M.Sc.

A candidate for the M.Sc. degree is required to spend at least one calendar year in full-time study at McMaster University. The candidate is required to complete satisfactorily not fewer than two half-graduate courses (which must be at the 700-level). The candidate must also present a thesis which will embody the results of original research. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination. The candidate will be required to participate in the departmental seminar program designed to hone lecturing and presentation skills. The Master's program student will have committee meeting intervals of 6 months, with close supervision ensured by the graduate committee chosen by the student and his/her supervisor. The Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences Master's program of study is intensive and thesis research driven, with a goal of publication in respected peer-review journals by the second year of study.

Students who enter our graduate program with a B.Sc. may proceed directly into the Biochemistry Ph.D. program in approximately 12 months without writing up a Master's thesis. To do this, students are required to undertake a transfer exam. This can occur any time after the student's first committee meeting but must occur by 18 months of their admission to the program. After review, the department will recommend to the Committee on Graduate Admissions one of the following:

• Admission to Ph.D. studies following completion of the requirements for the Master's degree
• Admission to the Ph.D. studies without having completed a Master's program
• Not proceed with Ph.D. studies but complete the Master's degree

Ph.D.

Our Ph.D. program is tailored to maximize student productivity and learning through basic research. Our philosophy is that the most important goal of a higher degree is to become an expert in a specific field while maintaining sufficient breadth of knowledge to succeed after leaving graduate school. This includes publication in respected peer-reviewed journals, applications for study scholarships, oral and written presentation skills. Our graduates typically secure top-level international post-doctoral fellowships or have industry placements in leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical research companies world wide.

Completion of the Ph.D. degree is normally limited to SIX years from initial registration at the M.Sc. (for students who take the transfer exam) and FOUR years for those registering directly in Ph.D.

Students applying to our program who already hold a M.Sc. degree from another institution can be admitted directly into the Ph.D. program subject to approval from our admissions panel. Such students are required to take an exam, identical in structure and content to the transfer exam within their first 9-12 months in graduate school.

PhD Candidates must:

• Give two departmental seminars, one of which will be a component of the comprehensive examination 18-20 months after starting Ph.D. studies.
• Present the student’s thesis which must embody the results of their original research and give evidence of a high degree of scholarship. The candidate will defend this thesis in a final oral examination at the end of graduate study.

M.D./Ph.D.

The MD/PhD program will be offered in an integrated format with specific blocks of time provided for activities either in full- or part-time studies in either program. There will be opportunity for flexibility in the arrangement of student curriculum, if requested and/or deemed appropriate, but that is at the discretion of the MD/PhD Program Committee.

MD program fulfillment (in the MD/PhD program): The new MD curriculum, electives and clerkship periods. Horizontal electives (optional in current MD program, not optional in the MD/PhD program) must be completed during graduate research block (3 years). A minimum of 80 hours in horizontal electives must be completed satisfactorily.

PhD program fulfillment (in the MD/PhD program): Time will be allowed for attendance at regular research group meetings while in the MD curriculum. Attendance at MD/PhD program group meetings (faculty and students) will be held a minimum of 3 times annually. In addition, students must complete the requirements noted below in the relevant graduate program.

Candidates must successfully complete the equivalent of three 700-level graduate half courses (credit for satisfactory completion of MD horizontal electives are provided within the graduate program such that only 3 courses are required).

Please refer to Comprehensive for information regarding the comprehensive examination and the submission and defence of a research thesis.

Requirements

• 4 year Honours B.Sc. or BHSc with a minimum academic standing of 10.5/12 (on the McMaster scale) or 3.5 on a 4 point scale in the final two years of the Bachelor's degree study in courses relevant to the program. Prospective Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences students require an undergraduate degree in biochemistry; however, students in chemistry, molecular biology, medicine, microbiology or physics may also be admissible.
• Acceptance to the McMaster MD program. MD applicants must apply through OMSAS for Medical admissions, achieve a high score in the autobiographical submission, and complete the MMI exercise in April. Unsuccessful MD/PhD candidates would continue in the regular admissions process for the MD program.
• Acceptance to the PhD program in Biochemistry & Biomedical Sciences offered through the School of Graduate Studies.
• Acceptable interview.
• Demonstrated excellence in research project record or experience in undergraduate studies, or in a graduate program.
• Two academic references. Referees should address suitability for an MD/PhD program; one reference must be from the supervisor from an undergraduate research project or thesis.
• Separate statement submitted by the applicant regarding their suitability, motivation, and career plans in MD/PhD studies.
• Identification of a faculty member who agrees to supervise the student.