Graduate Studies in Biochemistry
Applications and Admissions
Application Frequently Asked Questions
Application Deadlines Admission Requirements
Application Process Financial Info Contact
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Application Deadlines
Completed* applications must be received and reviewed by:
October 15 (for January start)
February 1 (First round considerations for September start)
February 1 (for May start)
June 1 (for September start)
*A complete application consists of (1) the application, (2) application fee, (3) reference letters (2 are required), (4) official, original transcripts, (5) Department of Biochemistry questionnaire, (6) TOEFL score (if applicable), and (7) GRE score (if applicable).
The above dates are an approximation and may change. Applicants should realize that applications received on or after the deadline may not be approved in time for the desired start date. International applicants should also allow time for visa processing.
Please note the Department cannot pre-evaluate copies of transcripts to ascertain if you should apply to our program. A complete application must be submitted for review.
Admission Requirements
NOTE: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program as space is limited and competitive.
Degree Requirements
Entry to the MSc Program: Applicants must have obtained an Honors degree (a 4 year degree, with or without a research project) or its equivalent from an accredited University in biochemistry, biology, genetics, chemistry, cell biology, microbiology, or physiology prior to enrollment. Applications from students with an Honors degree in a closely related discipline will also be considered. Applicants who do not have a degree in one of the programs listed above, but who have 2 or more upper year biochemistry courses will also be considered. A minimum academic average of B+ (78%, as calculated by the Department) during the final two years of the undergraduate program is required. Applicants with an MSc degree in one of the named disciplines will also be considered, as will applicants with MD, DVM, or DDS degrees.
Accelerated MSc Program: See details here.
Direct Entry to PhD from a Bachelor's Program: In addition to the requirements for entry to the MSc program, applications for direct entry to the PhD program must have a minimum academic average of 85%. Research experience would be an asset, but is not a requirement. Applicants wishing to be considered for direct entry should state this intent in a covering letter with their application.
International Applicants
The following information pertains to International applicants only.
Please note the Department cannot pre-evaluate copies of transcripts to ascertain if you should apply to our program. A complete application must be submitted for review.
International applicants who are not Canadian residents and whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL examination. To be considered for admission, minimum score requirements are: 600, paper based; 250, computer based; IBT, 90, with no individual score lower than 22. We will also accept the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) score. The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9. Please note that photocopies of TOEFL/IELTS scores are not acceptable. When submitting an application, please arrange to have an original score sent to the University, directly from the issuing office. The University code is 0984; Biochemistry Dept. code is 34.
For international students educated outside North America, a GRE score in one of the following subjects is required: Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry. A minimum score is not set, scores will be evaluated on an individual basis. The University code is 0984; Biochemistry Department code is 0202.
Application Process
After application, applicants are informed of the Committee's decision in writing. Faculty members seeking graduate students are informed of successful applications and may contact the applicant directly. However successful applicants are encouraged to browse the research interests of faculty and contact faculty whose research is of interest. Alternatively we encourage students to visit our department and talk with faculty and graduate students.
The following documentation needs to be submitted for an application to be reviewed:
- Complete the on-line application here
- Application Fee, $100 Canadian (payable at the time of completing the online application). Applicants who accept a placement in the Biochemistry Graduate Program will be reimbursed for the majority of the application fee ($100 minus the OUAC and SGPS administration fee).
- Reference Letters, 2 (collected elecronically upon receipt of application. You will be notified electronically when the reference has been submitted)
- Transcripts: If you have attended or are currently attending any Ontario University or college other than Western University (formerly The University of Western Ontario), you MUST use the elecronic application process to request transcripts. These transcripts will be delivered electronically to the Department.
- Past or current students of Western University (formerly The University of Western Ontario) do not need to provide transcripts for their academic history. This information will be obtained internally.
- Other Canadian, US or international transcripts: One original, official copy, must be forwarded to this department (mailing address below). If International transcripts are not in English, one should be in the original language and one should be the English translation.
- Transcripts should be sent directly to us from the issuing institute, and not via the applicant. Transcripts are considered official if they have original stamps and or seals and are in an institute envelope which is sealed and signed on the flap by an official from the Office issuing the transcript. Photocopies of originals will not be accepted. The University does not accept WES ICAP (International Credential Advantage Package) evalations/verification of transcripts.
- Department of Biochemistry QUESTIONNAIRE: Please submit online.
- Valid TOEFL score - requirements are: 600 paper based; 250 computer based; 90, with no individual score lower than 22 for IBT. We will also accept the International English Language Testing Servicve (IELTS) score. The minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9. (University code is 0984; Department of Biochemistry is 34).
- Valid GRE score - a score in one of the following subjects is required: Biochemistry, Cell & Molecular Biology; Biology; Chemistry. A minimum score is not set, scores will be evaluated on an individual basis. (University code is 0984; Department of Biochemistry is 0202).
For International Applicants the following scores must be submitted:
Financial Information
Graduate Students in the Department of Biochemistry are paid a yearly stipend available through a variety of sources and are dependent on a student's academic standing. National students, registering in January 2012 or later, and who meet the academic requirement (>80%) are eligible for funding which partially offsets the cost of tuition. National students with an academic average between 78 and 79.9% may be eligible for WGRS funding in the amount of $4500.
The WGRS is part of the total compensation (or stipend) a student receives and is applied directly towards
the student's tuition account. International students may be eligible for WGRS funding totalling $10,800 which
is applied directly towards their tution. Currently international students need an academic average >78%
(as calculated by the Department of Biochemistry).
Information about all awards can be found in The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
Contact
Further info can be found here.
Last updated by B. Green September 25, 2012
