Admission

Faculty of Medicine

PhD in Molecular Biology

Graduate 3-466-1-0

May 2025
Start of session
Full-time
Plan of study
90 credits
Dissertation or thesis track
Program Type
Application deadline
from August 15, 2024 to February 1, 2025

Bon à savoir! Ce programme s’adresse autant aux francophones qu’aux anglophones. Consultez la fiche descriptive en français pour en savoir plus.

Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field of molecular biology through this doctorate program that focuses on general research, systems biology and cellular and molecular medicine.

Overview

About this program

Pursue a career in research

With this molecular biology research doctorate program, you will benefit from in-depth theoretical and practical training based on leading multidisciplinary learning, as well as experimental practice in academic research settings.
Apply cutting-edge techniques and methods in biotechologies, genomics and proteomics, while developing your analytical skills and critical thinking. You will also build your cross-functional skill set, such as work processes, communication, integrity, ethics, as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion values. Writing and defending a thesis is required in all options.

Read more
  • Interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary program offered by the Faculty of Medicine jointly with the Faculty of Arts and Sciences and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
  • Faculty from various departments working to develop centres and programs in basic, translational and applied research
  • Training in theory and practice in a variety of sectors

Language accommodations

Although Université de Montréal is a French-language university, many of our research departments are open to creating a bilingual environment for students in graduate-level programs. These departments are aware of the importance of bilingualism in order for graduate students to succeed in their research careers.

Students who are proficient in English are therefore welcome and accepted into graduate-level programs.

When you enroll in the PhD Molecular Biology program, you have access to a number of accommodations to make you feel comfortable and help you fulfill the requirements of the program even if French is not your main language of study:

  • Choice of giving oral seminar presentations in either French or English.
  • Choice of writing exams in French or English.
  • Choice of taking the comprehensive exam in either French or English.
  • Choice of writing your doctoral thesis or dissertation in French or English.

All laboratories are offered in a bilingual environment. Above all, staff in the program are available to help and support you throughout your studies.

Options

Benefit from this unique translational research training opportunity combining basic laboratory research with the needs of clinical practice. The focus is on using cutting-edge technologies to study human diseases to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that can be made rapidly available to patients.

Receive comprehensive research training and learn basic cutting-edge techniques and methods used to study biological macromolecules. Choose from an impressive range of courses to ultimately concentrate on a field of research. Areas include molecular genetics, gene activity regulation, tissue development, signalling pathways, nucleic acid and protein modifications, macromolecular chemistry, virology and biotechnology.

Learn concepts and gain practical experience in systems biology using high-throughput technologies such as genomics and proteomics. You will be prepared to meet the challenge of working across several complementary disciplines to study complex problems related to multigenic diseases, such as cancer.

Note that the option you are interested in may not be offered during the session for which you wish to apply.

Advantages of studying molecular biology at UdeM
Graduate study programs centred on excellence and innovation

  • Experience university research settings at the forefront of advances in knowledge and emerging technologies
  • Discover the UdeM Faculty of Medicine, an international and national leader in research
  • Benefit from the expertise and international reputation of faculty members
  • Carry out your work in state-of-the art laboratories
  • Belong to a large community of Quebec and international students

Courses and specifics

For contact information on the program director or student file management technician, or to find out more about the faculty or department hosting the program, please see the page in French.

  • 90 credits
  • Full-time
  • Day course
  • Dissertation or thesis track
Take a look at some topics covered.
BIM 7000PhD Comprehensive Examination
BIM 7015Research Seminar 2

Students will learn to synthesize their research, give an oral presentation, and discuss their projects. Students are required to attend other students' presentations.

BIM 7022Readings in Molecular Biology

This course is divided into seven sessions on current topics in molecular biology. For each session, students prepare four publications and present one to their group of four students for discussion, with the supervision of the professor.

BIM 7047Thesis
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Admission requirements

You are eligible only if a faculty member has agreed to supervise your research project or work prior to submitting your admission application.

Admission requirements

You studied
and have, or will obtain, a diploma from the following program or province:
and have, or will obtain, a diploma from the following program or country:

Be sure to select your choices to display the eligibility conditions that apply to you.

Additional documents to provide
  • Letter of intent or of interest
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Detailed description of research projects
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Attestation of training, if applicable
  • Acceptance letter from a research director identified

The maximum length is fifteen sessions (five years) for full-time students, excluding preparatory or “on leave” sessions. This deadline may be extended by one year with the permission of the Graduate Studies Committee.

Note that the quantitative criteria indicated above does not replace a qualitative review of your application. These criteria are provided for information purposes only. Eligibility for a study program does not guarantee an offer of admission. Information on this page may change without notice.
Find out about eligibility for this program

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Here are some tips and ideas to make navigating the admission process easier.

Costs and financial aid

$2,117.74 *

Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $1,483.65

Other fees: $634.09

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Check your legal status

* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024

$2,117.74 *

Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $1,483.65

Other fees: $634.09

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!

Under certain conditions, Canadian students who are not residents of Quebec can follow university study programs offered in French while benefiting from the same tuition fees as residents of Quebec.

Check eligibility criteria

Check your legal status

* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024

$9,753.94 *

Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $9,119.85

Other fees: $634.09

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!

As an international student, you have access to exemption scholarships granted by UdeM throughout your university program. Note that for ungraduated programs, you must be enrolled as a full-time student for two sessions and reside in Quebec in the case of exclusively online study programs.

Find out about the UdeM exemption scholarship

* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024

$2,117.74 *

Total for a full-time session of 15 credits


Tuition fees: $1,483.65

Other fees: $634.09

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year.
Information updated: June 5, 2024

Calculate tuition fees based on other situations

Available financial assistance

Plan your budget

Pursue your studies, but not at all costs! Various resources are available to help make it easier for you to study more and worry less.

 

Future prospects Pursuing a career or further studies? The choice is yours!

Pursue a career in research, or opt for a career in clinical research assessment, teaching, scientific communication, project management, or drug development.

Industrial Pharmacist
Scientific analyst in immunology
Genetic counsellor
Science writer
Partner in precision medicine
Forensic biology specialist
You wish to do an exchange stay at UdeM?

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Research activities

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