The program information below was valid for the spring 2017 term (May 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017). This is the archived version; the most up-to-date program information is available through the current Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

The Graduate Studies Academic Calendar is updated 3 times per year, at the start of each academic term (January 1, May 1, September 1). Graduate Studies Academic Calendars from previous terms can be found in the archives.

Students are responsible for reviewing the general information and regulations section of the Graduate Studies Academic Calendar.

Fields (areas of research)

  • Bioinformatics, Systematics and Evolution
  • Ecology and Environmental Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology
  • Admit term(s) 
    • Fall
    • Winter
    • Spring
  • Delivery mode 
    • On-campus
  • Program type 
    • Doctoral
    • Research
  • Registration option(s) 
    • Full-time
    • Part-time
  • Study option(s) 
  • Minimum requirements 
    • A 75% overall standing, or equivalent in a Master of Science (MSc) degree in a relevant field.
    • Students holding degrees from institutions outside Canada may be required to submit Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE, Analytical and Quantitative) with their application.
    • Before applying to the program, students are strongly advised to establish contact with potential supervisors. It is a good strategy to identify whether the potential supervisors that students would like to undertake research with have available positions and funding.
    • There is also an option of transferring from the Master's program to the Doctoral program. This is not a routine option, but can be approved on a case-by-case basis for suitably qualified individuals. Further information is available from the Department Graduate Officer.
  • Application materials 
    • Résumé
    • Supplementary information form
    • Transcript(s)
  • References 
    • Number of references:  3
    • Type of references: 

      at least 2 academic

  • English language proficiency (ELP) (if applicable)

    Thesis option:

  • Graduate Academic Integrity Module (Graduate AIM)
  • Courses 
    • Students must complete 2 one-term graduate courses (0.50 unit weight) accepted for credit by the Department of Biology. A minimum of 1 course should be from the Biology course offerings.
    • For candidates who do not hold a Master's degree, the requirement will be a minimum of 4 one-term graduate courses (0.50 unit weight). A minimum of 2 courses should be from the Biology course offerings.
    • Undergraduate level courses cannot be credited towards the PhD degree requirements.
  • Link(s) to courses
  • Academic Integrity Workshop
  • PhD Seminar
    • Students will make a formal presentation on their research at an annual symposium or other designated event.
  • PhD Thesis Proposal
  • PhD Comprehensive Examination
  • PhD Thesis
    • Students must submit and defend a thesis, embodying the results of original research.