205
Graduate Programs
205.10
Cell Biology
205.10 Cell Biology
Department of Cell Biology
514 Medical Sciences Building
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2H7
E-mail: info@cellbio.med.ualberta.ca
205.10.1 General Information
The Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, offers graduate programs leading to the MSc and PhD degrees in cell biology. The Department provides a world-class training environment in a range of areas including organelle biogenesis and disease, virology, cancer apoptosis and signal transduction, proteomics, molecular evolution, RNA biology, chaperones and pathogen-host interactions, and spinal cord injury. Through a strong independent research program, complemented by seminars and formal coursework, students are trained to identify important problems, critically analyze scientific information and effectively communicate their results.
The Department is located primarily on two floors of the Medical Sciences Building and is endowed with state of the art equipment needed to perform experimental work in modern cell biology. These include extensive microscopy and tissue culture facilities, a transmission electron microscope and image analysis system, automated DNA sequencing facility, 2-D gel analysis set-up for proteomics, imaging systems for detection of radioactive or light-emitting gels or blots, chromatography systems for protein purification and biochemical analysis, microinjection facilities, as well as cold rooms, dark rooms, ultracentrifuges and scintillation counters. In addition, the Department recently acquired two state-of-the-art confocal microscope facilities for live imaging of cellular transport processes, as well as for detection of protein-protein interactions. Staff and students also have access to several facilities within the Medical Sciences Building for global analysis using proteomics, confocal microscopy, antibody production, as well as peptide synthesis and sequencing. Research funding, primarily from agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the National Science and Engineering Research Council, Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions, the Canadian Foundation for Innovation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute amounts to over $4.5 million each year.
Detailed information on the graduate program can be found in our Graduate Student Policy available at www.ualberta.ca/CELLBIOLOGY/policy.html.
Address all inquiries to the Graduate Coordinator, Department of Cell Biology.
Entrance Requirements
Graduate programs are normally open to graduates of general and health-related science programs, provided students obtained a grade point average of 3.3 in the last two years (
60 or equivalent) of undergraduate study at the University of Alberta or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Applicants with degrees in other fields will be considered. Students with degrees from institutions where the language of instruction is not English must also take one of the following language proficiency exams and meet the following minimum score requirements: 600 (paper-based) or 100 with 20 in each subtest (internet-based) in TOEFL; 7.0 overall with 6.0 in each subtest in IELTS; 70 overall with 70 in each subtest in CAEL; 68 in Pearson Test of English (PTE); or 91 in MELAB. Students who do not show adequate verbal skills upon arrival will be requested to take remedial courses.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance in the form of graduate research assistantships is normally available for students. Students will also be expected to apply for competitive student awards. Further information regarding financial assistance will be supplied upon request.
205.10.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Individual programs vary depending on the student's background, but are designed to provide students with an appropriate education in Cell Biology. A minimum of 5 in graded graduate courses are normally required, including at least one standard course in the 500 or 600 series. These will normally be related to the student's research interest and will be chosen in consultation with the graduate supervisory committee. Possible courses include CELL 502, 505, 510, 515, 525, 545 or 614. In addition, candidates are required to enrol and present a seminar at least once in either CELL 671 or 672.
MSc students must prepare an acceptable thesis presenting the results of original research conducted. Candidates will be examined orally on their thesis results by a committee formed according to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research regulations. Course requirements will be determined by the student's graduate supervisory committee in accordance with University regulations.
The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the MSc will vary according to the previous training of the applicant. A minimum of two years is normally required.
205.10.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Individual programs vary depending on the student's background, but are designed to provide students with an appropriate education in Cell Biology. A minimum of 9 in graduate courses are normally required, including at least two standard graded courses in the 500 or 600 series. All PhD students are expected to register in CELL 614. Additional courses will normally be related to the student's research interest and will be chosen in consultation with the graduate supervisory committee. PhD students are also required to enrol in CELL 671 and in CELL 672, usually in their first and second year in the graduate program, respectively.
Students in the PhD program will take a candidacy exam consisting of written and oral parts and a final thesis defence. Each student will be supervised by a committee formed according to Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research regulations.
The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
Length of Program
The time required to complete the program will vary according to the previous training of the applicant and the nature of the research undertaken. Typically graduate students require a total of five years to complete their PhD studies.
205.10.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the subject heading Cell Biology.
