205
Graduate Programs
205.53
Oncology
205.53 Oncology
Department of Oncology
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
2239 Cross Cancer Institute
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2
E-mail: gradinfo.oncology@albertahealthservices.ca
205.53.1 General Information
The Department of Oncology offers programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. Applicants with the MSc degree, or a strong undergraduate record, may be accepted directly into the PhD program.
The Department offers specializations in Experimental Oncology and Medical Physics, as well as a general degree in Oncology. Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Oncology are open to suitable graduates in biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, physiology, immunology, medical sciences, etc. Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Medical Physics are open to suitable graduates in physics, engineering physics, or equivalent programs. Graduates in a variety of disciplines may be eligible for acceptance into the general Oncology degree leading to the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in Oncology. Research programs and course selection will have a clear connection and relevance to the field of Oncology.
The Department of Oncology currently has more than 102 faculty with primary appointments and approximately 57 faculty from other departments holding adjunct appointments to its seven Divisions. The Department is largely located at the Cross Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer centre affiliated with the University of Alberta. The Department has state-of-the-art facilities in cell imaging, flow cytometry, gene analysis systems, computational drug design, small animal imaging, human imaging and radiation therapy facilities. Faculty is involved in medical education at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and they lead major research initiatives ranging from clinical studies to basic research into the diagnosis, treatment, and molecular causation of cancer. Information on the graduate research programs can be found at www.oncology.med.ualberta.ca/Education/Pages/default.aspx. Specific information regarding Medical Physics is available at www.mp.med.ualberta.ca and Experimental Oncology at www.graduate-studies-in-cancer-research.org. Address all inquiries to the Graduate Program Administrator or to gradinfo.oncology@albertahealthservices.ca.
Entrance Requirements
The Department's normal requirements are a minimum GPA of 3.3 or equivalent in the last two years (60 credits) of undergraduate work (or graduate work) at the University of Alberta or an equivalent qualification from a recognized institution. Where applicable, a paper-based TOEFL score of at least 600 (or 100 internet-based, with a minimum of 20 on each subtest), is required (see §203.2.4). GRE scores in the 75th percentile or above in the three categories are required for international applicants. In addition, Medical Physics requires a score of 850 or above in GRE Physics.
Financial Assistance
Funding from fellowships and studentships is available from external agencies on a competitive basis. Supervisors may support students from operating grants and some financial assistance is available from the Department.
205.53.2 The Degree of MSc
Program Requirements
Admission to the MSc is dependent on the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinating Committee. The requirements for this degree consist of course work, completion of a research project, and preparation of a thesis.
The degree of MSc in Experimental Oncology: Course requirements are recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee based on the background of the student and the area of research to be undertaken. A minimum of 
9 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent is required. Students are required to enrol in ONCOL 520 (normally during the first or second year) and ONCOL 661/660 (normally during the second year). Students are also required to attend ONCOL 661/660 during all years of their program.
The degree of MSc in Medical Physics: Students are required to complete 33 in graduate-level courses (ONCOL 550, 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, 562, 564, 566, 568, 600[A], 600 [B] and BME 564) in the first year of their program. An undergraduate course BME 320 must be completed any time during the program. Within the first year of registration in the program, the student’s supervisory committee makes a formal recommendation on the candidate’s potential for graduate work. At this time, students may in certain cases be permitted to transfer directly to a PhD program if their progress should warrant such a transfer. The minimum period of residence is two four-month terms of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
The degree of MSc in Oncology: Course requirements are recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee based on the background of the student and the area of research to be undertaken. A minimum of 9 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent is required. Students are required to enrol in ONCOL 520 (normally during the first or second year) or an equivalent course that surveys the discipline of oncology, encompassing and extending beyond the students field of study. Students are required to enrol in ONCOL 660/661 (normally during the second year) or an equivalent seminar based course relevant to the student’s field of study. Participation in a seminar-based course is expected in all years of the student's program.
Length of Program
The minimum length of program is two years, depending on the research undertaken. The maximum length is four years.
205.53.3 The Degree of PhD
Program Requirements
Admission to the PhD is dependent on the recommendation of the Graduate Coordinating Committee. The requirements for this degree consist of course work, completion of a research project, and preparation of a thesis.
The degree of PhD in Experimental Oncology: Course requirements are recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee based on the background of the student and the area of research to be undertaken. For students entering the PhD program after a BSc degree, the minimum course requirement is 12 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent. For students entering the PhD program after a MSc degree, in the same discipline the minimum course requirement is 6 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent. Students are required to enrol in ONCOL 520 (normally during the first or second year) and ONCOL 661/660 (normally during the second year). Students are also required to attend ONCOL 661/660 during all years of their program and to give at least three seminars (usually one per year) through ONCOL 660.
Students in Experimental Oncology are required to take a candidacy exam consisting of a written grant proposal and an oral defence of the proposal including peripheral areas. Students must prepare a thesis describing the results of their research, and be examined orally 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.
The degree of PhD in Medical Physics: Students are required to have completed a minimum of 33 after an Honors BSc degree from the University of Alberta or equivalent. The 33 are those courses required for the MSc program in Medical Physics listed in §205.53.2. An undergraduate course BME 320 must be completed any time during the program. PhD students must also complete additional courses depending on their subspecialty: Radiation Oncology Physics subspecialty, ONCOL 693; Radiological and Nuclear Medical Physics subspeciality, ONCOL 692; and Magnetic Resonance Physics subspecialty, ONCOL 690 and ONCOL 691. Students must pass an oral candidacy examination consisting of a defence of the research proposal including general medical physics. Once these requirements are successfully completed, the student’s research is presented in the form of a thesis which must be defended before a final examining committee. The minimum period of residence is two academic years of full-time attendance at the University of Alberta.
The degree of PhD in Oncology: Course requirements are recommended by the supervisor and supervisory committee based on the background of the student and the area of research to be undertaken. For students entering the PhD program after a BSc degree, the minimum course requirement is 12 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent. For students entering the PhD program after a MSc degree in the same discipline, the minimum course requirement is 6 in graded graduate-level courses chosen from the approved course listing, or approved equivalent. Students are required to enrol in ONCOL 520 (normally during the first or second year) or an equivalent course that surveys the discipline of oncology, encompassing and extending beyond the students field of study, and ONCOL 661/660 or an equivalent seminar-based course relevant to the student’s field of study (normally during the second year). Students are also required to attend the seminar-based course relevant to the student’s field of study, during all years of their program and to give at least three seminars (usually one per year) as an active participant in the seminar program.
Students in Oncology are required to take a candidacy exam consisting of a written grant proposal and an oral defence of the proposal including peripheral areas. Students must prepare a thesis describing the results of their research, and be examined orally 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
Doctoral students must complete all requirements within six years of the initial registration in the doctoral programs.
205.53.4 Graduate Courses
Graduate courses can be found in §231, Course Listings, under the following subject headings:
Oncology (ONCOL)
Physics (PHYS)
