Published 2016-17 SGS Calendar for editing purposes only [exported July 28, 2016]

Cell and Systems Biology: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Arts and Science​

Degree Programs

Cell and Systems Biology

MSc
PhD

Collaborative Programs

The following collaborative programs are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:
  1. Developmental Biology
  2. Cell and Systems Biology, MSc, PhD
  3. Genome Biology and Bioinformatics
  4. Cell and Systems Biology, PhD
  5. Neuroscience
  6. Cell and Systems Biology, MSc, PhD

Overview

Cell and Systems Biology (CSB) offers a master's program leading to the degree of Master of Science and a doctoral program leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the fields of cell, molecular, and systems biology. Students undertaking graduate programs in CSB pursue research related to fundamental mechanisms in the growth, development, and behaviour of organisms ranging from unicellular microbes to more complex organisms in the plant and animal kingdoms. Research projects extend from the molecular level to that of whole organisms interacting with each other and their environment.​​
Students enjoy state-of-the-art facilities and make use of cutting-edge approaches including functional genomics, genetics, metabolomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, cell biology, developmental biology, molecular biology, and physiology.

Contact and Address

Web:
Email:
Telephone: (416) 978-3477
Fax: (416) 978-8532
Department of Cell and Systems Biology
University of Toronto
Ramsay Wright Building
Room 424, 25 Harbord Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3G5
Canada

Cell and Systems Biology: Cell and Systems Biology MSc

Master of Science​

Minimum Admission Requirements
  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Cell and Systems Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.
  • An appropriate bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized university, with a B+ (or equivalent) average in the final year of the bachelor's program, and a mid-B overall average in the previous year of study.
Program Requirements
  • Complete 0.5 full-course equivalent (FCE) of approved graduate coursework.
  • Complete the CSB 1010Y MSc Seminar Series (credit only, minimum 24 seminars per year).
  • Complete a thesis based on a research project.
  • Give a public presentation of thesis research and defend the thesis at an oral examination.
Program Length
6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)
Time Limit
3 years full-time

Cell and Systems Biology: Cell and Systems Biology PhD

Doctor of Philosophy

Minimum Admission Requirements
  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Cell and Systems Biology's additional admission requirements stated below.
  • PhD degree applicants are generally accepted by one of three routes:
  • following completion of an MSc degree from a recognized university, with a minimum A- average in all work completed in the master's program
  • by transferring from the University of Toronto MSc program: students may reclassify from the MSc program after 12 months of study
  • by direct entry, that is, after completing an honours bachelor's degree with an exceptional record and a minimum A– average or equivalent.
Program Requirements
  • Complete 1.0 full-course equivalent (FCE) of approved graduate coursework.
  • Complete the CSB 1011Y PhD Seminar Series (credit only, minimum 24 seminars per year).
  • Complete a thesis on a research project, give a public presentation of the thesis research, and defend the thesis at the Doctoral Final Oral Examination.
  • All PhD students (including MSc students wishing to reclassify as PhD students) must successfully complete a PhD proposal/transfer examination. The PhD proposal/transfer examination involves three components:
  • preparation of a written research proposal
  • presentation to the department and questioning by the public
  • in-camera questioning by a PhD proposal examination committee immediately following the public presentation.
Students must successfully complete their proposal/transfer examination between 13 and 20 months after the start date of enrolment in their graduate program. Students who transfer from the CSB MSc program to the PhD program may apply course credits earned as CSB MSc students towards their PhD course requirements.
Program Length
4 years full-time; 5 years direct-entry; 5 years transfer-from-master's
Time Limit
6 years full-time; 7 years direct-entry; 7 years transfer-from-master's

Cell and Systems Biology: Cell and Systems Biology MSc, PhD Courses

Consult the graduate unit regarding course availability.
​CSB 1000H+ / Topics in Cell and Systems Biology 1 (Consists of two modules. Detailed information on modules can be found on the Department of Cell and Systems Biology website.)
​CSB 1001H+ / Topics in Cell and Systems Biology 2​
​CSB 1010Y0 / MSc Seminar Series​
​CSB 1011Y0 / PhD Seminar Series​
​CSB 1018H / ​Advanced Microscopy and Imaging
​CSB 1020H / Topics in Cell and Systems Biology​
​CSB 1025H / ​Methods in Genomics and Proteomics
​CSB 1472H / ​Computational Genomics and Bioinformatics
0 Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded when completed.
+ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.