Master of Biomedical Sciences (MBS)

Description: Students complete their course requirements while collaborating with a faculty member on a research project or literature review.

Program Structure: One year (three semesters) with 4.0 credits total (3.0 elective credits + 1.0 BIOM*6900 Research Project in Biomedical Sciences).

Program Start: Students begin the program in the Fall, Winter or Summer semester.

Faculty Advisor: It is essential that students secure a faculty advisor for the MBS Research-Based program option before applying through OUAC.

Further Studies: Students who develop a strong interest in research may transfer into the M.Sc. program to pursue a thesis-based degree with the support of their faculty advisor.

Career Pathways: Preparation for thesis-based graduate studies; careers in health care, pharmaceutical and industry sectors; entry into professional programs including MD, DDS, DVM, RN, RVT and PharmD.

Students pursuing the Research-Based option must identify an advisor before applying through OUAC. Your application will only be considered with a confirmed faculty advisor. Advisors can be chosen from the Ontario Veterinary College's Departments of Biomedical Sciences, Pathobiology and Clinical Studies. Access the faculty list to become familiar with their fields of study and for their contact information.

When contacting faculty members, it is recommended to attach a current CV (resume), transcript and "Statement of Interest" (a one-page letter explaining your academic interests and career goals that motivate you to pursue graduate studies). Contact faculty members early as it will take time for this initial expression of interest to develop into a concrete plan for your studies.

Please ensure that you discuss the following items with your prospective advisor: nature of the project, in-person expectations and elective courses.

Some of the popular fields of study in the MBS program are listed below.

Description: Students complete their course requirements and a laboratory-based practicum where they develop skills, including DNA and RNA analysis, cell culture, microscopy, histology/immunohistochemistry, PCR and Western blotting.

Program Structure: One year (three semesters) with 4.0 credits total (3.0 elective credits + 1.0 BIOM*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences). The BIOM*6910 course provides intensive, hands-on training in the Department of Biomedical Sciences' leading-edge laboratory setting (note: this is not an external practicum placement).

Program Start: Students begin the program in the Fall or Winter semester.

Skills-Based Program Coordinator: Students complete the Skills-Based option under the guidance of Dr. Reem Sabry. Prospective applicants are required to contact Dr. Reem Sabry (sabryr@uoguelph.ca) before applying through OUAC.

Career Pathways: Preparation for thesis-based graduate studies; careers in health care, pharmaceutical and industry sectors; medical or diagnostic laboratory roles.

This field of study emphasizes experiential and conceptual learning through practicum placements that provide hands-on experience in toxicological research and applications.

OUAC Program Code: Biomedical Sciences with Toxicology, Master of Biomedical Science (MBS+TOX)

Program Start: Students are required to begin the program in the Fall semester.

Program Requirements: Students must complete a total of 4.0 credits. This will be a combination of required and elective courses.

Required Courses:

• TOX*6000 Advanced Principles of Toxicology (Summer) [0.5 credits]
• TOX*6200 Advanced Topics in Toxicology (Winter) [0.5 credits] (required only if TOX*4200 was not previously taken)
• TOX*6910 Practicum in Biomedical Sciences (Summer) [1.0 credits]

Recommended Courses:

• BIOM*6490 Introduction to Drug Development W [0.5]
• POPM*6230 Applied Clinical Research W [0.50]
• BIOM*6400 Critical Thinking in Medical Research F [0.5] (only if BIOM*3210 not taken)

Optional Courses:

Note: only 2 senior undergraduate courses can be taken

• BIOM*6800 Gene Expression in Health and Disease W [0.5]
• ENVS*6882*03 Special Topics in Plant and Environmental Health: Introduction to Pesticide Toxicology and Policy [0.5]
• ENVS*6882*02 Special Topics in Plant and Environmental Health: Environmental Toxicology and Risk Assessment [0.5]
• POPM*6350 Safety of Foods of Animal Origins F [0.50]
• POPM*6540 Concepts in Environmental Public Health W [0.50]
• TOX*6590 Biochemical Toxicology F [0.5] (only if TOX*4590 not taken)
• ENVS*4000 Toxicological Risk Assessment W [0.5]
• HHNS*6400 Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals F [0.50]
• NUTR*4510 Toxicology, Nutrition and Food F [0.50]
• BIOM*4300 Biomedical Communications F [0.5]
• TOX*4100 Toxicological Pathology W [0.5]
• TOX*4000 Medical Toxicology F [0.5]
• Other courses are possible with approval from Dr. Nuria Daviu

Contact Information: Students interested in pursuing this Field of Study are required to contact Dr. Nuria Daviu (ndaviuab@uoguelph.ca) before applying through OUAC.

This field of study provides advanced learning in reproductive physiology, developmental biology in human and animal health and hands-on training in assisted reproductive technologies.

OUAC Program Code: Biomedical Sciences, Master of Biomedical Science (MBS)

Program Start: Students are required to begin the program in the Fall semester.

Program Requirements: Students must complete a total of 4.0 credits. This will be a combination of required and elective courses. Students shall NOT secure a supervisor.

Required Courses:

• BIOM*6130 Vertebrate Developmental Biology (Fall) [0.5 credits]
• BIOM*6602 Special Topics in Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology (Fall/Winter) [0.5 credits]
• BIOM*4110 Mammalian Reproductive Biology (Winter) [0.5 credits] (required only if not previously taken)
• BIOM*6900 Research Project in Biomedical Sciences (Summer) [1.0 credits]

Recommended/Optional Courses:

Note: recommended/optional courses are to be discussed with your advisor once accepted into the program.

• BIOM*6110 Research Methods in Biomedical Sciences (Fall) [0.5 credits]
• BIOM*6800 Gene Expression in Health and Disease (Winter) [0.5 credits]
• BIOM*6400 Critical Thinking in Medical Research F [0.5] (only if BIOM*3210 not taken)
• A 4th year undergraduate or graduate level statistics course

Experiential Learning Opportunities:

• In house IVF training using the bovine oocytes/embryos as models
• Up to 1 week placement -this might be extended- in at least two different IVF clinics in the GTA
• Visit to Semex
• Observation of farm animals AI/ovum pick-up performed in the field

Contact Information: An early application deadline is requested for this program option. Students interested in pursuing this Field of Study are required to contact Dr. Laura Favetta (lfavetta@uoguelph.ca) before applying through OUAC.