Course Requirements | Biomedical and Molecular Sciences | School of Medicine

The Biomedical and Molecular Sciences MSc requires, at minimum, the completion of 12 credit units at the graduate level. BMED 860* (3 credit units, Fundamentals of Academic Research) and BMED 897*(3 credit units, Biomedical Sciences Seminar Program) are mandatory courses.Additional required credit units are specified by some of the Field Specialization (see below). Students may take nomore than one 3 credit unit dual-numbered undergraduate course towards their additional credits. Students are encouraged to take additional graduate-level courses, and may be required to do so upon recommendation of their supervisory committee and/or depending upon participation in an interdisciplinary program.

In addition to below any student working with animals is required to take QACS-799: Introduction to Animal Care.

Specific Field Course Requirements in addition to the 6 mandatory units described above:

Biochemistry and Cell Biology: MSc students in this field can choose from any BMED graduate courses to complete the remaining 6 credit units of coursework in consultation with the supervisor. It is highly recommended that students take at least one graduate course offered by the Biochemistry and Cell biology field: BMED 820*, BMED 821*, BMED 823*, or BMED 842. Graduate courses offered through other departments may also be taken if approved by the Graduate coordinator in consultation with the Supervisor.
Experimental Medicine: MSc students in this field can choose from any BMED graduate courses to complete the remaining required 6 credit units of coursework in consultation with the supervisor.
Microbes, Immunity, and Inflammation: MSc students in this field can choose from any BMED graduate courses to complete the remaining required 6 credit units of coursework in consultation with the supervisor.
Reproduction and Developmental Sciences: MSc students in this field can choose from any BMED graduate courses covering reproduction and development, or if appropriate other BMED graduate courses to complete the remaining required 6 credit units of coursework.
Therapeutics, Drug Development, and Human Toxicology: MSc Students in this field must complete an additional 3 credit units from the Methods Modules (ranging from BMED 862 – BMED 870). In addition, students must complete 3 credit units from one of BMED 813*, BMED 809*, BMED 815*, BMED 853*, or BMED 854*; the specific course will be determined in consultation with the supervisor. In cases where students do not have the necessary background in core pharmacology, they will be required to pass an examination late during their first year of study. The examination will be based on the content of BMED 840 and 849. In preparation for the examination, students will be able to attend BMED 840 and 849 teaching sessions, and will have access to posted course materials. If they wish, students also may attend MEDS 121 lectures (the Therapeutics course in the MD program). Students who do not pass the exam will be required to take BMED 840 and 849 for credit.

Ph.D. Course Requirements

Students with an M.Sc. from a related field will normally not be required to take additional courses as part of the Ph.D. However, any student working with animals is required to take QACS-799: Introduction to Animal Care.

Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Microbes Immunity and Inflammation, and Reproduction and Developmental Sciences:

No specific additional coursework requirements.

Therapeutics, Drug Development and Human Toxicology:

If not taken during the M.Sc. (or equivalent from another university), Ph.D. students in this field must complete BMED 809*.

Other Requirements:

Ph.D. students must develop a thesis proposal within the first two terms of enrolment that reviews the literature and demonstrates the ability to design, conduct, and evaluate experiments and the data that arise from them. This can be in the format of a powerpoint presentation given during the first mandatory Thesis Advisory Committee meeting. As well, this information can also be contained in a written document prepared by the student prior to the committee meeting. If a student enters the PhD Program via a mini-MSc transfer, then the PhD proposal requirement will be waived.
Comprehensive Exam
All Ph.D. students must give an exit seminar prior to their final defence
Annual committee meetings
Oral and written defence