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Master's program

We offer a highly-regarded 45-credit graduate program leading to the M.Sc. degree that prepares our students for scientific careers in many areas of biochemistry and related sciences.

Completing the M.Sc.

All M.Sc. students are required to complete 45 credits for their degree, including:

36 thesis course credits (see);
complete the three (3) credit Research Seminar course (BIOC 696D1/D2) during the first year of residency, and each of the three Master's Research Project courses during the first three terms of residency. BIOC 696 is graded pass/fail, based on participation. It is the responsibility of all students registered in the Master's program to add these courses during their residency period;
complete a minimum of six (6) complementary course credits. The Graduate Admissions Committee may stipulate additional course work depending on the background of the candidate (e.g. one or both of BIOC 450 and BIOC 454 for students who have not taken equivalent courses in their previous programs). Unless specific courses are stipulated, and after consultation with their research director and the Chair of the Graduate Admissions Committee, students may choose their courses from those offered by Biochemistry, Experimental Medicine, Biology, Chemistry and Physiology as well as other graduate courses in the medical and allied sciences.

Students must submit a thesis acceptable to referees selected by the Department and the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Transfer to Ph.D. (fast tracking)

Fast tracking to a Ph.D. degree is granted to those students who have shown adequate research promise.

Admission to the Ph.D. program for a student currently carrying out M.Sc. studies is formally decided by the Graduate Admissions Committee at the time the Research Seminar I (BIOC 701) is presented, during the M.Sc. 2 year. At that time, the Committee will review the student's complete record, including performance in required courses. As a result of the review, the student will be asked to: