205
Graduate Programs
205.7
Biological Sciences
205.7 Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
CW312 Biological Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
T6G 2E9
E-mail: bio.grad.coordinator@ualberta.ca
205.7.1 General Information
The Department of Biological Sciences offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. It strives to develop scholars familiar with literature in their field, capable of identifying new problems and new directions of endeavour in their field, and competent with the methods of data collection and analysis essential to do research. Students will fulfil these objectives through several forums: a supervised research program, coursework, participation in seminar programs, and defending their dissertation.
The Department has research laboratories and instructional facilities for 250–300 graduate students. There are facilities for digital image processing, electron and confocal microscopy, analytical chemistry, molecular biology, fermentation, biotechnology, DNA synthesis and sequencing, cultivation of microbial cells and cells of yeasts, plants, insects and mammals. Facilities include large holding tanks for aquatic animals, and controlled environment rooms including an extensive greenhouse complex. Off-campus facilities include the Devonian Botanic Garden and mycology herbarium, several field stations including the Meanook Biological Research Station and Ellerslie Plant Genetics Station, all near Edmonton, and the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island. Extensive reference collections are available for research with microfungi, vascular and cryptogamic plants as well as vertebrates and invertebrates, including major collections of fishes, fossil plants and vertebrates, insects and parasites.
There are six research interest groups (RIG) within the Department: Ecology; Microbiology and Biotechnology; Molecular Biology and Genetics; Physiology, Cell and Developmental Biology; Plant Biology; and Systematics and Evolution. Students either register in one of these areas of specialization for their program or, with permission of the supervisor and approval of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), register toward a degree of MSc or PhD with specialization in Biological Sciences. Declared specialization in one of the six research interest areas can be indicated on a student's thesis title page, degree diploma, and transcript.
Potential applicants, especially PhD students, are encouraged to first correspond with academic staff in whose research laboratories they might want to study. Additional information is found at www.biology.ualberta.ca (see links to – Graduate Program – Prospective Students).
Entrance Requirements
The Department's minimum admission requirements are a four-year undergraduate degree, or its academic equivalent, from a recognized university, and a grade point average of at least 3.3 in the last two years of undergraduate study. A minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (internet-based) is required, where applicable (see §203.2.4). The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general and subject tests are preferred, but are not required.
Financial Assistance
All students entering the graduate program receive financial support for at least the first two years and eight months of a full-time MSc program, and the first five years of a full-time PhD program, at the minimum rate of $24,600 per year.
The sources of financial support for graduate students include: 1) Scholarships from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, Province of Alberta, University of Alberta; 2) Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships; 3) University of Alberta General Awards; 4) other external agencies; 5) supervisor's research funds.
International students whose first language is not English and who wish to receive a Graduate Teaching Assistantship normally require a minimum TOEFL score of 630 (paper-based) or 109 (internet-based) with a minimum score of 26 on the speaking component.
205.7.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Required courses depend on the area of specialization (see below) and the undergraduate background of the student; however, the MSc program requires registration in a combination of coursework and thesis research comprising the equivalent of a minimum of 
24. This normally consists of a minimum of 6 graded courses (equivalent to two single-term graduate-level, or approved undergraduate, graded courses) and a thesis. Where graded credits are required as part of the formal coursework toward a MSc degree, project courses or individual study courses may not be included in the minimal requirements. These include BIOL 490, 498, or 499, or similar courses in other departments or faculties at the 400, 500, or 600 level. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), with advice from the coordinator of the RIG under which a particular graduate program is administered, will maintain a current list of excluded courses. These courses may be taken for credit in addition to the minimal graded requirement on the recommendation of the supervisory committee with approval of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).
Generally, courses should be taken in the first year of the program. Beyond the basic course requirements of the Department, each student's individual program will be developed by agreement between the student and the supervisor or the supervisory committee.
Students will be asked to present their thesis research to the Department in the form of a public seminar within two weeks prior to the date of the thesis defence. In addition, students will be encouraged to present progress reports (oral and poster formats) to the Department or research group in an informal setting at an early stage in their research program.
There is no language requirement for the degree of MSc.
Candidates for the master's degree must complete a minimum of two (four-month) terms in full-time residence at the University of Alberta.
Requirements within Research Groups
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Biological Sciences
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work, of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Attendance/participation in an appropriate seminar series is required as determined by the supervisor/supervisory committee.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Ecology
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum 6 graded course work, of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Enrolment in BIOL 603 is recommended. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first year. Students are encouraged to register in BIOL 631 in their first year and to register and/or participate in BIOL 631 in subsequent years.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Microbiology and Biotechnology
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis and a minimum of 6 in graded courses, which include MICRB 514 in the first or second year and MICRB 607 in the second year. In addition to registration in MICRB 607, all students must register and/or participate in MICRB 606 in the first and third year.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetics
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. In their first year, students typically register in GENET 500 (Term I) and GENET 510 (Term II). In special cases, students may opt out of one of these courses on recommendation of their supervisory committee. However, all students must register in at least 3 graded courses in their first year, and at least 3 of their total graded course weight must be chosen from the 500- or 600-level as advised by their supervisory committee. (GENET 500 and GENET 510 will normally fulfil this requirement.) Each year, all students will register and/or participate in GENET 601 and GENET 605.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Physiology, Cell, and Developmental Biology
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Students will register in BIOL 642 during each Fall/Winter term of the first year of their program. In subsequent years, they will participate either in BIOL 642 or any other seminar course, as determined by the supervisor. Students are also required to present one seminar in the BIOL 642 seminar course. Normally this would be in the second year of their thesis work. Presentation in BIOL 642 is not to be used as the pre-thesis or any other seminar course, as determined by the supervisory committee.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Plant Biology
The MSc consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. Students will register in BOT 600 during the first year of their program. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first year. Continued participation in BOT 600 in subsequent years is recommended.
The Degree of MSc with Specialization in Systematics and Evolution
The MSc program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. In addition, students must register in the seminar courses BIOL 506 and 507 at least once during their program (resulting in a total of 9). Continued participation in BIOL 507 in subsequent years is recommended. Students are encouraged, but not required, to select graded courses from the following list after consultation with their supervisor or supervisory committee: BIOL 321, 335, 380, 430, 521, 592.
Length of Program
The time required to compete the MSc degree will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of two years is normally required. Candidates must complete their degree program within four years of the time they first register.
205.7.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Required courses depend on the area of specialization (see below) and the undergraduate background of the student; however, the PhD program requires registration in a combination of coursework and thesis research comprising the equivalent of a minimum of 36. This normally consists of a minimum of 6 graded courses (equivalent to two single-term graduate-level graded courses) and a thesis. Where graded credits are required as part of the formal coursework toward a PhD degree, project courses or individual study courses may not be included in the minimal requirements. These include BIOL 490, 498, or 499, or similar courses in other departments or faculties at the 400, 500, or 600 level. The Associate Chair (Graduate Studies), with the advice from the coordinator of the RIG under which a particular graduate program is administered, will maintain a current list of excluded courses. These courses may be taken for credit in addition to the minimal graded requirement on the recommendation of the supervisory committee with approval of the Associate Chair (Graduate Studies).
Generally, courses should be taken in the first year of the program. Beyond the basic course requirements of the Department, each student's individual program will be developed by agreement between the student and the supervisor or the supervisory committee.
Students will be asked to present their thesis research to the Department in the form of a public seminar either on the same day, or the day before, the thesis defence. In addition, students will be encouraged to present progress reports (oral and poster formats) to the Department or research group in an informal setting at an early stage in their research program.
There is no language requirement for the degree of PhD.
Candidates for the PhD degree must complete a minimum of two academic years (equivalent to four terms) in full-time residence at the University of Alberta.
Requirements within Research Groups
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Biological Sciences
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work, of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Attendance/participation in an appropriate seminar series is required as determined by the supervisor/supervisory committee.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Ecology
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work, of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Enrolment in BIOL 603 is recommended. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first two years. Students are encouraged to register in BIOL 631 in their first two years and to register and/or participate in BIOL 631 in subsequent years.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Microbiology and Biotechnology
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 9 in graded course work, which includes MICRB 514 in the first or second year, MICRB 607 in the second year, and a 3 graded course selected from the graduate course list (found in §231) and approved by the student's supervisor/supervisory committee. In addition to registration in MICRB 607, students must also register and/or participate in MICRB 606 in all other terms, to a maximum of nine terms.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Molecular Biology and Genetics
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. In their first year, students typically register in GENET 500 (Term I) and GENET 510 (Term II). In special cases, student may opt out of one of these courses on the recommendation of their supervisory committee. However, all students must register in at least 3 graded courses in their first year, and at least 6 of their total graded course weight must be chosen from the 500- or 600- level as advised by their supervisory committee. (GENET 500 and GENET 510 will normally fulfil this requirement). Each year, all students will register and/or participate in GENET 601 and GENET 605.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Physiology, Cell, and Developmental Biology
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work, of which 3 must be in a graded seminar or discussion-oriented course. Students will register in BIOL 642 during each Fall/Winter term of the first two years of their program. In subsequent years, they will participate either in BIOL 642 or any other seminar course, as determined by the supervisor. Students are also required to present two seminars in the BIOL 642 seminar course during their PhD program. Normally this would be once in the second and again in subsequent years of their thesis work. Presentation in BIOL 642 is not to be used as the pre-thesis public seminar.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Plant Biology
The PhD consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. Students will register in BOT 600 during each of the first two years of their program. Students are encouraged to complete these requirements in their first two years. Continued participation in BOT 600 in subsequent years is recommended.
The Degree of PhD with Specialization in Systematics and Evolution
The PhD program consists of research leading to a thesis, and a minimum of 6 graded course work. In addition, students must register in the seminar courses in BIOL 506 and 507 at least once during the program (resulting in a total of 9). Continued participation in BIOL 507 in subsequent years is recommended. Students are encouraged to select graded courses from the following list after consultation with their supervisor or supervisory committee: BIOL 321, 335, 380, 430, 521, 592.
Length of Program
The time required to compete the PhD degree will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken; however, a minimum of three years is normally required. Candidates must complete their degree program within six years of the time they first register.
205.7.4 Graduate Courses in Biological Sciences
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Biological Sciences - Biology (BIOL)
Biological Sciences - Botany (BOT)
Biological Sciences - Entomology (ENT)
Biological Sciences - Genetics (GEN)
Biological Sciences - Interdisciplinary Courses (INT D)
Biological Sciences - Marine Science (MA SC)
Biological Sciences - Microbiology (MICRB)
Biological Sciences - Zoology (ZOOL)
