Graduate Program Information


Our graduate training programs are designed to provide students with the opportunity to obtain a thorough knowledge of our disciplines through a combination of appropriate course work, seminars, and practical experience in the design, implementation and critical assessment of a research project. Although individual programs will reflect the research interests of the student and his / her research supervisor, our program policies have been developed to ensure that there is uniformity in standards of excellence in graduate student training in our Department as a whole.

The major features of the graduate programs in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology are:

  1. Emphasis on research
  2. Apprenticeship system
  3. Courses that emphasize current topics from cellular-molecular to translational levels
  4. Collective responsibility of faculty members in establishing and maintaining high standards based on regular meetings of advisory committees and research seminars.
  5. Participation by graduate students in the academic life of our Department, including teaching, service on Department committees, and in the Department seminar series.
  6. Interactions among graduate students at regular meetings and social activities

General Information: New students usually register in the M.Sc. program. Those wishing to complete a Ph.D. degree may transfer into the Ph.D. program before completion of their 5th academic term. A thesis is required for both the M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees. The normal times required to complete the graduate programs, including successful defence of the thesis, are:

  • M.Sc. = 2 years
  • Ph.D. (prior M.Sc.) = 4 years
  • Ph.D. (no prior M.Sc.) = 5 years

Graduate Student Handbook: For detailed information on our graduate program, please consult the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology's Graduate Student Handbook. This handbook contains information on:

  • School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies requirements
  • Roles and responsibilities of the program, supervisor, advisory committee and student
  • Seminars
  • Course information
  • Thesis information

The Handbook also contains other contact information and useful links. If you have any questions regarding any department/faculty requirements, please contact Susan McMillan, Graduate Administrator in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at susan.mcmillan@schulich.uwo.ca

Thesis Information (M.Sc. and Ph.D.): Guidelines for the preparation and examination of M.Sc. and Ph.D. theses are provided by the School of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies.

Safety Information: For the most up-to-date information, please go to Human Resources, Heath & Safety website.

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