Doctor of Philosophy (Biochemistry)

Program Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 16 units in course work and a thesis. Additional course work will be necessary when the undergraduate degree is in a different discipline.

Required courses (10 units)

Elective courses (6 units)

At least one of:
One 500- or 600-level course in Biochemistry or an approved graduate course from another department.

Thesis

Registration in 900-level THES. Students must prepare an acceptable thesis describing the results of their research activities.

Candidacy examination

PhD students must take a candidacy examination consisting of written and oral sections within 36 months of initial registration.

Ethics Requirement

Students must meet the FGSR Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement through the completion of INT D 710 (for both master’s and doctoral students) and INT D 720 (for doctoral students) by the end of the first term of registration in their degree program.

Academic Standing Requirement

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of not less than 3.3. The calculation of the cumulative GPA does not include marks in seminar courses. Failure in two courses with a cumulative GPA lower than 3.3 will normally result in a recommendation to FGSR that the student be required to withdraw.

Language Requirement

The Department does not require knowledge of any language other than English for the PhD degree.

Length of Program

The time required to complete the PhD will vary according to the previous training of the candidate and the nature of the research undertaken; however a minimum of four years of study and research is normally required.

The maximum time to complete the PhD program as set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research is six years.