Master of Bioinformatics

Students entering the program will have completed an honours bachelor’s degree with a minimum admission average of B (75% and higher) in the last two years of full-time equivalent study in a life sciences-related discipline, including, but not limited to:

• Biology
• Molecular biology and genetics
• Biochemistry
• Biomedical sciences
• Biophysics
• Biotechnology
• Microbiology
• Food science
• Agriculture
• Nutrition

Additionally, all applicants must have taken at least one prior university course in genetics or molecular biology and at least one university course in statistics or biostatistics.

Students from undergraduate programs in the physical or computational sciences will be considered for admission if they are considered to have sufficient biological background.

Applicants whose first language is not English require a minimum TOEFL score of 93, with a minimum score of 22 in each of the four categories, or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum of at least 6.5 in each component. For the Duolingo English Test, applicants must achieve a minimum of 120 in each of the four categories, and a minimum total of 130. For applicants who speak English as a second or additional language, you may request consideration for a waiver of the English language requirement once you have submitted your application if you have successfully completed a bachelor's or master's university degree in English from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and/or the United Kingdom.

Please email bioinformatics@uoguelph.ca for more information. In all other situations, an English proficiency test score is required with your application.

Applications for Fall 2026 are now closed.

Applications for Fall 2027 will open in late October. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis beginning in December. International applicants should apply as early as possible due to the processing time of study permits.

Students must apply for the MBINF program through the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

All applicants should include a CV/resume and a statement of intent with their application.

The statement of intent is a chance to show the Admissions Committee your innovativeness and passion for bioinformatics. It should be structured as a short essay of approximately 500 words that includes:

• How your academic and other experiences make you a suitable candidate for the Master of Bioinformatics program.

• How the Bioinformatics graduate program will help you to achieve your career goals

• Why you believe this particular graduate program at the University of Guelph is ideal for pursuing your career goals.

Please note that once an application is submitted for a specific program (e.g., MBINF), it cannot be switched to one of the other programs (e.g, MSc). The applicant will have to re-apply to the other program and therefore pay the application fee again. Thus, it is important to ensure that the correct program was selected.

MBINF applicants do not need to identify a BINF*6999 project advisor prior to applying.

This program runs for three semesters from September to August. Students are required to complete a total of six courses (3.00 credits) in the first two semesters and conclude with a research project (1.00 credits) in the third semester, with the option to extend the project into the fourth semester.

Semester Breakdown

Semester 1 (Fall)

• BINF*6210: Software Tools for Biological Data Analysis and Organization (0.50 credits)
• BINF*6890: Topics in Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• Elective (see list of approved courses, BINF*6410 is highly recommended) (0.50 credits)

Semester 2 (Winter)

• BINF*6110: Genomic Methods for Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• BINF*6970: Statistical Bioinformatics (0.50 credits)
• Elective (see list of approved courses) (0.50 credits)

Semester 3 (Summer)

• BINF*6999: Bioinformatics Master’s Project (1.00 credits)

Semester 4 – Optional (Fall)

• BINF*6999: Bioinformatics Master’s Project – Extension with possible stipend (1.00 credits)

For the course-based master's programs, there are limited scholarships and bursaries available from the University. They can be searched for here or visit the Funding Your Studies page. For some scholarships and bursaries, you are automatically considered and do not need to apply. Other scholarships and bursaries require a separate application. Please read over the description for each one you are interested in.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) are open to all graduate students, including MBINF students. GTA positions are not guaranteed to MBINF students, but students can apply. To view the postings and apply, please visit Available TA and GSA-1 Work Assignments.

Graduate students who have financial need may be eligible to apply to the Work Study program, which can provide a wide range of part-time work experiences on campus.

For information about tuition and fees for the MBINF program, please see the Cost of Tuition/Living webpage.

A detailed breakdown of semester fees can be found on the Student Financial Services website.

Is there an application deadline for the MBINF program?

Yes. The application deadline for the Fall 2027 cohort will be March 31, 2027. International students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting in early January.

What documents do I need to submit for my MBINF application?

The program requires your OUAC application, unofficial transcripts* (for each degree completed) and any relevant supporting documents, as well as two referee assessment forms. A CV/resume and a 500-word statement of interest are also required.

*Please do not upload exam marksheets; transcripts are required.

My previous degree program is not listed as one of the eligible programs. How can I determine if my previous degree meets the eligibility requirements?

Degree program names and even courses taken vary by institution. The admissions team would be looking for courses in the biological sciences within your transcript, specifically molecular biology and genetics. Additionally, you should have taken at least one statistics course (for credit).

In addition, for international institutions, please refer to the country in the International Credential Guidelines to determine the equivalency of your previous degree.

What is meant by a Statement of Intent?

When applying to MBINF, you will be prompted to submit a Statement of Intent as part of your application package.

This document can be thought of as a cover letter for the program you wish to apply to. As such, a Statement of Intent typically includes:

• The area(s) of bioinformatics research you are particularly interested in and your career goals
• How your academic and other experiences make you a suitable candidate for the Bioinformatics graduate program you are applying for
• How the Bioinformatics graduate program will help you to achieve your career goals
• Why you believe this particular graduate program at the University of Guelph is ideal for pursuing your career goals

The Statement of Intent should be structured as a 500-word short essay.

I have accepted my offer in WebAdvisor. How do I register, select courses, pay tuition, etc.?

Please see the Schedule of Dates in the Graduate Calendar to see when course selection opens/ends. The Registration Guideline will guide you through the registration process.

I have accepted my offer in WebAdvisor. Where do I send my final transcripts? Do they have to be submitted before I can register and begin classes?

Official and final transcripts must be submitted to the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) before the 14th class day of the Fall semester. Please see the Schedule of Dates for academic deadlines. Students who do not submit their final transcript in time will be required to defer their application to the following year. Please do not upload exam marksheets; transcripts are required.

When can I start the MBINF program?

Students can only start the MBINF program in September of each calendar year.

Will I be funded during my MBINF degree?

No, MBINF students do not receive a minimum stipend.

Will I have the opportunity to apply for graduate teaching assistantships (GTA) during my MBINF degree?

It is a campus-wide policy that any student enrolled in a graduate program at U of G can apply for a GTA; however, there is no guarantee that you will receive a GTA. For a complete list of GTA positions available on campus, please go to: Available TA Positions.

Am I eligible for scholarships and awards?

There are a number of graduate awards available at the University of Guelph. For a complete list of these awards, please visit Graduate Award Search and the Funding Your Studies webpage.

Do I need to find an advisor before applying to the MBINF program?

No, you are not required to secure an advisor prior to applying to the MBINF program. In fact, we actively discourage you from securing an advisor before you begin the program.

Will I have a faculty advisor during my MBINF program?

Yes. In fact, each student in MBINF program will have two faculty advisors for their independent research project course (BINF*6999). One faculty member will typically have a “life sciences” background, while the other faculty member will typically have a “computational/statistical” background.

During the first semester of the program, students will be provided with a list of faculty who have expressed interest in supervising a MBINF student by submitting a research project proposal to the BINF*6999 course instructor. Students will then need to interact independently with these faculty members. Once an MBINF student has secured the first faculty advisor, the second faculty advisor will be identified with the help of the first faculty advisor.

When do I need to secure my faculty advisors in the MBINF program?

Students will begin to interact with faculty members at the beginning of the second semester. Students and project advisors will finalize the faculty advisors for their project by early spring.

Do I have to take courses during my MBINF degree?

Yes, you will be required to take courses. Students are required to take a minimum of 4.0 course credits, which must include BINF*6110, BINF*6210, BINF*6890, BINF*6970, and BINF*6999. Students have many options available for the additional credits required.

Can I extend my BINF*6999 into a fourth semester of the MBINF program?

Yes, this is possible. Some students, in agreement with their faculty advisors, may decide that the scope of their independent research project can be extended into a fourth semester of the MBINF program (the BINF*6999 course would then be two semesters long, instead of one semester long). Details regarding extending BINF*6999 will be provided to students by the course instructor.

Can I work part-time during the MBINF program?

Yes, you are free to work part-time during the MBINF program. There are lab jobs available on campus that may enhance and complement your experiences in the MBINF. program. However, you are not allowed to be paid for any work related to the BINF*6999 course.

Can I work full-time during the MBINF program?

It is strongly discouraged to attempt to work full-time while completing the MBINF program, as it is a full-time graduate program. Students who would like to pursue graduate studies part-time may wish to consider the MSc in Bioinformatics. Note that a stipend may not be provided for part-time MSc students.