MSc in Anatomy and Cell Biology
General Information
Graduate training for a Research Intensive M.Sc. involves some formal course work, in depth self-directed learning and extensive experience in the research laboratory. Students also participate in seminars discussing the current literature and presenting their own research. The Department considers teaching to be an important part of graduate education. Students in the Anatomy & Cell Biology program may be offered opportunities to supplement their stipends by serving as teaching assistants in such courses as gross anatomy, histology, neuroanatomy and cell biology.
The M.Sc. typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. Upon completion of the M.Sc., most students enter a program of further study at the Ph.D. level in this department or elsewhere, or enter a professional program such as medicine, dentistry, an allied health science or teaching. Previous graduates of this department hold prominent positions in academia, medicine and other health science professions, and in industry.
Our M.Sc. students play a valuable role in our department by actively contributing to our research community. Graduate Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities, affiliated hospitals and research institutes, valuable teaching opportunities and world-class researchers.
Aims of the Graduate Program in Anatomy & Cell Biology
The goal of our Research Track Graduate Program is to provide comprehensive training in Cell Biology/Neurobiology Research in preparation for a future in research and academia, or non-academic career paths. Graduate work in Anatomy & Cell Biology provides students with important skills that are essential for the research environment and are also transferable to the work force. They include: technical expertise, teamwork, leadership, written and verbal communication, critical thinking, problem solving, presentation skills, time/project management, organization, teaching and independence.
Areas of Interest
- CELL BIOLOGY - Cancer, Metastasis, Hypoxia, Angiogenesis, Stem Cells, Tumor Plasticity, Cell Adhesion, Tissue Engineering, Biomaterial Integration, Dental Implants, Skin Repair, Gap Junctions, Cell-to-Cell Communication, Molecular Imaging, Developmental Biology
- NEUROBIOLOGY - Alzheimer's, Stroke, Cardiovascular, Parkinson's, Schizophrenia, Neuro-inflammation, fMRI, Lipid Biology, Mass-Spec Imaging, Neurotransmitters, Genetic Models, Learning, Electrophysiology, Cognitivie Neuroscience, Functional Neuroimaging, Consciousness, Memory, Perception
Supervisory Committees
Each graduate student has a Supervisory Committee consisting of the research supervisor, at least two other faculty members and a designated member of the Graduate Affairs Committee (ex officio). This committee meets with the student on a regular basis according to the following milestones:
- 1st meeting should be held by the end of the second month in the 1st term of the program
- 2nd meeting should be held by the 3rd term (or May/June whichever comes first).
- 3rd meeting should be held by the end of the 5th term.
- Additional meetings should be scheduled approximately every six months or more often as required.
The Research Proposal Form is required for the first meeting.
The function of the first Supervisory Committee meeting is to decide on the required course work and to define the research to be undertaken.
The Progress Report Form is required for the 2nd and subsequent meetings.
At each meeting, the committee advises the Student on such matters as the progress of research and the preparation of the M.Sc. thesis. A complete report from the Supervisory Committee is submitted to the Graduate Affairs Committee after each supervisory committee meeting.
The Final Report Form is required for the final meeting.
When the thesis is ready for submission, the Supervisory Committee recommends examiners to the Graduate Affairs Committee.
For information on the thesis writing and publication processes, please refer to the Thesis Guide.
Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology
The University of Western Ontario
Medical Sciences, Room 443
London, Ontario, Canada N6A 5C1
Information regarding scholarships, thesis regulations and the graduate calendar may be found on the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
Applications From Overseas
Applications from countries other than Canada are encouraged. However, the fees for non-resident students are approximately two and a half times higher than those for Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Bursaries are available, which reduce the fees to the level paid by Canadian residents. Such bursaries are awarded, on the basis of merit, by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.If your first language is NOT English you must include official proof of proficiency in English, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and obtain a score of at least 92 with no individual score below 20. TOEFL scores should be sent to the University of Western Ontario, School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (Code 0984)
University regulations prohibit the acceptance of students who have not attained this standard. The Department requires that students from other countries provide documentary evidence of adequate financial support for the duration of their studies.
Residence Requirements
For qualified applicants, the usual period of study for the Research M.Sc. is two years (minimum one year), and for the Ph.D. from two to four years (minimum two years after an M.Sc. or 3 years after an honours degree).The Clinical Anatomy MSc program is 20 months.
