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.
Completion 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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MSC1011H PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research.
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Attendance at the Ori Rotstein Lecture*
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Completing the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) Ethics Certificate*
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Presenting at IMS Scientific Day*
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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.
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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.
*Students who have completed these requirements previously as part of their conferred IMS master’s degree are exempt from these requirements.
Mode of Delivery: In personProgram Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time
PhD Program (Transfer)
Transfer Requirements
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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.
Completion Requirements
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Students must complete 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
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MSC1010H MSc Student Seminars in Translational Research.
-
Attendance at the Ori Rotstein Lecture.
-
Completing the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) Ethics Certificate.
-
Presenting at IMS Scientific Day.
-
MSC modular courses (two courses worth 0.25 FCE each).
-
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 full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time
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.
Completion Requirements
-
Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:
-
MSC1011H PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research.
-
Attendance at the Ori Rotstein Lecture.
-
Completing the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) Ethics Certificate.
-
Presenting at IMS Scientific Day.
-
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 full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time