You are reading the 2024/25 Academic Calendar. The 2023/24 version remains in effect until August 31, 2024 and is available here.

Genome Science and Technology

Degrees Offered: Ph.D., M.Sc.

Members

Professors

K. Adams, R. Andersen, S. Aparicio, I. Birol, J. Bohlmann, A. Bouchard-Côté, A. Brooks-Wilson, C. Brown, H. Brumer, B. Carleton, K. Chi, C. Collins, L. Conibear, H. Côté, L. Eltis, B. Finlay, L. Foster, J. Friedman, J. Gsponer, S. Hallam, R. Hancock, C. Haynes, P. Hieter, M. Hirst, R. Holt, P. Hoodless, D. Huntsman, W.Jefferies, J. Johnson, S. Jones, A. Karsan, T. Kieffer, M. Kobor, X. Li, C. Loewen, M. Marra, A. Marziali, T. Mayor, C. Nislow, C. Overall, P. Pavlidis, D. Perrin, J. Piret, S. Plotkin, L. Rieseberg, W. Robinson, C. Ross, F. Rossi, K. Ryan, N. Tokuriki, M. Underhill, B. Vallance, W. Wasserman, A. Weng, N. Yachie.

Professors Emeriti

P. Cullis, D. Goldowitz, J. McIntosh, R. Redfield, S. Withers.

Associate Professors

J. Hill, P. Lange, S. Leslie, V. Measday, G. Morin, V. Yadav, R. Ziels.

Assistant Professors

A. Blakney, K. Dao Duc, C. de Boer, J. Dennis, T. Huan, J. Joshi, J. Kopp, K. Korthauer,  E. Lim, C. Loucks, B. Matthews, G. Schiebinger, N. Shakiba, A. Singh, A. Steif, S. Teves, M. Todesco, C. Tropini, S. Wisnovsky.
 

Program Overview

The Genome Science and Technology graduate program, administered through Michael Smith Laboratories, is a trans-disciplinary program that combines genomic research with leading-edge technology development in genome sciences for students pursuing an M.Sc. or Ph.D. This program is intended to accommodate the diverse background of students and the broad nature of genomic research in human, animal, plant, microbes, and viruses.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

Students admitted to the Ph.D. degree program normally possess a M.Sc. degree in genomics or a related area, such as biology, microbiology, molecular biology, medicine or in physical/engineering science, such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, bioengineering, with clear evidence of research ability or potential.

Eligibility is determined on the basis of academic achievement, research experience, and letters of recommendation.

Transfer from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program is permitted under regulations set by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

A minimum TOEFL score of 100 is required on the iBT (internet-based TOEFL), 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent on other tests approved by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. No GRE is required.

Program Requirements

All doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination, which consists of an oral and written component. The major requirement for the Ph.D. degree is the completion of a research dissertation that meets the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies guidelines. All students are required to present a Genome Science and Technology graduate program exit seminar, based on their research, upon completion of their program, and before their dissertation defense.

A student's committee for the doctorate will consist of the supervisor and three others. The supervisor and at least one other member must be a member of the Genome Science and Technology graduate program.

Master of Science

Admission Requirements

Successful applicants require a B.Sc. or equivalent, majoring in a biological discipline (such as biology, genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, medicine) or in physical/engineering science (such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, bioengineering), with a first-class standing in their previous degree.

Eligibility is determined on the basis of academic achievement, research experience and letters of recommendation.

Academically acceptable applicants, not selected for the rotation option of the program, must also obtain the commitment of a Genome Science and Technology graduate program research supervisor before receiving final acceptance from the Program and the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

A minimum TOEFL score of 100 is required on the iBT (internet-based TOEFL), 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or equivalent on other tests approved by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. No GRE is required.

Program Requirements

M.Sc. students are required to complete 30 credits, which include one required course GSAT 502, and an 18-credit thesis. Nine credits of coursework must be numbered 500 or higher. Program-funded scholarship students are also required to complete three nine-week research rotations in their first year. The major requisite for the M.Sc. degree is the completion of a research thesis that meets the Program's requirements.

A student's committee for the M.Sc. degree will consist of their thesis supervisor and two other members. The supervisor and at least one other member must be members of the Genome Science and Technology graduate program. All students are required to present a Genome Science and Technology graduate program exit seminar, based on their thesis research, upon completion of their program before their thesis defense.

Contact Information

Director, P. Stirling
Sharon Ruschkowski, Program Coordinator
Genome Science and Technology Graduate Program
100-570 West 7th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 4S6
Tel: 604.707.5803
Email: sharonr@bcgsc.ca
Web: http://www.gsat.ubc.ca


UBC Crest The official logo of the University of British Columbia. Urgent Message An exclamation mark in a speech bubble. Caret An arrowhead indicating direction. Arrow An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Arrow in Circle An arrow indicating direction. Chats Two speech clouds. Facebook The logo for the Facebook social media service. Information The letter 'i' in a circle. Instagram The logo for the Instagram social media service. Linkedin The logo for the LinkedIn social media service. Location Pin A map location pin. Mail An envelope. Menu Three horizontal lines indicating a menu. Minus A minus sign. Pencil A pencil indicating that this is editable. Telephone An antique telephone. Plus A plus symbol indicating more or the ability to add. Search A magnifying glass. Twitter The logo for the Twitter social media service. Youtube The logo for the YouTube video sharing service.