Biochemistry and Molecular Biology - PhD

Ambitious students looking to broaden their horizons through a wide range of cutting-edge research should consider the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD Thesis) degree. The research-based program ranges from biochemistry and molecular research to cellular and developmental biology, as well as genetics, immunology and bioinformatics. It also includes applications to cancer and clinical research. Following a previous degree, the program may take up to six years of full-time study. Students will enjoy practicing science in a setting that combines the amenities of a large city with the outdoor leisure activities of the nearby Rocky Mountains.

Completing this program

• Courses: Topics may include analysis of eukaryotic genomes, control of gene expression, cytogenetics, metabolic genetics and more.
• Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
• Sex & Gender Module: Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.
• Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
• Seminars: Student participate in a journal club and work-in-progress seminars for their research group, and will present one seminar per year.
• Candidacy: Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.

Specializations

Bioinformatics

Academic research; post-secondary and secondary teaching; industry research and consulting; business consulting, analytics, management, sales, research and marketing; scientific writing; IP and patent law; medicine (lab tech; physician; clinical scientist); veterinary medicine.

A PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology is usually considered a final degree; some graduates go on to post-doctoral research.