Master of Bioinformatics

Students entering the program will have completed an Honours Bachelor’s degree with a minimum admission average of B (75% and higher) in the last two years of full-time equivalent study in a life sciences-related discipline, including, but not limited to:

• Biology
• Molecular biology and genetics 
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical sciences
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Food science
• Agriculture
• Nutrition

Additionally, all applicants must have taken at least one prior university course in genetics or molecular biology and at least one university course in statistics or biostatistics.

Students from undergraduate programs in the physical or computational sciences will be considered for admission if they are considered to have sufficient biological background.

Applicants whose first language is not English require a minimum TOEFL score of 93 with a minimum score of 22 in each of the four categories, or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of at least 6.5 in each component. For the DuoLingo English Test, applicants must achieve a minimum of 120 in each of the four categories, and a minimum total of 130. For applicants who speak English as a second or additional language, you may request consideration for a waiver of the English language requirement once you have submitted your application if you have successfully completed a Bachelor's or Master's university degree in English from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and/or the United Kingdom. Please email bioinformatics@uoguelph.ca for more information. In all other situations, an English proficiency test score is required with your application.

The next program intake is September 2025. The application is expected to open in October 2024.

Students must apply for the M.Binf. program through the Office of Graduate Studies at the University of Guelph

All applicants should include a statement of research intent with their application.

Please note that once an application is submitted for a specific program, it cannot be switched to one of the other programs. The applicant will have to re-apply to the other program and therefore pay the application fee again. Thus, it is important to ensure that the correct program was selected.

M.Binf. applicants do not need to identify a BINF*6999 project advisor prior to applying.

This program runs for three semesters from September to August. Students are required to complete a total of six courses (3.00 credits) in the first two semesters and conclude with a research project (1.00 credits) in the third semester, with the option to extend the project into the fourth semester. 

Semester Breakdown

Semester 1 (Fall)

• BINF*6210 Software Tools for Biological Data Analysis and Organization (0.50 credits)
• BINF*6890 Topics in Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• Elective (see list of approved courses, BINF*6410 is highly recommended) (0.50 credits)

Semester 2 (Winter)

• BINF*6110 Genomic Methods for Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• BINF*6970 Statistical Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• Elective (see list of approved courses) (0.50 credits)

Semester 3 (Summer)

• BINF*6999 Bioinformatics Master’s Project (1.00 credits)

Semester 4 – Optional (Fall)

• BINF*6999 Bioinformatics Master’s Project – Extension with possible stipend (1.00 credits)

Applications to the program completed by the first deadline are considered for the Dan Ashlock Memorial Scholarship in Bioinformatics, promoting excellence in the M.Binf. program. Other scholarships and bursaries are available from the University, which can be searched for here. For some scholarships and bursaries, you are automatically considered and do not need to apply. Other scholarships and bursaries require a separate application. Please read over the description for each one you are interested in.

Additionally, for M.Binf. students approved to extend to a 4th semester, financial support in the form of a stipend or potential GTA opportunity will be provided.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) are open to all graduate students, including M.Binf. students. GTA positions are not guaranteed to M.Binf. students, but students can apply. To view the postings and apply, please visit Available TA and GSA-1 Work Assignments.

Graduate students who have financial need may be eligible to apply to the Work Study program, which can provide a wide range of part-time work experiences on campus.

For information about tuition and fees for the M.Binf. program, please see the Cost of Tuition/Living webpage.

A detailed breakdown of semester fees can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Is there an application deadline for the M.Binf. program?

Yes. Applications are due by the last day of February each calendar year, for entrance into the program in September of the same year. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis; for consideration, email bioinformatics@uoguelph.ca.

What documents do I need to submit for my M.Binf. application?

The program requires your OUAC application, unofficial transcripts* and any relevant supporting documents, and two referee assessment forms with your application.  A CV/resume and statement of research interest are required.

*Please do not upload Exam Marksheets; transcripts are required.

My previous degree program is not listed as one of the eligible programs. How can I determine if my previous degree meets the eligibility requirements?

Degree program names and even courses taken vary by institution. The admissions team would be looking for courses in the biological sciences within your transcript, specifically molecular biology and genetics. Additionally, you should have taken at least one statistics course (for credit).

In addition, for international institutions, please refer to the country in the International Credential Guidelines to determine the equivalency of your previous degree.

What is meant by a Statement of Research Intent? 

When applying to M.Binf., you will be prompted to submit a Statement of Research Intent as part of your application package. 

This document can be thought of as a cover letter for the program you wish to apply to. As such, a Statement of Research Intent typically discusses: 

• The area(s) of bioinformatics research you are particularly interested in and your career goals 
• How your academic and other experiences make you a suitable candidate for the Bioinformatics graduate program you are applying for 
• How the Bioinformatics graduate program will help you to achieve your career goals 
• Why you believe this particular graduate program at the University of Guelph is the most ideal for pursuing your career goals. The Statement of Research Intent should be structured as a 500-word short essay.

I received my offer letter for the M.Binf. program, why does it say the "expected completion period of program" is 6 semesters?

Six semesters is the overall program duration at the university across all Master's programs, so that language is standard in all letters. The M.Binf. program is designed to be completed in 3 or 4 semesters.

I have accepted my offer in WebAdvisor. How do I register, select courses, pay tuition, etc.?

Please see the Schedule of Dates in the Graduate Calendar to see when course selection opens/ends. The Registration Guideline will guide you through the registration process.

I have accepted my offer in WebAdvisor. Where do I send my final transcripts? Do they have to be submitted before I can register and begin classes?

Official and final transcripts may be submitted to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) before the 14th class day of the Fall semester. Please see the Schedule of Dates for academic deadlines. Students who do not submit their final transcript in time will be required to defer their application to the following year. Please do not upload Exam Marksheets; transcripts are required.

When can I start the M.Binf. program?

Students can only start the M.Binf. program in September each calendar year.

Will I be funded during my M.Binf. degree?

No, M.Binf. students do not receive a minimum stipend.

Will I have the opportunity to apply for graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) during my M.Binf. degree?

The Bioinformatics program itself has no teaching assistantships available to students. However, it is a campus-wide policy that any student enrolled in a graduate program at Guelph can apply for a GTA; however, there is no guarantee that you will receive a GTA. For a complete list of GTA positions available on campus, please go to: Available TA Positions.

Am I eligible for scholarships and awards?

There are a number of graduate awards available at the University of Guelph. For a complete list of these awards, please visit Graduate Award Search.

Do I need to find an advisor before applying to the M.Binf. program?

No, you are not required to secure an advisor prior to applying to the M.Binf. program. In fact, we actively discourage you from securing an advisor before you begin the program.

Will I have a faculty advisor during my M.Binf. program?

Yes. In fact, each student in M.Binf. program will have two faculty advisors for their independent research project course (BINF*6999). One faculty member will typically have a “life sciences” background, while the other faculty member will typically have a “computational/statistical” background.

During the first semester of the program, students will be provided with a list of faculty who have expressed interest supervising a M.Binf. student by submitting a research project proposal to the BINF*6999 course instructor. Students will then need to interact independently with these faculty members. Once a M.Binf. student has secured the first faculty advisor, the second faculty advisor will be identified with the help of the first faculty advisor.

When do I need to secure my faculty advisors in the M.Binf. program?

Students will begin to interact with faculty members towards the end of the first semester or beginning of the second semester. Students will have finalized who their faculty advisors are by January 31st of each calendar year.

Do I have to take courses during my M.Binf. degree?

Yes, you will be required to take courses. Students are required to take a minimum of 4.0 course credits, which must include BINF*6110, BINF*6210, BINF*6890, BINF*6970, and BINF*6999. The student has many options available for the additional credits required.

Can I be paid by my faculty advisors for work that I do in my BINF*6999 independent research project?

No, students may not receive funding from their advisors or any other faculty member in support of the research they are carrying out as part of BINF*6999 course.

Can I extend my BINF*6999 into a fourth semester of the M.Binf. program?

Yes, this is possible. Some students, in agreement with their faculty advisors, may decide that the scope of their independent research project can be extended into a 4th semester of the M.Binf. program (the BINF*6999 course would then be two semesters long instead of one semester long). Details regarding extending BINF*6999 will be provided to students by the course instructor.

Can I work part-time during the M.Binf. program?

Yes, you are free to work part-time during the M.Binf. program. There are lab jobs available on campus that may enhance and complement your experiences in the M.Binf. program. However, you are not allowed to be paid for any work related to the BINF*6999 course.

Can I work full-time during the M.Binf. program?

It is strongly discouraged to attempt to work full-time while completing the M.Binf. program, as it is a full-time graduate program. Students who would like to pursue graduate studies part-time may wish to consider the M.Sc. in Bioinformatics. Note that a stipend may not be provided for part-time M.Sc. students.