Biochemistry Program: Collaborative Program in Human and Molecular Genetics

Program Chair: David Picketts

Members of the Collaborative Program: Christina Addison, John Bell, Steffany Bennett, Alexandre Blais, Kym Boycott, Earl Brown, Dennis Bulman, Pranesh Chakraborty, Jim Dimitroulakos, Ken Dimock, Douglas Gray, Robert Korneluk, Rashmi Kothary, Johne Liu, Quin Yan Liu, Ian Lorimer, Bruce McKay,Ruth McPherson, Alex Mackenzie, Lynn Megeny, Michael McBurney, Mona Nemer, Robin Parks, David Picketts, Michael Rudnicki, Luc Sabourin, Kylie Scoggan, Alexandre Stewart, David Stojdl, Frederique Tesson, Catherine Tsilfidis, Barbara Vanderhyden,Valerie Wallace, Zemin Yao (see the Faculty Members Directory for more details).

GENERAL INFORMATION

This is a collaborative graduate training program in Human and Molecular Genetics leading to a master's and doctoral degree. The degrees will be awarded in either Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience with a specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics. Students must meet the admission and curriculum requirements of their primary program (either Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience) as well as the specific requirements of the collaborative program.

Members of the program include scientists with interest and expertise in the following areas: developmental genetics, neuromuscular disease, microbial genetics, host resistance, cancer biology, aging, development of novel molecular therapeutics, gene therapy, growth and development, auto-immune diseases, molecular biology of viruses, bacteria and parasites, genetic epidemiology, retinal development and disease, animal models of human disease, and molecular aspects of signal transduction.

For detailed information about the graduate programs in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience, consult the relevant sections of the graduate calendar or click on the program you are interested in.

Students are also advised to consult the handbook entitled General Regulations published by the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

http://www.etudesup.uottawa.ca

ADMISSION

Candidates are admitted through the master's or doctoral program either in Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience must therefore meet the admission requirements of those programs. Transfer from master's to doctoral level without completing a master's thesis is permitted in the collaborative program under the same conditions as in the primary programs. Proficiency in English is required.

Candidates should indicate in their initial application for admission into Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience that they wish to be accepted into the collaborative program. To be accepted, the thesis director must be a member of the col laborative program. Students will normally be informed about their acceptance into the collaborative program at the same time as being informed about their admission into the primary program.

M.Sc. Degree Requirements

A minimum of three sessions (one year) on a full-time basis, which must be spent on a supervised research project
For Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience, six (6) credits of course work:

One 3 credit course from the primary graduate program and one 3 credit course in HMG

Enrolment in the seminar course, presentation of one seminar and active participation in the seminar series from the primary graduate program;
Presentation and successful defence of a thesis based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a member of the col laborative program.

Ph.D. Degree Requirements (from M.Sc.)

A minimum of six sessions (two years) on a full-time basis must be spent on a supervised research project.
2. For Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience, six (6) credits of course work:

One 3 credit course from the primary graduate program and one 3 credit course in HMG

3. Enrolment in the seminar course, presentation of one seminar and active participation in the seminar series from the primary graduate program;
Presentation of one research seminar to the core department (Biochemistry, Cellular and Molecular Medicine or Neuroscience) prior to thesis submission;
Comprehensive examination as outlined by the primary graduate program;
Presentation and defense of a thesis based on original research.

Degree Requirements (Students Transferring from Master's to Ph.D.)

Master's candidates intending to transfer directly to the doctoral program must meet the conditions set by their primary graduate program.

Comprehensive Examination
The examination is subject to the regulations in place for the primary graduate program.

Courses

HMG 8103 ADVANCED TOPICS IN THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF HUMAN DISEASES I (3cr)

Topics will be selected and representative of current developments in the field. The course consists of a repeated series of a 3 hour lecture by an expert in the field one week, followed by student presentations, discussions and critique of assigned papers on that topic the following week. Topics on selected diseases will focus on various aspects of cancer, apoptosis, disease gene identification and gene therapy. In the past these topics have included the molecular aspects of various cancers, spinal muscular atrophy, tissue regeneration, the discovery of disease genes, infectious disease (HIV) and gene therapy. Students will write a grant proposal and participate in mock grant review panels. Depending on enrolment, the course may be limited to HMG students only. Prerequisite: Permission of the HMG program director.

BCH 8105/HMG 8105 ADVANCED TOPICS IN THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF HUMAN DISEASES II (3cr)

Topics will be selected and representative of current developments in the field. The course consists of a repeated series of a 3 hour lecture by an expert in the field one week followed by student presentations, discussion and critique of assigned papers on that topic the following week. Topics on selected diseases will focus on pathogenetic mechanisms, genetic diagnostics and gene therapy. In the past, these topics have included the molecular aspects of aging, of the cell cycle, of protein folding, of proteinuria, of mitochondrial dynamics, of diabetes and of zebrafish models of human disease. Students will write a grant proposal and participate in mock grant review panels. Depending on enrolment, the course may be limited to HMG students only. Prerequisite: Permission of the HMG program director.

HMG 8600 SPECIAL TOPICS IN HUMAN AND MOLECULAR GENETICS (3 cr.)
Current topics in molecular genetics, developmental genetics, cancer genetics, neurogenetics, population genetics, clinical genetics and other topics chosen by the Faculty based on its expertise and interest. Offered alternate years subject to sufficient demand. Depending on enrolment, the course may be limited to HMG students only.

Prerequisite: Permission of the course coordinator.

Application for Admission

For posting on this page: Victoria Stewart

Last modifications: 2011.11.30