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: oncology.gradprogram@ualberta.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.
As of July 1, 2013, students may be admitted through one of two specializations: Medical Physics or Cancer Sciences. Programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Sciences are open to suitable graduates in biochemistry, cell biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, immunology, medical sciences or nutrition. 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. 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 123 faculty with primary appointments and approximately 62 faculty from other departments holding adjunct appointments to its seven Divisions. The Department is located at the Cross Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer centre affiliated with the University of Alberta; as well as at the Katz Group Centre for Pharmacy and Health Research and the Medical Isotopes and Cyclotron Facility (MICF). 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 are 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. Address all inquiries to the Graduate Program Administrator or to oncology.gradprogram@ualberta.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
Students are funded by a combination of UAlberta awards, external awards, and supervisor research funding.
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.
For students in Cancer Sciences 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 a lecture-based background course and a seminar style course – normally these are ONCOL 520 or ONCOL 524 and ONCOL 661/660 respectively, but in exceptional circumstances, ONCOL 320, 425 or some other seminar course, may be substituted, with the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies. Students are also required to attend ONCOL 661/660 seminars 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, either BME 320 or 321, 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.
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.
For doctoral students in Cancer Sciences, 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. As with the Master’s program, students are required to enrol in a lecture based course and a seminar course – normally ONCOL 520 or 524 and ONCOL 660/661, in 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.
Cancer Sciences PhD students 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.
Doctoral students 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, either BME 320 or BME 321, 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.
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)
