IX. Graduate Programs
Molecular and Cellular Biology
MSc Program
The objective of the MCB MSc program is to provide graduate students with a high level of relevant knowledge and expertise in contemporary molecular and cellular biology, including experimental techniques, library research, writing and communication skills. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out high quality scientific research and will be prepared for employment in positions with some responsibility in the research and teaching enterprises of academic institutions (as instructors and technical staff), in science-related positions in the broad biotechnology sector (e.g. food and beverage industries, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and agriculture-related industries), or in government sector institutes and laboratories. They will be well prepared to continue their graduate education at the PhD level. Alternatively they may opt to complete a professional degree (such as law, medicine, or business) or a teaching certificate.
Admission Requirements
To be considered, applicants must have completed a four-year honours undergraduate degree (or its equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Normally, the applicant must have achieved a “B” (75%) average or higher during the last two years of full-time study. In exceptional circumstances, students with a “B-minus” average (70%) will be considered provided there is strong supporting evidence of research aptitude and potential.
Applicants must obtain the support of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor.
Applications for the program will be considered at any time and admission may be granted for entry in January, May or September.
Admission Process
Graduate student applications to programs in the College of Biological Science are handled by the Office of the Associate Dean, Research (ADR). Before submitting an application, you are strongly encouraged to view the "Before you Apply" webpage on the ADR Future Student's site. NOTE: The name of a potential advisor(s) is required in order to complete the submission summary.
On-line applications, required documents and instructions can be found on the Office of Graduate Studies webpage or in the Graduate Calendar
Completed applications should be submitted to the CBS Graduate Admissions Secretary.
Degree Requirements
Students in the MSc program must complete a minimum of 3 courses (1.5 credits) at the graduate level. Courses MCB*6100 Research Topics in Molecular & Cellular Biology (0.5) and MCB*6200 Scientific Communication in Molecular & Cellular Biology (0.5) are mandatory. Normally these two courses must be completed in the first year of study. Senior undergraduate courses may be taken on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee but these will not count towards the 1.5 credit requirement. An average of “B-minus” (70%) must be achieved in the prescribed courses.
The MSc thesis research must involve original enquiry into a well-defined question in the molecular biosciences. It is expected that the research will not have been previously reported in the literature and, wherever possible, the research should yield publishable data.
All students beyond year 1 in the program are required to participate annually in the CBS Graduate Student Symposium by presenting a poster or giving a short talk describing their research progress.