Graduate Program Paths, Requirements, and Timelines
Jump to Requirements and Timelines
We offer a number of paths through our graduate program, depending on the prior experience of students and whether they wish to complete an MSc or PhD.
Most students enter our program at the MSc level. During their second year, they may decide to complete an MSc Thesis and Graduate (MSc). They may also seek to Transfer into to the PhD program. A majority of students select this option. Students who successfully transfer are not granted an MSc but continue their studies as a PhD candidate (MSc Transferring to PhD). We also accept PhD students who have already obtained MSc Degrees (PhD with prior MSc) or who have outstanding undergraduate records (Direct Entry PhD).
While students progress through the same stages of work together, and the quality of work expected from all PhD candidates is the same, the specific program requirements related to coursework, committee meetings, and timelines are different. Please view the general requirements for each program below - Further details are available on pages describing rotations, courses, exams, etc.
In addition to the core Biochemistry Curriculum, we offer opportunities to complete a Combined MD/PhD or Collaborative Specialization with Biomedical Engineering, Developmental Biology, Genome Biology and Bioinformatics, and Neuroscience. Please contact the Graduate Administrator, Carrie Harber for specific requirements related to these programs.
MSc
Timelines - See a visual timeline overview of the program.
Students will have a maximum of three years to complete their MSc degree. After this time, students must apply annually for a Program Extension to a maximum of 3 additional years.
Rotations
MSc Students will complete three rotations prior to selecting their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Coursework Requirements
Students must complete any courses that were a condition of acceptance.
Students must successfully complete a total of 1.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
- 1.0 FCE BCH2020Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 1
- First student seminar presented in April of second year
Credit is applied upon completion of the MSc
- First student seminar presented in April of second year
- 0.25 FCE BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists
- must be completed before the end of 2nd year and prior to MSc examination
- 0.25 FCE Elective Course
- must be completed before the end of 2nd year and prior to MSc examination
MSc Thesis and Oral Defense
Each MSc candidate must present a thesis and pass an oral examination on his/her research and related aspects of biochemistry in order to complete the degree. The University and the Department accept the statements that the Master’s degree should be considered as certification to two attributes: familiarity with a body of knowledge, and acquaintance with the methods of research which will permit at least a beginning of systematic and independent inquiry. The MSc thesis is required to contain a finished piece of research, but should be a competent report of the student’s mastery of certain relevant techniques and their application to a specific problem.
The examination will include a 20 minute oral presentation followed by questions from the Examining Committee.
MSc Transferring to PhD
Timelines - See a visual timeline overview of the program
Students seeking Transfer to the PhD Program will begin the transfer process in month 17-20 of their studies. If successful, the maximum timeframe for completing the full PhD is 7 years from the entry of the student into the graduate program. After this time, students must apply annually for a Program Extension to a maximum of 4 additional years.
Rotations
MSc Students Transferring to PhD will complete three rotations prior to selecting their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Coursework Requirements
Students must complete any courses that were a condition of acceptance.
Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 Full Credit Equivalents as follows:
First Two Years
- 1.0 FCE BCH2020Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 1
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year;
Coursework must be complete before the proceeding to the Transfer Exam;
Credit is applied after successful completion of Transfer Exam
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year;
- 0.25 FCE BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists
- Must be completed before the proceeding to the Transfer Exam
Continuing
- 1.0 FCE BCH2022Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 2
- Student will give two seminars after Transferring and Prior to their PhD Oral Examination;
Credit is applied at end of PhD program
- Student will give two seminars after Transferring and Prior to their PhD Oral Examination;
- 1.25 FCEs Elective Courses
- Courses are typically 0.25 FCE, however some courses are offered at 0.5 FCE and 1.0 FCE;
At least 1.0 elective FCE must be completed before year 4
- Courses are typically 0.25 FCE, however some courses are offered at 0.5 FCE and 1.0 FCE;
All Coursework with the exception of BCH2022Y is expected to be completed by end of fourth year
See Maintaining Good Standing for details
Transfer Document and Examination
Each MSc Student seeking transfer into the PhD program will complete a Transfer Document and Examination
The document must be written in a clear and scholarly fashion and describe the student's proposed PhD research question, define the hypothesis, provide preliminary data to support the hypothesis, and describe proposed experiments that will advance their understanding. The document should reflect the student’s ability to anticipate, interpret, and interrogate a number of possible experimental outcomes. The document must be no more than 15 pages
The examination will include a 20-25 minute oral presentation followed by questions from the Examining Committee. The presentation must summarize the work that has been done and describing the experiments that the student proposes to do. The questions will usually cover material drawn from all three aspects of the written document (Introduction, Research Completed, and Research Proposed) - given the purpose of the examination, the committee tends to focus on the Research Proposed. The student is expected to demonstrate a good grasp of fundamental aspects of Biochemistry and expertise in the background knowledge of their work and proposed studies.
PhD Thesis and Oral Defense:
The University and the Department accept that a candidate for a PhD degree “shall present a thesis embodying the results of original investigation conducted by the candidate … The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field.” The department has no rule as to the number of research chapters that constitute a PhD thesis. As a general guideline, however, a thesis includes three research chapters. Generally, at least two of these typically represent published or publishable material.
For the Examination, the student will give a 45 minute seminar summarizing the results of his/her PhD thesis research. In addition to the members of the examination committee, this seminar may be open to the public. Once the open seminar has been completed, the Senate Oral Defense will proceed in camera with only the examining committee.
Successful completion of the oral defense and submission of the final thesis document completes the PhD program.
PhD with Prior MSc
Timelines - See a visual timeline overview of the program
The maximum timeframe for completing the full PhD in this stream is 6 years from the entry of the student into the graduate program. After this time, students must apply annually for a Program Extension to a maximum of 4 additional years. Students following PhD Program with Prior MSc must complete a Qualifying Exam no later than the end of month 24 of their program, and preferably close to month 18.
Rotations
PhD students with Prior MSc will complete three rotations before selecting their supervisor and supervisory committee. In some cases, students may request an exemption from the rotations. Students may contact the Graduate Program Administrator Carrie Harber for further information.
Coursework Requirements
Students must complete any courses that were a condition of acceptance.
Students must successfully complete a total of 2.0 Full Course Equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
First Two Years
- Begin BCH2022Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 2
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year
Credit is applied upon successful completion of PhD Program
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year
- 0.25 FCE BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists
- must be completed before the proceeding to the Qualifying Exam
- 0.25 FCE Elective Course
- must be completed before proceeding to the Qualifying Exam
Continuing
- 1.0 FCE Continue BCH2022Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 2
- Second student seminar must be given prior to PhD Oral Exam
Credit is applied upon successful completion of PhD Program
- Second student seminar must be given prior to PhD Oral Exam
- 0.5 FCE Elective Courses
- must be completed before year 3
typically, this involves taking two 0.25 FCE courses, however some courses are offered at 0.5 FCE
- must be completed before year 3
All coursework with the exception of BCH2022Y is expected be completed by end of third year
See Maintaining Good Standing for details
Qualifying Document and Examination
Each PhD Student seeking to continue in the PhD program beyond year 2 will complete a Qualifying Document and Examination
The document must be written in a clear and scholarly fashion and describe the student's proposed PhD research question, define the hypothesis, provide preliminary data to support the hypothesis, and describe proposed experiments that will advance their understanding. The document should reflect the student’s ability to anticipate, interpret, and interrogate a number of possible experimental outcomes. The document must be no more than 15 pages
The examination will include a 20-25 minute oral presentation followed by questions from the Examining Committee. The presentation must summarize the work that has been done and describing the experiments that the student proposes to do. The questions will usually cover material drawn from all three aspects of the written document (Introduction, Research Completed, and Research Proposed) - given the purpose of the examination, the committee tends to focus on the Research Proposed. The student is expected to demonstrate a good grasp of fundamental aspects of Biochemistry and expertise in the background knowledge of their work and proposed studies.
PhD Thesis and Oral Defense
The University and the Department accept that a candidate for a PhD degree “shall present a thesis embodying the results of original investigation conducted by the candidate … The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field.” The department has no rule as to the number of research chapters that constitute a PhD thesis. As a general guideline, however, a thesis includes three research chapters. Generally, at least two of these typically represent published or publishable material.
For the Examination, the student will give a 45 minute seminar summarizing the results of his/her PhD thesis research. In addition to the members of the examination committee, this seminar may be open to the public. Once the open seminar has been completed, the Senate Oral Defense will proceed in camera with only the examining committee.
Successful completion of the oral defense and submission of the final thesis document completes the PhD program.
Direct Entry PhD
Timelines - See a visual timeline overview of the program
The maximum time frame for completing the full PhD is 7 years from the entry of the student into the graduate program. After this time, students must apply annually for a Program Extension to a maximum of 4 additional years. Students following Direct Entry PhD Program must complete a Qualifying Exam no later than the end of month 24 of their program, and preferably close to month 18.
Rotations
Direct Entry PhD students will complete three rotations prior to selecting their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Coursework Requirements
Students must complete any courses that were a condition of acceptance.
Students must successfully complete a total of 3.5 Full Credit Equivalents as follows:
First Two Years
- 1.0 FCE BCH2020Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 1
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year;
Coursework must be complete before the proceeding to the Qualifying Exam;
Credit is applied after successful completion of Qualifying Exam
- First student seminar will be given in April of 2nd year;
- 0.25 FCE BCH2101H Scientific Skills for Biochemists
- Must be completed before the proceeding to the Qualifying Exam
Continuing
- 1.0 FCE BCH2022Y Seminar Course in Biochemistry Level 2
- Student will give two seminars after Qualifying and Prior to their PhD Oral Examination;
Credit is applied at end of PhD program
- Student will give two seminars after Qualifying and Prior to their PhD Oral Examination;
- 1.25 FCEs Elective Courses
- Courses are typically 0.25 FCE, however some courses may be offered at 0.5 FCE and 1.0 FCE;
At least 1.0 elective FCE must be completed before year 4
- Courses are typically 0.25 FCE, however some courses may be offered at 0.5 FCE and 1.0 FCE;
All Coursework with the exception of BCH2022Y is expected to be completed by end of fourth year
See Maintaining Good Standing for details
Qualifying Document and Examination
Each Direct Entry PhD Student seeking to continue in the PhD program beyond year 2 will complete a Qualifying Document and Examination
The document must be written in a clear and scholarly fashion and describe the student's proposed PhD research question, define the hypothesis, provide preliminary data to support the hypothesis, and describe proposed experiments that will advance their understanding. The document should reflect the student’s ability to anticipate, interpret, and interrogate a number of possible experimental outcomes. The document must be no more than 15 pages
The examination will include a 20-25 minute oral presentation followed by questions from the Examining Committee. The presentation must summarize the work that has been done and describing the experiments that the student proposes to do. The questions will usually cover material drawn from all three aspects of the written document (Introduction, Research Completed, and Research Proposed) - given the purpose of the examination, the committee tends to focus on the Research Proposed. The student is expected to demonstrate a good grasp of fundamental aspects of Biochemistry and expertise in the background knowledge of their work and proposed studies.
PhD Thesis and Oral Defense:
The University and the Department accept that a candidate for a PhD degree “shall present a thesis embodying the results of original investigation conducted by the candidate … The thesis shall constitute a significant contribution to the knowledge of the field.” The department has no rule as to the number of research chapters that constitute a PhD thesis. As a general guideline, however, a thesis includes three research chapters. Generally, at least two of these typically represent published or publishable material.
For the Examination, the student will give a 45 minute seminar summarizing the results of his/her PhD thesis research. In addition to the members of the examination committee, this seminar may be open to the public. Once the open seminar has been completed, the Senate Oral Defense will proceed in camera with only the examining committee.
Successful completion of the oral defense and submission of the final thesis document completes the PhD program.