Autumn on campus

Veterinary Medical Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Our graduate program is preparing the next generation of international leaders in animal and public health. Students will expand on their understanding of core competencies in veterinary medical sciences. They will acquire specialized expertise through the course of their thesis projects, deepening their skills as they embark on careers as highly-trained academics and professionals.

The graduate mission of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is to be a world leader in the training of animal health researchers and postgraduate veterinarians, creating experts who will advance animal and public health as well as the veterinary profession.

Completing this program

  • Core courses: Students take courses in professional skills in health science research and biostatistical methods.

  • Seminar: Students will be required to give two seminars during their time in the program.

  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

  • Additional Courses: Topics may include biology of laboratory animals, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, parasitology and more.

  • Candidacy: Students will complete a research proposal and both oral and written candidacy exams.

Specializations

Outcomes

Academia; government (regulatory--food safety; water safety); feedlot; zoos; centre for disease control; biotechnology; pharmaceuticals; vaccine development; diagnostic pathology.

A PhD in Veterinary Medical Sciences is usually considered a final degree for pursuing academic and non-academic careers in the above sectors.

Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Two years full time; six years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program

Fees and funding

See the Graduate Calendar for information on fees and fee regulations, and for information on awards and financial assistance.

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary (UCalgary) from anywhere. Experience all that UCalgary has to offer for your graduate student journey without physically being on campus. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.


Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. Contact the program for more information.


  1. Antoine Dufour

    Antoine Dufour

    Unavailable
    Proteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity
  2. Sabine Gilch

    Sabine Gilch

    Seeking Students
    Prion diseases, cell biology of prion infection, chronic wasting disease, prion strains
  3. John Gilleard

    John Gilleard

    Accepting Inquiries
    Parasitology
  4. Kent Hecker

    Kent Hecker

    Seeking Students
    Psychometrics and Neuro-education in Health Professional Education
  5. Placeholder Profile Image

    Karen Liljebjelke

    Seeking Students
    General Description of Research Program, Antimicrobial Resistance, Bacterial Biofilm Production, Salmonella in Poultry Production
  6. Placeholder Profile Image

    Douglas Morck

    Unavailable
    Biofilms, Antibiotic Resistance, Bacterial Pathogenesis, Immunomodulatory Effects of Antibiotics
  7. picture

    Diego Nobrega

    Accepting Inquiries
    Antimicrobial resistance and One Health
  8. Karin Orsel

    Karin Orsel

    Accepting Inquiries
  9. Placeholder Profile Image

    John Remnant

    Seeking Students
    Veterinary Education, Veterinary Careers, Veterinary Practice, Rural and Production Animal Practice, Dairy Herd Health, Cattle Medicine
  10. Hermann Schaetzl

    Hermann Schaetzl

    Accepting Inquiries
    prion diseases

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A Master's degree from an accredited institution with course work appropriate for VMS graduate training from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

Curriculum Vitae, and a Letter of Understanding signed by the prospective student and supervisor with a statement outlining the supervisor’s commitment to the training of the student, as well as their commitment to fund the student in accordance with the minimum VMS guidelines.

Reference letters

Two

Test scores

None


English language proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements

Deadlines

For admission on September 1

Canadians and permanent residents: Jun. 1 application deadline

International students: Jun. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1

Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 1 application deadline

International students: Nov. 1 application deadline

For admission on May 1

Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline

International students: Mar. 1 application deadline

For admission on July 1

Canadians and permanent residents: May 1 application deadline

International students: May 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Learn more about this program

Veterinary Medical Sciences Graduate Program

Veterinary Medical Sciences Graduate Programs (Foothills Campus)
TRW 2D08, 3280 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 4Z6
403.210.8764

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

TRW 2D01
3280 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, ABT2N 4Z6
403.210.3961

Visit the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.


Highlights of the Veterinary Medicine program

Vista in Tanzania, Africa

Battling parasitic worms in the developing world

John Gilleard is bringing knowledge of parasites in livestock to understand parasites in humans

Dairy cows

Understanding the link between antimicrobial use and resistance

William Ghali is investigating the use of antibiotics in food animals and its impact on human health

Student with horse

Gentle giants

Vet med researchers are looking at the effects of competing in the Stampede's Heavy Horse Pull