The organization and administration of the graduate program in biophysics are the responsibility of the Biophysics Interdepartmental Group (BIG). The group consists of those members of the graduate faculty whose research interests lie wholly or partly in biophysics. Biophysics spans all areas of the life sciences from molecular structure to human biology and uses the ideas and techniques of the physical sciences to solve biological problems. The specific sub-disciplines of BIG are molecular, cellular, structural, and computational biophysics.

Administrative Staff

Director and Graduate Program Coordinator
Leonid Brown (MacNaughton 325, Ext. 53295)
lebrown@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Janice Ilic (MacNaughton 207, Ext. 58176)
big@uoguelph.ca

Graduate Faculty

This list may include Regular Graduate Faculty, Associated Graduate Faculty and/or Graduate Faculty from other universities.

MSc Program

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to the MSc program in biophysics from a range of undergraduate programs, including physics, biology, biochemistry, microbiology, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, or computing science. To be considered for admission, applicants should meet the minimum requirements of a four-year honours degree with a 73% (B) average during the final two years of study. Applicants should briefly indicate their research interests and, if possible, their preferred advisors.

Program Requirements

Students in the MSc program will be under the guidance of an interdepartmental advisory committee. A total of 1.5 credits are required, one of which is usually BIOP*6000 Concepts in Biophysics. In addition, all students are required to complete the seminar course BIOP*6010 Biophysics Seminar. The advisory committee may require additional courses. An average of 70% (B-) or better must be obtained in the prescribed courses. Further information may be obtained from the chair of the group. When the course work is satisfactorily completed, the submission and successful defence of an appropriate thesis on an approved topic completes the requirements for the MSc in Biophysics.

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the PhD program should have a recognized master's degree in an appropriate field, with a 77% (B+) average in their postgraduate studies. Applicants should briefly indicate their area of research interest and preferred advisor(s). It is often beneficial for applicants to talk with potential advisors before submitting an application.

Direct admission to the PhD program may be permitted for applicants holding a bachelor's degree with high academic standing. Students enrolled in the master's degree program who achieve a superior academic record and show a particular aptitude for research may be permitted to transfer to the PhD program. The application to transfer should be made to the chair of the biophysics program between the end of the second semester and the end of the fourth semester of work towards the master's degree.

Program Requirements

Students in the PhD program will be under the guidance of an interdepartmental advisory committee. For students who completed the MSc degree in a program other than Biophysics at the University of Guelph, a total of 1.0 graduate course credits are required, one of which is usually BIOP*6000 Concepts in Biophysics. For students who transfer directly into the PhD program from the MSc program in Biophysics, or who complete the MSc program in Biophysics at the University of Guelph, no additional course credits are required. In the case of students who enter the PhD program from the BSc degree, 1.5 graduate course credits are required, one of which is BIOP*6000 Concepts in Biophysics. In addition, all students are required to complete the non-credit seminar course, BIOP*6010 Biophysics Seminar. The advisory committee may require additional courses for any student. An average of 70% (B-) or better must be obtained in the prescribed courses. As early as feasible, but no later than the final semester of the minimum duration, a PhD student is required to complete a qualifying examination to assess their knowledge of the subject. This examination should normally be taken within the first five semesters of registration as a PhD student. When the qualifying examination and the course work are satisfactorily completed, the submission and successful defense of an acceptable thesis on an approved topic completes the requirements for the PhD in Biophysics.

Courses

With approval of the Advisory Committee a student can take courses offered by other departments in Life, Physical and Engineering Sciences. Example courses could be, but not limited to:

Courses in Related Subjects

Biomedical Sciences

Chemistry

Computing and Information Science

Engineering

Human Health and Nutritional Sciences

Mathematics and Statistics

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Physics