Program Information

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The Department accepts applicants with degrees in biochemistry and related fields such as biology, microbiology, physiology, or chemistry, depending on the research interests of the student and supervisor. Because of this diversity in student background, our MSc and PhD programs aim to provide graduate students with a general background in broad areas of biochemistry and molecular biology as a solid foundation for career development.

A. Thesis Preparation and Defence

Students in our MSc and PhD programs are expected to produce novel research that would be suitable for publication in a respected peer reviewed scientific journal. Research for the thesis is conducted under the guidance of a research supervisor, in whose laboratory the student works. A Thesis Supervisory Committee for each student provides additional expertise and advice to facilitate the research and the preparation of the thesis. The thesis is examined in a public oral defence.

B. Program Requirements

Courses

1.      BIOC 5914 - Scientific Communication in Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

2.      BIOC 5915 - Scientific Inquiry and Experimental Design in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

3.      General Electives – MSc students must take one 3 credit hour elective, but may take more if approved by their supervisory committee. PhD students are not required to take an elective, but may do so if approved by their supervisory committee.

Other

1. Teaching Assistantships: MSc students spend at least one term, and PhD students two terms, as a teaching assistant as part of their training, and are appropriately remunerated.

2. Departmental seminars. All graduate students are expected to attend Departmental seminars. In addition to this, in their second year of study, each student presents a departmental seminar describing and evaluating their own research. PhD students present Departmental seminars describing and evaluating their doctoral research every two years thereafter.

3. The PhD program includes the preparation of a grant proposal, normally in the second term of the third year, on a topic related to, but distinct from, a student's own research. The proposal is pass-fail evaluated by a departmental committee, using written reviews and oral examination.

4. Comprehensive Examination. For PhD students and those wishing to transfer from the MSc program to the PhD program, an oral PhD Comprehensive Examination is used to demonstrate that the student has a thorough understanding of the literature related to the research area, the objectives, the proposed methodology and the theoretical and practical aspects of the areas of biochemistry underlying the thesis research. This evaluation takes place after the student has been in the program for one year.

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