Graduate Programs in Oncology

General Information

The Department of Oncology offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants with the MSc degree, or a strong undergraduate record, may be accepted directly into the PhD program.

As of July 1, 2013, students may be admitted through one of two specializations: Medical Physics or Cancer Sciences. Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Sciences are open to suitable graduates in biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, immunology, medical sciences or nutrition. Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics are open to suitable graduates in physics, engineering physics, or equivalent programs. Research programs and course selection will have a clear connection and relevance to the field of Oncology.

The Department of Oncology currently has more than 123 faculty with primary appointments and approximately 62 faculty from other departments holding adjunct appointments to its seven Divisions. The Department is located at the Cross Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer centre affiliated with the University of Alberta; as well as at the Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research and the Medical Isotopes and Cyclotron Facility (MICF). The Department has state-of-the-art facilities in cell imaging, flow cytometry, gene analysis systems, computational drug design, small animal imaging, human imaging and radiation therapy facilities. Faculty are involved in medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and they lead major research initiatives ranging from clinical studies to basic research into the diagnosis, treatment, and molecular causation of cancer. Information on the graduate research programs can be found at www.oncology.med.ualberta.ca. Address all inquiries to the Graduate Program Administrator or to oncology.gradprogram@ualberta.ca.

Entrance Requirements

For the MSc, 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.

For the PhD, the Department’s minimum admission requirements are a master’s 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:

• a TOEFL score of at least 100 (Internet-based), with a minimum of 21 on each subtest, or equivalent
• a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, with at least 6.0 in each of the four modules that include listening, academic writing, academic reading and speaking
• a minimum Pearson score of 68

Medical Physics program has two additional requirements:

1. a score of 850 or above in GRE Physics
2. Criminal Record Check

Prior to applying for admission, applicants to Cancer Sciences are strongly encouraged to identify a supervisor who is willing to pay their stipend. Applicants to Medical Physics are not required to identify a potential supervisor prior to applying for admission.

All applicants are also required to submit the following

• Curriculum Vitae
• Vision Statement (1 page essay explaining why you are interested in Cancer Sciences or Medical Physics)
• 3 Letters of reference (to be uploaded to the online application separately by each referee)

For Cancer Sciences, the application deadline is April 30 for Fall admission and October 1 for Winter admission. (September 1 for Winter international applicants).

For Medical Physics the application deadline is June 1 for Fall admission. There is no winter admission for Medical Physics.

Financial Assistance

Students are funded by a combination of UAlberta awards, external awards, and supervisor research funding.

Graduate Program Requirements

Master’s Programs

• Master of Science with specialization in Cancer Sciences (Oncology)
    
• Master of Science with specialization in Medical Physics (Oncology)
    

Doctoral Programs

• Doctor of Philosophy with specialization in Cancer Sciences (Oncology)
    
• Doctor of Philosophy with specialization in Medical Physics (Oncology)
    

Graduate Courses

Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings , under the following subject headings:

Oncology (ONCOL)
Physics (PHYS)