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. The 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
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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.
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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:
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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL):
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International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum overall score of 7.5 with at least 6.5 in each component.
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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.
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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
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Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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0.5 FCE: MSC1011H0PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).
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0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).
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1.0 elective FCE.
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Students may be required to take extra courses in addition to the degree requirements.
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Students must pass a qualifying examination within 18 to 21 months of starting the program.
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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.
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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
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
Program Requirements
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Students must complete 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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0.5 FCE: MSC1010H0MSc Student Seminars in Translational Research (Credit/No Credit).
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0.5 FCE: MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).
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1.0 elective FCE with a minimum A– average.
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The student will be evaluated in an oral transfer examination within 18 to 21 months of initial graduate registration.
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The successful applicant will enter the PhD program and complete:
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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'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):
-
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: MSC1011H0PhD 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.