The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is located in the Faculty of Medicine and offers graduate programs leading to a Master of Science degree (MSc) or to a doctoral (PhD) degree in neuroscience.

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is located at the Health Sciences Center of the University of Ottawa. Through its cross-appointed and adjunct members, the Department has research affiliations with the following institutes: the Loeb Research and University of Ottawa Heart Institutes at the Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus), the Royal Ottawa Hospital, the Canadian Red Cross, Health Canada, National Research Council and the Department of National Defense.

The objective of these programs is to help the student develop skills in methodology and critical analysis, and theoretical and practical knowledge. To acquire these abilities, students read the scientific literature; they carry out experiments in the laboratory and analyze the generated data and their results; and they present them in the form of research seminars or posters.

Graduates of the program will acquire autonomy in conducting research and in preparing scholarly publications and grant applications. A comprehensive set of courses, state-of-the-art research facilities and outstanding research opportunities ensures a career in neuroscience.

The Department is a participating unit in the collaborative program in human and molecular genetics at the master’s and the doctoral levels.

Most of the courses in these programs are offered in English. Research activities can be conducted either in English, French or both, depending on the language used by the professor and the members of his or her research group.

In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have a right to produce their work, their thesis, and to answer examination questions in French or in English.

The programs operate within the general framework of the “General Regulations” of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS) of the University of Ottawa, which are posted on the FGPS website.

Admission to the graduate program in neuroscience is governed by the “General Regulations” of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (FGPS).

Applications are evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Be the holder of a master's degree in science with a minimum average of B+ (75%) calculated in accordance with the FGPS guidelines;
• Demonstrate a good academic performance in previous studies as shown by official transcripts, research reports, abstracts or any other documents demonstrating research skills;
• Provide at least two confidential letters of recommendation from professors who have known the applicant and are familiar with the student work;
• Provide a statement of purpose indicating the career goals and the interests in the proposed research area;
• Identify at least one professor who is willing and available to act as thesis supervisor.

Transfer from Master’s to PhD Program

Outstanding students enrolled in the MSc program may be allowed to transfer to the PhD program without being required to write a master's thesis provided they meet the following conditions:

1. Satisfactory progress in the research program;
2. Written recommendation by the supervisor and the advisory committee;
3. Approval by the graduate studies committee.

The transfer must take place within sixteen months of initial registration in the master’s. Following transfer, all of the requirements of the doctoral program must be met: the doctoral seminar (NSC8325), six credits of course work (including either NSC5102 or NSC5104), the comprehensive exam (NSC9998) and the thesis (NSC9999).

PhD Degree Requirements

• Six credits of graduate courses including either NSC 5102 or NSC 5104 or equivalent, approved by the Department;
• Enrollment in the seminar course (NSC 8325S), which involves the presentation of a seminar and regular attendance at the departmental seminars;
• Successful completion of a comprehensive examination (NSC9998) in the form of either a defended MRC-style grant application or an oral examination on selected topics within the field;
• Presentation and defense of a thesis (NSC9999) based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a research faculty member in the Department.

Minimum Standards

Residence

All students must complete a minimum of six sessions of full-time registration. In the case of transfer students, the residency period is nine full-time sessions from the initial registration in the program.

Duration of the Program

The requirements of the program are usually fulfilled within four years. The maximum time permitted is six years from the date of initial registration in the program, or seven years in the case of the students transferring from the master’s to the doctorate.

Thesis Advisory Committee