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Medical Science

Program Overview

The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs in Medical Science are available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto’s finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields:

  • Bioethics
  • Biomedical Science
  • Clinical Science
  • Health Professions Education
  • Population Health/Health Services
  • Radiation Oncology

The full-time MSc and PhD programs emphasize hands-on research, rather than coursework. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Students may also be interested in the combined degree program in Medicine, Doctor of / Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD).

See video: Explore Graduate Programs at the Faculty of Medicine


Quick Facts

Domestic International
Application deadline MSc, PhD:

Fall 2024 Entry

15-June-2024

MSc, PhD:

Fall 2024 Entry

15-April-2024

Minimum admission average MSc, PhD:

A- or 3.7/4

 

MSc, PhD:

A- or 3.7/4

 

Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? PhD:

Yes

PhD:

Yes

Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? MSc:

No supervisor required at time of application

PhD:

Supervisor is required at time of application

MSc, PhD:

Supervisor is required at time of application

If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? MSc, PhD:

Yes

MSc, PhD:

N/A

Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? MSc, PhD:

Secured by the applicant

MSc, PhD:

Secured by the applicant

Are any standardized tests required/recommended? MSc, PhD:

NA

MSc, PhD:

English Language Proficiency Test


Master of Science

Program Description

The MSc program is available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields: Bioethics; Biomedical Science; Clinical Science; Health Professions Education; Population Health/Health Services; and Radiation Oncology.

The program emphasizes hands-on research, rather than coursework. Faculty conduct research in the following areas: cardiovascular sciences, bioethics, neuroscience, membrane biology, respiratory medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for undergraduates and MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. The IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Students will complete the program in two years over six sessions.

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute of Medical Science's additional admission requirements stated below.
  • An appropriate BSc or an MD degree from a recognized university and academic credentials and background preparation appropriate to the field of study. Qualified university graduates with a professional health science degree (for example, MD, BScN) or an undergraduate arts and science degree of appropriate background who wish to pursue graduate studies in basic or clinical biomedical sciences are encouraged to apply.

  • Applicants lacking adequate background in biological, natural, or social sciences may be required to take undergraduate or graduate courses considered necessary to provide a proper basis for their research.

  • A– (80%) average in the final year of undergraduate study and an A– cumulative average over three of the four total years of study.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction was not English, must demonstrate proficiency in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English language proficiency tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

      • a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or

      • a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test and 25 on the writing and speaking sections.

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total of 86 with a minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalent (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC1010H0 MSc Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).

    • 1.0 elective FCE.

  • A research thesis and oral thesis examination.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

0 Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is completed.

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The PhD program is available in a wide range of basic sciences, clinical sciences, and population health research. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, a student receives specialized training and exposure to Toronto's finest multidisciplinary research. Students conduct research in one of six fields: Bioethics; Biomedical Science; Clinical Science; Health Professions Education; Population Health/Health Services; and Radiation Oncology.

The program emphasizes hands-on research, rather than coursework. Faculty conduct research in the following areas: cardiovascular sciences, bioethics, neuroscience, membrane biology, respiratory medicine, and psychosomatic medicine. The Institute of Medical Science (IMS) is the graduate unit of choice for undergraduates and MDs seeking training as clinician investigators, and graduates may seek positions as academics and health-care professionals in universities, government, and industry. IMS participates in the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons Clinical Investigator Program (CIP).

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree with a defended MSc thesis; 2) transfer from the IMS MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of an appropriate BSc or MD degree.

Completion of the PhD may take longer than the program length indicated below.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute of Medical Science (IMS)'s additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate facility in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English-language proficiency tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

      • a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or

      • a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test and 25 on the writing and speaking sections.

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total score of 86 with minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.

  • Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program after completing a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree (with a defended MSc thesis) with at least an A– standing from a recognized university.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC1011H0 PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).

    • 1.0 elective FCE.

    • Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements.

  • Students must pass a qualifying examination within 18 to 21 months of starting the program.

  • A research thesis must be submitted, and the student must pass an IMS departmental oral examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • At the end of Year 3, students must have completed all program requirements exclusive of the thesis research in order to achieve candidacy.

  • In cases where a student's prior academic background may have covered any of the courses listed above, substitutions will be required. Such substitutions can include any courses in IMS. For courses taken outside of this graduate unit, students should consult with their Graduate Coordinator.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Applicants may be accepted into the PhD program via transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program. Outstanding students may be considered for reclassification/transfer into the PhD program without writing an MSc thesis.

Program Requirements

  • Students must complete 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC1010H0 MSc Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).

    • 1.0 elective FCE with a minimum A– average.

    • The student will be evaluated in an oral transfer examination within 18 to 21 months of initial graduate registration.

    • The successful applicant will enter the PhD program and complete:

      • 0.5 FCE: MSC1011H0 PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit) if credit for MSC1010H has not been obtained prior to transfer.

      • 1.0 elective FCE.

  • A research thesis must be submitted, and the student must pass an IMS departmental oral examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • At the end of Year 3, students must have completed all program requirements exclusive of the thesis research in order to achieve candidacy.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Institute of Medical Science (IMS)'s additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English, and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English, must demonstrate facility in the English language through the successful completion of one of the following English-language proficiency tests:

    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):

      • a minimum score of 600 on the paper-based test and 5 on the Test of Written English (TWE); or

      • a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based test and 25 on the writing and speaking sections.

    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.

    • Certificate of Proficiency in English (COPE): minimum total score of 86 with minimum writing score of 32, reading score of 22, and listening score of 22. Test of Oral Proficiency assessment band = 7.

  • Students are accepted via direct entry into the PhD program after completing an appropriate BSc or an MD degree, without completing a two-year, thesis-based MSc degree.

Program Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC1011H0 PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).

    • 0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).

    • 2.0 elective FCEs.

    • Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements.

  • Students must pass a qualifying examination within 18 to 21 months of starting the program.

  • A research thesis must be submitted, and the student must pass an IMS departmental oral examination before proceeding to the Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • At the end of Year 4, students must have completed all program requirements exclusive of the thesis research in order to achieve candidacy.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.

Geith Maal-Bared

“Make time for friends, family, and leisure. There’s more to life than research and academic pursuit.”

Geith Maal-Bared
PhD Candidate, Medical Science
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