Students admitted into the graduate programs of the Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology have the opportunity to be trained using state-of-the-art instrumentation in cutting edge areas of biomedical research.  Students can pursue their studies under the supervision of one of more than 100 research scientists who are located in the Faculty of Medicine’s Roger Guindon Hall or at other research institutes/hospitals throughout the national capital region.  In choosing the Department of Biochemistry Microbiology and Immunology for your graduate studies, you will have the opportunity to pursue research in diverse areas of biomedical science. 

The Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology offers vibrant graduate programs in Biochemistry and in Microbiology/Immunology, with a total of roughly 150 students working towards M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. This large concentration of students provides a collegial atmosphere that fosters many opportunities for collaborative research.  Students belong to the Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Student Association (BMIGSA). The BMIGSA provides input into policy decisions within the Graduate Program, runs career information sessions, and is the heart of the Department’s social activities.  Our graduates have an excellent track record of employment within academic and industrial settings and the impending retirement of many faculty during the next decade across Canada suggests that this is a most opportune time to begin graduate training.  

We encourage all prospective students to visit our Department, tour our facilities and meet with faculty and graduate students.  Interested applicants are invited to visit the Department (at our expense) to interview with prospective supervisors.

Applications for admission in both the Biochemistry and the Microbiology/Immunology graduate programs are welcome at any time.  To guarantee sufficient time for processing of your file, it is best that completed files be submitted four months ahead of the desired term of entry for Canadian and International students, respectively:

All students admitted into the Biochemistry and Micrcobiology/Immunolgy graduate programs will receive a stipend to support their basic living expenses while enrolled in their graduate studies.  Stipend payments begin concurrently with the first registration in the program and continue for a minimum of two years for a MSc and a minimum of four years for a PhD.  Students who fast track to the PhD are expected to be funded for a minimum of 5 years.  The minimum stipends are $23,000 per year at the MSc level and $25,000 per year at the PhD level, although these are subject to change.  

Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who are accepted into either the Biochemistry or the Microbiology/Immunology program with an admission average of at least A- (80%-84%) are eligible to receive an admission scholarship, which covers tuition fees for the duration of the MSc (two-year) or PhD (four-year) program. 

The Biochemistry and Microbiology/Immunology graduate programs each offers direct admission into the program once approved students have identified a research supervisor.  Your research supervisor will guide you through both your academic and research training from admission into the program to the writing and defense of your dissertation.

For more information on research opportunities in BMI, please visit the list of Faculty Members or the list of Research Themes on the BMI website.  Supervisors must fill out the Disclosure of Financial Support form (PDF, 57 KB).

Applications for graduate studies in Biochemistry or Microbiology/Immunology are made via the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC).  To submit an application, first create a profile on the OUAC Web portal, and then upload each of the following to complete your application:

• The names and email addresses of two scientific referees who will complete letters of recommendation.  It is best to contact the referees prior to submitting your application to confirm both their email addresses and their availability to complete your letter of recommendation.
• Official transcripts and degree certificates from all courses and programs that you have attended at any university.  If the transcripts and degree certificates are not in English or French, a certified translation (signed and stamped/sealed) must be submitted.
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of intent  (max. 3 pages) 
• Proof of language proficiency for applicants whose first language is neither English nor French (TOEFL 600: Paper-based; TOEFL 100: Internet-based)
• Non-refundable application fee of $100 CDN

Your completed application will be reviewed by the responsible admission committee in Biochemistry or Microbiology/Immunology.  Applicants are conditionally approved for admission into the program pending the written acceptance of a research supervisor who is willing to supervise your graduate studies.  You can find a list of potential supervisors and a summary of their research on the BMI web site.  A supervisor must complete the Disclosure of Financial Support form (PDF, 57 KB) to accept a student under his/her supervision.

TOEFL: 600 Paper based, 100 internet based

CanTEST – University of Ottawa: 4.5 Listening and Reading, 5.0 writing

IELTS:  7.0 overall, 7.0 individual