Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences - PhD

The graduate program in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences engages students in advanced research through the Cardiovascular Group, the Smooth Muscle Research Group and the Airways Inflammation Research Group. Students' individual research programs are supported by multidisciplinary, laboratory environments that encourage collaboration and exposure to new techniques and model systems.

Students gain a foundation in molecular biology, organ and vascular systems, cardiovascular and respiratory physiology and pharmacology. The program is supported by state-of-the-art facilities and direct contact with patient-oriented research. Students typically advance to careers in health care-focused professions, as well as research opportunities in academia and industry.

Completing this program

• Courses: The amount of required course work is determined by the student's supervisory committee.
• Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program. Additional Research Ethics requirements may apply, depending on the type of research being done.
• 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.

Researchers at academic institutions, education, medicine, government agencies, health organizations, private sector/industry, biotechnology start-up companies, clinical trials coordinators, research-oriented positions in pharmaceutical/biotech companies and Fortune 500 businesses.

A PhD in cardiovascular and respiratory sciences is usually considered a final degree; graduates may go on to pursue post-doctoral research.