phd in neuroscience canada

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Langue/language

Admission is suspended for this program.

Faculty of Medicine

PhD in Neurological Sciences

Graduate 3-530-1-0

This program is not available for this session

Language accommodations

Although Université de Montréal is a French-language university, many of our research departments are open to creating a bilingual environment for students in graduate-level programs. These departments are aware of the importance of bilingualism in order for graduate students to succeed in their research careers.

Students who are proficient in English are therefore welcome and accepted into graduate-level programs.

The Department of Neurosciences provides a number of accommodations to make you feel comfortable and help you fulfill the requirements of the program even if French is not your main language of study:

• Access to course notes in both French and English.
• Choice of giving oral seminar presentations in either French or English.
• Choice of writing exams in French or English.
• Choice of taking the comprehensive exam in either French or English.
• Choice of writing your doctoral thesis or dissertation in French or English.

All laboratories are offered in a bilingual environment. Above all, staff in the program are available to help and support you throughout your studies.

Courses and specifics

• Dissertation or thesis track

Admission requirements

Be sure to select your choices to display the eligibility conditions that apply to you.

Costs and financial aid

$2,117.74 *

Total for a full-time session of 15 credits

Tuition fees: $1,483.65

Other fees: $634.09

These amounts are estimates and do not account for other expenses, such as costs for insurance, residence, transportation, manuals, etc.

Check your legal status

* These estimates cannot at any time subsitute for an invoice or be used as proof for any reason whatsoever. These calculations are based on the 2024-2025 academic year. Information updated: June 5, 2024

Good news! You may be able to lower this amount!

Under certain conditions, Canadian students who are not residents of Quebec can follow university study programs offered in French while benefiting from the same tuition fees as residents of Quebec.

Check eligibility criteria

$9,753.94 *

Tuition fees: $9,119.85

As an international student, you have access to exemption scholarships granted by UdeM throughout your university program. Note that for ungraduated programs, you must be enrolled as a full-time student for two sessions and reside in Quebec in the case of exclusively online study programs.

Find out about the UdeM exemption scholarship

Research activities

Get a head start by discovering what's been written on the topic., programs to explore more choices at your fingertips.

Applicants interested in this program also applied to the following programs:

Report a change (internal usage)

Doctorate (PhD) in Neuroscience

It is the student’s responsibility to enrol to courses that meet the program requirements . Visit ‘My Academic Requirements’ in uoZone  to make sure you enrol in all courses or activities required to obtain your degree.

• Fall Cohort
• Winter Cohort
• Spring/Summer Cohort

Year 1 course sequence and milestones

Year 2 course sequence and milestones

Year 3 course sequence and milestones

Year 4 course sequence and milestones

Year 3 course sequence and milestones

Doctoral thesis & continuous activities

Thd 9999 & continuous activities.

• Once you have enrolled for the first time in a continuing activity such as the seminar, comprehensive exam and/or thesis, you must maintain your enrolment until the activity is completed.

Enrolment to continuous activities:

• Enrolment to seminars and comprehensive exam course is not automatic. Every term, you must go to your uoZone to enrol to this continuous before the deadline.
• THD 9999: After your first (manual) enrolment to the thesis, all subsequent enrolments are automatic, unless you have a hold on your account, which will require that you manually enrol once you have arranged to have your hold lifted.

Useful links

• Important forms
• Program Requirements
• Academic regulations
• Important academic dates and deadlines
• Course enrolment guide
• Class search tool

The above should match the information found in the  official program calendar  (and related  archives ), under ‘program requirements’. However, despite our rigorous control procedures, we cannot guarantee complete accuracy.

• In the event of a discrepancy between the content on this page and the official calendar, the calendar takes precedence and is the authoritative source.
• Please note that you must follow the program requirements in effect in  the calendar year of your first enrolment . Additional requirements may apply.

MSc/PhD Graduate Program

The Centre for Neuroscience Studies welcomes applications from all disciplines for entry into our MSc and PhD graduate programs.

Program contact

Lucy russo-smith.

The Centre for Neuroscience Studies offers interdisciplinary MSc and PhD graduate programs recruiting expertise from a variety of research areas and backgrounds. Our research areas range from the use of cellular/molecular and genetic approaches to those that emphasize neuronal systems, whole organism and clinical studies.

We Need Dreamers

How to apply

Thank you for your interest in our program!  We encourage you to complete your application using the online application program available through the School of Graduate Studies website .   Students who submit applications by February 1st will be eligible for internal awards.

In order to be offered admission to our graduate program you will need to meet the minimum academic requirements and have a supervisor who is willing to offer you a position in their lab.  We encourage students considering graduate studies to reach out to potential supervisors as early as possible in the admission cycle.  However, you do not need to have a supervisor identified in order to apply to the program.

Please note that in order for your application to be deemed complete, two academic references are required.  Once complete, all applications are reviewed by our Graduate Program Admission Committee.  

Please see our Graduate Student Handbook for more information. 

Admission Requirements

Second class standing with a minimum 3.0 GPA (overall "B" average), of one of the following degrees awarded by a recognized university:

• Honours bachelor degree in Arts or in Science;
• Bachelor degree in Applied Science
• Degree of Doctor of Medicine
• or equivalent

Note: A four year degree with laboratory experience is considered the same as an honours bachelor degree.

Please note that these are minimum requirements. Since the Neuroscience Graduate program is highly competitive, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entry into the program.

The minimum requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program is a master’s degree in Neuroscience, or in a field with a strong neuroscience and research component.

Degrees and Requirements

• A research thesis which demonstrates that the candidate is capable of original and independent work.
• The equivalent of 12.0 credits to be determined in consultation with the graduate student’s supervisor and the advisory committee. One of these courses shall be NSCI 800* Current Concepts in Neuroscience (See Graduate Courses Link  for a list of NSCI graduate courses).
• A research thesis, describing original research conducted by the candidate.
• Some courses may be required by the student’s advisory committee to prepare the student for the comprehensive examination (see below), which all Ph.D. candidates are required to successfully complete, and/or to provide additional formal training in a particular area of research. Students who enter the Ph.D. program from another discipline may be required to take NSCI 800* and/or an equivalent.
• A comprehensive exam is required to be completed prior to beginning the 3rd year of studies. Please refer to the comprehensive exam guidelines in the Student Handbook .

Acceleration into a Ph.D. program without completing the Master’s thesis is reserved for students who meet the following criteria:

• Must have completed at least one term, full time, and completed at least two graduate courses (6.0 credits), or equivalent.
• Must complete all course requirements for both the Master’s and Doctoral degree (if applicable) prior to graduation.
• Should have an undergraduate honours degree with a minimum B+ standing or equivalent.
• Must have an overall A average in completed graduate courses.
• Must demonstrate exceptional promise and ability at research. Evidence of exceptional progress in research can include first authored papers in peer-reviewed journals or first authored abstracts of presentations at national or international meetings as well as letters of support from faculty familiar with the student’s progress.
• Must apply to FHS Graduate Council follwoingone term of enrolment (4 months) and prior to the end of the fifth term of study (20 months). All requirements for completion of the mini- master’s must be satisfied by the end of the sixth (6th) term.

Please refer to the Student Handbook for more detailed information.

Application Requirements

Applications must be made directly to the School of Graduate Studies and should be comprised of:

• The application form .
• Two official transcripts from each university previously attended.
• Two letters of recommendation from professors under whom the applicant has studied.
• An application fee is required in order to submit an application. If filling out the on-line application form you will be asked to pay this by credit card before you submit your final application. If using a paper application please send a certified cheque or money order payable to Queen's University.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all required documentation is submitted. Only applications that are complete in all respects will be considered by the admissions committee. Although it is not a condition for acceptance into the program, all applicants are urged to seek external funding.  Information on awards and scholarships can be found at the following page from the School of Graduate Studies .

International students

The most current information regarding international student fees can be found on the Queen’s University Registrar’s website:  Tuition and Fees .

Beginning September 2021, international PhD students will pay the same tuition amount as domestic PhD students . Visa students registered in the MSc program will be assessed international fees. 

Government regulations may make the financial situation of non-Canadian students very difficult. First, while in this country on a student visa, a student may be allowed to work in Canada, subject to various conditions; however, this potential source of employment should not be relied on as evidence of sufficient funds for immigration purposes. Second, while on a student visa the student must be enrolled full-time in the graduate program. Third, a full-time student must limit teaching assistantship employment on-campus to an average of ten hours per week in each term.

While studying in Canada may impose financial difficulties, we welcome applications from international students. We currently have a very small number of international students enrolled in our degree programs. Indeed, we do welcome such students but feel bound to inform them of the potentially difficult financial situation in which they may find themselves especially in the later years of their program.

For more information including estimated living expenses, please refer the International Student Handbook -  International Centre - International Guidebook 2019 (queensu.ca)  

Current minimum stipends are $21,000/year for an MSc and $23,000/year for a PhD.

Minimum TOEFL Scores required:

• Computer based test: 250
• Paper based test: 600

Test results expire after three years. We must receive a current version of results.

Institutional code for Queens: 0949

For more information on English Language Test Results please see the School of Graduate Studies website .

Combined BScH/MSc (Neuroscience) or BAH/MSc (Neuroscience)

The Centre for Neuroscience Studies is very excited to launch a new initiative which offers a combined program of a BScH/MSc (Neuroscience) or BAH/MSc (Neuroscience).  This program offers an opportunity for students in the 4th year of their Honours program to take up to 2 courses in neuroscience at the graduate level which would then allow these students to enter the graduate program with advanced standing. Research begun in the 4th year thesis project could be carried forward as a foundation for the graduate thesis, which would create an opportunity for exceptional students to complete the graduate degree within 4 terms.

Admission to the combined program is a two-step process.

Normally, students will have the option to apply for admission to the combined program (permission to take graduate level courses) in the winter term of the 3rd year, in parallel with the process for admittance to the Honours year and the thesis research project. All applications will be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Centre for Neuroscience Studies. Students admitted to this program must have an overall A- average in the previous 4 completed academic terms of their undergraduate program.

If accepted into the combined program, in Year 4 of the BSc/BA (Hons) program students will be permitted to take up to two 3.0 graduate level courses for a total of 3 or 6 credits towards the 12 credits required for the MSc degree. It is the student’s responsibility to gain admission to these graduate courses following acceptance into the program. These courses will be counted as electives or science options towards completion of the degree requirements in the BSc/BA (Hons) program. Only 1 of these courses may be a combined undergraduate/graduate (400/800) level course . The second (and all subsequent) graduate courses must be graduate only (800 and/or 900 level).

* Please note that students can apply for admission to this program up to November 1st of their 4th year.

For admission to the MSc program in Neuroscience (with advanced standing), students will be expected to complete and submit the standard SGS application prior to February 1st of their final year.  Students must have an overall A- average in the previous 2 years of their undergraduate program, and have demonstrated significant research productivity in the 4th year thesis project.  In order for the student to be granted advanced standing in the M.Sc. degree program, they must have received a final grade of at least B+ (B plus) in the graduate course(s) taken during the 4th year and meet all other requirements for admission to the MSc program in Neurosciences.

Applications:

Students should apply in writing via email to Graduate Coordinators, Dr. DJ Cook (PhD Graduate Program Coordinator) or Dr. Felicia Iftene (MSc Graduate Program Coordinator), with a copy to Ms Lucy Russo and at that time should provide a copy of their transcript, a brief description (1 Paragraph) of their research project, the name of their Project Supervisor, and identify the graduate level courses they hope to enroll in during their 4th year.

Supervisors actively recruiting

In addition to meeting the minimum academic requirement students must also secure a supervisor. A supervisor does not need to be identified in order to apply to the program but is required in order to be offered admission. Supervisory availability varies each year.  For a list of researchers that are actively recruiting please go to the Faculty  tab and check the "currently recruiting" box.  The list of supervisors actively recruiting graduate students does not necessarily reflect all the opportunities that may exist with other researchers so you are encouraged to reach out to any CNS Faculty whose research interests you.

Funding opportunities

The Centre has set a minimum recommended stipend of $21,000 per annum for each full-time MSc student and $23,000 per annum for each PhD students. The CNS does not guarantee additional funding in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TA’s).  Applicants to the Centre for Neuroscience program with external funding awards will have a greater opportunity of being accepted to the program.  

Financial assistance for individual full-time graduate students will be available from the following sources:

• Queen’s University internal fellowships and graduate awards.
• External scholarships from government and/or granting agencies (CIHR/NSERC).
• Supervisors Research Grants.

Ontario Graduate Scholarships

The Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS) promote excellence in graduate studies at the master's and doctoral levels.  OGS awards are merit-based scholarships available to graduate students in all graduate disciplines in Ontario Universities.  Eligible students apply for OGS through the university they plan to attend in September.  The Centre for Neuroscience Studies deadline for OGS award applications is February 1st each year.

Scholarship Value: $15,000 for one academic year, normally paid out in 3 equal installments.  The award is not renewable.

Learn more at School of Graduate Studies  

Federal and Tri-Council Award (CIHR/NSERC)

Students should apply for all scholarships and awards for which they are eligible and many apply in the fall prior to starting a graduate degree program. Applicants who hold awards are given priority admission. Check the agency websites for eligibility requirements and instructions about how to apply.  The deadline for CIHR/NSERC awards is in the fall for the next academic year.

For information on CIHR  

For information on NSERC  

Learn more at School of Graduate Studies

Graduate Entrance Tuition Award (GETA)

Is awarded to the top-ranked domestic MSc/PhD incoming graduate student.  The value of the award is based on the acutal domestic tuition assessment approved by Queen's University Board of Trustees for the upcoming academic session. This award is not renewable and is adjudicated by the CNS graduate committee.  No application is necessary.

Tri-Agency Recipient Recognition Awards (TARRAs)

The TARRA provides one time only "top-up" funding ($5,000 for Master’s and $7,500 for Doctoral students), for all new graduate students holding new Tri-Agency awards (Scholarships or Fellowships or Awards from NSERC, SSHRC, or CIHR) valued between $17,500 and $35,000.

Graduate Studies

Neuroscience.

The Neuroscience graduate program is a research intensive interdisciplinary graduate program in Neuroscience that includes faculty members from Health Sciences, Science, Humanities and Engineering. The range of research interests and expertise of the faculty members make this program a unique training environment for graduate students. The strength of our faculty and the resource-rich environment are the main reasons why students choose The Neuroscience Graduate Program (MiNDS) for their graduate studies.

Interdisciplinary

Program Contact

Sandra Murphy

Degree options, neuroscience (msc).

A collaborative partnership among the Faculties of Science, Health Sciences, Engineering and Humanities, the Neuroscience program is designed to break through the conventional boundaries and covers the broadest spectrum of neuroscience. Current research projects within the faculty are aimed at improving human health and discovery in areas such as neural development, behavioural genetics, brain imaging, perception, pain, motor learning, vision, hearing, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Parkinson’s disease, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, anxiety, addiction, and more.

Areas of Research

• Brain body interactions
• Learning and memory
• Motor control and rehabilitation
• Neural development
• Neural signal processing
• Neuroendocrinology
• Neuroimmunology
• Neuropsychiatric and neurological disease
• Plasticity and regeneration
• Sensory systems

Neuroscience (PhD)

Neuroscience (md/phd).

A collaborative partnership among the Faculties of Health Science, Science, Engineering and Humanities, the Neuroscience Program is designed to break through the conventional boundaries and covers the broadest spectrum of neuroscience. Current research projects within the faculty are aimed at improving human health and discovery in areas such as neural development, behavioural genetics, brain imaging, perception, pain, motor learning, vision, hearing, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, Parkinson’s disease, depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, anxiety, addiction, and more.

• Brain Body Interactions
• Learning and Memory
• Motor Control and Rehabilitation
• Neural Development
• Neural Signal Processing
• Neuropsychiatric and Neurological Disease
• Plasticity and Regeneration
• Sensory Systems

Alyssa Vito Scholarship in Cancer Research $

Established in 2022 by Dr. Alyssa Vito, survivor of triple negative breast cancer and MSc/PhD McMaster alumna. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Graduate Associate Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, to a graduate student who conducts cancer research with a component of their activities devoted to leadership, community outreach, and patient engagement. Preference will be given to students pursuing research in breast cancer.

Association of Canadian Universities for Northern Studies (ACUNS) Varied values

Varied values

ACUNS established its scholarship program, the Canadian Northern Studies Trust (CNST) in 1982 to advance knowledge and understanding of Canada’s North. The purpose of the CNST is to develop a cadre of scholars and scientists with northern experience and, at the same time, to enhance the educational opportunities available for northern residents.

For a list of scholarships and funding available, as well as eligibility criteria, award values, application details, and deadlines, visit the ACUNS website.

Autism Scholars Award $$$

Deadline Date:

December 1, 2023

With the support of the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities, a scholar awards program in autism has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent scholars. The community of autism scholars fostered by this awards program will excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge concerning child autism, and its translation into improved health for children, more effective services and products for children with autism, and increase the province’s capacity in diagnosis and assessment of autism and a strengthened treatment system.

One one-year award at the master’s level and up to two one-year awards at the doctoral level will be made by the COU:

• Master’s Award: $18,000 ($6,000 per term beginning September 2024)
• Doctoral Award: $20,000 ($6,666 per term beginning September 2024)

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplements $$

May 22, 2024

The CGS-MSFSS supports high-calibre Canadian graduate students in building global linkages and international networks through the pursuit of exceptional research experiences abroad. By accessing international scientific research and training, CGS-MSFSS recipients will contribute to strengthening the potential for collaboration between Canadian and foreign institutions.

Please review eligibility and criteria for more information about this travel award.

If you wish to apply, please contact your department graduate administrator.

Canada-U.S. Fulbright Program

The bi-national program is an educational exchange, with a mandate to enhance mutual understanding between the people of Canada and the people of the United States of America. Available to graduate students, faculty, professionals and independent researchers, successful applicants conduct research, lecture, or enroll in formal academic programs in the United States. Fulbright Canada offers various scholarship awards within this program, with further information on the various award opportunities made available through the Canada-US Fulbright Program website.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright website.

CIBC Graduate Bursaries in Breast Cancer $$

The CIBC Graduate Bursaries in Breast Cancer was established in 2004 by CIBC under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund II initiative in support of CIBC’s belief that all students should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. To be granted first to students enrolled in a graduate program in the Faculty of Health Sciences who demonstrate financial need and are conducting thesis research in the field of breast cancer and alternatively to students who are conducting thesis research in the field of women’s health, obstetrics, gynecology or medical oncology. Preference will be given to full-time graduate students who have demonstrated academic excellence.

CIHR Canada Graduate Scholarship – Doctoral $$$$

October 2, 2023

McMaster internal ResearchNet deadline: October 2, 2023, 11:59 p.m.

Applications are prepared and submitted by students in ResearchNet by the internal deadline set by McMaster. You will not be able to submit your application to ResearchNet until all the required tasks are completed, including the letters from your sponsors.

We encourage you to work closely with your supervisor and department on your application. The application you submit to ResearchNet on October 2 will be the final version that will be sent to CIHR if approved by McMaster.

CIHR Strategic Master’s Award $$$

December 14, 2023

The CIHR Strategic Master’s Award program provides financial support to scholars who are engaged in an eligible master’s program in Canada (refer to Eligibility) and that are relevant to specific CIHR priority research areas. This support allows these scholars to concentrate on their studies in their chosen fields.

The CIHR Strategic Master’s Award program is supported by CIHR Institutes and Initiatives with specific priority areas and is administered by CIHR.

CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships – Master’s (CGS-M) $$$

The CGS M Awards Program supports students in all research disciplines and is administered jointly by Canada’s three federal granting agencies: the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). The selection process and post-award administration are carried out at the university level, under the guidance of the three agencies.

For a recorded information session about the Fall 2023 application process, click on the Learn More button.

CSA Group Graduate Scholarship $$

March 31, 2024

The purpose of the CSA Group Graduate Scholarship is to support graduate students in the pursuit of knowledge generation related to standards. Full-time graduate students at the Masters level studying at a publicly funded, accredited Canadian university are eligible to apply.

The research can be conducted in any field (e.g. engineering, social sciences, health sciences) and must include standards as a component of the research. The topic does not need to be related to an area in which CSA Group already has standards. The research may investigate aspects of an existing standard or may explore an area for future standards development.

Dr. J. A. Campbell Young Investigator Award $$

April 30, 2023

The Dr. J. A. Campbell Young Investigator Award of $5,000 for any kind of research into celiac disease and / or gluten sensitivity is available to students and those who have recently completed degrees.

Eligibility criteria, application details and deadlines available on the Canadian Celiac Association website.

Dr. John Thomas Memorial Bursary $

Dr. John Thomas Memorial Bursary was established in 1996 in memory of Dr. John Thomas by family, friends and colleagues. The bursary fund will assist graduate students enrolled in the department of philosophy or the Faculty of Health Sciences who demonstrate financial need. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies with preference given to students studying medical or applied ethics.

E.B. Eastburn Fellowship $$$$

March 3, 2025

Under the terms of a bequest to Hamilton Community Foundation by the late Eugene B. Eastburn, a two-year Fellowship will be awarded for full-time postdoctoral studies in engineering or sciences (Natural or Physical sciences, including Health Sciences).

The fellowship will be awarded for 24 months for a total value of $90,000.

Note: The 2025 competition will be announced in late fall 2024.

Fulbright canada student awards $ – $$$.

November 15, 2023

Traditional Fulbright Canada Student awards are intended for Canadian citizens who are graduate students, prospective graduate students, or promising young professionals who wish to study and/or conduct research in the United States. Awards may be held at any university, research centre, think tank, or government agency in the United States.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the Fulbright Canada website.

Gordon & Elise Mepham Scholarship $

Established in 2020 by Thomas Reeve-Newson, BA (Class of ’85) and family in honour of his mother and step-father. To be awarded to students enrolled in the Neuroscience Graduate Program who attain high academic averages.

GSA Travel Award $

The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are funded from the proceeds of the Graduate Students Association Development Fund, which receives contributions from graduate students and the University. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants fund is administered through the School of Graduate Studies. The GSA Travel Assistance Grants are designed to enable graduate students to travel to undertake research or present at conferences relevant to their field of study. There are a fluctuating number of awards available each semester.

The successful recipients will be determined randomly by selecting one recipient from each faculty (Health Sciences, Engineering, Science, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Business) and the balance of the awards left in a given period will be randomly selected from a list of the remaining applicants from all faculties combined.

Application dates:

• Fall competition for September to December travel: Opens September 1, 2023 and closes October 2, 2023
• Winter competition for January to April travel: Opens January 2, 2024 and closes February 5, 2024
• Summer competition for May to August travel: Opens May 1, 2024 and closes June 3, 2024

H.G. Hilton Master’s Scholarship $$

The H.G. Hilton Master’s Scholarships were established by the income from a bequest in the estate of Hugh G. Hilton, at one time Chief Executive Officer of Stelco and member of the McMaster Board of Governors support a Master’s scholarship. The scholarship is tenable for one year, and is awarded annually to incoming Canadian citizens, permanent residents or, international students from departments which offer full-time Master’s graduate studies. Priority will be given to students intending research in Canadian industry or industrial problems. Other things being equal, preference will be given to deserving children of employees or former employees of Stelco Ltd.

Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship $$-$$$

March 14, 2024

The Harvey E. Longboat Graduate Scholarship for First Nation, Inuit, and Métis Students was established in 2009 in honour of Harvey E. Longboat, and in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to McMaster University and to the broader community. The School of Graduate Studies, in consultation with the Indigenous Studies program and the Indigenous Education Council, will award the scholarship annually to a First Nation, Inuit, or Métis student(s) who has demonstrated high academic achievement and exceptional promise.

The scholarship is tenable for one year, although previous award winners may re-apply.

Incoming students are eligible to apply.

Health Research Postdoctoral Opportunities

A comprehensive list of funding sources and agencies for postdoctoral fellows in the Faculty of Health Sciences and those doing health-related research can be found in McMaster’s funding database.. On the site, you will find a variety of filters to help you in your search.

Health Sciences Graduate Scholarship for Indigenous Scholars $$

All incoming Indigenous graduate students who are studying in a graduate program located within the Faculty of Health Sciences, are eligible to apply for this award.

Applicants who are completing a FIAP application for a facilitated graduate program, will be automatically considered for this award.

For full eligibility criteria, application details and deadlines, visit the Faculty of Health Sciences website. (Link below.)

Iranian Student Memorial Scholarship $

Established in honour of McMaster Faculty of Engineering PhD students Iman Aghabali and Mehdi Eshaghian, and a former Faculty of Health Science Post-Doctoral Fellow, who lost their lives on the downing of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight PS752. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Associate Deans responsible for graduate studies, to international graduate students from Iran who demonstrate academic excellence.

John Charles Polanyi Prize $$$

In honour of the achievement of John Charles Polanyi, recipient of the 1986 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, the Government of the Province of Ontario has established a fund to provide annually up to five prizes to outstanding researchers in the early stages of their career who are continuing to postdoctoral studies or have recently started a faculty appointment at an Ontario university.

Lee Crohn’s Disease Graduate Scholarship $

Established in 2022 by Joseph and Joanne Lee. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the Faculty of Health Sciences, to a graduate student who demonstrates academic or research excellence in the field of Crohn’s disease.

Lyle Makosky Values and Ethics in Sport Fund $

April 30, 2024

This award is through the True Sport Foundation of Canada. Open to applicants who are

• high-performance athletes enrolled at a Canadian university, community college or other post-secondary educational institution.
• post-secondary students active in sport at a non-high-performance level.
• sport practitioners active/working in sport as an official, administrator or high-performance coach.
• educators working in a sport, sports sciences, sport management/administration or other applicable discipline.

All questions should be directed to the True Sport Foundation of Canada.

Visit their website for all details and contact information.

MacDATA Graduate Fellowship $$

March 15, 2021

The advent of large collection of data and ensuing development in data analysis techniques has made collaboration between data scientists and content experts necessary for cutting-edge research. Furthermore, there is a need for trainees to be exposed to both aspects of such research, namely for data science trainees to learn about real life practical projects and for content expert trainees to gain experience in data analysis and management. The aims of the MacDATA Graduate Fellowship Program are:

• To provide trainees with an opportunity to acquire practical and theoretical skills in data science.
• To facilitate exchange of expertise and knowledge in data science across faculties.

Mackenzie King Memorial Scholarships $$-$$$

February 1, 2024

The Mackenzie King Scholarships were set up under the will of the Rt. Hon. W.L. Mackenzie King (1874-1950), who was Prime Minister of Canada 1921-26, 1926-30, and 1935-48.

Two types of the Mackenzie King Scholarship are available to graduates of Canadian universities: the Open Scholarship and the Travelling Scholarship . Both are to support graduate study.

Manulife Life Lessons Scholarship Program $$

March 31, 2023

Manulife has introduced the first Life Lessons Scholarship Program in Canada, for students who’ve experienced the death of a parent or guardian with little to no life insurance. The Scholarship Program helps combat the financial burden of paying for post-secondary education during an emotional time and recognizes the perseverance that so many youth show in such adversity.

The next application call for this scholarship opens on February 1, 2024. Visit the Manulife website for details on that date.

Maple Leaf Centre for Food Security $$$

February 23, 2024

Four scholarships open to master’s and PhD students who are conducting research on determinants, impacts, and policy or program interventions into food insecurity in Canada.

Visit Maple Leaf Centre for Food Insecurity to learn more and apply.

Questions can be directed to [email protected] .

Mary Buzzell Graduate Scholarship for Resilient Aging $

December 1, 2024

The Mary Buzzell Graduate Scholarship for Resilient Aging will be awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in any Master’s Degree program at McMaster University who is preparing for a career in the multidisciplinary field of Aging. This award is sponsored by Hamilton Aging in Community.

About Mary Buzzell

Mary Buzzell, a McMaster University faculty member in Nursing, was recognized by McMaster with an honorary doctorate as a pioneer in resilient aging, especially through innovative educational and community programs.

McMaster Graduate General Bursary $

What is a bursary.

A bursary is based solely on financial need. In most cases, information from your OSAP application is used to determine your financial need (some students who don’t receive OSAP can still apply for a bursary).

The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program application opens mid-August in AwardSpring. Funding is paid out in mid-February.

Who can apply?

Graduate students who demonstrate financial need can apply for the McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program.

Please note: The McMaster Graduate General Bursary Program is not open to international students enrolled in graduate studies, MBA, medicine or physician assistant programs.

Bursary eligibility requirements:

• Be enrolled at McMaster
• Submit a completed application by the bursary deadline
• OSAP students who receive an income update request must complete it by the income update deadline
• Continue to demonstrate financial need throughout the study period
• Indigenous students
• students with OSAP government aid restrictions include:
• academic progress restriction
• income verification restriction
• provincial and/or federal default restriction
• credit check restriction
• students with a disability taking a reduced course load
• students with out-of-province student aid
• part-time students
• students receiving social assistance

McMaster Institute for Research on Aging (MIRA) Postdoctoral Fellowship $$$$

July 15, 2020

Prospective postdoctoral fellows are invited to submit a research plan that focuses on interdisciplinary, impact-driven approaches in the study of optimal aging through one or more of the following research areas:

• the impact of exercise on mobility;
• the interrelationship between psychological function and social function;
• causes and consequences of multimorbidity, frailty, and polypharmacy;
• the role of caregiving, equity, economics and transportation in optimal aging;
• the understanding of the biological mechanisms of diseases of aging;
• evaluating approaches to knowledge translation to improve optimal aging; and
• the use of technology to promote optimal aging and aging in place.

The applicant and principal supervisor are expected to involve at least two other researchers from two different McMaster faculties (outside of the principal supervisor’s faculty) as mentors in the development of an interdisciplinary research plan.

Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Awards $$$$

November 1, 2019

The DeGroote Fellowship Awards are offered in TWO categories:

• The Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Basic Biomedical Science. Candidates conducting basic science research will be eligible for the Basic Biomedical Science Fellowship Award
• The Michael G. DeGroote Fellowship Award in Clinical Research. Candidates pursuing clinical research will be eligible for the Clinical Research Fellowship Award.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the DeGroote Fellowship Awards web page.

MIRA and Labarge Scholarships in Aging Research $$$

February 28, 2002

The MIRA and Labarge Scholarship program offers awards at the master’s and PhD level in two distinct streams. The Labarge Mobility Scholarship supports applicants whose research on aging includes a focus on mobility. The MIRA Scholarship in Aging Research supports interdisciplinary aging research in one of MIRA’s identified areas of focus.

The scholarships are open to master’s students beginning a new McMaster graduate degree in the 2022/2023 school year and PhD students entering year one or two of their studies. Interested candidates must develop and submit a research proposal in collaboration with a MIRA supervisor and an interdisciplinary mentor from outside the primary supervisor’s Faculty. MIRA requires confirmation that the supervisor and/or program will commit to matching the minimum level of support for the recipient for the duration of the graduate degree. See call for proposals and application form for more information.

MIRA Graduate Student Travel Awards $

March 15, 2020

The McMaster Institute for Research on Aging funds up to 10 graduate student travel awards per year – five in each round – valued at $500 each for students working with MIRA researchers.  Graduate students travelling to an academic conference to present an accepted abstract in aging research are eligible for up to $500 in travel funding.

For details about this and other funding opportunities, visit MIRA .

Deadlines for 2020: March 15 and September 15

MURA Academic Scholarship

Established in 2020 the McMaster University Retirees Association (MURA). To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to a graduate student researching technological advances related to seniors, and who demonstrates academic excellence.

NSERC Doctoral scholarships $$$-$$$$

Canada Graduate Scholarships – Doctoral (CGS D) and NSERC Postgraduate Scholarships – Doctoral (PGS D) programs provide financial support to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in eligible doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. This support allows these scholars to fully concentrate on their studies and seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields. There is a single application and review process for the CGS D and the PGS D programs. The top-ranked applicants are awarded the CGS D (tenable only in Canada) and highly ranked applicants in the next tier are awarded the PGS D (tenable in Canada and abroad).

Both programs are administered through a single application.

NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship $$$$

October 17, 2023

The NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) program provides support to a core of the most promising researchers at a pivotal time in their careers. The fellowships are also intended to secure a supply of highly qualified Canadians with leading-edge scientific and research skills for Canadian industry, government and academic institutions.

For eligibility criteria, award values, application details and deadlines, visit the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship website.

Please note: There is no internal process for this award; applicants should apply directly to the agency.

OGS for Indigenous Graduate Students $$$

Two OGS-I scholarships are awarded to Indigenous graduate students at McMaster University who face significant financial hardship, with particular priority given to women with family responsibilities.

This criteria has been established in consultation with the Indigenous Education Council (IEC) and is adjudicated by a committee chaired through the Indigenous Studies Program.

Ontario Graduate Fellowships $$$

Ontario Graduate Fellowships (OGF) provide funding to full-time students in graduate studies at the masters and doctoral level. It’s a merit-based scholarship for students with an A- or above.

Value: $12,000 ($4,000 per term)

Duration: 1 year

Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarships in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) $$$

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS) and The Queen Elizabeth II Graduate Scholarship in Science and Technology (QEII-GSST) programs provide funding to full-time students at the master’s and doctoral levels. They are merit-based scholarships for students with an A- or above average.

Ontario Graduate Scholarship – International $$$

The Ontario Graduate Scholarship for International Students is by nomination only. Applicants to this award must contact their department for application instructions

Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award $$$$

Funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, a scholar awards program in women’s health has been established to ensure that Ontario attracts and retains pre-eminent women’s health scholars.

The community of women’s health scholars fostered by this awards program will excel, according to internationally accepted standards of scientific excellence, in the creation of new knowledge about women’s health and its translation into improved health for women, more effective health services and products for women, and a strengthened health care system.

Rainbow Fund $

To be granted to graduate students enrolled in any program who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ students and demonstrate financial need.

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty of the Future Value varies

Value varies

This fellow is awarded to female students who are citizens of a developing country or emerging economy. Applicants should be preparing for doctoral or postdoctoral research in the in the physical sciences, engineering, technology and related disciplines.

Deadline is usually during the Fall months. For all details – eligibility, value, deadlines, etc. – go to the Schlumberger Foundation website.

Senior Women Academic Administrators of Canada Graduate Student Award of Merit $$

At least three awards, each in the amount of $4000, will be awarded annually to the women graduate students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the university or general community while maintaining exemplary academic records.

Women registered in master’s or PhD programs within a designated region. Regions and number of awards rotate each year. SWAAC has designated Ontario as the region for this 2023 competition. There are five awards available for this competition. Each university may nominate one person for the award.

Read about McMaster PhD student Liza-Anastasia DiCecco, who received the 2023 SWAAC Award of Merit .

SSHRC Doctoral scholarships $$$-$$$$

SSHRC Canada Graduate Scholarships-Doctoral and the  SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships support high-calibre students engaged in doctoral programs in the social sciences and humanities. This support allows scholars to fully concentrate on their doctoral studies, to seek out the best research mentors in their chosen fields and to contribute to the Canadian research ecosystem during and beyond the tenure of their awards.

Both the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and the Canada Graduate Scholarships—Doctoral Program (CGS D) are offered through one annual national competition. Applicants need to submit only one application to be considered for one or both awards. As each award has notable differences, applicants must read the descriptions for each award carefully to determine if they are eligible to apply for and hold each award. Applicants eligible for both the SSHRC Doctoral Fellowships and CGS D Scholarships will automatically be considered for both awards.

Important: SSHRC application deadline extended to midnight on Thursday, October 12, 2023.

SSHRC has confirmed that the Online Application system is available as of the afternoon of Thursday, October 5th. 

The Barkleys of Avonmore Scholarship $

The Barkley’s of Avonmore Scholarship was established in 1977 through the generosity of Fred Barkley to assist a student from a developing country to pursue advanced studies at McMaster University.  Each year the Dean of Graduate Studies will identify a worthy graduate student from one of the developing countries to receive the award.

The CHEPA Doctoral Research Scholarship $

Established in 2022 by David Feeny and George Torrance, founding members of the Centre for Health Economics and Policy Analysis (CHEPA). To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to doctoral students enrolled in any program, who are conducting research under the supervision of faculty members belonging to CHEPA and who demonstrate academic and research excellence. The scholarship will support PhD students who have successfully completed their comprehensive examinations. Preference will be given to students with research interests that include health-related quality of life, health technology assessment, health economics, health services research, health policy or determinants of health.

The Diane and Colin Wood Bursary in Respiratory Health $$

The Diane and Colin Wood Bursary in Respiratory Health was established in 2008 by Diane Wood and Colin Wood, BComm (Class of ’78). To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies, on the recommendation of the director of the Firestone Institute for Respiratory Health, to a graduate student who demonstrates financial need and is conducting research in the area of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Preference will be given to students studying emphysema.

The Dr. Colin Webber Graduate Scholarship $$

Established in 2013 to honour the memory of Dr. Colin Webber, McMaster University professor, physicist, radiation safety expert, teacher, mentor, and leader in the field of bone research. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to master’s or doctoral students. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate interest in bone research.

Value: Minimum $1,600

The Dr. Jordan Page Harshman Bursary $

The Dr. Jordan Page Harsham Bursary was established in 2011 by the Harshman Fellowships Society to honour Dr. Jordon Page Harshman, past president of the society. To be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies, based on the recommendation of the Associate Dean, Health Sciences (Graduate), to a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences who is engaged in medical research and who demonstrates financial need as well as good citizenship, good social responsibility, and leadership in society. Preference will be given to students in the following three areas in descending order: The Michael G. DeGroote institute for Infectious Disease Research, the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute and the department of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics. Recipients will be provided with a certificate from the Faculty of Health Sciences detailing the purpose and history of this award at McMaster University. Students who are recipients of an Ontario Graduate Scholarship are not eligible for this Bursary.

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship $

The E.B. Ryan Scholarship was established in 1997 using funds raised by a performance of the play Letter from Wingfield Farm, this scholarship is to be awarded to in-course graduate students from the faculties of Social Sciences and Health Sciences conducting research on aging. This award, valued at a maximum of $2,000, is awarded by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of a committee comprised of at least the director and the co-ordinator of the Office of Gerontological Studies.

The Edna Howard Bursary $

Established in 2022 by the family of Edna Howard, this bursary honours the support Edna offered graduate students through her work as a cook at The Phoenix Bar and Grill, owned and operated by the Graduate Students Association. Her food warmed the hearts of the McMaster campus community for many years until her retirement. To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies to full-time students in any program who demonstrate financial need.

The Graduate Students Association Bursary $

The Graduate Students Association Bursary was established in 1999 by the Graduate Students Association at McMaster University under the McMaster Student Opportunity Fund initiative. To be granted to a full-time or part-time graduate student in one of the following faculties: Engineering, Health Sciences, and Humanities, Science, Social Sciences, or the PhD program in Business. The bursary will be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Graduate Students Association.

The H. Vincent Elliott Memorial Travel Bursary $

The H.Vincent Elliott Memorial Travel Bursary was established in 2010 by Dr. Susan J.Elliott (MA `97 and PhD`92), esteemed former Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, professor of Geography and Earth Sciences, and senior research fellow at the United Nations Institute on Water (UNU-IWEH), Environment and Health, in memory of her father, H.Vincent Elliott. To be granted by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation on the program director of ‘Water Without Borders’ to students registered in a Master’s or PhD program will be given to students in financial need.

The Howard P. Whidden Graduate Scholarship $$

The Howard P. Whidden Graduate Scholarship was established in 1987, and is open to non-Canadian students from countries of the British Commonwealth. This prestigious award is open to students who qualify for admission into any graduate program that extends to the doctorate, although the student’s initial registration may be at the Master’s level. The award is once renewable contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. It will be awarded at the discretion of the School of Graduate Studies.

The James F. Harvey and Helen S. Harvey Travel Scholarships $

Established in 1995 with funds from the estate of Helen S. Harvey.  James F. Harvey was a member of the first McMaster graduating class in Hamilton in 1935.  This travel scholarship will enable students to engage in research requiring travel.  To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to graduate students who demonstrate academic excellence.

The Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada Graduate Award

Established in 2022 by the Lambda Scholarship Foundation Canada. To be awarded by the School of Graduate Studies to a graduate student who is currently enrolled in their first year of any program who identifies as a member of the queer, trans community and is Black, racialized, or Indigenous.

The Lorne F. Lambier, Q.C., Scholarship $

The Lorne F. Lambier, QC Scholarship was established in 1984. The scholarship is tenable for one year. The scholarship is awarded annually to current Canadian citizens, permanent residents or international students registered in a master’s or doctoral graduate program in Faculties of Health Science and Science whose research is directed toward the understanding and/or cure of cancer.

The Louis Minden Scholarship in Health Sciences $$

Established in 1995 with funds from the estate of Mr. Louis Minden. To be awarded to a graduate student in the Faculty of Health Sciences by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Graduate Associate Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences. This award is once renewable, and preference will be given to a graduate student pursuing research in preventative medicine.

The McMaster Immunology Research Centre Faculty Scholarship $

Established in 2011 by faculty members within the McMaster Immunology Research Centre to support graduate students. To be awarded annually by the School of Graduate Studies, to an outstanding full time M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidate. First preference will be given to a candidate supervised by a graduate faculty supervisor from the McMaster Immunology Research Centre. Second preference will be given to an applicant in the infection and immunity field.      

The Myra Baillie Academic Grant $

Established in 2005 by the Surgical Associates in memory of Myra Baillie. To be granted to a graduate student in any degree program who attains and “A” average and demonstrates financial need. Preference will be given to a female graduate student.

Award Value: 2 awards of $1,000 each

The School of Graduate Studies Grant in Aid for Research Travel $-$$

March 8, 2024

The SGS Grant is intended to be a grant in aid of research; students should not expect the grants to cover the full cost of travel or field work.

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Grant is not intended for conference or course work travel .

It is not meant to replace sources of funding already available from the tri-agencies (CIHR, NSERC, and SSHRC), other external granting sources, or internal scholarships and bursaries.

It is not intended to fund the research itself, but the travel to do the research.

Application Date

The application will open in Mosaic on January 8, 2024, and close on March 8, 2024.

The W.E. Rawls Memorial Scholarship $

Established in 1990 by family and friends to honour the valuable contribution of Dr. Rawls made to cancer research; as Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences, founder and coordinator of the McMaster Cancer Research Group, Director of the Molecular Virology and Immunology Programme and Past President of the National Cancer Institute. Eligible students are from the Medical Sciences Graduate Program currently supervised by a faculty member who is associated with the McMaster Immunology Research Centre (MIRC). The award will be made by the School of Graduate Studies on the recommendation of the Assistant Dean of the Medical Sciences Graduate Program.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship-Doctoral $$$$

September 4, 2024

The Vanier CGS program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students to establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. Vanier Scholars demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and/or engineering and health.

It is valued at $50,000 per year for three years during doctoral studies.

Canadian Citizens, Permanent Residents of Canada, and foreign citizens are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

Wilson Leadership Scholar Award $$-$$$

March 28, 2022

The Wilson Leader Scholarship Award for graduate students is different. Valued at $12,000 in direct funding and up to $2,000 for experiential funding, it’s a leadership development and career launcher program that builds on your studies. It involves about 15 hours/month, including time for synchronous group events between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET.

Awarded to up to three graduate students annually.

Yates Scholarship $

The Yates Scholarship Fund (up to $500) was established in 1963 by the bequest of William Henry Yates. This fund support upper-level doctoral students with research activities and conference travel when a paper is being delivered. Applicants must have completed their comprehensive exam.

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PhD in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science (PhD. PSYC)

The PhD programs in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science provide training for students interested in the integrative functioning of the brain.

This program encompasses:  basic cognitive processes, behavioural neuroscience, cognitive ergonomics, cognitive neuroscience, developmental and life-span cognition, and foundations of cognitive science.  Students in these disciplines have the opportunity to learn about the interdisciplinary work of other students, faculty and outside researchers in the weekly seminar in Neuroscience and Applied Cognitive Science research seminar. 

Additionally, students take courses specific to their research.  A unique feature of this area of study is the practicum that provides students with additional specific training in a research laboratory, hospital, government agency, or non-government agency.  As well, if desired, NACS students may also combine their Psychology degree with entry into one of two Collaborative programs at the University of Guelph: the Collaborative Neuroscience program or the Collaborative Toxicology program.

The program involves:

Qualifying Exam

• Exam must be passed by end of semester 5 (7 for students without a Masters)
• Proposal must be passed by end of semester 3 (5 for students without a Masters)
• Thesis must be defended by end of semester 12 (16 for students without a Masters)

Programs and courses

• Future students
• Support uOttawa
• Brightspace

Doctorate in Philosophy Neuroscience

• Degree offered: Doctorate in Philosophy (PhD)
• Registration status option: Full-time

Note: Most of the courses in this program are offered in English.

• with thesis (16 full-time terms; 64 consecutive months)
• Academic units: Faculty of Medicine , Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine .

Program Description

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is located in the Faculty of Medicine and offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Neuroscience.

The programs help students develop their theoretical knowledge as well as their capacity for critical analysis. This is achieved through reading and critiquing the scientific literature, conducting experiments in the laboratory, analyzing the data and results generated, and presenting their results in the form of research seminars or posters. The programs prepare candidates for a variety of careers in teaching and research both within and outside of academia.

Graduates of the program will acquire autonomy in conducting research and in preparing scholarly publications and grant applications. A comprehensive set of courses, state-of-the-art research facilities and outstanding research opportunities ensure a career in neuroscience.

The Department is a participating unit in the collaborative program in Human and Molecular Genetics and in Pathology and Experimental Medicine at the master's and doctoral levels.

The doctoral program participates in the Combined MD / PhD Program, which allows students to graduate with both a PhD in Neuroscience and an MD. For more information please see the website of the  Faculty of Medicine .

Main Areas of Research

The Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine is located at the Health Sciences Center of the University of Ottawa. Through its cross-appointed and adjunct members, the Department has research affiliations with the following institutes: the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), the University of Ottawa Heart Institutes at the Ottawa Hospital (Civic Campus), the Institute of Mental Health Research (IMHR) at the Royal Ottawa Hospital, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Research Institute, Elizabeth Bruyere Hospital, and the National Research Council.

Other Programs Offered Within the Same Discipline or in a Related Area

• Master of Science Neuroscience (MSc)
• Master of Science Neuroscience Specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics (MSc)
• Master of Science Neuroscience Specialization in Pathology and Experimental Medicine (MSc)
• Master of Science Cellular and Molecular Medicine (MSc)
• Master of Science Cellular and Molecular Medicine Specialization in Bioinformatics (MSc)
• Master of Science Cellular and Molecular Medicine Specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics (MSc)
• Master of Science Cellular and Molecular Medicine Specialization in Pathology and Experimental Medicine (MSc)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Neuroscience Specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics (PhD)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Neuroscience Specialization in Pathology and Experimental Medicine (PhD)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Cellular and Molecular Medicine (PhD)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Cellular and Molecular Medicine Specialization in Human and Molecular Genetics (PhD)
• Doctorate in Philosophy Cellular and Molecular Medicine Specialization in Pathology and Experimental Medicine (PhD)

Fees and Funding

• Program fees:

The estimated amount for university fees associated with this program are available under the section Finance your studies .

International students enrolled in a French-language program of study may be eligible for a differential tuition fee exemption .

• To learn about possibilities for financing your graduate studies, consult the Awards and financial support section.
• Programs are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.
• In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, students have the right to complete their assignments, examinations, research papers, and theses in French or in English. Research activities can be conducted either in English, French or both, depending on the language used by the professor and the members of his or her research group.

Program Contact Information

Graduate studies office, faculty of medicine, 451 smyth road, room rgn 2016, ottawa, ontario, canada, tel.: 613-562-5215, email: [email protected]  , twitter | faculty of medicine, youtube | faculty of medicine, flickr | faculty of medicine.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the  specific requirements  webpage.

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Have a master's degree in science with a minimum average of B+ (75%).

Note: International candidates must check the admission equivalencies for the diploma they received in their country of origin.

• Demonstrate a good academic performance in previous studies as shown by official transcripts, research reports, abstracts or any other documents demonstrating research skills.
• We recommend that you contact potential thesis supervisors as soon as possible.
• To register, you need to have been accepted by a thesis supervisor.
• The supervisor’s name is required at the time of application.

Language Requirements

Applicants must be able to understand and fluently speak the language of instruction (French or English) in the program to which they are applying. Proof of linguistic proficiency may be required.

Applicants whose first language is neither French nor English must provide proof of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Note: Candidates are responsible for any fees associated with the language tests.

• The admission requirements listed above are minimum requirements and do not guarantee admission to the program.
• Admissions are governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Fast-Track from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the master’s program in Neuroscience at the University of Ottawa may be eligible to fast-track directly into the doctoral program without writing a master’s thesis, provided the following conditions are met:

• Satisfactory progress in the research program.
• Written recommendation by the supervisor and the advisory committee.
• Approval by the graduate studies committee.
• The transfer exam must be successfully completed before the end of the 5th term.
• Following transfer, all of the requirements of the doctoral program must be met: the doctoral seminar ( NSC 8325S ), six units of course work (including either NSC 5102 or NSC 5104 ), the comprehensive exam ( NSC 9998 ) and the thesis ( THD 9999 ).

The Department may require students to take additional courses depending on their backgrounds.

Students must meet the following requirements:

The seminar course involves the presentation of a seminar and regular attendance at the departmental seminars.

Successful completion of a comprehensive examination in the form of a research proposal on their own thesis project.

Successful presentation and defense of a thesis based on original research carried out under the direct supervision of a research faculty member in the Department.

Students are responsible for ensuring they have met all of the thesis requirements .

Minimum Requirements

The passing grade in all courses is C+.

Students who fail two courses (equivalent to 6 units), the thesis proposal, or the comprehensive exam or whose research progress is deemed unsatisfactory are required to withdraw.

Research Fields & Facilities

Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa is among Canada’s top 10 research universities.

uOttawa focuses research strengths and efforts in four Strategic Areas of Development in Research (SADRs):

• Canada and the World
• Molecular and Environmental Sciences

With cutting-edge research, our graduate students, researchers and educators strongly influence national and international priorities.

Research at the Faculty of Medicine

“The Faculty of Medicine has a long history of conducting both basic and clinical research of the highest quality. Many of our high profile research projects are conducted in partnership with affiliated-teaching hospitals and research institutes. These partnerships lead to biomedical discoveries that have a significant impact on health care. In the process they educate the next generation of Canadian scientists. Our research activity also attracts significant investment, which stimulates the Ottawa economy.”

- Dr. Bernard Jasmin, Vice-Dean, Research

Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Medicine

• Centre for Neural Dynamics
• University of Ottawa Centre for Neuromuscular Disease
• Centre for Research in Biopharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
• Canadian Partnership for Stroke Recovery
• Kidney Research Centre
• University of Ottawa Skills and Simulation Centre
• Medical Devices Innovation Institute
• Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology
• University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute

For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb . 

IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.

NSC 5102 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (3 units)

The molecular and cellular properties of neurons. Emphasis to be placed on the molecular basis of electrical activity of neurons and chemical synaptic transmission.

Course Component: Lecture

NSC 5104 Systems Neuroscience (3 units)

Structure and function of representative components of the nervous system to be presented in an integrated and comprehensive manner, emphasizing a reductionist approach to the study of neural networks and their behavioural output.

NSC 5106 Molecular Psychiatry (3 units)

Study of genetic and neurochemical bases of mental illnesses using transgenic and gene knockout mouse models, animal behavioural paradigms, in vivo imaging. Gene therapy approaches in psychiatry; influence of environmental stressors.

NSC 6101 Consciousness: An Interdisciplinary Perspective from Neuroscience, Philosophy and Psychology (3 units)

This interdisciplinary course addresses two fundamental questions in the study of the mind: 1) what is consciousness? 2) Can we explain the emergence and operation of this central feature of human life by analyzing the brain?

NSC 6300 Seminars

NSC 7100 Neurotransmission and Neuromodulation (3 units)

Molecular and cell biology of neurotransmission including the identity, actions and mechanisms of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. Use of computer simulations to explore the complex interactions between synaptic input and the electrical architecture of neurons.

Course Component: Seminar

Permission of the Department is required.

NSC 8101 Advanced Topics in Neuropathology (3 units)

General histopathological responses of central and peripheral nervous tissue to pathological stimuli including hypoxic-ischemic, traumatic, inflammatory/infectious, demyelinating and toxic. Emerging topics in neurology and neuropathology including the following: the pathology and pathogenesis of protein-based neurodegenerative disorders, the emerging family of RNA-mediated neurological disorders, mendelian and non-mendelian genetic diseases of the nervous system (including the role of microRNA in neurological disease), advances in diseases of skeletal muscle, advances in the molecular pathogenesis of Central Nervous System tumours, and advances in metabolic/mitochondrial/storage diseases.

NSC 8103 Developmental Neuroscience (3 units)

Fundamental concepts of development of the nervous system with an emphasis on those aspects unique to this tissue type. Topics to include control of proliferation and differentiation, axonal outgrowth and pathfinding, synaptogenesis and formation of neuronal maps, neuronal plasticity, growth factor action and neural regeneration.

NSC 8104 Computational Neuroscience (3 units)

Basic concepts of sensory-motor processing from the cellular level of excitable membranes and synaptic signalling mechanisms to the emergent properties of complex neural networks.

NSC 8105 Molecular Biology of the Neuron (3 units)

Emphasis on how signal transduction regulates neuronal function. Topics to include the role of the cytoskeleton in neuronal function, membrane sorting in exocytosis and endocytic pathways, metabotropic and ionotropic receptor signaling, signaling by the GTP-binding proteins, plasma membrane and vesicular transporters, role of protein-protein interactions in the regulation of neuronal signaling, and genomic and proteomic approaches to study neuronal signaling.

NSC 8106 Mechanisms of Neurological Disease (3 units)

Current knowledge of select neuropathologies with emphasis on the underlying genetics and biochemistry of these conditions. Examination of some fundamental cellular processes important for understanding neurological diseases.

NSC 8107 NEURAL CONTROL OF METABOLISM (3 units)

Examination of how the brain controls metabolism and how metabolic disorders affect brain function. Topics include the brain's control of food intake, glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure. Examination of the effects of mental states on metabolic homeostasis, the relationship between neurogenesis and metabolism, neurovascular coupling in brain metabolism, and genetic risk in metabolic syndromes.

Prerequisite: NSC 5102 or NSC 5104

NSC 8324S Seminar for MSc Students (3 crédits / 3 units)

All graduate students enrolled in the MSc program or who have been admitted to a PhD program without an MSc must participate in these seminars for one year. Two seminars must be presented by each student during the year.

Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar

NSC 8325S Seminar for PhD Students (3 crédits / 3 units)

All graduate students enrolled in the PhD program must participate in these seminars for one year during their doctoral or post MSc training. Two seminars must be presented by each student during the year: one on an assigned subject, the other on his or her research project.

NSC 8340 Neuromuscular Function and Dysfunction (3 units)

Topics to be covered include factors controlling muscle- and synapse-specific gene expression, regulation of myogenesis and muscle cell growth, formation of the neuromuscular junction, motor neuron-muscle interactions, the role of the cytoskeleton in the organization of post-synaptic domains, functional role of ion channels in muscle, molecular genetics of neuromuscular disease.

Prerequisite: CMM 5340 or equivalent.

NSC 9998 Examen de synthèse (doctorat) / Comprehensive Examination (Ph.D.)

Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research

Undergraduate Studies

For more information about undergraduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your faculty .

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

For more information about graduate studies at the University of Ottawa, please refer to your academic unit .

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Doctoral (Ph.D.)

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In order to successfully graduate from the program, an IPN Ph.D. student is required to write a Doctoral thesis and complete the required coursework in a maximum of seven years for those who started in Ph.D.1 and six years for those who started in Ph.D.2.

The Ph.D. student must pass 4 in-class courses, each worth 3 credits. The course work should be directly related to your research.

Doctoral Thesis

Our Ph.D. program requires its students to undertake an original laboratory research project, from start to finish, in a specific field of neuroscience that is of interest to them. The research must be of distinct contribution to knowledge, and must meet current standards of the discipline. The project must be carried out under the supervision and training of a faculty researcher affiliated with the program. The students must write a Doctoral thesis demonstrating original scholarship, in satisfactory literary form. Ph.D students are also expected to defend their research approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner.

Required Courses

IPN Ph.D. students must successfully complete 4 in-class courses in order to graduate from the program. 

Post-Graduation

Following graduation, our Ph.D. students may choose to pursue postdoctoral research in their specialized field of interest in prestigious institutions and centres around the world. Several of our graduates are accepted into professional schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law. Furthermore, many of our Doctoral graduates enter the workforce right after graduation, whether it be academia or industry. Examples of possible career positions for our Ph.D. graduates include, but are not limited to, professors, lab directors, medical science liaisons, research scientists, senior medical writers and editors, consultants, policy advisors, and roles within management, marketing and entrepreneurship.

Department and University Information

Integrated program in neuroscience (ipn).

• The Montreal Neurological Institute
• The Douglas Mental Health University Institute
• Alan Edwards Center for Research on Pain
• Center for Research in Neuroscience
• Center for Research on Brain, Language and Music
• McGill Vision Research
• McGill Department of Biology
• McGill Department of Pharmacology
• McGill Department of Psychology
• McGill Department of Physiology
• The Brain@McGIll

Canadian Graduate Programs in Neuroscience

View also National training programs and other  collaborative programs with Canadian components

National programs

International Collaborative Programs

These lists are updated regularly. Please contact us if you notice any omissions or errors : [email protected]

Get in touch if you have any questions or comments:

[email protected]

Best PhD Degrees in Neuroscience at Universities in Canada

There are 24 study programs available at 18 schools and universities in the world , according to Erudera.

Erudera aims to have the largest and most updated database of study programs available in the world , and new study programs are being added weekly. You can use the filters to narrow down your search or sort your results based on popularity and top rankings to find more specific study programs. Once you filter your results, you can save your chosen programs to a personal list so you can do more research or contact the universities later.

Here are the best Canada universities for Neuroscience :

Brock University

University of Toronto

University of Guelph

McMaster University

University of Saskatchewan

University of Waterloo

Dalhousie University

University of Ottawa

University of Western Ontario

Laval University

Neuroscience

Carleton University

Psychology And Neuroscience

Medical neuroscience.

University of Lethbridge

Wilfrid Laurier University

University of British Columbia

Neurobiology Neuroscience

• 1 (current)

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71 Best universities for Neuroscience in Canada

Updated: February 29, 2024

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Below is a list of best universities in Canada ranked based on their research performance in Neuroscience. A graph of 12.8M citations received by 362K academic papers made by 71 universities in Canada was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. University of Toronto

For Neuroscience

2. McGill University

3. University of British Columbia

4. University of Montreal

5. Western University

6. University of Calgary

7. University of Alberta

8. McMaster University

9. Laval University

10. University of Ottawa

11. Dalhousie University

12. Queen's University

13. University of Waterloo

14. University of Manitoba

15. York University

16. University of Saskatchewan

17. Concordia University

18. Simon Fraser University

19. Carleton University

20. University of Guelph

21. University of Victoria

22. University of Quebec in Montreal

23. University of Lethbridge

24. University of Sherbrooke

25. Memorial University of Newfoundland

26. Brock University

27. Wilfrid Laurier University

28. University of New Brunswick

29. University of Windsor

30. Ryerson University

31. Polytechnic School of Montreal

32. University of Regina

33. University of Quebec, Trois-Rivieres

34. Trent University

35. Laurentian University

36. Lakehead University

37. St. Francis Xavier University

38. HEC Montreal

39. University of Winnipeg

40. Acadia University

41. University of Prince Edward Island

42. Ontario Tech University

43. University of Moncton

44. University of Northern British Columbia

45. Saint Mary's University

46. School of Higher Technology - University of Quebec

47. MacEwan University

48. Mount Royal University

49. Mount Saint Vincent University

50. Mount Allison University

51. University of Quebec in Outaouais

52. Bishop's University

53. University of Quebec at Chicoutimi

54. Nipissing University

55. Brandon University

56. University of Quebec

57. Cape Breton University

58. Royal Military College of Canada

59. Thompson Rivers University

60. University of the Fraser Valley

61. University of Quebec, Abitibi-Temiscamingue

62. University of Quebec in Rimouski

63. Kings University in Canada

64. Quest University Canada

65. Kwantlen Polytechnic University

66. Vancouver Island University

67. Royal Roads University

68. Trinity Western University

69. Algoma University

70. British Columbia Institute of Technology

71. St. Thomas University - Canada

The best cities to study Neuroscience in Canada based on the number of universities and their ranks are Toronto , Montreal , Vancouver , and London .

Biology subfields in Canada

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Dalhousie University

Psychology & neuroscience  master's (msc), doctorate (phd).

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PhD Psychology & Neuroscience

• MSc Psychology
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Meaningful mentorship

Dalhousie's interdisciplinary Psychology/Neuroscience PhD program emphasizes research and independent critical thinking, undertaken with the guidance of thesis supervisors conducting world-class research in the field. The relationship between student and supervisor is a foundational element of the program, one that hones research skills and encourages the exchange of knowledge between developing and established scientists.

Dalhousie is a national and international leader in psychology and neuroscience research. PhD students play critical roles in a diverse range of research projects led by a faculty equally dedicated to teaching and research.

Research: The Central Focus

Research is paramount for graduate students in Dalhousie's Psychology and Psychology/Neuroscience programs. It's equally important to our faculty members, who make valuable contributions to the Psychology and Neuroscience fields through a variety of research projects.

Among the research strengths of our department are developmental and clinical psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience. Graduate students benefit from the mentorship and guidance of our researchers while researching topics such as:

• Developmental neurobiology/neuroendocrinology
• Pediatric pain and cognitive development
• Child psychopathology
• Cognitive mechanisms

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada  B3H 4R2 1-902-494-2211

Agricultural Campus Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada  B2N 5E3 1-902-893-6600

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Neuroscience

Master of Science (MSc)

Thesis-based program

Program overview.

The Neuroscience graduate program seeks to advance research contributing to the understanding of the brain and mental health, promote independent thinking and prepare graduate leaders to excel in any field of human endeavor. The program is ideal for inquisitive students with high scholastic achievement​ driven to understand who and what we are, and who wish to better the mental and physical health of all members of our society. Students focus on both disease and fundamental understanding of the brain, learning in a faculty that fosters interaction between clinical and basic scientists. The research-intensive degree focuses on both disease and fundamental understanding of the brain, with first-year core courses providing a solid foundation in neurophysiology.

Completing this program

Courses: Topics include cellular, molecular and developmental neuroscience, systems neuroscience and neuropathology and others.

Research Ethics: Students are required to attend Research Integrity Day sessions in the first year of their program.

• Sex & Gender Module: Students are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at discoversexandgender.ca in the first year of their program.

Seminars: Students will participate in the Hotchkiss Brain Institute seminar program and a journal club.

Research Proposal:  Students must defend a written research proposal to their supervisory committee. 

Thesis: Students will be required to submit and defend an original research thesis.

(Optional) Interdisciplinary Specialization I:  A specialization in computational neuroscience is available. Additional information can also be found here.

(Optional) Interdisciplinary Specialization II : A specialization in medical imaging  is also available. Additional information can also be found here .

Careers that demand a high degree of intellectual performance, positions of leadership, academia (teachers, administrators, researchers), medicine - clinician researchers, pharmaceutical industry, entrepreneurial endeavors, Fortune 500 companies, biomedical sales.

A master’s degree in neuroscience will give you the pre-requisite for a PhD.

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

Two courses

Learn more about program requirements in the Academic Calendar

Classroom delivery

Time commitment.

Two years full-time; four years maximum

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

See the Graduate Calendar for information on  fees and fee regulations,  and for information on  awards and financial assistance .

Virtual Tour

Explore the University of Calgary’s (UCalgary) Foothills Campus from anywhere. Experience all that the Cumming School of Medicine has to offer for interested prospective graduate students. Explore this state of the art campus from wherever you are. Discover the buildings, student services and available programs all from your preferred device.

Supervisors

Learn about faculty available to supervise this degree.

Michael A. Colicos

Camila Aquino

Jeff Biernaskie

Tamara Bodnar

Stephanie Borgland

Janice Braun

Veronica Bruno

Brandy Callahan

Admission Requirements

A minimum of 3.3 GPA on a 4.0 point system, over the past two years of full-time study (a minimum of 10 full-course equivalents or 60 units) of the undergraduate degree.

Minimum education

A four year baccalaureate degree, or equivalent from a recognized institution.

Work samples

Reference letters, test scores, 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 105.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  score of 7.5 (minimum of 6.0 in each section)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)   score of 75, or higher (Academic version).
• Canadian Academic English Language test (CAEL)  score of 70 (minimum 70 in each section)  
• Academic Communication Certificate (ACC)  score of A- in each course.
• Cambridge C1 Advanced or Cambridge C2 Proficiency  minimum score of 200.
• Duolingo English Test  and obtaining a minimum score of 145* (with no sub-score below 125*). ( temporary until Fall 2024 intake )

For admission on May 1

• Canadians and permanent residents: March 1 application deadline
• International students: Dec. 1 application deadline

For admission on September 1

• Canadians and permanent residents:Jun. 1 application deadline
• International students: Apr. 1 application deadline

For admission on January 1

• Canadians and permanent residents: Oct. 1 application deadline
• International students: Aug. 1 application deadline

If you're not a Canadian or permanent resident, or if you have international credentials, make sure to learn about international requirements

Are you ready to apply?

Learn more about this program, department of neuroscience.

Graduate Science Education HSC G345B, 3330 Hospital Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 2T9

Contact the Graduate Program Administrator

Visit the departmental website

Health Sciences Centre Foothills Campus, University of Calgary Calgary, ABT2N 4N1

Visit the Cumming School of Medicine website

Learn more about UCalgary by taking a virtual tour

Related programs

If you're interested in this program, you might want to explore other UCalgary programs.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Thesis-based MSc

Thesis-based PhD

Biomedical Engineering

Thesis-based MEng

Clinical Psychology

Computer science, math and statistics.

Course-based MSc

Medical Science

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Discussion forum for current, past, and future students of any discipline completing post-graduate studies - taught or research.

US vs Canada for PhD in Neuroscience

Hi everyone, I am currently doing my MsC in a university in Canada (not UofT or McGill). I was talking to a bunch of other grad students and they all said for neuroscience it's much better to get into a good program in the US instead of staying here. My PI is an amazing mentor and super smart and she said it's the postdoc that really matters and PhD isn't that important where you do it as long as you are perfecting your lab skills and learning new techniques. I honestly wanted to just upgrade to PhD and stay in the same lab, but I was talking to a senior PhD student and she mentioned that she wouldn't recommend staying because 1) we only have 2 senior PhD students, one graduating soon, and no postdocs 2) the PI is rarely around 3) last publication the lab had was in 2017ish and she has very high standards for publishing; so if it's not good enough she doesn't even bother looking at it to fix it until later. I love the lab and love the PI because she makes me more and more interested in science in general, but I don't think staying here would be beneficial for me in the long run because I want to start my own lab in the future. I would love to know what folks think or if anybody had a similar-ish experience. Or even advice about US vs Canada grad life/opportunities would be appreciated xD

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• Master of Science in Neuroscience (MSc)
• Graduate School
• Prospective Students
• Graduate Degree Programs

Go to programs search

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience strives to educate and support graduate students as they expand the breadth and depth of their knowledge about the brain through enriching research experiences. The program embraces principles of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes and accommodates individual needs and academic backgrounds. Through two core courses on molecular/cellular and systems neuroscience, respectively, students in the program develop a broadly based and applicable neuroscientific knowledge base. Additional related courses are available for selection by the student and their supervisor. The program is research-oriented and students engage in research from the start of their studies. Research is undertaken in the laboratory of the supervisor and in their affiliated home department, over a wide range of basic and clinical neuroscience topics. With its inter-departmental structure, the program offers collaborative research opportunities that extend beyond the usual boundaries of neuroscience. 

For specific program requirements, please refer to the departmental program website

What makes the program unique?

The Graduate Program in Neuroscience is a multidisciplinary program administered under the Faculty of Medicine and the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health at the University of British Columbia. It offers a coordinated program of graduate studies leading to MSc and PhD degrees in Neuroscience. The objective of the program is to educate graduate students as neuroscientists with intensive experience in at least one area of research, and to ensure that students in the program develop a broadly based knowledge of the neurosciences.

The program is comprised of more than 120 faculty members representing 20+ departments from the Faculties of Medicine, Science, and Arts at the University of British Columbia. Laboratory and teaching areas are located across the UBC campus, at UBC Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital.

Our faculty have research collaborations that span across departments, industries, and international borders. Although the program is inter-departmental, various regular seminars, journal clubs, and invited lectures provide ample opportunity to meet and discuss current topics in neuroscience. The program encourages its graduate students to participate in the many academic and social events organized by the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health and by the program’s student association.

Quick Facts

Program enquiries, admission information & requirements, 1) check eligibility, minimum academic requirements.

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

• Canada or the United States
• International countries other than the United States

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement : 100

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement : 7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 intake, application open date, canadian applicants, international applicants, deadline explanations.

Deadline to submit online application. No changes can be made to the application after submission.

Deadline to upload scans of official transcripts through the applicant portal in support of a submitted application. Information for accessing the applicant portal will be provided after submitting an online application for admission.

Deadline for the referees identified in the application for admission to submit references. See Letters of Reference for more information.

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts.

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest , sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

• Supervision

Students in research-based programs usually require a faculty member to function as their thesis supervisor. Please follow the instructions provided by each program whether applicants should contact faculty members.

Instructions regarding thesis supervisor contact for Master of Science in Neuroscience (MSc)

Whereas a commitment from a supervisor is not required prior to applying to the program, a supervisor is required for admission. Please view Graduate Program in Neuroscience faculty here: https://neuroscience.ubc.ca/faculty/. When contacting potential supervisors, we recommend including a CV, unofficial academic transcript, and a brief and specific explanation of why you are interested in joining that particular lab.

Citizenship Verification

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Research Information

Research facilities.

With more than 155,000 square feet of space, the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health has both laboratory and clinical research areas within the Centre proper and in the UBC Hospital Koerner Pavilion. Our core facilities are essential to ongoing collaboration, teaching, and research.

Tuition & Financial Support

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options, including merit-based (i.e. based on your academic performance) and need-based (i.e. based on your financial situation) opportunities.

Program Funding Packages

There is a minimum funding stipend provided by each supervisor. For MSc students, the stipend is $22,500 per annum for two years. The funding package may consist of any combination of internal or external awards, teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Supervisors are encouraged to top up the minimum stipend in recognition of the high cost of living in Vancouver. 

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

All applicants are encouraged to review the awards listing to identify potential opportunities to fund their graduate education. The database lists merit-based scholarships and awards and allows for filtering by various criteria, such as domestic vs. international or degree level.

Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA)

Many professors are able to provide Research Assistantships (GRA) from their research grants to support full-time graduate students studying under their supervision. The duties constitute part of the student's graduate degree requirements. A Graduate Research Assistantship is considered a form of fellowship for a period of graduate study and is therefore not covered by a collective agreement. Stipends vary widely, and are dependent on the field of study and the type of research grant from which the assistantship is being funded.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA)

Graduate programs may have Teaching Assistantships available for registered full-time graduate students. Full teaching assistantships involve 12 hours work per week in preparation, lecturing, or laboratory instruction although many graduate programs offer partial TA appointments at less than 12 hours per week. Teaching assistantship rates are set by collective bargaining between the University and the Teaching Assistants' Union .

Graduate Academic Assistantships (GAA)

Academic Assistantships are employment opportunities to perform work that is relevant to the university or to an individual faculty member, but not to support the student’s graduate research and thesis. Wages are considered regular earnings and when paid monthly, include vacation pay.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans .

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement .

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

The 2-3 year MSc in Neuroscience is designed to prepare students for employment in the public or private sector, or to pursue further studies in the PhD program.  Recent graduates have taken positions at Weston Brain Institute, BC Cancer Center, Science World and many other organizations.  Those looking to pursue a PhD in Neuroscience have gone on to study at other universities as well as our own PhD program.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Master of Science in Neuroscience (MSc). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

Completion Rates & Times

• Research Supervisors

Advice and insights from UBC Faculty on reaching out to supervisors

These videos contain some general advice from faculty across UBC on finding and reaching out to a supervisor. They are not program specific.

This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.

• Accili, Eric (molecular mechanisms responsible for cellular pacemaking behavior )
• Allan, Douglas (Nervous system)
• Altshuler, Doug (Zoology; flight control; visual guidance; visual neuroscience; neuroethology; avian biomechanics; aerodynamics; wing morphing; motor control)
• Auld, Vanessa (Neurosciences, biological and chemical aspects; Neurosciences, medical and physiological and health aspects; Zoology; Cell; Cell Biology; Development; Developmental Genetics; epithelia; Genetics; glia; in vivo imaging; Molecular Genetics; nervous system; Neurogenesis and Gliogenesis; permeability barriers)
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Communication Sciences & Disorders

Myriam kornisch, phd.

[email protected]

304  Dunn Hall

Dr. Kornisch is an assistant professor and the director of the Speech & Cognition NeuroLab. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Canterbury (New Zealand) and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at McGill University (Canada). Her general research interests are in cognitive neuroscience and she specializes in neurogenic communication disorders and bilingualism. Dr. Kornisch currently examines (1) speech changes after deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus in Parkinson’s disease and (2) resting-state functional connectivity associated with Parkinson’s disease, as well as (3) cerebral hemispheric differences and executive functions in monolingual/bilingual people who stutter. Prior to her academic work, she has worked as a speech-language pathologist and clinical supervisor.

• PhD (2015), University of Canterbury
• M.Sc. (2012), University of Canterbury
• Staatsexamen (2005), Germany
• CSD 482: Neuroscience for Communication Disorders
• CSD 583: Fluency Disorders
• CSD 682: Current Issues in Aphasia, Right Hemisphere Deficits and Dementia
• CSD 689: Motor Speech Disorders

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

• Women in Cognitive Science (U.S.)
• Women in Cognitive Science (Canada)

Editorial Board

• Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics: Associate Editor

Selection of Peer-Reviewed Publications & Presentations

Kornisch M., Gonzalez C., Gray L., Ikuta T. (December 2024). The Role of the Posterior Cingulate Cortex in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association . Seattle, Washington, USA.

Kornisch M., Gonzalez C., Ikuta T. (2024). Functional Connectivity of the Posterior Cingulate Cortex in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging .

Kornisch M., Gonzalez C., Morphis, E., Park H., Ikuta T. (September 2023). Speech Changes after Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus in Parkinson’s Disease. 13 th Oxford Dysfluency Conference . Oxford, UK (conference cancelled).

Park, H. Obermeyer, J., Kornisch, M., Hall, J., Ontario, C. (2023). Semantic Aspects of Verb Production in Various Discourse Tasks in People with Nonfluent Aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Llewelyn, L. E., Kornisch, M., Park, H, Ikuta, T. (2022). Hippocampal Functional Connectivity in Parkinson’s Disease. Neurodegenerative Diseases . 22 (1), 29–33.

Park H., Obermeyer J., Kornisch M. (May 2022). Semantic Aspects of Verb Production in Various Discourse Tasks in People with Nonfluent Aphasia. 51 st Clinical Aphasiology Conference . Wrightville Beach, NC, USA.

Kornisch, M. (2021). Bilinguals who Stutter: A Cognitive Perspective. Journal of Fluency Disorders , 67 (1), 105819.

Snyder G., McKnight P., Manahan A., Kornisch M. (November 2021). Differential Effects of Verbal and Written Stuttering Disclosures on Perceptions of a Child Who Stutters. Annual Convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association . Washington, D.C., USA.

Kornisch, M., Robb, M.P., Jones, R. (November 2019). Dichotic Listening Performance: Monolingual & Bilingual People Who Stutter. Annual Convention of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association . Orlando, USA.

Kornisch, M., Robb M. P., & Jones R. D. (2017). Estimates of functional cerebral hemispheric differences in monolingual and bilingual people who stutter: Visual hemifield paradigm. Clinical Linguistics & Phonetics , 31(4), 251-265.

Kornisch, M., Robb, M.P., Jones, R., & Huckabee, M.L. (November 2014). Estimates of Hemispheric Asymmetry in Monolingual and Bilingual People who Stutter. Annual Convention of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association . Orlando, USA.

Assistant Professor

myriam.kornisch@maine.edu

Dr. Kornisch's Faculty Page

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New York Today

The great barnard college diploma mix-up.

Many graduates received someone else’s diploma in the mail. The college blamed a clerical error.

By James Barron

Good morning. It’s Monday. Today we’ll look at why some Barnard College diplomas were recently mailed to the wrong graduates. We’ll also look at why more migrants are sleeping on city streets, in parks and on the subway.

After four years of grinding out papers, cramming for exams and paying more than $250,000 in tuition, graduates of a prestigious college expect something to show for it: diplomas with their names on it.

But the diplomas that many 2024 graduates of Barnard College received carried someone else’s name.

Students who received the wrong diplomas said that the envelope from Barnard carried a graduate’s name above a different graduate’s address. The diploma inside — written in Latin and embossed with Barnard’s official seal — carried the same name as the one on the envelope. The Postal Service went by the addresses.

That all only compounded the confusion. Barnard had used the addresses of the graduates’ parents. In the weeks since Barnard’s commencement, on May 15 at Radio City Music Hall, many parents had been on the lookout for an envelope large enough to hold a diploma.

“It’s a very first-world problem to get the wrong diploma,” said Sydney Gerlach, who was in New York when her mother in Colorado opened the envelope. “The fact that I was in a position where I could get a diploma from a really prestigious four-year college, I’m very privileged. But I was still annoyed because it was not the easiest four years. I started college during Covid, and it was hard to feel celebratory at graduation because of everything happening on campus.”

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Bacteria Put on an Invisibility Cloak to Cause Asymptomatic Infections 

Biofilms prevent pseudomonas aeruginosa toxins from being detected by sensory neurons, tricking the body into not looking sick..

Sahana is a science journalist and an intern at The Scientist, with a background in neuroscience and microbiology. She has previously written for Live Science, Massive Science, and eLife.

View full profile.

Learn about our editorial policies.

ABOVE: New research shows that biofilm forming bacteria in lung infections can hide from sensory neurons that relay information to the brain. ©istock,  wildpixel

W hen someone catches a lung infection, be it viral or bacterial, they usually show tell-tale symptoms, such as weakness, breathing difficulties, or brain fog. These indicators signal others to keep a safe distance from the contagious individual. But Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause a range of lung infections , from mild bronchitis to life-threatening pneumonia, that are acutely asymptomatic yet cause inflammation and destruction of tissue. 1  

In chronic infections , these bacteria form a biofilm of extracellular polymer matrix around themselves that shields them from antimicrobials, enzymes, and neutrophils. 2 Now, in a paper published in Cell , a group of scientists investigated the underlying mechanism and reported that the biofilm hides Pseudomonas bacteria from sensory neurons in mice, preventing signals from reaching the brain and reducing sickness symptoms. 3 These findings provide a deeper understanding of how biofilm-forming bacteria evade the lung-to-brain communication channel, a potentially crucial tactic in persistent infections. 

Almost a decade ago, Elise Granton , currently a physician-immunologist at the University of Calgary and coauthor of the study, tested the effects of P. aeruginosa  in mouse lungs using two variants: one that formed a biofilm and one that did not. “We thought this would be pretty simple,” said Bryan Yipp , a physician-immunologist at the University of Calgary and coauthor of the study. “We just could not pin down the exact reason why some of the mice were sick without the biofilm and the biofilm mice were completely unsick,” he added. The team knew that neutrophils could sense the bacteria with or without biofilm, so they started to look beyond the immune system. “Maybe the biofilm is hiding the bacteria. What could it be hiding?” Yipp wondered.

Previous studies showed that one of the main bacterial toxins, a surface molecule called lipopolysaccharide (LPS) , that causes inflammation and other symptoms is shielded by biofilm components. 4 To understand how the exposure of LPS causes sickness, the team studied the role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an LPS receptor. When mice lacking TLR4 in nociceptive sensory neurons were infected with non-biofilm forming bacteria, they showed reductions in hypothermia and overall sickness scores. To tease this apart further, the researchers specifically knocked out TLR4 in the lung nociceptive neurons and exposed the cells to bacteria that did not form a biofilm. Mice with intact TLR4 displayed characteristic illness symptoms, while those lacking the receptor showed drastically reduced sickness symptoms.

The turning point came when Luke Brown , a PhD candidate at the University of Calgary and coauthor of the study, joined the project. Once they knew that sensory neurons could ‘see’ the bacteria, Yipp and his team wondered how this interaction might send signals to the brain to bring about behavioral changes. They reached out to Deborah Kurrasch and Jaideep Bains , behavioral neuroscientists at the University of Calgary, to find answers to their questions. 

“[We] asked them, ‘Are we totally crazy?’” Yipp recounted. “And quite quickly, the people that are invested in stress responses and behavior said it's probably the hypothalamus and it's probably these neurons. To them, it made perfect sense!” 

Following up on this thread, the team looked into the hypothalamus and saw that a greater number of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons showed activity after treating the lungs with LPS in control mice as compared to those lacking TLR4 in neurons. CRH neurons respond to stress and modify behavior accordingly. 5 Blocking the activity of CRH neurons in mice treated with non-biofilm bacteria alleviated their symptomatic sickness.  

“We're just beginning to understand how the brain becomes aware that there are infections in the body. What's exciting is that now there seems to be a diversity of different neurons that can detect different types of pathogens and relay the signals to the brain to evoke sickness,” said Stephen Liberles , a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School who was not involved in the study.

Next, the team will study different types of lung infections and their interactions with the nervous and immune systems. “We're totally thinking in a different way. How many neurological processes, your mood, and definable pathological diseases might originate because of things that have gotten into the lung and activated the neural system,” Yipp said. 

• Grant SS, Hung DT. Persistent bacterial infections, antibiotic tolerance, and the oxidative stress response .  Virulence . 2013;4(4):273-283.
• Costerton JW, et al. Bacterial biofilms: A common cause of persistent infections. Science . 1999;284(5418):1318-1322.
• Granton E, et al. Biofilm exopolysaccharides alter sensory-neuron-mediated sickness during lung infection. Cell . 2024;187(8):1874-1888.e14.
• Lu YC, et al. LPS/TLR4 signal transduction pathway. Cytokine . 2008;42(2):145-151.
• Daviu N, et al. Paraventricular nucleus CRH neurons encode stress controllability and regulate defensive behavior selection. Nat Neurosci . 2020;23(3):398-410.

• Relationships

Do You Have What It Takes to Make Your Relationship Work?

New research identifies the relationship benefits of putting your partner first..

Posted August 17, 2024 | Reviewed by Tyler Woods

• Why Relationships Matter
• Take our Relationship Satisfaction Test
• Find counselling to strengthen relationships
• Important qualities that promote relationship satisfaction may be ones that people fail to recognize.
• New research shows the value of paying attention to your partner’s needs at least as much as your own.
• By adopting values that place your partner first you can be satisfied while still taking care of yourself.

When you think about what keeps your relationship running smoothly, some of the first possibilities probably involve such factors as attraction or passion. You might also nominate good conflict resolution as another contributor to the ongoing satisfaction you and your partner experience. Communication might come in as another close contender. However, what if the essential element is one you’ve never considered at all? Are you missing important insights?

According to a new study by Utrecht University’s Reince van der Wal and colleagues (2024), it’s not just you who fails to detect obvious clues. As the Dutch authors note, when things are going badly, people take stock of such factors as their partner’s faults, or perhaps their own. “But,” they note, “what about the potential impact of our own cherished values?” Could these “imperil our chances of success at happiness in our romantic relationships ?” (p. 1066).

Values as the Glue in Romantic Relationships

Once you stop and think about this eye-opening proposition, it starts to make sense. Perhaps the last argument you had with your partner was about who was willing to sacrifice for whom. You would love to go out and enjoy the nice weather on a sunny day, but your partner is dragged down in a work project that has to be completed the next day, sunshine or not. How can your partner be so selfish, you ask yourself? Frustrated and annoyed, you head out on your own, stewing all the time about how you wish you had your partner’s companionship.

Peeling through the layers of this dilemma, consider the possibility that you and your partner are experiencing a conflict not in emotions but in values. Sure, your partner could drop everything and spend the afternoon with you, but that would violate your partner’s value of achievement. Or, you could take your partner’s point of view and realize that your demand is, under the circumstances, a bit selfish. In either case, there’s a values mismatch.

The types of values that will bear most strongly on relationship well-being, van der Wal et al. propose, are “self-transcendence,” in which you are able to focus on the other person’s best interests, not your own. If, alternatively, you value “self-enhancement,” you’ll be in it for yourself. Not only does self-transcendence mean you place your partner’s well-being on a higher rung of the ladder than your own, but you will be more likely to forgive , make sacrifices, and support your partner.

Translating Self-Transcendence into Relationship Terms

The theory driving the Utrecht U. study is based on a circular model of values in which self-transcendence is on the opposite side of a wheel from self-enhancement. The complete set of values on the wheel fall into these categories:

• Self-Transcendence: Universalism (concern, tolerance) and benevolence (dependability, caring, and some humility).
• Conservation: Tradition (the rest of humility and conformity to rules and norms).
• Openness to change : Hedonism, stimulation, and self-direction (to thought and action).
• Self-Enhancement: Achievement and power (resources, dominance).

These terms lend themselves easily to questions you could ask yourself about where you and your partner stack up on each set of values, as well as the all-important self-enhancement vs. -transcendent qualities. Some sample questions from the values measure the authors used in their work include “caring for the well-being of people he or she is close to is important to him or her” (self-transcendence) and “he or she thinks it is important to be ambitious” (self-enhancement). The job of the participant was to rate how closely this fictitious person was to themselves (“not at all” to “very much like me”).

Across a series of five studies with online adult participants, the authors tested the correlations between personal values and relationship satisfaction, with four studies based on self-reports only and the fifth on dyadic (couple) data. The first four studies confirmed the prediction that people higher in self-transcendent values would have higher relationship satisfaction. Additionally, these studies showed that part of this finding was driven by intrinsic motivation in the relationship (valuing the partner for who they are) and communal strength (being willing to respond to the partner’s needs).

In the fifth study, the research team included both members of the couple (562 couples ages 18 to 82). This allowed them to test the “APIM” statistic (actor-partner interdependence model), evaluating each partner’s individual and joint contributions to the results. Surprisingly, it was only the actor’s values (not the partner’s) that predicted relationship quality. Instead of the “reality” of the partner’s values, satisfaction is driven by one’s own “beneficial illusions about the quality of the relationship” (p. 1076), the authors concluded.

What the Findings Mean for Your Relationship

The Dutch findings suggest that if you’re seeking to improve your own happiness within a committed relationship, you take stock of your own values, specifically self-transcendence. Indeed, it somewhat surprised the authors to learn that all of those other values on the wheel had little to do with relationship satisfaction, countering “evidence that the prevention of relationship boredom is crucial in romantic relationships” (p. 1076).

The fact that the partner’s values or perceptions had little to do with predicting relationship satisfaction may seem a little discomforting to you, though. Does this mean that you always have to put your partner first? Are you never allowed to entertain a selfish desire, even one as innocent as dragging your partner away from their work on a nice day?

To answer this question, it’s necessary to drill a little bit further into the meaning of “self-transcendence.” You don’t always have to give in to your partner, but if you’re higher on this value, you’ll be more tuned in to your partner’s emotional state. Valuing the relationship (intrinsic motivation), you’ll be better able to see the big picture in terms of what matters to keep the relationship flourishing. At the same time, the relationship will play a larger role in defining your own sense of self.

There is also the possibility that, given the study’s correlational nature, the happier you are, the more likely you are to put your partner’s needs first. Having self-transcendent values could be an outcome of a good relationship that continues to benefit your well-being. Extrapolating further, maybe you’ve learned through your relationship to be a bit more selfless in general, even with people who aren’t your romantic partner.

To sum up, a satisfying relationship may allow you to grow in ways you don’t even realize, Sensitivity to your partner’s needs can help you grow not only as a partner, but as an individual who can adopt a fulfilling set of personal values.

van der Wal, R. C., Litzellachner, L., Buiter, N., Breukel, J., Karremans, J. C., & Maio, G. R. (2023). Values in Romantic Relationships. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin . Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/01461672231156975

Susan Krauss Whitbourne, Ph.D. , is a Professor Emerita of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her latest book is The Search for Fulfillment.

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