Leaders in Medicine

Program requirements for the MD program and the seven graduate programs are included in the University Calendar. Please refer to the Calendar and Policy and Procedure Handbooks of individual Graduate Programs and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Handbook of Supervision for complete details on program requirements. 

MSc or PhD Program Course Requirements

Specific course requirements vary depending on the Graduate Program. In some cases course requirements may be amended for students in the joint program depending on the background of the student and the degree of overlap between components of the MD curriculum and graduate courses normally completed within the particular Graduate Program.

• Students in either the MSc or PhD program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology are required to complete a minimum of three-half courses, one of which must be MDSC 536 (Nucleic Acids). The Nucleic Acids course requirement may be waived by the Graduate Coordinator, if the student has previously taken an equivalent course.

• Students in the Cardiovascular/Respiratory Sciences program are normally required to complete a minimum of two half courses for either the MSc or PhD degree. One of the course requirements may be waived for students in the joint program depending on the background of the student, based on the recommendation of the Graduate Education Committee for the Department of Cardiovascular/Respiratory Sciences.

• Students in the Community Health Sciences MSc (thesis) program must complete six half-courses, and those in the PhD program must complete normally complete an additional four half courses. Exceptions may be made by the supervisor depending on the student's background.

• Students in the Gastrointestinal Sciences are normally required to complete two half-courses for the MSc or three-half courses for the PhD degree, (those entering with an MSc are required to complete two). It is unlikely that changes in the number of courses would be made for students in the joint program.

• Students in the Medical Science program are normally required to complete two half-courses for the MSc degree and three half-courses for the PhD degree. Course requirements may be amended based on the recommendation of the Department of Medical Science Graduate Education Committee.

• Students in the Microbiology and Infectious Diseases program are normally required to complete two half-courses for the MSc degree and three half-courses for the PhD degree. It is unlikely that course requirements would be waived for students in the joint program, however, in exceptional circumstances this may occur based on the recommendation of the Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Graduate Education Committee. Students in the Neuroscience graduate program are required to complete one of the core courses (MDSC 619.01, MDSC 619.02, MDSC 619.03) for the MSc degree and two of the core courses for the PhD degree. Alteration in the course requirements will not normally be made but will be considered on a case to case basis by the Neuroscience Graduate Education Committee.

Further details regarding course and program requirements may be obtained from the Graduate Coordinator of the program of interest.

 PhD Candidacy Requirements and Maximum Time Limits

Students must complete the candidacy examination within 36 months of full-time study in the graduate program or within 48 months of enrollment in the combined program. Although it is anticipated that the MD/PhD program should be completed with six to seven years, the maximum time allowed for the combined program will be eight years. It is anticipated that the MD/MSc program should be completed within four to five years. The maximum time allowed for the combined program will be six years

MD Program Course Requirements

Students must complete all the course requirements of the MD program as detailed in the Calendar with the exception of MDCN 340 and 440 Research Projects. Successful completion of an MSc or PhD thesis will be accepted as credit for these courses. The research project time in year I and II may be devoted to requirements for the PhD or MSc degree. 

Supervisory Committees

Students in the Faculty of Medicine Graduate Programs must have a designated supervisor or interim supervisor at the time of admission. All graduate students in both the MSc and PhD programs are required to have supervisory committees selected by three months after initial registration. It is recommended that at least one member of the supervisory committee of students in the combined degree program be a clinical scientist. Although the requirements vary between the seven graduate programs, it is generally recommended that students meet with their supervisory committee at least once a year.

Contact Information:
Michelle A. Selman
Graduate Program Administrator
Tel: (403) 210-9572
Fax:(403) 210-8109
Email: mdgrad@ucalgary.ca