MSc in Biology in Canada at UVic Canada

Program Overview for MSc in Biology in Canada:

The Master of Science program is a full-time, research-intensive program. You will complete course work and complete designed research work. This will be original and groundbreaking research that will develop our understanding of biology. You will defend your thesis in the oral exam. 
 If you are studying for a master of science program, you can transfer to a doctoral program with the approval of your supervisor.

In our graduate biology courses, your research will be supported by dedicated teachers and facilities. It will establish links with scientific institutions, such as the Banfield Marine Science Center. The research skills you gain from your degree will continue into your scientific career. Our teachers are working on important research projects in the following areas:

• Ecology and evolution
• Cell and molecular biology
• Genetics and genomics
• Forest biology
• Marine science
• Neurobiology

Areas of focus

• Marine Science
• Neurobiology
• Biomedical research and genomics
• Forest biology
• Environmental biology

The eligibility for MSc in Biology in Canada for both domestic and international student is:

Completing an acceptable master’s degree (or equivalent) from an institution recognized by UVic Any requirements specific to your program of study or You may be considered if you have the equivalent of an A- average in the last two years of a bachelor’s degree.

Applications from students with a first-class academic record will be considered for recommendation at any time. Applicants with a GPA of less than 6.5 (B+/A-) or its equivalent in their last two years of work will not normally be recommended for admission by the Department of Biology.

Applicants whose native language is not English must write the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and submit the scores to the Graduate Admissions and Records Office together with their application forms (English Language Proficiency). Even with passing TOEFL scores, students may be required to take English language courses and their other course work.

All MSc and Ph.D. candidates admitted to the Department of Biology are expected to have or make up background knowledge of basic biology of at least equivalent to that of a BSc student graduating from this department.

Applications from students with a first-class academic record will be considered for recommendation at any time. Applicants with a GPA of less than 6.5 (B+/A-) or its equivalent in their last two years of work will not normally be recommended for admission by the Department of Biology.

In addition to the documentation required by the Faculty of Graduate Studies (see Faculty Admissions), the Department of Biology also requires a Letter of Intent outlining the applicant’s research interest and relevant experience.

Admission to the Ph.D. program will normally require an MSc in Biology or Biochemistry, with a GPA of A- or 7.0 on the University of Victoria 9-point scale.

Deadlines

Students wishing to be considered for a University of Victoria Fellowship must submit their complete application by March 15 for admission in September of the same calendar year. Admission is possible for May 1, September 1, or January 1, but complete applications must arrive three months before the expected entry date into the program for Canadian applications. Because of visa requirements, international students should complete the application process at least six months in advance.

Program requirements

Students entering with a BSc and intending to take a Ph.D. program will initially be registered in an MSc program. They may be transferred to a Ph.D. program at the end of their first year, on the recommendation of their supervisory committee and the Department of Biology and approval by the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The Ph.D. program is a full-time program of independent and original research culminating in a dissertation defended in an oral examination. Students must complete a candidacy examination in their general research area within 2 years of entering the program and additional coursework.

These are the test eligibilities for the MSc in Biology to qualify.

The international student tuition fees and costs for MSc in Biology in Canada.

All graduate students must have a faculty member who serves as their academic supervisor. When you apply:

• You must list a potential supervisor on your application
• This faculty member must agree to be your supervisor and recommend your admission.

To find a supervisor, review the faculty contacts. When you've found a faculty member whose research complements your own, contact them by email.

Contact the graduate secretary at biolgsec@uvic.ca or 250-721-7093.

Graduate students registered in full-time programs are automatically considered for a fellowship. This is based on a qualifying GPA.

Individual award amounts may vary depending on the program.

UVic Fellowship Awards

• Up to $17,500 per year (masters)
• Up to $20,000 per year (Ph.D.)

UVic Graduate Awards

• Up to $10,000 per year (masters and PhD)

Eligibility

• The minimum requirement for funding consideration is an A- average on the last two years of coursework
• Domestic and international students are considered equally for funding
• Full-time registration (3.0 units) for UVic Fellowship holders and at least part-time registration (1.5 units) for UVic Graduate Award holders
• Full-time registration for students registered with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is 1.5 units

Every year we employ many graduate students to assist with teaching, research, and lab instruction.

• Their academic units hire teaching assistants (TAs) to assist with teaching and grading courses. These are unionized, hourly positions.
• Faculty members hire research assistants (RAs) to help with their research. These roles are sometimes called scientific assistants or laboratory instructors. RA salaries come from faculty members’ research grants. Because of this, RA hours, salary, and other details are worked out between you and the faculty member.

Work-study

The work-study program offers part-time jobs on campus that fit your course schedule.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be a full-time student
• Demonstrate financial need
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN)

Co-operative Education Program (co-op)

UVic is home to the largest graduate co-op program in Canada. You can add a co-op to your master’s or doctoral studies for work experience in your field of study.

Bursaries

We offer non-repayable bursaries based on financial needs.

To be eligible for a bursary, you must be:

• Already receiving the maximum government student loans available to you
• In full-time status as determined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies
• In good academic standing