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Location: Health Sciences Centre, Room G329
Program number: 403.220.8306
Fax: 403.210.8109
Email address: gigrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

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

All master’s thesis and doctoral students are considered full-time. In exceptional circumstances part-time status may be considered and must be approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Specializations:

• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Pharmacology
• Immunology
• Immunopharmacology
• Microbiology
• Nutrition
• Parasitology
• Pathology
• Epidemiology
• Host-Pathogen Interactions

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the program requires:

a) Qualifications

Master of Science

• Four-year BSc degree or equivalent
• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units.

Doctor of Philosophy

• MSc degree, or relevant master’s degree, recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, four-year BSc degree or equivalent.
• A minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units and any master’s course work, if applicable.

b) English Language Proficiency

See Medicine Programs.

c) Immunizations

See Medicine Programs.

c) Additional Requirements

• Applicants are required to arrange for the submission of two reference letters. References must follow the guidelines posted on the program’s website for prospective students.
• Students must have confirmed a faculty member willing to supervise their studies.
• Endorsement by the Graduate Program Director that the applicant is acceptable and that adequate supervision in the proposed program is available.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applications are ranked according to academic excellence, prior research experience and commitment to the study of gastrointestinal sciences.

Application deadlines are available on the Future Students webpages:

Master of Science:

Doctor of Philosophy:

Students applying to the MD/Masters or MD/PhD program must apply individually to each program and complete a supplementary application to the Leaders in Medicine program.

Applicants must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. Any credit to be given for courses completed will be included in the letter of offer for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science

The minimum academic course requirement is normally 6 units, which is met by: 

• the satisfactory completion of Gastrointestinal Physiology (Medical Science 637.01) in the first year, and 
• the satisfactory completion of another 3-unit graduate-level course in an area that is pertinent to the student's thesis project and approved by the supervisor and supervisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy

The minimum academic course requirement is normally 9 units, which is met by: 

• the satisfactory completion of Gastrointestinal Physiology (Medical Science 637.01) in the first year, and 
• the satisfactory completion of two additional 3-unit graduate-level courses in an area that is pertinent to the student's thesis project and approved by the supervisor and supervisory committee.

Exceptions require the approval of the Graduate Program Director.

To qualify for an approved specialization, the supervisor and/or at least one member of the supervisory committee should have expertise in that specialization and the research in the thesis should be largely based in that discipline. In addition, the student should complete graduate course work deemed relevant/required by the supervisor and the supervisory committee for the student to be competent in the specialization.

Each student is required to participate regularly in the Synder Institute graduate program seminar series and present at least one work in progress seminar per year.

Contributions to journals, relevant journal clubs and/or seminars are an expectation. Visit the program website at for additional information.

Research Integrity Day

See Medicine Programs.

Under exceptional circumstances, credit may be given for courses taken below the 600 level. At least one half of a graduate student’s course work must be at the 600 level or higher. Students may receive credit for completing a course numbered 500-599 providing that the course is recommended by the supervisory committee and approval is received by the Graduate Program Director.

Completion times follow the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations (see Time Limits):

• Maximum completion time for a thesis-based master’s program is four years. Expected completion time is two years.
• Maximum completion time for a doctoral program is six years. Expected completion time is four years.

The selection of a graduate supervisor must be by mutual agreement between the student and the faculty member concerned at the time of application to the program and approved by the Graduate Program Director.

Supervisory committees, required for both master’s and doctoral students, are established based upon the needs of the student and the expertise of the committee members, following discussions between the student and the supervisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director. A supervisory committee, consisting of supervisor and co-supervisor (if applicable), plus two additional members, must be set up no later than 3 months after the student's first registration in the program.

Doctoral Candidacy

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations (see Candidacy), the program requires the following:

Candidacy must be completed within 28 months (for MSc to PhD transfers) or 24 months (direct entry PhD) from the program start date. Admission to candidacy is an acknowledgement that a student is fully prepared to devote their full attention to the thesis research.

To enter into candidacy, students must: (1) successfully complete all required courses, (2) attend Research Integrity Day (3) have their thesis proposal approved at a proposal evaluation meeting, and (4) successfully complete a Field of Study oral examination.

Students who do not pass their candidacy requirements by the twenty-eighth month of their program may be required to withdraw from the program. Specific details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements can be found at: .

Thesis Examination

All students in thesis-based programs (MSc and PhD) must successfully pass the Final Thesis Oral Examination (see Thesis Examinations). The examination will consist of a public seminar followed by an open oral examination.

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 may be internal to the home program.

All MSc and PhD students must defend a written research proposal to their supervisory committee. For MSc students, this document must be submitted within 12 months after initial registration in the program. For additional information about the PhD research proposal, refer to: .

All students who are accepted into the program and are full-time will receive a minimum stipend ($21,000 per annum for MSc students and $23,000 per annum for PhD students) generally funded by their supervisor’s operating grants, internal awards, and/or external awards. Self-funding is not an option except for MD holders also enrolled in a clinical training program. 

Students are expected to apply to external agencies for financial support from scholarships or studentship awards and for ²ÝÝ®ÎÛÊÓƵµ¼º½ Scholarships (see Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar). Possible sources of financial support are listed on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website: .

Some program awards are also available, dependent on funding. Some awards provide stipends in excess of the program minimum. Please see the program website: .