Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Master of Science (MSc)
Thesis-based program
Program overview
Students with a bachelor’s degree who are looking enjoy a wide variety of research that is at the forefront of many fields should consider getting a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSc Thesis) degree. Research can include everything from biochemistry to molecular research, as well as cellular and developmental biology. It also ranges from genetics and immunology to bioinformatics, with applications to cancer and clinical research. As they deepen their skills, students will get to enjoy the amenities of a large city near the outdoor leisure activities of the Rocky Mountains. Completion of the program usually takes two years of full-time study.
Completing this program
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Courses: Courses may include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bioinformatic Resources for the Biologist.
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Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
- Sex & Gender Module: Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.
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Seminars: Students participate in a journal club and work-in-progress seminars for their research group, and will present one seminar per year.
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Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
Specializations
Bioinformatics
Outcomes
Academic research; post-secondary and secondary teaching; industry research and consulting; business consulting, analytics, management, sales, research and marketing; scientific writing; IP and patent law; medicine (lab tech; physician; clinical scientist); veterinary medicine.
A master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.
Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
Courses
Three core courses and one elective
Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar
Classroom delivery
Time commitment
Two years full time; four years maximum
Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.
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Seeking StudentsGenetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology -
Accepting InquiriesMolecular Chaperones and Neurodegeneration -
UnavailableBiochemistry and Molecular Biology of Lyme Disease -
Seeking StudentsGenetics of blood vessel development; precision medicine; developmental biology, Vascular patterning, Vascular stabilization, The zebrafish model -
UnavailableDevelopmental and reproductive biology -
Accepting InquiriesComputational biology, bioinformatics, and genomics, Systematic variant interpretation in human genetic disease, Bayesian statistics, large-scale inference, and machine learning, Human and computational population genetics, Molecular evolution -
UnavailableBiology of male germ line stem cells -
UnavailableProteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity -
Accepting InquiriesPrion diseases, cell biology of prion infection, chronic wasting disease, prion strains -
UnavailableDNA damage repair, Radiation Biology, Chromatin Dynamics, Cell Biology, Project #1 - SNM1 nuclease-mediated DNA repair, Project 2 - Chromatin remodeling in oxidative DNA damage responses, Project 3 - Alpha-particle-induced DNA damage
Admission requirements
GPA
A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
Minimum education
A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.
Work samples
None
Documents
- A current C.V.
Reference letters
Two
Test scores
None
English language proficiency
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 105.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.5.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
- Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 with no section less than 70.
- Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in each course.
Deadlines
For admission on September 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
- International students: Apr. 1 application deadline
For admission on January 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
- International students: Aug. 1 application deadline
For admission on May 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
- International students: Dec. 1 application deadline
For admission on July 1:
- Canadians and permanent residents: May 1 application deadline
- International students: Feb. 1 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements
Learn more about this program
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Health Sciences Centre
HSC G345C, 3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
Cumming School of Medicine
Health Sciences Centre
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4
Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
Highlights of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program
These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.
Carla Davidson, Owner - Endeavour Scientific Management and Consulting
"I learned a combination of critical thinking, clear communication and broad experience. My graduate degree gave me the willingness to start my own business."
Kevin Thorneloe, Director - Biopharm Translational Medicine
"The critical thinking skills I acquired during my PhD has been the foundation of my career in the pharmaceutical industry."
Nima Najand, Technology Analyst - Innovate Calgary
"UCalgary has been instrumental in providing me with skills to succeed in careers outside academia."
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