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Master of Medical Foundations

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  2. Programs

Degree

  • MMF (Master of Medical Foundations)

Program Type

  • Coursework

Delivery

  • On-campus

Entry Terms & Deadlines

  • Domestic:

    • Summer (May): March 1 Program starts in June

  • International:

    • Summer (May): February 1 Program starts in June

Duration

  • Full Time: 12 months

Admission Average

B- (70% - 72%)**Additional Requirements
Program Structure

Launch your career in medicine and the allied health professions.

The Master of Medical Foundations (MMF) is an 11-month, course-based graduate program providing both theoretical and practical training in human anatomy, multisystem physiology, and disease and immunology, with a focus on the role of lifestyle medicine and social dimensions of health and wellbeing.

The MMF will provide you with unique hands-on learning experiences working with human body donors in the on-campus Human Anatomy Laboratory, complemented by interactive seminars and applied learning in physiology and immunology. You'll engage in problem-based learning, including through clinical case studies, simulations, and evidence-based research.

The program builds strong scientific and technical skills, while also providing a deep understanding of the social, economic, cultural and behavioural factors impacting human health. Lifestyle medicine and the social determinants of health are integrated throughout the MMF program, equipping graduates to take a holistic, compassionate, and human-centred approach into their future careers.

Inspired by Medical School Curriculum

The Master of Medical Foundations explores human health as a whole, integrating anatomy and physiology to understand how body structure and function interact in both health and disease. You'll delve into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of disease and participate in problem-based learning mimicking clinical scenarios.

Hands-on Anatomy Training

Through prosections, small-group and inquiry-based learning, you’ll learn directly from human body donors about anatomical structures, from the skeleton to the central nervous system, and apply your knowledge to clinical scenarios of injury, aging and disease.

Prepare for Your Future

The Master of Medical Foundation provides the knowledge and technical skills to either launch your career or pursue further studies through professional and graduate programs. With career-focused opportunities, including optional MCAT and allied health professional school application and interview preparation, you’ll have the confidence to pursue your academic or professional goals.

Student holding a skeleton hand

Degree Details

The Master of Medical Foundations is a three-semester (11-month) hands-on, course-based master’s program. Classes begin every year at the start of June and run until the following April.

In the summer semester, students complete two courses focused on human anatomy and physiology (2.0 credits total). In the fall, students study mechanisms of disease (1.0 credit). In the winter, students focus on lifestyle medicine, and infection and immunity (1.0 credit).

Course Descriptions

This lab-intensive course examines the relationships and organization of the human skeleton, limbs, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, perineum, head, neck, and central nervous system. Students study anatomical structures from deep to superficial and trace their routes from proximal to distal, exploring pathways and connections of blood vessels and nerves. Utilizing prosections, students gain fundamental knowledge to examine medical-based scenarios of injury, aging, and disease, understanding the consequences in structure and function of the human body.

This course provides students with a robust understanding of key body systems and physiological concepts. Designed to challenge and stimulate interest in how the integrated function of systems is necessary for whole body function, this course covers neurological, cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, renal, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems. Students engage with their peers in problem-based learning to discuss and find solutions to various clinical case studies of disease, injury, and aging, and to link these to social determinants of health.

This graduate course provides an integrative understanding of the cellular, molecular, immunological, and systemic mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of major human diseases. Students explore how genetic, environmental, and social determinants converge to produce disease, and how this knowledge informs treatment strategies. Topics include inflammation, infection, cancer, metabolic disease, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular dysfunction, and immune-mediated disorders. A significant course component involves a group-based, problem-solving project simulating real-world disease investigation and intervention planning.

This course explores the evidence and principles that support the use of a Lifestyle Medicine approach to preserve and recover human health. Students learn about the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine (sleep, nutrition, movement, social connection, stress reduction, avoidance of harmful substances) and apply this knowledge to clinical contexts. This course encourages collaboration and a community of practice among students to discuss socio-economic factors that influence the adoption of Lifestyle Medicine practices.

This course provides an advanced understanding of immune system function and the molecular interactions between hosts and infectious pathogens. Students explore the major arms of the immune system and mechanisms by which bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites evade or manipulate host immunity. Applied topics include immunopathology, vaccine platforms, monoclonal antibody design, and host-directed therapeutics. Emphasis is placed on foundational knowledge relevant to medicine and public health, especially in the context of pandemics and immune-based interventions.

Top 150 in the World
for Life Sciences (Times Higher Education 2026)
#1 in Total Research Dollars
in Canada for a Comprehensive University (Maclean’s)
Top 20% in the World
For Biological Sciences (QS Top Universities 2026)
Top 200 in the World
for Anatomy and Physiology (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026)
A researcher pours from a beaker

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

More than 40 faculty members in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, part of the College of Biological Science, direct multidisciplinary research programs that address novel biological questions on molecular and cellular scales. Research in the department spans a range of important eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems, and addresses fundamental and applied research problems. Faculty strengths include biochemistry, cell biology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics, plant biology, neuroscience, and vaccinology.

Dr. Jamie Burr and two students with an ultrasound machine

Department of Human Health Sciences

The Department of Human Health Sciences, part of the College of Biological Science, has more than 25 faculty members specializing in a variety of research areas. These efforts are focused on understanding the basic underlying biological aspects of health, at the level of the individual, not community or populations. Research efforts are underway to better understand aging, neurological/sensory disorders, osteoarthritis, and chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and type II diabetes, among many other topics.

Paramedic in the Human Anatomy Lab

Human Anatomy

The Human Anatomy Laboratory, part of the College of Biological Science, has been preparing students for careers in medicine, health care and research since 1968. Through lectures, small-group learning and full-dissection labs, students learn about the organization and relationship of anatomical structures directly from whole-body donors. Every spring, donors are honoured at the Celebration of Life and Learning event, where students express their gratitude and share what they have learned through their experiences in the lab.

Beyond for-credit courses, the laboratory is also regularly opened to community partners, offering educational sessions to emergency room doctors, firefighters, paramedics, massage therapists and more.

Student takes a fingerprick for a blood glucose test

Career Paths

The Master of Medical Foundation provides a distinct advantage to prospective medical students, as well as training for a wide variety of careers in the allied health professions, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment development and sales, and medical insurance, among others. The program also supports applications to other professional schools, including dentistry and optometry, or advanced studies in the biomedical and health science fields.

MMF graduates may find careers as:

  • Medical doctors
  • Biotechnologists
  • Dentists
  • Epidemiologists
  • Laboratory technologists
  • Occupational therapist
  • Optometrists
  • Outreach workers
  • Pharmaceutical salespeople
  • Physiotherapists
  • Physician assistants
  • Research technicians

Hear from MMF Graduates

Iryna Rudiuk

The MMF program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic journey. What makes it unique is the way it brings learning to life, allowing concepts from different disciplines to come together in meaningful and unexpected ways. There were countless moments when content suddenly clicked, transforming abstract knowledge into genuine understanding. The hands-on dissections made learning feel tangible and brought the material beyond the classroom, with every week offering a new perspective and a greater appreciation for the complexity of the human body. Just as memorable, though, were the people. The strong sense of community fostered an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and support came naturally, making even the most challenging moments enjoyable.

Iryna Rudiuk, Graduate StudentMMF Student ('27)
Gabriel Kim

The MMF program has been a wonderful experience for me. The profs are super friendly and supportive of our learning, and despite the high workload, I have had a total blast! Having the opportunity to integrate the content we have learned through a clinical lens during our ICAP sessions and on our donors has been nothing short of transformative. The anatomy lab is a definite highlight. With aspirations for a future career in healthcare, I believe this program has done an amazing job providing me with a healthy foundation of knowledge to succeed.
Gabriel Kim, Graduate StudentMMF Student ('27)
A photo of Danielle Bentley

Meet the MMF Program Director

Dr. Danielle Bentley bridges the gap between clinical research and evidence-based education to prepare the next generation of health professionals. Her approach ensures that every student — whether pursuing medicine, allied health, or advanced graduate studies — gains a deep, clinically applicable understanding of human structure and function. Under her leadership, you aren't just studying anatomy, you are building a vocationally relevant foundation for a successful career across the health sciences. Learn more about Dr. Bentley.

Admission Details

To be admitted into this program, students must have successfully completed a bachelor/baccalaureate of science in an honours program or the equivalent from a recognized university in any field. The minimum average for admissions is B- in the last two years of full-time equivalent study. If the students’ first language is not English, they will be required to submit an acceptable result from one of the approved standardized English language tests. Minimum acceptable test scores are as follows:

  • For TOEFL, a minimum score of 93, with a minimum score of 22 in each of the four categories
  • For IELTS, a minimum score of 7.0, with a minimum of 6.5 in each component
  • For Duolingo, a minimum overall score of 130, with a minimum score of 120 in each of the four categories

Language test exemptions will be granted students with degrees completed in English from a university in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and/or the United Kingdom. Please note that these test score requirements are higher than the general university requirements. We cannot accept applicants with test scores lower than the minima stated above.

Prospective students will apply to the MMF program via OUAC, where information about previous academic progress will be collected, as well as the contact information for two academic referees. An application fee will also be paid. (Note, the Statement of Intent field in the OUAC application does not need to be filled in.)

Following this, prospective students will use the University of Guelph’s WebAdvisor platform to submit additional file requirements, including transcripts and a Personal Reflection (250 words). Your application will not be considered completed unless all required documents are uploaded.

Program seats are limited. As such, we encourage prospective students to submit complete applications by the posted annual deadline to ensure the application is given full consideration. This includes both OUAC and WebAdvisor components.

All applications are now closed, but will open in fall 2026.

Personal Reflection Prompt

The MMF program will prepare you to successfully enter the field of healthcare with strong foundational knowledge in human health sciences and applicable hands-on experiences. We are looking for applicants who have thoughtfully considered the unique impact the MMF program will have on their future careers.

Using your own authentic voice, tell us about your future career aspirations, the significant experiences that led to these aspirations, and how the MMF program will contribute to your success. We are not looking for a “perfect” or overly polished submission; we want an honest reflection that helps us learn more about who you are.

Your reflection should be written in the first person, up to 250 words. You will be asked to upload the file (.doc or .pdf) through the University of Guelph’s WebAdvisor platform after you submit your OUAC program application. The application will ask for an “Supplemental Document” — this Personal Reflection is the additional file that is expected.

Domestic tuition is $25,000 (plus fees), or $8,333.33 per semester. Domestic students are eligible for OSAP. Annual tuition for international students is set at $39,400 (plus fees) or $13,133.33 per semester. Visit the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Cost of Tuition page for details.

Student on a stationary bike

Contact Us

Dr. Danielle Bentley, MMF Program Director
danielle.bentley@uoguelph.ca

Abiran Sritharan, MMF Program Coordinator
asrithar@uoguelph.ca
519-824-4120 x52302

Mira Jashari, Graduate Program Assistant
fjashari@uoguelph.ca

Karen White, Graduate Admissions Assistant
519-824-4120 ext. 52730
cbsgrad@uoguelph.ca