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.

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.