Program Overview

Veterinary Medical Sciences

The Master of Science (MSc) in Veterinary Medical Sciences is a thesis-based program designed to prepare the next generation of international leaders in animal and public health. Students will establish a firm grasp of core competencies in veterinary medical sciences and acquire specialized knowledge through the course of their thesis projects.

Program Overview

The graduate mission of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is to be a world leader in the training of animal health researchers and postgraduate veterinarians, creating experts who will advance animal and public health, as well as the veterinary profession.

Completing the Program

• Core Courses: Students take courses in professional skills in health science research and biostatistical methods.
• Seminar: Students will be required to give one public seminar.
• Additional Courses: Topics may include biology of laboratory animals, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, parasitology, and more.
• Thesis: Students will complete a thesis based on their own research.

Specializations

• Wildlife Health and Ecology
• Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (see Interdisciplinary Specializations)

Outcomes

Graduates may pursue careers in academia, government (regulatory, food safety, water safety), feedlots, zoos, centers for disease control, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, vaccine development, and diagnostic pathology. A master’s degree in veterinary medicine will also provide the prerequisite for a PhD.

Thesis-Based Program

Students are required to prepare a thesis and successfully defend it in an open oral defense.

Courses

The program consists of three courses. For more information on program requirements, please refer to the Academic Calendar.

Classroom Delivery

Time Commitment

The program is designed to be completed in two years full-time, with a maximum of four years.

Supervisor

A supervisor is required and must agree to oversee the student's research before admission will be granted.

Fees and Funding

For information on fees and fee regulations, as well as awards and financial assistance, please refer to the Graduate Calendar.

Admission Requirements

• GPA: A minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study.
• Minimum Education: A minimum of a baccalaureate degree (or its equivalent, or a BVSc, DVM, or MD degree) with coursework appropriate for VMS graduate training from a recognized institution.
• Work Samples: None
• Documents: Curriculum Vitae, and a Letter of Understanding signed by the prospective student and supervisor.
• Reference Letters: Two
• Test Scores: None

English Language Proficiency

An applicant whose primary language is not English may fulfill the English language proficiency requirement in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of 97 (Internet-based, with no section less than 20).
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7.0 (minimum of 6.0 in each section).
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 68, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL) score of 70 (70 in some sections, 60 in all other).
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC) score of A- in one or two courses, “B+” on all other courses.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency minimum score of 191.

Deadlines

• For admission on September 1: Canadians and permanent residents, June 1 application deadline; International, June 1 application deadline.
• For admission on January 1: Canadians and permanent residents, November 1 application deadline; International, November 1 application deadline.
• For admission on May 1: Canadians and permanent residents, March 1 application deadline; International, March 1 application deadline.
• For admission on July 1: Canadians and permanent residents, May 1 application deadline; International, May 1 application deadline.

Supervisors

A list of available supervisors includes:

1. Faizal Abdul-Careem - Avian viral immunology
2. Herman Barkema
3. Jeff Biernaskie
4. Prasanth Chelikani - Obesity, Diabetes, Nutrition
5. Li-Fang (Jack) Chu - Genetic Regulation of Developmental Clocks, Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Biology of species-specific pluripotent stem cells
6. Eduardo Cobo - Innate immunity in the gut
7. Alastair Cribb - Pharmacogenetics, Molecular toxicology
8. Jeroen De Buck
9. Rob Deardon
10. Ina Dobrinski - Biology of male germ line stem cells

Related Programs

If you're interested in this program, you might also want to explore:

• Veterinary Medicine PhD
• Biomedical Engineering Course-based MEng, Thesis-based MSc, PhD
• Medical Science Thesis-based MSc, PhD

Highlights of the Program

The program offers a range of research areas and opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research projects. With a strong focus on animal and public health, graduates will be well-equipped to pursue careers in academia, government, industry, and more. The program's emphasis on specialized knowledge and research skills will provide students with a competitive edge in their future careers.