Medical Science

MScBMC; Field: Biomedical Media Design

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.

• Graduation from a recognized university with an appropriate four-year bachelor's degree that includes a variety of courses in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

• Minimum mid-B standing in the final two years of undergraduate study. Prerequisite courses: English (or an effective writing substitute); a humanities or social science course; biology; cell and molecular biology and/or histology; introductory physiology.

• At least one third- or fourth-year undergraduate course, or graduate course, from one or more of the following subject areas: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Embryology, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or Physiology.

• Completion of a first-year undergraduate chemistry course with a lab and lecture component (for example, CHM135H1 Chemistry: Physical Principles or its equivalent).

• A high-quality portfolio of visual material; consult the MScBMC website for guidance.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 8.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) including:

  • in Year 1, complete 5.0 FCEs:

    • MSC1001Y Human Anatomy

    • MSC2001Y Visual Representation of Medical Knowledge

    • MSC2003Y Biomedical Communications Technologies

    • MSC2004H Research Methods

    • MSC2009H Ethics and Professionalism in Biomedical Communications

    • MSC2020H Visual Representation of Biomolecular Structure and Function

    • MSC2023H Information Visualization

  • in Year 2, complete 1.5 FCEs:

    • MSC2002H Sequential Medical Communication

    • MSC2012H Neuroanatomy for Visual Communication

    • MSC2018H Visual Representation of Processes in Human Pathology

  • complete at least 1.0 FCE chosen from:

    • MSC2006H Advanced Media Design Technologies

    • MSC2008H Community-Centred Design Research

    • MSC2015H Interpretive Visualization: Cinematic Design and Preproduction

  • complete 1.0 FCE chosen from:

    • MSC2007H Visual Synthesis of Medical/Scientific Process

    • MSC2011H Special Topics in Biomedical Communications

    • MSC2013Y Master's Research Project and Paper

    • MSC2014H Fundamentals of Scripting for Health Science Communication

    • MSC2022H Graphic Medicine Seminar

    • or any other appropriate graduate course(s).

• Students must complete MSC2025Y Master's Research Project for BMC.

MScBMC; Field: Biomedical Visualization Design

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.

• Graduation from a recognized university with an appropriate four-year bachelor's degree that includes a variety of courses in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

• Minimum mid-B standing in the final two years of undergraduate study.

• At least one third- or fourth-year undergraduate course, or graduate course, from one or more of the following subject areas: Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Embryology, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or Physiology.

• Completion of a first-year undergraduate chemistry course with a lab and lecture component (for example, CHM135H1 Chemistry: Physical Principles or its equivalent).

• A high-quality portfolio of visual material; consult the MScBMC website for guidance.

Completion Requirements

• Coursework. Students must complete 8.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

  • in Year 1, students must complete 5.0 FCEs:

    • MSC1001Y Human Anatomy

    • MSC2001Y Visual Representation of Medical Knowledge

    • MSC2003Y Biomedical Communications Technologies

    • MSC2004H Research Methods

    • MSC2009H Ethics and Professionalism in Biomedical Communications

    • MSC2020H Visual Representation of Biomolecular Structure and Function

    • MSC2023H Information Visualization

  • in Year 2, complete 1.5 FCEs:

    • MSC2002H Sequential Medical Communication

    • MSC2012H Neuroanatomy for Visual Communication

    • MSC2018H Visual Representation of Processes in Human Pathology

  • complete 1.0 FCE:

    • MSC2015H Interpretive Visualization: Cinematic Design and Preproduction

    • MSC2017H Visualization Technology

  • complete 1.0 elective FCE chosen from:

    • MSC2006H Advanced Media Design Technologies

    • MSC2007H Visual Synthesis of Medical/Scientific Process

    • MSC2011H Special Topics in Biomedical Communications

    • MSC2014H Fundamentals of Scripting for Health Science Communication

    • MSC2022H Graphic Medicine Seminar

    • or any other appropriate graduate course(s).

• Students must complete MSC2025Y Master's Research Project for BMC.

Master of Science

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.

Completion Requirements

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

  • 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.

• A research thesis and oral thesis examination.

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

• Coursework. Students must complete a minimum of 2.0 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).

  • 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.

*Students who have completed these requirements previously as part of their conferred IMS master’s degree are exempt from these requirements.

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.

Completion Requirements

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

  • 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.

  • 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:

    • MSC1011H PhD Student Seminars in Translational Research 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.

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.

Graduate Diploma in Health Research

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Diploma students must meet the School of Graduate Studies minimum admission requirements for master's-level diploma programs. Applicants must be enrolled, and in good academic standing, in Year 1 of the MD program of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine of the University of Toronto.

• Applicants must submit the following:

  • curriculum vitae (CV)

  • a personal statement explaining their interest in the program

  • written confirmation of Good Standing in the MD program (letter from the program, signed by the Registrar or Vice-Dean

  • undergraduate and/or graduate academic transcripts.

Completion Requirements

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

  • Two required courses (2.0 FCEs):

    • MSC1991Y Supervised Research Project.

    • MSC1992Y Research Skills for the Physician-Scientist.

  • 0.5 elective FCE selected from an approved list. Substitution of any other graduate-level course relevant to the student's research course but not found on the approved list will require completion of a course exemption form signed by the Institute of Medical Science's Graduate Coordinator. The selection of the course will be done in consultation with the Program Director.

• Students must maintain good academic standing in the MD program throughout.