IX. Graduate Programs
Biomedical Sciences
MSc Program
Students may focus their MSc degree in one of the three major fields: Reproductive Biology, Developmental, Cell and Tissue Morphology, and Biomedical Toxicology/Pharmacology. There are two streams to the MSc program, a thesis stream and a course work/research project stream. The research project in either stream may involve: molecular, cellular or developmental aspects of tissue or animal differentiation and growth, physiological, morphological or biomechanical investigations of normal function or disease processes in a variety of organs and tissues, or pharmacological mechanisms related to therapy and drug toxicity.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have an Honours baccalaureate degree in the Biological Sciences or a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (or the equivalent) with a minimum 'B+' standing in the final two years of study. Letters of reference from two individuals who can adequately evaluate the academic and research capabilities of the applicant must be provided with the application. In addition, a short statement of the applicant's research interests and career goals, is required to assist in the selection of faculty advisors. Students may be admitted into the Fall, Winter or Summer semester. Provisional acceptance may be granted to students who do not meet this 'B+' standard if there is additional evidence that the applicant is capable of successfully completing the graduate program (e.g., outstanding letters of recommendation, or evidence of prior relevant work or research experience). Transfer to regular status will normally be recommended when the student obtains a minimum grade of ‘A-’ in their first two graduate course and displays current research ability to his/her advisory committee. These courses will be credited to the degree program.
Degree Requirements
MSc by Thesis
Students must obtain at least an overall weighted average of 'B-' in prescribed courses. The number of graduate course credits prescribed will not be fewer than 1.5 credits. Prescribed and additional courses are selected by the student in consultation with the student's advisory committee. The courses selected will depend on the student's prior experience and the nature of the research project. The student must also prepare and defend an acceptable thesis and meet the Department’s minimum scientific communication requirement. The minimum scientific communication requirement is one conference presentation (oral or poster) at a suitable Regional, National or International scientific conference. If this requirement has not been achieved, written justification must be provided to the Department of Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Committee outlining the reasons why these requirements have not been achieved. The Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program Committee will provide a written response outlining the decision of the Graduate Program Committee to either grant or reject the request that the defence proceed even though the minimum scientific communication requirement has not been completed. All students are required to present two departmental seminars during their program. The thesis research proposal, developed by the student in consultation with the advisor, must receive approval from the supervisory committee no later than the end of the second semester of the program. The program is completed by the successful oral defence of a written thesis.
MSc by Course Work/Research Project
Students must obtain at least an overall weighted average of 'B-' in prescribed courses. The number of course credits prescribed will not be fewer than 4.0 credits with BIOM*6900 being a required course (the 1.0 credit for BIOM*6900 is included in the total required credits of 4.0). The courses selected will depend on the student's prior experience and the nature of the research project. All students are required to present one departmental seminar as a component of BIOM*6900 . The program is completed when the written research report for BIOM*6900 is deemed appropriate by the Student’s Supervisory Committee.