Why study this program?
The Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, offers graduate programs leading to the MSc and PhD degrees in cell biology. The Department provides a world-class training environment in a range of areas including organelle biogenesis and disease, neurobiology, virology, cancer apoptosis and signal transduction, proteomics, molecular evolution, RNA biology, chaperones and pathogen-host interactions. Through an independent research program, complemented by seminars and formal coursework, students are trained to identify important problems, critically analyze scientific information and effectively communicate their results.
The Department of Cell Biology is endowed with state of the art equipment needed to perform experimental work in modern cell biology. Research funding is primarily from agencies such as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and the Canada Foundation for Innovation.
Detailed information on the graduate program can be found on the Department of Cell Biology website.
Address all inquiries to the Graduate Program Administrator, Department of Cell Biology.
Entrance Requirements
See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Program Entrance Requirements.
Program Core Competencies
The following are the program-specific requirements to satisfy the FoMD’s Program Core Competencies (See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Program Core Competencies):
1. Professional Development and Ethics
See GPS Ethics and Academic Citizenship Training Requirement and GPS Professional Development Requirement.
Specific courses (e.g. Institutional Animal User Training Program (IAUTP) and Biohazard Approvals) can be selected in consultation with the student’s supervisor and should be completed before conducting any relevant work.
2. Communication
Students are required to enroll in CELL 671 in their first academic year and CELL 672 in their third year.
3. Critical Reading/Thinking
Registration in CELL 545 is required. It is expected that PhD students attend all Departmental seminars.
4. Background Knowledge
One 3-unit graded course must be selected from the 500- and 600-level CELL courses and to be chosen in consultation with the student’s Graduate Supervisory Committee. Addition or substitution of courses outside the CELL courses will require approval by the Cell Biology Graduate Program Committee.
Thesis
Registration in 900-level THES. Students are required to prepare and defend a thesis on a topic approved by their supervisor and supervisory committee.
Courses
Graduate courses can be found in Course Listings, under the subject heading Cell Biology (CELL).
Financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships supported by the supervisor’s research funds is available for students who are admitted to the program. The Department of Cell Biology will provide assistance in applying for internal or external competitive awards. Further information regarding financial assistance will be supplied upon request.
For general information, please visit the Tuition and Fees page on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research site.The Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research administers over $29 million each year in scholarships, awards, and financial support for graduate students, as well as financial and loan advising. Additional scholarships are also available for specific faculties and programs.
Please refer to the detailed program information or email cellbio@ualberta.ca.
General inquiriesPlease check out some of our most frequently asked questions (FAQS) to see if your question has been answered, or contact the Faculty of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (GPS) during our office hours.
Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR)
Killam Centre for Advanced Studies
2-29 Triffo Hall
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2E1