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Title
Medical Science
Category
graduate
UUID
64f288903aed4129b79da1df8a335679
Source URL
https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore...
Parent URL
https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore...
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2026-03-24T03:38:20+00:00
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# Medical Science

**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/medical-science-msc-thesis
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/anthropology-ma-thesis

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)

## Program overview

For over 40 years the graduate program in Medical Science has prepared students for independent scientific careers in academic and non-academic settings. Graduates of the master's program have gone on to doctoral studies or jobs in industry at leading institutes across Canada and around the world.

One of the University of Calgary's largest graduate programs, Medical Science offers specializations ranging from cancer biology and critical care to molecular and medical genetics (but training is not limited to these specialties). Our program is supported by collaborations with related programs throughout the Cumming School of Medicine and the University of Calgary.

### Completing this program

- **Courses:** Topics will be determined according to the student's research area.
- **Research Ethics:** Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.
- **Seminars:** Students will participate in a research in progress seminar and journal club relevant to their program.
- **Research Proposal:**Students must defend a written research proposal to their supervisory committee.
- **Thesis:**Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

### Specializations

- [Cancer Biology](http://charbonneau.ucalgary.ca/education-training)
- [Critical Care Medicine](http://www.albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page5136.aspx)
- [Mountain Medicine and High Altitude Physiology](http://wcm.ucalgary.ca/poulin/education-environment/graduate-education)
- [Joint Injury & Arthritis Research](http://albertaboneandjoint.com/)
- [Molecular & Medical Genetics](http://www.ucalgary.ca/mmg/)
- [Pathologists' Assistant (currently not accepting applications)](https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/about/programs/pathologists-assistant)
- [Physiology](http://www.ucalgary.ca/pp/)
- Biomechanics
- Biomedical Ethics
- Surgery (In co-operation with the Department of Surgery)
- Medical Imaging (Interdisciplinary)\*

\* See the [Calendar section on Interdisciplinary Specializations](https://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/gs-interdisciplinary-degrees-specializations.html) for further information.

### Outcomes

Academic researchers, education, medicine, government agencies, health organizations, and the private sector/industry; biotechnology start-up companies, clinical trials, research-oriented positions in pharmaceutical/biotech companies and Fortune 500 businesses.

**A master’s degree in medical science will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.**

### Thesis-based program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend in an open oral defense.

### Courses

Two courses

[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/MDSCMSCT)

### Classroom delivery

### Time commitment

Two years full time; four years maximum

### Supervisor

A supervisor is required; potential supervisors must be listed when applying to the program

### 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).

---

## Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.

---

1. [Jean Addington](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/jean-addington)

   Unavailable

   Risk for Serious Mental Illness
2. [Todd Anderson](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/todd-anderson)

   Accepting Inquiries

   Atherosclerosis, lipids, endothelial function
3. [Philip Barber](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/philip-barber)

   Seeking Students

   Stroke, Dementia, Cognition, MRI, CT, biomarkers
4. [Herman Barkema](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/herman-barkema)

   Accepting Inquiries
5. [Cheryl Barnabe](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/cheryl-barnabe)

   Unavailable

   Rheumatoid Arthritis Epidemiology and Health Services Research, Indigenous Health
6. [John EA Bertram](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/john-ea-bertram)

   Accepting Inquiries

   Dynamics of locomotion
7. [Kathryn Birnie](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/kathryn-birnie)

   Accepting Inquiries

   Pain; Pediatric Pain; Child Health; Patient-Oriented Research; Implementation Science; Knowledge Mobilization
8. [Janice Braun](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/janice-braun)

   Accepting Inquiries

   Molecular Chaperones and Neurodegeneration
9. [Signe Bray](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/signe-bray)

   Accepting Inquiries
10. [Linda Carlson](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/linda-carlson)

    Accepting Inquiries

    Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology

---

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## Admission Requirements

---

#### 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

A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

#### Work samples

None

#### Documents

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

#### Reference letters

Two

#### 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/MDSCMSCT).

*\*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 Sept. 1**

- Canadians and permanent residents: June 1 application deadline
- International students: Apr. 1 application deadline

**For admission on Jan. 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

### Medical Science - Graduate Studies

UCalgary Foothills Campus, Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Building, Office Suite G329, 3330 Hospital Drive NW,\
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:medgrad@ucalgary.ca)

[Visit the departmental website](https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/current-students/student-checklist-and-resources/medical-science)

### Cumming School of Medicine

Health Sciences Centre\
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary,\
Calgary, AB T2N 4N1

[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.

#### [Medical Science](#collapse775030145)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/medical-science-phd)

#### [Biochemistry and Molecular Biology](#collapse266741453)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biochemistry-and-molecular-biology-phd)

#### [Biomedical Technology](#collapse613760695)

[Course-based MBT](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biomedical-technology-mbt-course)

#### [Cardiovascular and Respiratory Sciences](#collapse319355581)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/cardiovascular-and-respiratory-sciences-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/cardiovascular-and-respiratory-sciences-phd)

#### [Community Health Sciences](#collapse1559879852)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/community-health-sciences-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/community-health-sciences-phd)

#### [Gastrointestinal Sciences](#collapse1934800049)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/gastrointestinal-sciences-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/gastrointestinal-sciences-phd)

#### [Immunology](#collapse1556358584)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/immunology-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/immunology-phd)

#### [Microbiology and Infectious Diseases](#collapse1596299999)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/microbiology-and-infectious-diseases-phd)

#### [Neuroscience](#collapse998579505)

[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/neuroscience-msc-thesis)

[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/neuroscience-phd)

#### [Pathologists' Assistant](#collapse1198482133)

[Course-based MDPA](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/pathologists-assistant-mdpa)

## 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)