Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS)
About the Program
The MBS is a one-year coursework-based graduate program that may include a major research project, literature review or a skills-based practicum. The MBS program is designed to provide students with graduate training over a shorter duration compared to the MSc program and without the requirement of a full written thesis. Students entering the MBS program are often unsure of their desire to complete a thesis-based graduate degree or are upgrading their academic standing to increase their competitiveness for professional programs. For MBS students who gain or affirm an interest in academic research, there may be an opportunity to transfer into the MSc program before their third semester and earn a thesis-based MSc graduate degree.
Please note: In addition to the regular academic research-based MBS program, students may enroll within the specialized MBS program options of Reproductive Biotechnologies or Biomedical Toxicology and Pharmacology. Information regarding these MBS program options & admission requirements may be found by following the buttons on the right side of this page.
Application Process
Faculty Advisors:
While a faculty advisor is not necessary for the skills-based option, having a faculty advisor is essential for students completing either the literature review or the research project. The faculty advisors may be chosen from the OVC departments of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Studies or Pathobiology (see list of faculty members linked below). It is also possible for MBS students to have a Faculty Advisor from a department outside of OVC, in which case, they are required to have an OVC co-advisor.
List of faculty members within the Ontario Veterinary College
Deadlines:
Note that an advisor must be secured before the application is submitted.
Domestic Students Application Deadlines:
Fall: July 1 Winter: November 1 Summer: March 1
International Student Application Deadlines:
Fall: March 1 Winter: July 1 Summer: November 1
Degree Requirements
- The MBS program requires 4.00 credits of coursework, including completion of a research project or a practicum placement. The program is typically completed in three semesters of full-time study. Research projects are varied in topic and scope and tailored to each student’s area of interest, determined in conjunction with a faculty advisor. Practicum experiences also vary in topic and nature, expose students to real-world applications of their areas of study, and connect them with employers in government agencies, consulting firms, and research organizations.
- Students must obtain at least an overall weighted average of 'B-' in prescribed courses. Prescribed courses comprise at least 4.0 credits. For all MBS students, a prescribed course is BIOM*6900 Research Project in Biomedical Sciences or an applied practicum through BIOM*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences.
- Prescribed courses are selected in consultation with the advisor. All students are required to present a poster seminar as a component of BIOM*6900 Research Project in Biomedical Sciences or BIOM*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences.
- The program is completed when all components of BIOM*6900 Research Project in Biomedical Sciences or BIOM*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences have been approved and the written report is considered satisfactory by the student's Advisory Committee.
- See the current brochure on the OGPS Biomedical Science page.
Contact MBS
Graduate Coordinator: Laura Favetta
Extension: 56212
Email: lfavetta@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Team
Extension: 54743
Email: ovc.biomgrad@uoguelph.ca
To begin the application process or to review additional details, please visit the Graduate Studies website.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences
People
Undergraduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Research
Reproductive Biotechnologies
About the Program
Reproductive Biotechnologies, the applied aspects of reproductive biology, have important economic, societal and medical implications. In human medicine, the application is mainly as a treatment for infertility with over 5 million children born as a result of this technology since the advent of in vitro fertilization in 1977. In livestock species, over half a million embryos are transferred each year. Among these, a rapidly increasing proportion of embryos are produced in vitro. The production of embryos in the laboratory requires considerable manual dexterity, expertise and experience as well as theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills. There are a number of career opportunities associated with reproductive biotechnologies that range from andrologist, embryologist, sales, marketing and product development to regulatory affairs.
Objectives
Provide exposure to various embryo production and related settings as well as hands- on laboratory experience. The programs will consist of laboratory training in bovine in vitro embryo production, courses with focused in reproductive biotechnologies and placement in human IVF clinics.
The program is tailored to students graduated from a bachelor degree with interest in Reproductive Biotechnologies and in working on the reproductive side of the health science field.
A background with some courses in embryology and/or reproductive biology is an asset, but it is NOT mandatory.
Program Components
- 1 year in Masters of Biomedical Sciences program in Reproductive Biotechnologies
- mandatory start in the Fall semester
- 4.0 Course Credits - for MBS requirements visit OGPS Biomedical Science page.
Reproductive Biotechnologies Contact
Laura A. Favetta, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rm.3620
E-mail: lfavetta@uoguelph.ca | Phone: 519-824 4120 ext 56212
Biomedical Toxicology and Pharmacology
About the Program
Master of Biomedical Science (MBS) students may apply to complete their degrees with an applied toxicology focus on theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to drug and chemical safety evaluation and regulation. These students simultaneously register in the MBS program and the collaborative specialization in Toxicology and will receive an MBS + TOX upon graduation.
Recent labour statistics indicate that career opportunities for graduates with training in applied toxicology are high as annual demand for toxicologists consistently outstrips supply. Graduates of the MBS+TOX program will be competitive for employment in:
- chemical, drug, food and consumer product industries
- toxicology consulting firms
- federal and provincial government regulatory departments
- contract research organizations and institutional research centers
Objectives
Students in the MBS+TOX program will develop core competencies required for a career in applied toxicology including knowledge of the regulatory requirements for drug/chemical safety evaluation, toxicology risk assessment including practical elements of toxicity testing, study design evaluation, statistical analysis, data interpretation and report writing. Development of professional skills will also be emphasized including critical thinking, problem solving, effective communication, as well as interpersonal skills including leadership and teamwork.
The MBS+TOX includes required and recommended core courses and optional electives as well practicum placements in government agencies, industries and consulting firms that emphasize application of concepts and skills to solve toxicology-related problems, develop toxicology-based submissions to regulatory agencies and assess toxicological risk.
The program is tailored to students who have graduated with a BSc degree in Toxicology or BSc with several advanced level courses in toxicology and an interest in applied toxicology and associated regulatory aspects.
Program Components
- MBS+TOX students must be registered full-time and complete the 1-year program in the field of Pharmacology and Toxicology with a specialization in Applied Toxicology
- emphasizes experiential conceptual learning with practicum placements
- mandatory start in the Fall semester
- 4.0 Course Credits as per the MBS program
Biomedical Toxicology and Pharmacology Contact
Nuria Daviu, BA, M.Sc, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rm.2608/ Biomed lab 2160
E-mail: ndaviuab@uoguelph.ca / Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 54239
Note: Prior to applying to the MBS + TOX program, interested students should contact Dr. Daviu to discuss their academic background and career interests in toxicology.
Skills-Based MBS
About the Program
The Department of Biomedical Sciences currently offers an MBS in a skills-based practicum placement. The cellular and molecular biology skills that are taught will provide students with practical application and experience in techniques that are commonly used in all areas of biomedical research including:
- Applied Reproductive Biotechnology
- Applied Toxicology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular
- Cancer
- Pharmacology
- Cellular Basis of Health and Disease
Students will also be able to simultaneously registered in one of our collaborative specializations in Neuroscience, Regenerative Medicine or One Health.
Objectives
This program will teach students the techniques and concepts used to study DNA, RNA and proteins. It will help students develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and data acquisition and analysis. Students will learn skills involved with cell culture, immunohistochemistry/histology, microscopy, PCR, Western Blot, care and use of animals (ethics) and basic animal handling. This program is tailored to any student graduating with a bachelor degree in biological science or related field, with little to no lab experience, or those who wish to upgrade their practical knowledge of various molecular biology techniques.
Program Components
- The MBS skills-based stream requires a minimum of 3 semesters (12 months) of study.
- It is expected that students complete the program requirements by the end of the 3 semesters. Students who cannot finish by this time may be allowed to continue in the program if approval is granted by the faculty advisor.
- Students are required to complete a minimum of 4.0 course credits. This includes 3.0 credits of typical classroom graduate courses plus the mandatory 1.0-credit course BIOM*6910. Students must register for BIOM*6910 only during the third/final semester in the program.
- BIOM6910 for the Skills-Based MBS program: This course provides intensive laboratory skills training at the University of Guelph, offering hands-on experience on campus rather than placement in a host agency or organization.
- Students will gain proficiency in a wide range of research methods and laboratory techniques. Instead of completing an independent research project, the focus is on mastering practical skills, without direct involvement in a professor’s research program.
Career Opportunities for Skills-Based MBS Graduates
- Thesis-based graduate program
- Healthcare
- Pharmaceutical research & development
- Medical laboratory technician
- Diagnostic laboratory assistant
Skills-based MBS Contact
Reem Sabry, PhD
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rm.3604
E-mail: sabryr@uoguelph.ca / Phone: 519-824-4120 Ext. 54955
Note: Prior to applying to the skills-based MBS program, interested students should contact Dr. Sabry to discuss their academic background and career interests.
Contact Us
Ontario Veterinary College - (519) 824-4120
Department Chair - Tarek Saleh, x54700, tsaleh@uoguelph.ca
Assistant to the Chair & Faculty - Kim Best, x54918, kbestb@uoguelph.ca
BIOM Major Advising - Kim Best, x54918, kbestb@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Team - x54743, ovc.biomgrad@uoguelph.ca
Operations Manager - Holly Illman, x54911, illmanh@uoguelph.ca
