker at Polytechnique Montréal?

Please visit the Polyvirtuel website for more information on access to Polytechnique.

Access to research laboratories

The Department of Chemical Engineering will be re-starting its research activities at the Pavillon principal from Monday, June 8, 2020.

The department will be using the online software TeamUP to manage work schedule that has been put together from the action plans transmitted by professors. For more information on the work schedule, please contact your thesis advisor.

We ask you to respect the work schedule. If you have scheduling conflicts or are not available at your assigned time, please notify your thesis advisor.

Procedures for accessing laboratories:

  • All users will have to report to the main office of the Department of Chemical Engineering
  • We will check that you have completed the School's mandatory training (available here in English and French)
  • You will receive your protective equipment (disposable masks or reusable masks)
  • You will be given a brief reminder of the health and safety instructions
  • A colour lanyard corresponding to your work area will be provided
  • You will then be escorted first to your office to drop off your belongings, if necessary, then to your lab by a member of staff
  • You will not be able to return to your office without being accompanied by a staff member, and you will not be able to make use of your office until further notice
  • You are asked to limit your attendance to the laboratory to which you have been assigned
  • You can't transit between different zones
  • At the end of your shift, a staff member will pick you up from the lab, making sure that you have completed your cleaning procedure, will go with you to your office if necessary and will collect your colour lanyard
  • Your lab coat should either be left in the laboratory (if proper facilities exist for storage), or brought home in a closed bag until the next shift. The coats cannot be left in offices.

Compliance with attendance schedules, health and NESS guidelines issued by the School and the department is of the upmost importance. Therefore, any user (student, PDF, staff member) who does not comply with the instructions will be given a single warning, verbal or written. A second offence will automatically lead to exclusion from the laboratories for a period that will be at the sole discretion of the department's director, Mr. Louis Fradette. These guidelines are put in place to ensure that, in the event that an individual becomes infected with Covid-19, we are not forced to cease all research activities in the department again.

It goes without saying that the dress code in force at the department's laboratories remains current (e.g. no shorts, sandals, skirts in the laboratory).

If you have any questions or comments, please pass them on to deconfinement.gch@gmail.com.

Comité Vigilance

The Comité Vigilance and its members remain available to answer your questions and to discuss with you if necessary. We remind you that there are people you can contact in each year. Of course, you are always free and invited to contact the person of your choice. The Comité Vigilance Moodle website is also available with a detailed FAQ section.

Committee leader : Louise Deschênes (louise.deschesne@polymtl.ca)

Contacts :
Year 1 : Nick Virgilio (nick.virgilio@polymtl.ca)
Year 2 : Patrice Farand (patrice.farand@polymtl.ca)
Year 3 : Olivier Henry (olivier.henry@polymtl.ca)
Year 4 : Jason R. Tavares (jason.tavares@polymtl.ca)

For graduate students, the contact is:
Marie-Claude Heuzey (marie-claude.heuzey@polymtl.ca)

You can also contact the following students, who are part of the comittee:

Information on student internships

It’s not easy to look for a job or an internship at this particular time. With La Boussole, Polytechnique Montreal's Internship and Employment Service (SSE) offers you a 5-step method, tailored to the current situation. This tool will help you determine which aspects of your research are in good shape and which need to be improved. No matter where you are, here's a "tailor-made" tool to guide you!

Resources to help you study online

Advice and guidance to help you study online

We know that adapting to online courses, which will start next week, will be difficult for some students. Here are some sites that offer advice to help you prepare:

Useful "how to"

Here are also some "how to" that might help you (in French only):

How to add a video to Google Drive
How to add a video to YouTube

Software and applications to help you study and work better online

Applications

Software:

         You must create an account for free.
 

STUDENTS’ RESIDENCES INFORMATION

If you have any concerns or questions regarding your situation, you can contact the Polytechnique Student Service at sep-consultation@polymtl.ca, who will help you through this situation.