# Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-phd
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Thesis-based program
[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Program overview
Ambitious students looking to broaden their horizons through a wide range of cutting-edge research should consider the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (PhD Thesis) degree. The research-based program ranges from biochemistry and molecular research to cellular and developmental biology, as well as genetics, immunology and bioinformatics. It also includes applications to cancer and clinical research. Following a previous degree, the program may take up to six years of full-time study. Students will enjoy practicing science in a setting that combines the amenities of a large city with the outdoor leisure activities of the nearby Rocky Mountains.
### Completing this program
- **Courses:** Topics may include analysis of eukaryotic genomes, control of gene expression, cytogenetics, metabolic genetics and more.
- **Research Ethics:** Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
- **Sex & Gender Module:** Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.
- **Thesis:** Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.
- **Seminars:** Student participate in a journal club and work-in-progress seminars for their research group, and will present one seminar per year.
- **Candidacy:** Students will complete both oral and written candidacy exams.
### Specializations
[Bioinformatics](https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology/bioinformatics-specialization)
### Outcomes
Academic research; post-secondary and secondary teaching; industry research and consulting; business consulting, analytics, management, sales, research and marketing; scientific writing; IP and patent law; medicine (lab tech; physician; clinical scientist); veterinary medicine.
**A PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology is usually considered a final degree; some graduates go on to post-doctoral research.**
### Thesis-based program
Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.
### Courses
Three core courses and one to two electives
[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/MDBCPHD)
### Classroom delivery
### Time commitment
Four years full-time; six years maximum
### Supervisor
A supervisor is required, and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted
### Fees and funding
See the Graduate Calendar for information on [fees and fee regulations,](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/tuitionandfeesoverview/grad) and for information on [awards and financial assistance](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/uofcregs/studfinsupport/awardsgrad).
## Virtual Tour
Explore the University of Calgary’s (UCalgary) Foothills Campus from anywhere. Experience all that the Cumming School of Medicine has to offer for interested prospective graduate students. Explore this state of the art campus from wherever you are. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.
[Take the Foothills Campus Virtual Tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/ucalgary/foothills-campus)
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## Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.
---
1. [Pierre Billon](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/pierre-billon)
Seeking Students
Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
2. [Janice Braun](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/janice-braun)
Accepting Inquiries
Molecular Chaperones and Neurodegeneration
3. [George Chaconas](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/george-chaconas)
Unavailable
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Lyme Disease
4. [Sarah Childs](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/sarah-childs)
Seeking Students
Genetics of blood vessel development; precision medicine; developmental biology, Vascular patterning, Vascular stabilization, The zebrafish model
5. [Li-Fang (Jack) Chu](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/li-fang-jack-chu)
Seeking Students
Genetic Regulation of Developmental Clocks, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Biology of species-specific pluripotent stem cells
6. [A.P. Jason de Koning](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/node/3056)
Seeking Students
Computational biology, bioinformatics, and genomics, Systematic variant interpretation in human genetic disease, Bayesian statistics, large-scale inference, and machine learning, Human and computational population genetics, Molecular evolution
7. [Ina Dobrinski](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/ina-dobrinski)
Unavailable
Biology of male germ line stem cells
8. [Antoine Dufour](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/antoine-dufour)
Unavailable
Proteomics, proteases, systems biology, inflammation, immunity
9. [Sabine Gilch](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/sabine-gilch)
Seeking Students
Prion diseases, cell biology of prion infection, chronic wasting disease, prion strains
10. [Steven Greenway](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/steven-greenway)
Unavailable
Cell-free DNA, Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Microbiome
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## Admission requirements
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#### GPA
A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.
#### Minimum education
An MSc degree or equivalent. from a recognized institution.
#### Work samples
None
#### Documents
- A current C.V.
#### Reference letters
Three
#### Test scores
None
---
#### **English language proficiency (ELP)**
An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in different ways. For accepted criteria, please refer to the program “Admissions” tab in the [**Academic Calendar.**](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/MDBCPHD)
*\*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.*
#### Deadlines
**For admission on May 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
- International students: Dec. 1 application deadline
**For admission on September 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
- International students: Apr. 1 application deadline
**For admission on January 1:**
- Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
- International students: Aug. 1 application deadline
If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about
[international requirements](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/international-students)
## Are you ready to apply?
[Application process](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Learn more about this program
### Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
UCalgary Foothills Campus, Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Building, Office Suite G329, 3330 Hospital Drive NW,\
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:bmbgrad@ucalgary.ca)
[Visit the departmental website](http://www.ucalgary.ca/bmb/)
### Cumming School of Medicine
Health Sciences Centre\
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary\
Calgary, AB T2N 1N4
[Visit the Cumming School of Medicine website](https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/)
Learn more about UCalgary by taking a
[virtual tour](https://virtualtour.grad.ucalgary.ca/)
## Related programs
If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.
#### [Biochemistry and Molecular Biology](#collapse27585665)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-msc-thesis)
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#### [Medical Science](#collapse630247611)
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[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/medical-science-phd)
#### [Microbiology and Infectious Disease](#collapse1196298329)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-msc-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-phd)
#### [Neuroscience](#collapse997709493)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/neuroscience-msc-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/neuroscience-phd)
#### [Veterinary Medicine](#collapse1813224325)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-medicine-msc-thesis)
[Thesis-based PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-medicine-phd)
---
## Highlights of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Program
These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.
#### Carla Davidson, Owner - Endeavour Scientific Management and Consulting
"I learned a combination of critical thinking, clear communication and broad experience. My graduate degree gave me the willingness to start my own business."
#### Kevin Thorneloe, Director - Biopharm Translational Medicine
"The critical thinking skills I acquired during my PhD has been the foundation of my career in the pharmaceutical industry."
#### Nima Najand, Technology Analyst - Innovate Calgary
"UCalgary has been instrumental in providing me with skills to succeed in careers outside academia."
## Curious about the University of Calgary?
Located in the nation's most enterprising city, we are a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude.
[Learn More about student life at UCalgary](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/student-life)