Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Master of Science (MSc)

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Students with a bachelor’s degree who are looking enjoy a wide variety of research that is at the forefront of many fields should consider getting a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (MSc Thesis) degree. Research can include everything from biochemistry to molecular research, as well as cellular and developmental biology. It also ranges from genetics and immunology to bioinformatics, with applications to cancer and clinical research. As they deepen their skills, students will get to enjoy the amenities of a large city near the outdoor leisure activities of the Rocky Mountains. Completion of the program usually takes two years of full-time study.

Completing this program

  • Courses: Courses may include Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bioinformatic Resources for the Biologist.
  • 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.
  • Seminars: Students participate in a journal club and work-in-progress seminars for their research group, and will present one seminar per year.
  • Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

Specializations

Bioinformatics

Outcomes

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 master’s degree in biochemistry and molecular biology will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

Thesis-based program

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

Courses

Three core courses and one elective

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment

Two years full time; four years maximum

Supervisor

A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted

Fees and funding

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

Virtual Tour

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Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
 


  1. Karl Riabowol

    Karl Riabowol

    Accepting Inquiries
    Cellular and biological aging, oncology
  2. David Schriemer

    David Schriemer

    Accepting Inquiries
    integrative structural biology, proteomics, mass spectrometry
  3. Tim Shutt

    Tim Shutt

    Accepting Inquiries
    Mitochondria
  4. Maja Tarailo-Graovac

    Maja Tarailo-Graovac

    Accepting Inquiries
    Genomics of Rare Genetic Disease, Medical Genomics, Genetic Modifiers, Model Organisms, Whole Genome Sequencing/Bioinformatics, Diagnostic potential of HTPS, Phenotypic variability in rare diseases, Genetic Modifiers
  5. James Wasmuth

    James Wasmuth

    Unavailable
    Infectious Disease Genomics
  6. Gareth Williams

    Gareth Williams

    Accepting Inquiries
    Structural biology of DNA repair
  7. Brent Winston

    Brent Winston

    Accepting Inquiries
    Diseases of the critically ill
  8. Robin M Yates

    Robin M. Yates

    Unavailable
    Biochemistry, Immunology, Cell Biology, Comparative Biomedical Sciences
  9. Headshot

    Adriana Zardini Buzatto

    Seeking Students
    Lipidomics: analytical method development (liquid-chromatography - mass spectrometry), software development, database development., Applications: Lipidomics of extracellular vesicles, biomarker discovery (neurological diseases and others), human microbiome (inc. antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity), milk, plants, and others
  10. Xi-Long Zheng

    Xi-Long Zheng

    Accepting Inquiries
    Molecular Mechanisms Underlying the Pathogenesis of Cardiovascular Disease

Admission requirements


GPA

A minimum of 3.3 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 four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

None

Documents

  • A current C.V.

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:

Deadlines

For admission on May 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

For admission on September 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
  • International students: Apr. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1:

  • Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
  • International students: Aug. 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

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Health Sciences Centre
HSC G345C, 3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Cumming School of Medicine

Health Sciences Centre
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary
Calgary, AB, T2N 1N4

Visit the Cumming School of Medicine website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour


Highlights of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program

These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.

Carla Davidson, Owner - Endeavour Scientific Management and Consulting

Carla Davidson, Owner - Endeavour Scientific Management and Consulting

"I learned a combination of critical thinking, clear communication and broad experience. My graduate degree gave me the willingness to start my own business."

Kevin Thorneloe

Kevin Thorneloe, Director - Biopharm Translational Medicine

"The critical thinking skills I acquired during my PhD has been the foundation of my career in the pharmaceutical industry."

Nima Najand

Nima Najand, Technology Analyst - Innovate Calgary

"UCalgary has been instrumental in providing me with skills to succeed in careers outside academia."