Graduate Requirements

As a budding biologist, our department places an emphasis on research rather than course work. Individual programs of study are determined by the candidate's supervisor and committee. Applicants are advised to contact their prospective supervisor directly at the time of application as acceptance of a qualified candidate is made primarily on the recommendation of the prospective supervisor.

If you are interested in applying to be a graduate student in Biology, and you meet the requirements for admission (see link below), you must first contact a potential supervisor in your field and determine if there is a project and funding to support you, before proceeding with other questions or applications.

Prospective Students go to Graduate Studies!

Graduate Biology Core Courses & Examinations

A research proposal and defense, a research-based thesis, and an oral defence of the thesis are required.

BIOL 5960 Graduate Thesis
BIOL 5013 Research Methods in Biology 1
BIOL 5023 Research Methods in Biology 2
6h advanced courses in biology (upper level undergraduate or Graduate Courses)

For more course details see Graduate Studies.

Graduate Courses

Tutorial courses are designed according to the special needs of the student(s) enrolled in them. Candidates should also consult the undergraduate calendar for advanced undergraduate courses. Such courses may be taken for credit in the graduate programme.

BIOL 5013 RESEARCH METHODS IN BIOLOGY 1
History and philosophy of science, graphical methods, statistical analysis and proposal preparation and critique. Students meet weekly to discuss different themes and to review and critique each other's work. Each student must prepare an thesis proposal and present and defend that proposal to the class.

BIOL 5023 RESEARCH METHODS IN BIOLOGY 2
An exploration of current and historical topics in biology through seminar discussions, original research projects, critical reviews, data exploration (visual, mathematical, and statistical), software implementation, presentations, workshops, and/or field trips.

BIOL 5033 ADVANCED TOPIC IN GRADUATE BIOLOGY III
BIOL 5043 ADVANCED TOPIC IN GRADUATE BIOLOGY IV
BIOL 5053 ADVANCED TOPIC IN GRADUATE BIOLOGY V
Students will choose a course from one of the following subheadings in consultation with their supervisor/supervisory committee: Terrestrial Ecology; Molecular Biology and Genetics; Plant Biology; Animal Biology; Conservation and Population Biology; Aquatic Ecology; Microbiology and Parasitology

BIOL 5960 - GRADUATE THESIS