The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University offers programs of study which lead to either the M.Sc. (thesis) or the Ph.D. degrees through the Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies Office (GPSO). The GPSO has information for prospective graduate students here. The objective of the M.Sc. (thesis) and Ph.D. programs is to provide in-depth research experience in a specific area of pharmacology in order to develop individuals capable of independent research and scholarly activity in industry, government or academia.

In the M.Sc. (Thesis) and Ph.D. programs, students select their own area of research for their thesis project. The thesis proposal usually follows the first year of the program and, if it is approved, thesis work begins. Since several members of the Department hold joint appointments in clinical and other basic science departments, students can participate in interdisciplinary research projects that are relevant to pharmacology.

Career Opportunities

Employment opportunities for our graduate students are excellent. Indeed, our graduates currently hold appointments in top universities or have important positions in the private sector or in government agencies.

Student Group

Approximately 140 graduate students pursue their studies in the McIntyre Medical Sciences Building, in addition to many others who are pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate and medical studies. The Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics has about 68 graduate students, of which approximately half are Canadians and half are foreign students coming from a wide variety of countries. There is close cooperation and interaction among graduate students, and between graduate students and faculty members, resulting in an agreeable and stimulating work environment.

Financial Aid

Canadians and permanent residents can apply for financial aid from several federal and provincial granting agencies. Other sources of support include scholarships awarded by the Faculty of Medicine and by Graduate and Post-Doctoral Studies here at McGill University, or through research grants held by researchers within the Department. While the Department actively sponsors qualified students in their attempts to obtain financial aid, sources are limited for non-Canadian students, so we encourage these applicants to investigate other possible funding sources (for example, government and other scholarships from their countries of origin). The Department offers one studentship annually (the James E. Frosst Fellowship) which is valued at $10,000. Applicants should state their interest in applying for this award.

Tuition Fees and Living Expenses

For all information regarding tuition fees please follow this link: http://www.mcgill.ca/student-accounts.

Estimated annual living expenses in Montreal can be found at http://www.mcgill.ca/desautels/phd/financing/expenses/. Many inexpensive, privately owned apartments are located in the immediate neighborhood. Information on housing can be found at http://www.mcgill.ca/students/housing/.

Application Procedures

Admission to the program is based on a student's academic record, letters of recommendation, and, whenever possible, interviews with graduate committee members. Students may also be required to take the General Test of the Graduate Record of Examination; non-Canadian students may be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (or the equivalent) to demonstrate proficiency in English. While a background in the health sciences is recommended, those with a background in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and the physical sciences will be considered. A student can rectify any deficiencies in specific areas of knowledge by taking additional courses either before admission to the program or through a qualifying year of study.

Applications and supporting documents should be submitted to the Department as early as possible in the academic year (for example, September for the following academic year), particularly if applicants wish to be sponsored by the Department for financial aid.

For more application information please click here.

Courses Requirements

Our requirement for graduate studies is 45 credits per three year term, and required courses include:

PHAR 562 CRN 851 General Pharmacology I (3 credits)
PHAR 563 CRN 447 General Pharmacology II (3 credits)

PHAR 601D1 CRN 2109 (fall) Comp. Exam (3 credits)
PHAR 601D2 CRN 2020 (winter) Comp. Exam (3 credits)
                    or
PHAR 601N1 CRN 3295 (winter) Comp. Exam (3 credits)
PHAR 601N2 CRN 3719 (fall) Comp. Exam (3 credits)

Also, there are different Graduate level course requirements based on degree sought:

M.Sc.  TWO  700-level courses
Ph.D.  THREE  700-level courses
PLUS  PHAR 712 CRN 2025 Statistics course

Thesis prep courses for credits only:
PHAR 696 CRN 2110 (FALL) (WINTER) CRN 2021 (3 credits) Thesis Prep
PHAR 697 CRN 2111 (FALL) (WINTER) CRN 2022 (6 credits) Thesis Prep I
PHAR 698 CRN 2112 (FALL) (WINTER) CRN 2023 (9 credits) Thesis Prep II
PHAR 699 CRN 2113 (FALL) (WINTER) CRN 2024 (12 credits) Thesis Prep III