Entrance Requirements (PhD)

Credit/Course Requirements | Comprehensive Exam | Completion of the PhD Degree

1. Applicants for a PhD degree must meet the requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies as follows. They must have completed

a) Option 1 - an Honour's Bachelor degree (or equivalent) with an overall average in 'A' grade range (80% or 3.7 or higher on a scale of 4) and who demonstrate advanced research ability. Students entering directly from a bachelor degree must, during the first year of study, complete 12 credits with a first class average of which at least 9 credits must be at least 500-level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing, to maintain registration as a doctoral student.

b) Option 2 - a Bachelor degree with one year of study in a Master's program with 12 credits of first class average, of which normally 9 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 9 credits must be of first class standing. Clear evidence of research ability or potential must have been provided.

Transfer directly into a doctoral program is permitted after the first year, but not after the completion of the second year of the MSc program.  Students must seek approval from their Supervisory Committee prior to contacting the Graduate Advisor.

c) Option 3 - A Master's degree or equivalent, with clear evidence of research ability or potential. Students entering with an MSc are not required to complete course work other than Path 500A, Path 535/635 and, if necessary, Path 547, although other courses may be suggested by the Supervisory Committee.

d) An intermediate course in Biochemistry.

2. Applicants from outside Canada are normally required to take the Graduate Record Examination; both the general test and one subject test (Biology, Molecular Biology, Chemistry or possibly Physics).

3. Applicants must be acceptable to the Graduate Studies Committee of the Dept of Pathology.

4. Applicants must provide evidence that a faculty member of the Department of Pathology who is also a member of the Faculty of Graduate Studies is prepared to:

a. supervise his/her graduate studies program, including the thesis research project.

b. guarantee a stipend at the funding level established for graduate students by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research ($17,850 per annum, effective April 1,2004) for at least the first year of the student's program and will specify that he/she anticipate being able to support the student for the subsequent years of the student's program. Students initially paid from funds controlled by the supervisor are expected to apply for personal support awards once they have entered the program and shown evidence of academic and/or research achievement. Only full time, fully supported students will be accepted into the program. Part time students will not be accepted.