Molecular Genetics: Molecular Genetics PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program offers research training in a broad range of genetic systems from bacteria and viruses to humans. Research projects include DNA repair, recombination and segregation, transcription, RNA splicing and catalysis, regulation of gene expression, signal transduction, interactions of host cells with bacteria and viruses, developmental genetics of simple organisms (worms and fruit flies) as well as complex organisms (mice), molecular neurobiology, molecular immunology, cancer biology and virology, structural biology, and human genetics and gene therapy.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; 2) transfer from the University of Toronto MSc program; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc, MD, or equivalent degree.

Students may only start this program in September.

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Molecular Genetics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An MSc degree in Molecular Genetics, or equivalent, from the University of Toronto or another recognized university. As a condition of admission, applicants who have completed their MSc outside of the Department of Molecular Genetics may be required to complete additional course requirements.

  • Normally, an MSc degree or equivalent with wet or dry lab experience related to molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, and/or biochemistry is required. Applicants trained in other quantitative sciences (math, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, etc.) are also strongly encouraged to apply.

  • Attainment of minimum admission standards does not guarantee acceptance into the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCEs) as follows:

    • MMG1115H PhD Presentation.

    • Two modular courses (0.25 FCE each), which must be taken after successfully completing the qualifying examination prior to the Summer session of Year 4. If a program extension is granted beyond Year 4, students have until the Summer session of Year 5 to complete.

  • Students must also attend each of the following graduate seminars four times:

  • A thesis on a research project.

  • Successful completion of a qualification examination in Year 2. The qualifying exam consists of the submission of a written proposal and an oral examination. Students have up to two attempts to pass the exam.

    • If a student is unsuccessful at the first attempt at the qualifying exam, one of the following five outcomes will be assigned:

      • The student must retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks without revision of the written proposal; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal within four to eight weeks without retaking the oral exam; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal and retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks; or

      • The student is asked to transfer to the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

    • In the event that a student is unsuccessful at the second attempt (revised proposal and/or retake the exam), one of the following two outcomes will be assigned:

      • The student is asked to transfer to the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

  • This is a full-time program, and students are expected to participate on a full-time basis until all program requirements are completed.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Transfer applicants must be enrolled in the Department of Molecular Genetics MSc program.

  • Students must have successfully completed the following:

  • Students must be enrolled in MMG1111H and MMG1112H in order to qualify to transfer to the PhD program.

  • Transfer applicants must successfully complete a reclassification transfer exam within the first 24 months of registration in the MSc program.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) as follows:

    • MMG1115H PhD Presentation.

    • Two modular courses (0.25 FCE each), which must be taken after successfully completing the transfer examination and prior to the Summer session of Year 5.

  • Students must also attend any remaining graduate seminar sessions not completed prior to transferring. Students must attend each graduate seminar four times:

  • A thesis on a research project.

  • Successful completion of a transfer (reclassification) examination in Year 2. The transfer exam consists of the submission of a written proposal and an oral examination.

    • Students have up to two attempts to pass the exam. If a student is unsuccessful at the first attempt at the transfer exam, there are five possible outcomes:

      • The student must retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks without revision of the written proposal; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal within four to eight weeks without retaking the oral exam; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal and retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks; or

      • The student is asked to remain in the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

    • In the event that a student is unsuccessful at the second attempt (revised proposal and/or retake the exam), one of the following two outcomes will be assigned:

      • The student is asked to remain in the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

  • This is a full-time program, and students are expected to participate on a full-time basis until all program requirements are completed.

Mode of Delivery: In person
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 Department of Molecular Genetics' additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Students with a BSc degree, an MD degree, or equivalent may be accepted directly into the PhD program.

  • Normally, a BSc degree or equivalent with academic credentials and wet or dry lab experience related to molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, and/or biochemistry is required. Applicants trained in other quantitative sciences (math, physics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, etc.) are also strongly encouraged to apply.

  • Attainment of minimum admission standards does not guarantee acceptance into the PhD program.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 2.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • MMG1001H Foundational Genetic Approaches I.

    • MMG1003H First Year Colloquium.

    • MMG1004H A Practical Course in Programming for Biologists.

    • MMG1113H MSc Presentation Skills.

    • MMG1114H MSc Presentation.

    • MMG1115H PhD Presentation.

    • Two modular courses (0.25 FCE each), which must be taken after successfully completing the qualifying examination and prior to the Summer session of Year 5.

  • Students must also attend each of the following graduate seminars four times:

  • A thesis on a research project.

  • Successful completion of a qualification examination in Year 2. The qualifying exam consists of the submission of a written proposal and an oral examination.

    • Students have up to two attempts to pass the exam. If a student is unsuccessful at the first attempt at the qualifying exam, there are five possible outcomes:

      • The student must retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks without revision of the written proposal; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal within four to eight weeks without retaking the oral exam; or

      • The student must submit a revised written proposal and retake the oral exam within four to eight weeks; or

      • The student is asked to transfer to the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

    • In the event that a student is unsuccessful at the second attempt (revised proposal and/or retake the exam), one of the following two outcomes will be assigned:

      • The student is asked to transfer to the MSc program; or

      • The department makes a recommendation to SGS to terminate the student's registration in the program.

  • This is a full-time program, and students are expected to participate on a full-time basis until all program requirements are completed.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Molecular Genetics