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About the University of Calgary
Graduate Studies Calendar 2014-2015 Program Descriptions Medicine Programs Medicine, Medical Science MDSC
Medicine, Medical Science MDSC
Contact Information

Location: Health Sciences Centre, Room G347A
Program number: 403.220.6852
Fax: 403.210.8109
Email address: medgrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: http://www.ucalgary.ca/mdsc

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

Students in the MSc and PhD degree programs are normally considered full-time.

Specializations:

  • Cancer Biology*
  • Critical Care Medicine*
  • Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology*
  • Joint Injury and Arthritis*
  • Biomechanics
  • Biomedical Ethics
  • Molecular & Medical Genetics 
  • Pathologists' Assistant
  • Physiology
  • Surgery (In co-operation with the Department of Surgery)
  • Medical Imaging (Interdisciplinary)**

*A part-time option may be available within these specializations.

** See the Calendar section on Interdisciplinary Specializations for further information.

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the Medical Science Graduate Program requires the following:

a) a minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the University of Calgary four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents.

b) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based test), 100 (Internet-based test), or a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, or a minimum MELAB score of 84, specializations may have additional requirements.

c) Two reference letters and reference forms.

d) For admission to the Master of Science program with a specialization in surgery, prior admission to the surgery residency program is required. Students will normally apply to the Master of Science program in the third year of the surgery residency program. For admission to the Surgeon Scientist Program prior admission to the Medical Science Graduate Program is required.

3. Application Deadline

Deadlines for submission of required documents for international applicants:

April 1 for September admission
August 1 for January admission
December 1 for May admission
February 1 for July admission

Deadlines for submission of required documents for domestic applicants:

June 1 for September admission
October 1 for January admission
March 1 for May admission
May 1 for July admission

4. Advanced Credit

Advanced credit is not normally given in a thesis-based program. See “Medicine Programs”.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the Department requires:

Master of Science

a) A BSc degree or equivalent.

b) A minimum of two half courses.

c) Regular attendance and presentation at a journal club and a final seminar which precedes the thesis defence, although specific training programs may have additional requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) A MSc degree, or relevant master’s degree, recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, BSc degree or equivalent.

b) A minimum of three half courses.

c) Regular attendance and presentation at a journal club and a final seminar which precedes the thesis defence, although specific training programs may have additional requirements.

6. Additional Requirements

Attendance at a half-day Research Integrity Day seminar during their program. Students must attend this seminar before they are approved to defend their thesis. The seminar is held only twice per year, once in January and again in April. Contact the Graduate Program Administrator for more information.

7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Graduate credit may be given for 500-level courses. No more than one half course of credit will be allowed in a two half course program (e.g., if a 500-level full-course is taken, only one half course credit is allowed toward the completion of program course requirements).

8. Time Limit

Average completion time for students in the MSc program is two and a half years, four and a half years in the PhD program.

Leaders in Medicine - Expected completion time is four to five years in the MD/MSc program, six to seven years in the MD/PhD program.

See “Medicine Programs” for maximum completion times.

9. Supervisory Assignments

Students in thesis-based programs have identified a supervisor at the time of admission. In consultation with their supervisors, students must select a supervisory committee consisting of their supervisor plus two other faculty members (MSc) or three other faculty members (PhD) within three months of the appointment of the Supervisor. The Graduate Program Director must approve the composition of the supervisory committee. Specializations may have additional requirements.

10. Required Examinations

See the “Medicine Programs” entry in this Calendar.

11. Research Proposal Requirements

See the “Medicine Programs” entry in this Calendar.

12. Special Registration Information

None.

13. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance must be provided by the supervisor. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar.

Information and deadlines for Medical Science Faculty of Graduate Studies’ award competitions will be provided throughout the year.

14. Other Information

None.

15. Faculty Members/Research Interests

Information about institutes in the Cumming School of Medicine can be found at http://medicine.ucalgary.ca/research/institutes.