Cell and Systems Biology
Program Overview
The Department of Cell and Systems Biology (CSB) offers a master’s program leading to the degree of Master of Science (MSc) and a doctoral program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). CSB is strongly committed to providing excellent graduate programs that train and mentor students in the fields of Cell, Molecular, and Systems Biology. The department fulfils this commitment by maintaining and enhancing a world-class research, learning, and training environment to ensure successful, rigorous, and internationally recognized graduate education and research. In keeping with the interdisciplinary nature of the fields in the CSB graduate programs, exposure to a breadth of research areas and approaches are a key component of the graduate programs.
Graduate students in CSB use state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge approaches throughout their program. This includes participating in the best of functional genomics, genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and physiology research.
Quick Facts
| Domestic | International | |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | MSc, PhD: Fall 2025 Entry 17-Feb-2025 | MSc, PhD: Fall 2025 Entry 03-Feb-2025 |
| Minimum admission average | MSc: B+ average in final year, and minimum B average in previous year. PhD:A-minus average in final year, and minimum B average in previous year. | MSc: B+ average in final year, and minimum B average in previous year. PhD:A-minus average in final year, and minimum B average in previous year. |
| Direct entry option from bachelor's to PhD? | PhD: Yes (A-minus average required) | PhD: Yes (A-minus average required) |
| Is a supervisor identified before or after admission? | MSc, PhD: Before | MSc, PhD: Before |
| If a supervisor is identified after admission (as per question above), is admission conditional upon securing a supervisor? | PhD: NA | PhD: NA |
| Is a supervisor assigned by the graduate unit or secured by the applicant? | MSc, PhD: Applicant | MSc, PhD: Applicant |
| Are any standardized tests required/recommended? | MSc, PhD: No | MSc, PhD: No (other than a passing English proficiency score) |
“The graduate school experience has taught me to take calculated risks and be brave when it comes to being an explorer of science.”
- Mark Bloom
- PhD (2018), Cell & Systems Biology