Ph.D. in Biomolecular Sciences

Program

The Ph.D. program in Biomolecular Sciences provide academic and research training to prepare exceptional students for careers in academic research, teaching, biotechnology, the pharmaceutical industry and biomedicine.  This involves the training of students in the most current methodologies and promoting the development of new knowledge and skills. Enrolled students will conduct advanced research under the supervision of faculty members and are expected to make oral or poster presentations of their work at regional, national or international meetings, as well as to publish their findings in peer-reviewed journals. Advanced-level courses in Biomolecular Sciences, critical review of published research papers, critical appraisal of their own laboratory experiment and completion of a comprehensive examination will help students develop their critical reasoning and independent thinking skills.

General Regulations

In general the requirements for admission are:  language competence, residency, thesis, time limit, etc.  The general academic regulations of the School of Graduate Studies and Research for Ph.D. and M.Sc. programs are as follows.

Requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants for admission to the Ph.D. program normally hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) from a recognized university, with a minimum grade of B⁺. Applicants must provide evidence of suitable educational background and potential for advanced research in their selected discipline. Each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential of the student for advanced research, letters or recommendations, professional experience and publication record. Entry into Ph.D. studies within this program can be granted after completion of a M.Sc. degree in a related discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences, etc.) or by “transfer” from a M.Sc. program at the end of the first year of study, upon completion of the M.Sc. course work and recommendation of the Supervisory Committee. Approval of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, the Program Coordinator, and the prospective supervisor are also required for entry into Ph.D. studies within this program. On admission, students will meet with their supervisory committee and the Program Coordinator to discuss the proposed thesis topic, the goals of the program and the academic plan for the student.

Residency requirements

Students are expected to complete the Ph.D. program within four years following entry into the program. The maximum time limit for completing the degree requirements is six years. Students are expected to study full-time, except under extraordinary circumstances where a person may receive special permission upon petition to the Director of Graduate Studies and Research.

Academic regulations

Students must obtain a minimum grade of 60% (C standing) in each course. Students who fail (receive less than 60%) in a compulsory course must repeat it. Students who fail (receive less than 60%) in an elective course may repeat it or take another elective. Students may not repeat courses they have not failed. Students are permitted a maximum of one failed three-credit course.

Stipend

The minimal annual stipend for students enrolled in the Ph.D. program is $20,000. Full-time Ph.D. students can expect to receive teaching and research assistantships for a maximum of four years from the inception of their doctoral studies.

Program requirements

Courses

Students are required to take two three credit courses for the Ph.D. degree, in addition to mandatory seminar-based and thesis courses. An overall average of at least 70% must be obtained by the students. The courses will be selected from the program in Biomolecular Sciences and from courses offered in the following departments: Chemistry and Biochemistry, Biology and Physics.

Candidates holding a B.Sc. degree must complete:

1. Course requirements of an M.Sc. program
2. BMSC 6106 OR BMSC 6207 (3 credits)
3. Three credits from other 5000 or 6000 level courses
4. BMSC 6005 (6 credits)
5. BMSC 6000 (6 credits)
6. Comprehensive examination

Candidate holding a M.Sc. degree must complete:

1. BMSC 6106 OR BMSC 6207 (3 credits)
2. Three credits from other 5000 or 6000 level course
3. BMSC 6005 (6 credits)
4. BMSC 6000 (6 credits)
5. Comprehensive examination

Comprehensive Examination

Candidates must pass a comprehensive examination within the first two years of entrance to the Ph.D. program. Enrolment for this examination is limited to two consecutive academic terms and requires successful completion of BMSC 6106 and/or BMSC 6207. Failure to complete this examination within the required time limits precludes continuation in the doctoral program, unless there are valid reasons as determined by the program’s Administrative council. The comprehensive examination does not count as a credit course.

A Comprehensive Examination Committee will be in charge of evaluating the student. This committee will be composed of at least four members of the Biomolecular Sciences Program faculty as chosen by the Program coordinator (in consultation with the student).

The comprehensive examination will be administered in two parts: 

Part I:  Written examination.  The Comprehensive Examination Committee will create four questions, based on the content of the courses BMSC 6106 and BMSC 6207. The student will prepare answers to two of the questions.

Part II:  Preparation of a grant application, in the NSERC format, on a topic not directly related to the student’s thesis. The student will choose the topic in consultation with the supervisory committee. The Comprehensive Examination Committee will determine when the proposal is ready for the oral defence.  The student will be expected to make an oral presentation of the project and answer questions from the Comprehensive Examination Committee. A written evaluation of the student’s performance in the oral portion of the examination will be prepared for circulation to the student, the student’s supervisor and the Director of the Program in Biomolecular Sciences. The committee will assign a grade of pass or fail for each section.  In the case of a failure, the student will be given the opportunity to repeat that portion of the comprehensive examination.  A second failure will be grounds for dismissal from the Ph.D. program.

Thesis

For the Ph.D. degree, either a “standard thesis” or a “thesis by publication” format will be acceptable. The research thesis does not count as a credit course. Students will be required to present a public seminar and subsequently, to undergo an oral defence of their thesis. The thesis defence committee is composed of a chair (non-voting), two members of the program, an examiner external to the program and an examiner external to the university. The thesis supervisor is not a member of the committee but is present at the defence, which takes place in camera. The defence committee meets in the absence of the student to discuss his or her performance and to decide if the thesis is acceptable for the degree or if corrections are required before granting final approval.