Degree Requirements

Students are required to complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows: 

If you entered the program IN or AFTER September 2020:

• MSC 1010H – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (0.5 FCE)
• 0.5 FCE modular courses (two courses at 0.25 FCE each)
• 1.0 FCE elective (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)
• a research MSc thesis and oral defense
• Students who defended an MSc at IMS and are still continuing with the same supervisor are require to take the PhD Qualifying Exam 

If you entered the program BEFORE September 2020:

• MSC 1010Y – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (1.0 FCE)
• 1.0 FCE elective (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)
• a research MSc thesis and oral defense

Students are required to complete a minimum of 2.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows: 

*For students who conferred their Master's degree at IMS:

An additional 1.0 FCE elective/ 1.0 modular courses are required if MSC 1010Y or MSC 1010H + 0.5 FCE modular courses were completed as part of the IMS Master's program

If you entered the program IN or AFTER September 2020:

• MSC 1011H – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (0.5 FCE)
  • Not required if MSC 1010H was completed as part of an IMS Master's program
• 0.5 FCE modular courses (two courses at 0.25 FCE each)
  • Not required if completed as part of an IMS Master's program
• 1.0 FCE elective (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)*
• a research PhD thesis and oral defense
• If you entered the program after 2022: a PhD Qualifying Exam within 18-21 months of registration

If you entered the program BEFORE September 2020:

• MSC 1011Y – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (1.0 FCE)
  • Not required if MSC 1010Y was completed as part of an IMS Master's program
• 1.0 FCE elective (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)*
• a research PhD thesis and oral defense

*For students who conferred their Master's degree at IMS: An additional 1.0 FCE elective/ 1.0 modular courses is required if MSC 1010Y or MSC 1010H + 0.5 FCE modular courses were completed as part of the IMS Master's program

Students are required to complete a minimum of 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCE) as follows:

If you entered the program IN or AFTER September 2020:

• MSC 1011H – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (0.5 FCE)
• 0.5 FCE modular courses (two courses at 0.25 FCE each)
• 2.0 FCE electives (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)
• a PhD Qualifying Exam within 18-21 months of registration
• a research PhD thesis and oral defense

If you entered the program BEFORE September 2020:

• MSC 1011Y – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (1.0 FCE)
• 2.0 FCE electives (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses)
• a PhD Qualifying Exam within 18-21 months of registration
• a research PhD thesis and oral defense

Students are required to complete a minimum of 3.0 graduate full-course equivalents (FCE) as follows:

If you entered the program IN or AFTER September 2020:

• MSC 1010H – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (0.5 FCE). This must be completed before your transfer.
• 0.5 FCE modular courses (two courses at 0.25 FCE each). This must be completed before your transfer.
• 2.0 FCE electives (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses). Electives completed before your transfer count toward this course requirement.
• a MSc-to-PhD Transfer Exam within 18-21 months of registration
• a research PhD thesis and oral defense

If you entered the program BEFORE September 2020:

• MSC 1010Y – MSc Seminars in Translational Research (1.0 FCE). This must be completed before your transfer.
• 2.0 FCE electives (may be any combination of graded 1.0 FCE, 0.5 FCE or 0.25 FCE courses). Electives completed before your transfer count toward this course requirement.
• a MSc-to-PhD Transfer Exam held within 18-21 months of entering the program.

PhD students are expected to have completed all course requirements, held at least 4 PAC meetings (excluding the Transfer/Qualifying Exam), and have an approved thesis topic for the PhD degree by the end of the 3rd year of registration (or end of the 4th year for PhD Direct Entry and Transfer students). 

• Students who have not achieved candidacy by the required time may have their registration in the PhD degree program terminated.  Students can apply for an extension to continue and must obtain the approval of the IMS and the School of Graduate Studies to proceed.  The IMS office will contact students whose candidacy is in jeopardy at least six months in advance.