The MCB graduate program offers opportunities for interdisciplinary studies in molecular and cellular biology leading to the MSc and PhD degrees in the following five fields:

• Biochemistry
• Cell Biology
• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology and Genetics
• Plant Biology

The research groups directed by the faculty pursue fundamental and applied research questions involving diverse biological systems (plants, humans and other animals, prokaryotic and eukaryotic microbes). In general, they follow lines of scientific enquiry at the level of molecules to cells. See the department website for additional information.

Administrative Staff

Chair
Cezar Khursigara (4477 Science Complex, Ext. 58091)
mcbchair@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Rebecca Shapiro (4459 Science Complex, Ext. 53390)
mcbgrad@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Program Assistant
Laura Faris (4481 Science Complex, Ext. 53815)
cbsmcb@uoguelph.ca
Graduate Admissions Assistant
Karen White (3479 Science Complex, Ext. 52730)
cbsgrad@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

To be considered, applicants must have completed a four-year honours undergraduate science degree (or its equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Normally, the applicant must have achieved a “B” (75%) average or higher during the last two years of full-time study. In exceptional circumstances, students with a “B-minus” average (70%) will be considered provided there is strong supporting evidence of research aptitude and potential.

Each applicant must obtain the support of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor and list them accordingly on their application for admission, at the time of its submission.

Admission may be granted for entry in September, January or May. Completed applications should be uploaded at least one full semester (four months) before the expected date of admission (at least eight months for international students).

All components of the application, including transcript(s), graduate certificate(s), grading scale(s), language test results, assessment forms, a statement of interest must be uploaded no later than two months after an application is submitted through the OUAC portal. Applications that are incomplete after this time period will be closed.

Admission Process

Graduate student applications to programs in the College of Biological Science are handled by the Office of the Associate Dean, Research (ADR). Before submitting an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the information found on the CBS-ADR website to learn more about the application process.

Complete application instructions may also be found on the Office of Graduate Studies webpage or in the Graduate Calendar.

Program Requirements

The objective of the program is to provide graduate students with a high level of relevant knowledge and expertise in contemporary molecular and cellular biology, including experimental techniques, library research, writing and communication skills. Graduates will have the knowledge and skills needed to carry out high quality scientific research and will be prepared for employment in positions with some responsibility in the research and teaching enterprises of academic institutions (as instructors and technical staff), in science-related positions in the broad biotechnology sector (e.g. food and beverage industries, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, and agriculture-related industries), or in government sector institutes and laboratories. They will be well prepared to continue their graduate education at the PhD level. Alternatively they may opt to complete a professional degree (such as law, medicine, or business) or a teaching certificate.

Students in the MSc program must complete a minimum of 2 courses (1.5 credits) at the graduate level. MCB*6500 MSc Research Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology is mandatory. This two-semester should be completed in the first year of study and normally in the first two semesters. Senior undergraduate courses may be taken on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee but these will not count towards the 1.5 credit requirement. An average of “B-minus” (70%) must be achieved in the prescribed courses.

The MSc thesis research must involve original enquiry into a well-defined question in the molecular biosciences. It is expected that the research will not have been previously reported in the literature and, wherever possible, the research should yield publishable data.

All students beyond year 1 in the program are required to participate annually in the CBS Graduate Student Symposium by giving a presentation describing their research progress.

PhD Program

Admission Requirements

There are three pathways for admission to the PhD program:

1. Students who have achieved an “A-minus” (80%) average or higher during the last two years of full-time study while completing a four-year honours BSc program (or its equivalent) and who provide evidence of research aptitude and potential based on laboratory research experience may apply to enter the PhD program directly, or
2. An MSc student may apply to transfer to the PhD program before completing the MSc degree. To be eligible for transfer, the student must have completed a high quality undergraduate degree with a grade average of B+ or higher. Before applying for transfer to the PhD program students must complete MCB*6500 MSc Research Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology plus an additional course with at least 0.5 graduate course credit, attaining an overall A minus average (at least 80%). Applications for transfer must be approved by the end of the fourth semester in the MSc program.
3. Applicants may have completed a recognized Masters degree in a relevant discipline with a minimum academic standing of “A-minus” (80%).

Each applicant must obtain the support of a faculty member willing to serve as their thesis advisor and list them accordingly on their application for admission, at the time of its submission.

All components of the application, including transcript(s), graduate certificate(s), grading scale(s), language test results, assessment forms, a statement of interest, must be uploaded no later than two months after an application is submitted through the OUAC portal. Applications that are incomplete after this time period will be closed.

Admission may be granted for entry in September, January or May. Completed applications should be uploaded at least one full semester (four months) before the expected date of admission (at least eight months for international students).

Admission Process

Graduate student applications to programs in the College of Biological Science are handled by the Office of the Associate Dean, Research (ADR). Before submitting an application, applicants are strongly encouraged to review the information found on the CBS-ADR website to learn more about the application process.

Completed application instructions may also be found on the Office of Graduate Studies webpage or in the Graduate Calendar.

Program Requirements

The objective of the program is to develop independent and creative scientists specializing in molecular and cellular biology. Graduates will be prepared for positions as scholars in academic institutions, as leaders in the research and development sector of the biomedical and other industries or government agencies, and in social institutions.

Students in the PhD program must complete MCB*7500 PhD Research Topics in Molecular and Cellular Biology. This two-semester course should be completed in the first year of study and normally within the first two semesters. Students without an MSc degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology or the equivalent are required to take one additional graduate course. Other courses may be taken on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. An average of “B-minus” (70%) must be achieved in the prescribed courses. To be a candidate for the PhD degree, each student must pass a PhD Qualifying Exam. The Qualifying Examination is completed before the end of the fifth semester (for students with an MSc) or the end of the seventh semester (for students without an MSc).

The PhD thesis research must involve original enquiry into a well-defined question in the molecular biosciences. It is expected to result in the publication of one or more papers in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. The research must represent a significant contribution to the relevant research field.

All students beyond year 1 in the program are required to participate annually in the CBS Graduate Student Symposium by giving a presentation describing their research progress.

Collaborative Specializations

Neuroscience

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology participates in the MSc/PhD collaborative specialization in neuroscience. Please consult the Neuroscience listing for a detailed description of the MSc/PhD collaborative specialization.

One Health

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology participates in the collaborative specialization in One Health. Master’s and Doctoral students wishing to undertake thesis research or their major research paper/project with an emphasis on one health are eligible to apply to register concurrently in Molecular and Cellular Biology and the collaborative specialization. Students should consult the One Health listing for more information.

Toxicology

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology participates in the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization in toxicology. The research and teaching expertise of these faculty include aspects of toxicology; they may serve as advisors for master's and doctoral students in Toxicology. Students choosing this option must meet the requirements of the Toxicology collaborative specialization, as well as those of their home department. Please consult the Toxicology listing for a detailed description of the master's/doctoral collaborative specialization.

Courses