The objective of the MSc in Pharmacy is to prepare students for further academic study or for careers in the pharmaceutical industry or health professions, including those in hospitals, other healthcare facilities and government. There is a recognized shortage of high-quality personnel in the pharmaceutical industry with master’s level of training who can answer questions related to physical pharmacy, dosage form design and manufacture, pharmacokinetics, pharmaceutical engineering, and developing disciplines such as pharmaceutical nanotechnology. There is also a shortage of pharmacists with clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice skills who can evaluate the impact of expanding scopes of practice and drugs on disease state management programs with respect to patient or population outcomes and economics.
Admission and Degree Requirements are outlined below.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MSc program in the School of Pharmacy requires:
- A minimum 78% (B+) average in the last 2 years of a four-year Honours Bachelor’s of Science program or equivalent; and
- Two letters of reference from academic referees.
An applicant who has completed a program of studies as above, but who has not attained the appropriate overall standing in the last two years, may be admitted to a Master's program as a probationary student. To be admitted on a probationary basis, students must have the full support of the proposed supervisor and the Associate Director of Research and Graduate Studies in the School of Pharmacy, and must satisfy at least one of the following conditions:
a) The applicant has substantial relevant occupational experience (normally three years) beyond the Bachelor's degree.
b) The applicant's standing in the final year is substantially above 75% (normally 78% to 83%).
The minimum overall requirements for probationary students are identical to those of regular students. However, students may be required to complete undergraduate or graduate courses additional to those required of regular Master's students.
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test
Students applying to the MSc in Pharmacy with an undergraduate degree not obtained from a recognized Canadian or American university must write and achieve scores at the 50th percentile ranking or better on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.
The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills that are not related to any specific field of study.
- Analytical Writing — Measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills, specifically the test taker's ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively
- Verbal Reasoning — Measures reading comprehension skills and verbal and analogical reasoning skills, focusing on the test taker's ability to analyze and evaluate written material
- Quantitative Reasoning — Measures problem-solving ability, focusing on basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis
The GRE General Test is offered year-round at computer-based test centers in the United States, Canada and many other countries. It is offered at paper-based test centers in areas of the world where computer-based testing is not available. For more information see the GRE test website above.
Degree Requirements
The number of courses, grade minimums and degree completion periods required for an MSc Pharmacy are:
- Three one-term (0.5 unit weight) graduate courses
- PHARM 601 (MSc Seminar, 0.5 unit weight)
- All graduate courses with a final mark 60% or greater
- Overall cumulative average 70% or greater
- Completed by six terms (two years)
The minimum requirements for the MSc in Pharmacy are satisfied when candidates have successfully completed a minimum of three one-term (0.5 unit weight) courses accepted for graduate credit by the School of Pharmacy, as well as PHARM 601 (MSc Seminar, 0.5 unit weight), passed the MSc Thesis Proposal Defence, achieved all MSc Program Milestones and prepared and defended a thesis embodying the results of their research on a topic approved by their supervisor and Advisory Committee.
Among the three courses taken, one 400-level course may be accepted toward this requirement if approved by the supervisor and Advisory Committee. The main criterion for acceptance will be based on gaining knowledge in an area that is outside the background of the student but will benefit his/her research program.
A minimum of 60% must be obtained in any graduate course taken by an MSc student to be granted pass standing, and the candidate must obtain an average of at least 70% in the courses presented in fulfillment of the MSc degree.
An MSc candidates who do not attain the minimum course grade or program average may repeat a course for higher standing or take an alternate course for credit upon the recommendation of the Associate Director of Research and Graduate Studies, School of Pharmacy and the approval of the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science . If the Associate Director of Research and Graduate Studies does not make such a recommendation, or if the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies does not approve the recommendation, the MSc student will be required to withdraw from the program. A student who obtains a grade of less than 60% in more than one course will be required to withdraw.
The requirements for the MSc degree must be completed within the periods stipulated by the Senate of the University, normally 6 terms (2 years) of study.
Part-time studies
The MSc may be offered part time on a case-by-case basis upon consideration of the circumstances by the Associate Director of Research and Graduate Studies, School of Pharmacy, and the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Science.