Master of Science (MSc) Thesis-based in Biological Sciences
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In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements and the Faculty of Science requirements, the Department requires:
a) Completion of a minimum of 6 units for both the Master of Science and doctoral programs. Students transferring from the MSc program to the PhD program will be required to take a minimum of 3 units in addition to work already completed. Please note that graduate courses must be chosen in consultation with the supervisor and approved by the Graduate Program Director. Course requirements may include courses offered by other Departments.
b) Completion of the appropriate number of Biology 601 Research Seminar courses in addition to (a) above.
c) Presentation of a Departmental Pre-Defence seminar on the results of the thesis research.
Transfer from the Master of Science to the doctoral program
A request to transfer from the Master of Science program to the doctoral program may be made no later than twenty-four months after initial registration. Students who transfer will be required to take one additional 3-unit course, regardless of course work completed before the transfer, and are expected to meet the 36-month deadline for completion of candidacy requirements.
Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)
Students admitted to the Department of Biological Sciences will not be allowed to request the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course that is applicable to their degree; or apply any course awarded a grade of CG towards their graduation requirements.
Students may choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.
The use of the CG grade will not affect students' eligibility for internal awards.
Credit for Undergraduate Courses
At least one-half of a graduate student’s coursework must be at the 600 level or higher.
Only when appropriate to a student’s program may graduate credit be received for courses numbered 500-599, which are considered undergraduate courses. Courses below the 500 level will not be accepted for graduate credit.
Time Limit
Expected completion time is two years for the Master of Science degree. Maximum completion time is four years.
Supervisory Assignments
Applicants must contact faculty members directly regarding supervision of their graduate program, prior to submitting an application. The Department does not accept students unless at least one faculty member has indicated a willingness to act as supervisor. For the MSc program, the supervisor, in consultation with the student, selects a Supervisory Committee consisting of the supervisor and at least two other faculty members whose research experience will be beneficial to the student's graduate program.
Research Proposal
Master of Science students must present a written research proposal to their supervisory committee no later than six months after initial registration in program.
Thesis Examinations
Final Thesis Examinations are required at both the Master of Science and doctoral level. In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations, the Department has the following requirements:
A public “Exit” Seminar preceding the examination is required.
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 must be external to the home program.
Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar.
Students applying for the Open Scholarship Competition must submit their scholarship applications to the Department of Biological Sciences by the appropriate deadline. Please contact mailto:sci.grad@ucalgary.ca for further information.