General Information
The Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, offers graduate programs leading to the MSc and PhD degrees in cell biology. The Department provides a world-class training environment in a range of areas including organelle biogenesis and disease, neurobiology, virology, cancer apoptosis and signal transduction, proteomics, molecular evolution, RNA biology, chaperones and pathogen-host interactions. Through an independent research program, complemented by seminars and formal coursework, students are trained to identify important problems, critically analyze scientific information and effectively communicate their results.
The Department of Cell Biology is endowed with state of the art equipment needed to perform experimental work in modern cell biology. Research funding is primarily from agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Detailed information on the graduate program can be found on the Department of Cell Biology website.
Address all inquiries to the Student Program Advisor, Department of Cell Biology.
Entrance Requirements
Graduate programs are normally open to graduates of general and health-related science programs. Applicants with degrees in other fields will be considered.
The Department’s minimum admission requirements are an undergraduate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.3 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.
Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:
- 100 with 21 in each subtest (internet-based) in TOEFL or equivalent;
- 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each subtest in IELTS;
- 70 overall with 70 in each subtest in CAEL; or
- 68 in Pearson Test of English (PTE).
Examination scores must be less than two years old; applicants with scores more than two years old will normally be required to re-take the test.
Students who do not show competency in spoken and/or written English in their first year as determined by their thesis supervisor will be required to take a remedial course by the Graduate Supervisory Committee.
Applicants are also required to submit three letters of recommendation, a Curriculum Vitae, a Statement of Interest, and an Interest Indicator form available on the Department website.
The deadline for submitting applications for admission is June 1 for September admission and October 1 for January admission.
Academic Standing Requirement
Throughout their program, students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative gpa of 3.3 with no individual grade less than B.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships supported by the supervisor’s research funds is available for students who are admitted to the program. The Department of Cell Biology will provide assistance in applying for internal or external competitive awards. Further information regarding financial assistance will be supplied upon request.
Graduate Program Requirements
Master’s Programs
Doctoral Programs
Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the subject heading Cell Biology (CELL).