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Veterinary Medicine

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

Program overview

Our graduate program is preparing the next generation of international leaders in animal and public health. Students will establish a firm grasp of core competencies in veterinary medical sciences. They will acquire specialized knowledge 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 one public seminar.

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

  • Thesis: Students will complete a thesis based off of their own research.

Specializations

Outcomes

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

A master’s degree in veterinary medicine 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.

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.

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Supervisors

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


  1. Faizal Abdul-Careem

    Faizal Abdul-Careem

    Accepting Inquiries
    Avian viral immunology
  2. Herman Barkema

    Herman Barkema

    Accepting Inquiries
  3. Placeholder Profile Image

    Jeff Biernaskie

    Accepting Inquiries
  4. Prasanth Chelikani

    Prasanth Chelikani

    Accepting Inquiries
    Obesity, Diabetes, Nutrition
  5. Eduardo Cobo

    Eduardo Cobo

    Accepting Inquiries
    Innate immunity in the gut
  6. Alastair Cribb

    Alastair Cribb

    Unavailable
    Pharmacogenetics, Molecular toxicology
  7. Placeholder Profile Image

    Jeroen De Buck

    Accepting Inquiries
  8. Rob Deardon

    Rob Deardon

    Seeking Students
  9. Ina Dobrinski

    Ina Dobrinski

    Unavailable
    Biology of male germ line stem cells
  10. Antoine Dufour

    Antoine Dufour

    Unavailable
    Proteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity

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 minimum of a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent, or a BVSc, DVM or MD degree) 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: Jun. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1

Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 1 application deadline

International: Nov. 1 application deadline

For admission on May 1

Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline

International: Mar. 1 application deadline

For admission on July 1

Canadians and permanent residents: May 1 application deadline

International: 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 Medicine graduate program

Veterinary Medicine 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

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Soren Boysen and Serge Chalhoub

Duelling specialists

UCalgary Teaching Award recipients take a memorable approach to their Clinical Presentation course

Tanzania, Africa

Battling parasitic worms in the developing world

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