UofC

Location: Health Sciences Centre, Room G329
Program number: 403.220.8306
Fax: 403.210.8109
Email address: imgrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: ucalgary.ca/mdim

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Science (MSc), thesis-based

Faculty members are affiliated with the Cumming School of Medicine and the Faculties of Science and Veterinary Medicine.

The Immunology Graduate Program is offered in collaboration with the above faculties, and the curriculum has been designed for students with undergraduate or MSc degrees in those faculties. Background experience, qualifications, and areas of interest of applicants will be taken into account at the time of admission.

Students in the MSc and PhD degree programs are normally considered full-time.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, the Cumming School of Medicine graduate programs require a minimum admission grade point average of 3.30 (on the University of Calgary four-point system; equivalent to a "B+") based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 full-course equivalents) and master's course work if applicable.

Master of Science

• BSc degree or equivalent

Doctor of Philosophy

• MSc degree, or relevant master's degree, recognized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies, or transfer from MSc program, or, in exceptional cases, BSc degree or equivalent.
  

a) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based), or 105 (Internet-based), or a minimum IELTS score of 7.5, or a minimum MELAB score of 86, or a minimum PTE score of 75.

b) Two references from individuals that can attest to the applicant's academic background. Each referee to provide a reference form and accompanying letter on institutional letterhead.

c) Endorsement by the Chairperson, Immunology Graduate Education Committee (IGEC) that the applicant is acceptable and that adequate supervision of the proposed program is available.

d) An undergraduate course in immunology (Cellular, Molecular Microbial Biology 527 or equivalent). It will be possible for a student to take Medical Science 640 during the first year of their program if they do not have an appropriate prerequisite course.

e) Meeting the minimum admission criteria above does not guarantee acceptance into the program. Applications will be ranked according to academic excellence, prior research experience and commitment to the study of immunology. Students must also have confirmed a faculty member willing to supervise their studies.

Deadlines for submission of required documents for international applicants:

April 1 for September admission
August 1 for January admission
December 1 for May admission
February 1 for July admission

Deadlines for submission of required documents for domestic applicants:

June 1 for September admission
October 1 for January admission
March 1 for May admission
May 1 for July admission

Applicants may request to receive credit for previously completed courses at the time of application. Where credit is to be given, it will be noted in the letter to the Faculty of Graduate Studies recommending the student's admission.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Cumming School of Medicine requirements, the Immunology Graduate Program requires:

a) Completion of a minimum of 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) for an MSc and 9 units (1.5 full-course equivalents) for a PhD. Medical Science 639.02 or 639.04 is compulsory for all MSc students. Both courses are compulsory for PhD students. Optional courses for either degree can be drawn from any 600 level courses offered by the Cumming School of Medicine in areas that are relevant to the student's research proposal, and approved by the supervisor and supervisory committee. Courses taken while a student is an Open Studies student cannot be used as credits in either the MSc or PhD program.

b) Participation in the seminar program of the Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. This will entail the annual presentation of a 30-50 minute Research in Progress seminar and attendance at the weekly seminars and journal club.

c) Presentation on the thesis project to the IRG around the time of the defence.

Research Integrity Day is a Research Ethics session offered several times each year. All graduate students in the Cumming School of Medicine are required to attend Research Integrity Day in the first year of their program as part of their course requirements.

Contributions to journals, relevant journal clubs and/or seminars are desirable.

Credit will not be given for courses taken below the 600-level.

Expected completion time is 2.5 years for an MSc and 5 years for a PhD. See “Medicine Programs” for maximum completion times.

Individuals intending to apply for admission to the Immunology Graduate Program are encouraged to contact faculty members directly regarding the possibility of acting as a supervisor. If a potential supervisor has not been identified at the time of application, applications that meet or exceed the minimum criteria will be circulated to potential supervisors based on the indicated areas of interest (declared by candidates in the application). A supervisor and a source of funding (minimum of $21,000 per annum for MSc and $23,000 per annum for PhD) must be identified for a student to be admitted to the Immunology Graduate Program.

The supervisor, in consultation with the student, selects a Supervisory Committee. For MSc students, the Supervisory Committee consists of the supervisor plus 2 faculty members, at least one of whom must have completed the supervision of an MSc student. For PhD students, the Supervisory Committee consists of the supervisor plus a minimum of 2 faculty members. At least one member should be from the IRG, and at least two members must have completed the supervision of a doctoral graduate.

In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements, the program requires:

Candidacy Examination

Doctoral students must pass an oral candidacy examination. Specific details of the examination format and other candidacy requirements can be found at: wcm.ucalgary.ca/gse/files/gse/csm-candidacy-examination-process-effective-september-1-2015.pdf.

Thesis Examination

Scheduling of the Examination

All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee

The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

See the Medicine Programs entry in this Calendar.

Exceptional students registered for the MSc degree may request to change their registration status to that of a PhD candidate within 24 months of admission to the program. Within 18 months of first registration, the student will discuss with the supervisor their intent to transfer from the MSc to the PhD program. Students are only eligible for transfer if at least two graduate courses have been completed. A revised draft research proposal should be presented to the supervisory committee before the transfer has occurred. Transfers will require unanimous approval from each member of the supervisory committee and recommendation to the Chairperson, IGEC. The student’s academic record and approval from the supervisory committee will be considered in making a decision to recommend a transfer into a PhD program. If the transfer is approved, the Chairperson, IGEC will send a written recommendation to the Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

The student will be required to submit a revised research proposal and complete the course requirements of the doctoral program. Student must meet the 30-month deadline for the candidacy oral examination.

A source of funding must be identified for a student to be admitted into the Immunology Program. Graduate students are generally funded by their supervisor’s operating grants, internal awards, and/or external awards. Self-funding is not an option. Possible sources of financial support are listed on the Faculty of Graduate Studies awards database: grad.ucalgary.ca/awards.

These include Faculty of Graduate Studies Scholarships, Dean’s Excellence Awards, Dean’s Entrance Awards, and the Faculty of Graduate Studies Open Scholarship Competition.

Students in the program are eligible to receive a Graduate Student Support scholarship to assist them with tuition while paying full program fees, upon completion of annual program requirements.

Students are also eligible to receive the Immunology Program Specific award for travel to a national or international scientific meeting to make a presentation.

In addition, the Immunology Program Award for Research Excellence is awarded to students whose final thesis is unanimously deemed worthy of nomination for a national or international award by the examiners of their final thesis. In addition to a certificate, the student receives a monetary award.

The Immunology Graduate Program offers the following courses:

Medical Science 640
Medical Science 639.02
Medical Science 639.04

Information regarding the courses can be obtained at ucalgary.ca/irg/Education.

The research interests of current IRG faculty members can be found at ucalgary.ca/irg/faculty.