# Veterinary Medical Sciences
**Source**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-%20medical%20-%20sciences-msc-thesis
**Parent**: https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/discover-opportunities/explore-programs/biomedical-engineering-msc-thesis
Master of Science (MSc)
Thesis-based program
[Start your application](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/how-apply)
## Program overview
Our graduate program is preparing the next generation of international leaders in animal and public health. Students will establish a firm grasp of core competencies in veterinary medical sciences. They will acquire specialized knowledge through the course of their thesis projects, deepening their skills as they embark on careers as highly-trained academics and professionals.
The graduate mission of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is to be a world leader in the training of animal health researchers and postgraduate veterinarians, creating experts who will advance animal and public health, as well as the veterinary profession.
### Completing this program
- **Core Courses:** Students take courses in professional skills in health science research and biostatistical methods.
- **Seminar:** Students will be required to give one public seminar.
- **Additional Courses:** Topics may include biology of laboratory animals, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, parasitology and more.
- **Thesis:** Students will complete a thesis based off of their own research.
### **Specializations**
- Wildlife Health and Ecology
- Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (see [Interdisciplinary Specializations](https://www.ucalgary.ca/pubs/calendar/grad/current/interdisciplinary-specializations-table-of-contents.html))
### Outcomes
Academia; government (regulatory--food safety; water safety); feedlot; zoos; centre for disease control; biotechnology; pharmaceuticals; vaccine development; diagnostic pathology.
**A master’s degree in veterinary medicine 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
Three courses
[Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar](https://calendar.ucalgary.ca/programs/VMSMSCT)
### Classroom delivery
### Time commitment
Two years full time; four 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).
---
## Supervisors
Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.\
Please note: additional supervisors may be available. [Contact the program](mailto:vmgrad@ucalgary.ca) for more information.
---
1. [Faizal Abdul-Careem](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/faizal-abdul-careem)
Accepting Inquiries
Avian viral immunology
2. [Herman Barkema](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/herman-barkema)
Accepting Inquiries
3. [Jeff Biernaskie](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/jeff-biernaskie)
Accepting Inquiries
4. [Prasanth Chelikani](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/prasanth-chelikani)
Accepting Inquiries
Obesity, Diabetes, Nutrition
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. [Eduardo Cobo](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/eduardo-cobo)
Accepting Inquiries
Innate immunity in the gut
7. [Alastair Cribb](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/alastair-cribb)
Unavailable
Pharmacogenetics, Molecular toxicology
8. [Jeroen De Buck](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/jeroen-de-buck)
Accepting Inquiries
9. [Rob Deardon](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/rob-deardon)
Seeking Students
10. [Ina Dobrinski](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/supervisor/ina-dobrinski)
Unavailable
Biology of male germ line stem cells
---
Items per page
10All
## Admission requirements
---
#### GPA
A minimum of 3.0 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 minimum of a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent, or a BVSc, DVM or MD degree) with course work appropriate for VMS graduate training from a recognized institution.
#### Work samples
None
#### Documents
Curriculum Vitae, and a Letter of Understanding signed by the prospective student and supervisor with a statement outlining the supervisor’s commitment to the training of the student, as well as their commitment to fund the student in accordance with the minimum VMS guidelines.
#### 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/VMSMSCT)
*\*Please contact your program of interest if you have any questions about ELP requirements.*
#### Deadlines
**For admission on September 1**
Canadians and permanent residents: Jun. 1 application deadline
International: Jun. 1 application deadline
**For admission on January 1**
Canadians and permanent residents: Nov. 1 application deadline
International: Nov. 1 application deadline
**For admission on May 1**
Canadians and permanent residents: Mar. 1 application deadline
International: Mar. 1 application deadline
**For admission on July 1**
Canadians and permanent residents: May 1 application deadline
International: May 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
### Veterinary Medical Sciences graduate program
Veterinary Medical Sciences Graduate Programs (Foothills Campus)\
TRW 2D08, 3280 Hospital Drive NW\
Calgary, ABT2N 4Z6\
403.210.8764
[Contact the Graduate Program Administrator](mailto:vmgrad@ucalgary.ca)
[Visit the departmental website](https://vet.ucalgary.ca/graduate)
### Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
TRW 2D01\
3280 Hospital Drive NW\
Calgary, ABT2N 4Z6\
403.210.3961
[Visit the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine website](https://vet.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.
#### [Veterinary Medicine](#collapse1724000741)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/veterinary-medicine-phd)
#### [Biomedical Engineering](#collapse1846186554)
[Course-based MEng](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biomedical-engineering-meng-course)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biomedical-engineering-msc-thesis)
[PhD](https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/explore-programs/biomedical-engineering-phd)
#### [Medical Science](#collapse1310489405)
[Thesis-based MSc](https://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/medical-science-master-science-thesis-based)
[PhD](https://www.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/medical-science-doctor-philosophy-thesis-based)
---
## Highlights of the Anthropology program
These stories from those involved in the program show what it's like to be involved yourself.
#### Gentle giants
Vet med researchers are looking at the effects of competing in the Stampede's Heavy Horse Pull
[Read More](https://vet.ucalgary.ca/home/news-updates/vet-med-researchers-study-health-gentle-giants-competing-stampedes-heavy-horse)
#### Duelling specialists
UCalgary Teaching Award recipients take a memorable approach to their Clinical Presentation course
[Read more](https://vet.ucalgary.ca/home/news-updates/instructors-pack-punch-student-learning-experiences-through-team-teaching)
#### Battling parasitic worms in the developing world
John Gilleard is bringing knowledge of parasites in livestock to understand parasites in humans
[Read more](https://vet.ucalgary.ca/home/news-updates/researchers-ratchet-battle-against-parasitic-worms-developing-world)
## 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)