ݮƵ

UofC


Site Navigation
Welcome
Important Notice and Disclaimer
Faculty of Graduate Studies General Information
Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
Academic Schedule
Faculty of Graduate Studies Degrees Information
Admissions
Awards and Financial Assistance for Graduate Students
Tuition and General Fees
Academic Regulations
Program Descriptions
Anthropology ANTH
Archaeology ARKY
School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape
Art ART
Biological Sciences BISI
Biomedical Engineering BMEN
Chemistry CHEM
Communication and Media Studies CMMS
Computational Media Design CMD
Computer Science CPSC
Data Science and Analytics
Drama DRAM
Economics ECON
Education Graduate Programs
Engineering Programs ENGG
Engineering, Chemical and Petroleum ENCH
Engineering, Civil ENCI
Engineering, Electrical and Computer ENEL
Engineering, Geomatics ENGO
Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing ENME
English ENGL
French, Italian and Spanish FISL
Geography GEOG
Geoscience GEOS
German GSEA
Greek and Roman Studies GRST
Haskayne School of Business: Management MGMT
History HIST
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program IGP
Kinesiology KNES
Languages, Literatures and Cultures LLAC
Law LAW
Linguistics LING
Mathematics and Statistics MTST
Medicine Programs
Medicine, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology MDBC
Medicine, Biomedical Technology MDBT
Medicine, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences MDCV
Medicine, Community Health Sciences MDCH
Medicine, Gastrointestinal Sciences MDGI
Medicine, Immunology MDIM
Medicine, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases MDMI
Medicine, Neuroscience MDNS
Medicine, Pathologists' Assistant MDPA
Medicine, Medical Science MDSC
Military and Strategic Studies CMSS
Music MUSI
Nursing NURS
Philosophy PHIL
Physics and Astronomy PHAS
Political Science POLI
Psychology PSYC
Public Policy PPOL
Religious Studies RELS
Social Work SOWK
Sociology SOCI
Sustainable Energy Development SEDV
Veterinary Medical Sciences VMS
Interdisciplinary Specializations
Courses of Instruction
Student and Campus Services
About the ݮƵ
Graduate Studies Calendar 2019-2020 Program Descriptions Biological Sciences BISI
Biological Sciences - BISI
Contact Information

Location: Biological Sciences Building, Room 186
Program numbers: 403.220.6623 and 403.220.7790
Fax: 403.289.9311
Email address: biograd@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

Specializations:

  • Biochemistry
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Ecology
  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Molecular Microbiology
  • Physiology
  • Structural Biology
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions
  • Energy and Environmental Systems (Interdisciplinary Specialization)*

*See the Calendar section on Interdisciplinary Specializations for further information.

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Science requirements, the Department requires:

a) A minimum grade point average of 3.20 on a four-point scale during the last two full years or equivalent.

b) For students required to provide proof of proficiency in English: a TOEFL score of105 (Internet-based test), or an IELTS score of 7.5, or a MELAB score of 86, or a PTE score of 75, orcompletion ofTier III of the with minimum grades of "A" on Academic Writing & Grammar III, "A" on Reading Comprehension & Proficiency III, and "A" on Listening Comprehension & Oral Fluency III.

c) A concise statement outlining the applicant’s research interests and reasons for wishing to attend the ݮƵ.

d) Three academic reference letters and the required reference form.

Exceptional students may apply to a PhD program without an MSc recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. In such cases, requirements in addition to those outlined above include: a four-year BSc or equivalent degree from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 3.60 (four-point scale) during the last two full years; and a full-year research project with a minimum grade of 3.70.

Transfer from a MSc to a PhD program is allowed for students who have successfully completed all courses required for the MSc degree, and who have demonstrated outstanding research ability and potential to their Supervisory Committee. Normally, evidence of this ability will include, but not be limited to, a grade point average of 3.60 for the courses completed during the MSc program.

3. Application Deadline

Deadlines for submission of complete applications are availableon the Future Students website:

Master of Science:

Doctor of Philosophy:

4. Advanced Credit

Not applicable.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Science requirements, the Department requires:

a) Completion of a minimum of 6 units for both the Master of Science and doctoral programs. Students transferring from the MSc program to the PhD program will be required to take a minimum of 3 units in addition to work already completed. Please note that graduate courses must be chosen in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director. Course requirements may include courses offered by other Departments.

b) Completion of the appropriate number of Biology 601 Research Seminar courses in addition to (a) above.

c) Presentation of a Departmental Pre-Defence seminar on the results of the thesis research.

Transfer from the Master of Science to the doctoral program

A request to transfer from the Master of Science program to the doctoral program may be made no later than twenty-four months after initial registration. Students who transfer will be required to take one additional 3-unit course, regardless of course work completed before the transfer, and are expected to meet the 36-month deadline for completion of candidacy requirements.

6. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

At least one-half of a graduate student’s coursework must be at the 600 level or higher.

Only when appropriate to a student’s program may graduate credit be received for courses numbered 500-599, which are considered undergraduate courses. Courses below the 500 level will not be accepted for graduate credit.

7. Time Limit

Expected completion time is two years for the Master of Science degree and four years for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Maximum completion time is four years for the Master of Science degree and six years for the Doctor of Philosophy degree.

8. Supervisory Assignments

Applicants must contact faculty members directly regarding supervision of their graduate program, prior to submitting an application. The Department does not accept students unless at least one faculty member has indicated a willingness to act as supervisor. For both MSc and PhD programs, the supervisor, in consultation with the student, selects a Supervisory Committee consisting of the supervisor and at least two other faculty members whose research experience will be beneficial to the student's graduate program.

9. Research Proposal Requirements

Master of Science students must present a written research proposal to their supervisory committee no later than six months after initial registration in program.

Doctoral students must complete a written thesis proposal no later than twelve months after initial registration in the program. The proposal will be evaluated in a supervisory committee meeting. See for further information about the proposal requirements and evaluation process.

10. Required Examinations

Candidacy

Doctoral students must pass oral and written Field of Study examinations. For complete details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements, see.

Thesis examination

Final Thesis Examinations are required at both the Master of Science and doctoral level. In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, the Department has the following requirements:

A public “Exit” Seminar preceding the examination is required.

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner must be external to the home program.

11. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.

Students applying for the Open Scholarship Competition must submit their scholarship applications to the Department of Biological Sciences by the appropriate deadline. Please contact georges@ucalgary.ca for further information.