PhD in Molecular Biology

Academic regulations

Academic regulations for graduate and postdoctoral studies (page in French)

Studies in this program are governed by the educational regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and the following provisions:

1. Admission requirements

To be admitted as a regular student in the PhD (Molecular Biology) program, candidates must:

• Meet the general admission requirements (section XX) of the “Règlement pédagogique de la Faculté des études supérieures et postdoctorales” (educational regulations of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies).
• Demonstrate good knowledge of French (learn more).
• Demonstrate satisfactory knowledge of English before being accepted into the second year of the program.
• Demonstrate sufficient knowledge of any other language deemed necessary for their research.

1.1 Admission requirements – Transfer to PhD from MSc

• Have an MSc (Molecular Biology) or the equivalent.
• Have obtained a grade-point average at the graduate level of at least 3.3 out of 4.3 or the equivalent.

Candidates who have an MSc from another university or in a discipline other than molecular biology must have completed the coursework specific to the MSc in Molecular Biology Option or the equivalent. If not, these courses will be added to the student's doctorate program as complementary courses.

1.2 Admission requirements – Direct entry to PhD from BSc 

• Have a degree in medicine (MD), dental medicine (DMD) or veterinary medicine (DVM); a bachelor of science (BSc) in a relevant option; or a degree that is deemed equivalent.
• Have obtained a grade-point average of at least 3.7 out of 4.3 or the equivalent at the undergraduate level, unless (upon approval from the Dean) the student has sufficient experience or education further to the undergraduate level demonstrating the skills required for a PhD program.

Candidates must complete all master's-level coursework that pertain to the PhD option they have enrolled in or the equivalent. These courses will be added to the student's doctorate program as complementary or preparatory courses.

1.3 Additional documents to submit with your application

• 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

2. Program Length

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.

3. Comprehensive exam

Students must take the written and oral components of the comprehensive exam by no later than the end of the sixth session of the program, and preparatory or “on leave” sessions are excluded in the calculation of this deadline. If the exam is deferred, the deadline will be extended by one session. The exam dates are set by the Program Director.