applicationbooklet05..

Graduate Studies in Biochemistry

and Molecular Biology

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology offers a wide variety of research opportunities, includ-ing molecular biology, gene regulation, developmental biology, membrane biochemistry, metabolism, protein chemistry and structure, enzymology, biotechnology, and physical biochemistry.

We have 14 full-time faculty, some of whom are also affiliated with the:

BC Synchrotron Institute Biotechnology Laboratory Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIAR) CIHR Institute of Genetics Genetics Graduate Program Jack Bell Research Centre National Centres of Excellence:

- Protein Engineering- Canadian Bacterial Diseases- Canadian Genetic Diseases

National High Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre (NANUC)

UBC Centre for Blood Research UBC Centre for Macular Research UBC Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics

Nine associate members belong to the:

BC Cancer Agency Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics Department of Chemistry Dept. of Medical Genetics Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Department of Surgery Dentistry - Oral Biological and Medical Sciences

Four adjunct members belong to the Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA and the Universities of Northern BC and Victoria.

(See our website at www.biochem.ubc.ca/Faculty-res.html for a detailed listing of our faculty members and their areas of research.)

Research within our department continues to attract excellent funding from a range of external sources. This funding supports a strong graduate and post-doctoral program, currently involving more than 70 trainees. Moreover, the Department hosts a weekly graduate seminar series. The Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Discussion Group (http://www.biochem.ubc.ca/Seminars.html) invites many distinguished speakers to discuss their latest research.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions regarding your application or any aspect of our graduate program. We look forward to hearing from you.

Graduate Program OfficeDept. of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of British Columbia

1.360-2350 Health Sciences MallLife Sciences CentreVancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, CanadaTel: 604 822 5925; Fax: 604 822 5227Email: [email protected]

Information in this booklet is subject to change without notice.

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ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Program goal: Our program provides advanced education with a goal of preparing students for a career in research. It places heavy emphasis on attaining the ability to perform independent research on a focussed problem in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology leading to publication in peer-reviewed literature. This program does not provide introductory training to applicants who possess a minimal background in the basic sciences. Such applicants are advised to apply for an undergraduate degree or unclassified studies (see Enrollment Options). Applicants who hold degrees in clinical/medical fields (i.e., MD, Pharmacy, Clinical Laboratory) or application-based fields (Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology) are generally more successful when they apply to other graduate programs.

“What are my chances of being accepted?” is a common question posed by our applicants. We receive ~70 applications per year and accept 5-10 students. Decisions for formal acceptance are based on academic achievement, favorable letters of reference, experience in or aptitude for research, the outcome of a formal interview, and the availability of a research project, research space, and a stipend.

A formal application incurs a considerable amount of time and expense to arrange for official documents and pay for application, transcript and other applicable fees (TOEFL, GRE). Please carefully read the Pre-application Information section to determine if it is worthwhile for you to apply.

Our Department is under no obligation to accept any or all student(s) who meet the minimum requirements. Successful applicants typically match the profiles indicated below.

Important Pre-application Information

The academic credentials of both Canadian and International degree holders are subject to a final evaluation by the Faculty of Graduate Studies. All applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

In general, the applicant's academic and research background should match the following profile(s):

1. MSc program:

Academic component:At the minimum, the applicant should hold or be in the process of completing a basic sciences BSc or BScH (minimum 4 years). The applicant should be knowledgeable in organic and physical chemistry beyond the introductory level. He/she should have taken an introductory Biochemistry course, an introductory Biochemistry laboratory course, and at least 2 advanced Biochemistry courses. In addition, courses in genetics, physics, microbiology, or cell biology are strongly recommended.

Canadian: Degree holders from Canadian universities must have obtained an overall transcript average of B+, and A-level standing in 12 credits of combined 3rd and 4th year relevant coursework.

International: International applicants should compare their undergraduate record with the closest corresponding program at the University of BC to ensure their academic background is equivalent in terms of course content/standard, number of courses, and total credit value. In general, undergraduate degrees must be at least 4 years in duration. (See UBC's on-line Calendar at http://students.ubc.ca/calendar/ for undergraduate program descriptions.) Nonetheless, all academic records are subject to approval by the Faculty of Graduate Studies whose decision is binding. For some international applicants, a first-class BSc and an MSc may be required for entry to an MSc program at UBC. Normally, international applicants holding BSc degrees or the equivalent are not eligible for direct PhD entry.

All applicants:Research component:In addition to the academic component, the applicant should have obtained advanced laboratory experience in a biochemistry research environment, e.g., summer student research project, co-op work experience, a directed studies laboratory research course, or employment as a laboratory technician in a research or relevant industrial environment.

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2. Direct entry PhD:

See MSc program requirements above. In addition, the applicant must have a first class average in each semester of his/her undergraduate coursework, as well as research experience beyond the laboratory course level. Ideally, he/she should be co-author on a manuscript published in an internationally recognized journal.

3. PhD program:

The applicant should hold a recognized Master's degree which involves at least 12-15 months of full-time laboratory research, a seminar course, 1 to 3 graduate level courses, a written thesis, and an oral presentation/examination before a research supervisory committee. Ideally, the applicant should be a co-author on a manuscript published in an internationally recognized journal.

TOEFL and GRE requirements:

The TOEFL and GRE requirements are waived for students who hold degrees from recognized Canadian institutions.

TOEFL: Applicants whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL examination. Test scores should be above 625 (paper-based) or 263 (computer-based). (106 on the new TOEFL scale)

GRE: Applicants, including Canadian citizens, who hold degrees from international institutions must provide a GRE General or Subject (Biochemistry or Chemistry) report. Test scores should be in the upper percentile range (80-100%). Other relevant Subject fields may be considered.

Enrollment Options:

Students who wish to upgrade their undergraduate record in order to become more competitive with other applicants (MSc-level only) should register in an "unclassified" year. An A-level standing should be obtained in courses recommended by the Department. Successful completion of an unclassified year does not guarantee admission to a graduate program. Further information concerning enrolment options can be downloaded from http://www.biochem.ubc.ca/Options.pdf.

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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

All application materials become the property of the University and cannot be returned. Photocopied documents are not acceptable.

A complete application must include:

Please apply on-line at www.grad.ubc.ca/app/ (credit card required). A paper-based application form is also available as an exception only (see contact information below).Application feesCanadian Citizens/Permanent Residents: $90 CDN ($77US)International Applicants: $150 CDN or $128 US

three reference letters in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the referee. References must be both prepared and signed by the referees, and provided on original institutional letterhead. Telephone and email contact information must be provided in their letters. Referees must hold PhD degrees and faculty-level positions (Instructors, Assistant or Associate Professors, Professors) or an industrial equivalent (i.e., management level scientist). We will accept one reference from a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate. We cannot accept references from graduate students or teaching assistants, nor can we accept personal or character references.

Referees should comment on the applicant's ranking in their program, strengths and weaknesses, communication skills, work ethic, and technical laboratory ability. We are interested in the applicant's ability to perform research, assess scientific papers, present seminars, and interact with others in a research setting.

2 sets of original transcripts in envelopes sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution. International applicants must provide both the original language transcripts and degree certificate, and certified English translations.

original TOEFL report (if applicable) [Internet address: http://www.toefl.org]

original GRE report (if applicable) [Internet address: http://www.gre.org]

proposed research areas and a statement of career goals (1/2 to 1 page in length)

Mail all application materials to:

Ms. Hiltrud M. VoglerGraduate SecretaryDepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of BCLife Sciences Centre1.360-2350 Health Sciences MallVancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada

QUESTIONS?

Please contact Hiltrud M. Vogler at 604-822-5925 or [email protected].

DEADLINES:Winter Session (September): Canadian and International applicants should apply before January 31. International applicants should apply in advance of the deadline and contact the nearest Canadian consulate to enquire about visa processing deadlines.

Winter Session (January): Canadian, US, and International applicants should apply before July 1. Please be advised that only 1 to 2 positions are normally available each year for a January start date.

Actual acceptance into our graduate program depends on an applicant receiving an offer of placement from the Department and a faculty member, and final approval from the Faculty of Graduate Studies. File assessment for the January 31st deadline will commence in early February and selected applicants will be invited for interviews with potential research supervisors. A partial subsidy of up to $500 may be provided to assist in travel and other interview expenses. Letters of offer are expected to be issued in early spring; therefore, we recommend that applicants apply as early as possible. Available positions may be allocated before the second deadline.

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FUNDING SOURCES

The Department strongly encourages its students to apply for internal and external studentship awards as listed below. The value of a stipend varies according to the source but currently ranges from $19,000 to over $30,000 pa. Students who do not hold scholarship funding are automatically provided with a grant-funded stipend upon formal admission to our graduate program and registration at UBC. Our Department does not have a separate application process for financial assistance.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents:Students may be eligible for support from a Canadian granting agency or the UBC-sponsored University Graduate Fellowships (see following awards list for eligibility requirements and application instructions). These scholarships are merit- and research-based; therefore, to be competitive, students must have a first-class academic standing and research experience.

International students:Canadian scholarship agencies will fund Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. If the student's government does not offer scholarships for study abroad, then the stipend source will be limited to grant-based funding if a University Graduate Fellowship is not obtained.

All students:In addition, a limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available to currently registered graduate students, regardless of citizenship status. Amounts will vary depending on the time worked and the classification level. In general, the maximum commitment allowed is 184 hrs, with the norm being 92 hrs. This funding supplements a scholarship or grant-funded stipend. No graduate student in our department is ever solely supported financially from teaching assistantships.

Student loans, bursaries:Need-based funding is administered by a separate UBC unit: Student Financial Assistance and Awards (http://students.ubc.ca/finance/). Please contact this unit directly for information.

Awards available to incoming graduate students (for 2006):

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) (http://www.nserc.ca)• Department deadline: October 1, 2005 TBA 2006• $17,300 pa (PGSM); $21,000 pa (PGSD); $17,500 pa (MSc CGSM); $35,000 pa (PhD CGSD)• open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

Awards available to currently registered graduate students:Many additional sources of funding are available. The student's research supervisor will suggest appropriate agencies.

UBC University Graduate Fellowships (UGF) (http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prostudents/awards/fogsawd/ugf.htm)• Department deadline: October 1, 2005 TBA 2006• Killam - $25,000 pa; 2 years; top PhD students / Li Tze Fong - $18,000 pa; 2 years; top PhD or MSc students• 2-year UGF - $16,000 pa; 1-year UGF - $16,000 pa; partial UGF - $8,000• open to Canadian and international students [Please note that at UBC, UGFs and NSERCs are combined into one major competition. UGF's are not available to incoming students.]

Canadian Institutes of Health Research (http://www.cihr.ca)• CIHR deadline: October 15, 2005 TBA 2006• Doctoral Research Award; $21,000 pa; 3 years; $17,500 pa (MSc CGS); $35,000 pa (PhD CGS)• open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (http://www.msfhr.org)• MSFHR deadline: November 2006 TBA• $20,000 pa; 2 yrs for MSc, up to 5 yrs for PhD• open to Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada

National Cancer Institute of Canada (http://www.ncic.cancer.ca)• NCIC deadline: February TBA 2007• PhD studentships; $21,500 pa; maximum 4 years• open to residents of Canada

Canadian Institutes of Health Research/Centre for Blood Research -CBR- (http://www.cbr.ubc.ca/CIHR.htm) CBR deadline: October 15, 2005; May 20, 2005 TBA 2006 Graduate Fellowship: $20,000 pa, 2 years open to Canadian and international students

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PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Master's Degree

Students are required to complete 18 credits of coursework in their first year and, subsequently, 12 credits of thesis research when completing the MSc degree, for a total of 30 credits.

Students may transfer to the PhD program (Fast Track) within the first 18 months of study, provided they have completed their coursework with a minimum average of 80% and passed a comprehensive examination. Their research supervisory committees will determine if a transfer to the PhD program is appropriate. MSc students transferring to the PhD program need only to complete 12 credits of coursework within the first year.

Coursework Requirements for Fast-Track Students:

Overall a minimum average of 80%

Of the 12 credits, 9 must have a minimum average of 80%

9 of the 12 credits must be obtained from courses at the 500 level or above

Biochemistry MSc students complete their program normally within 2-3 years.

Doctoral Degree

Students are required to complete 12 credits of coursework in their first 12 months of study if they enter the Doctoral program with BSc degrees. Students holding Master's degrees are not required to take 12 credits of coursework; however, their supervisors may suggest specific courses to complement the research in their laboratories. All Doctoral students are required to successfully complete a comprehensive examination in their second year of study.

Overall a minimum average of 80%

Of the 12 credits, 9 must have a minimum average of 80%

9 of the 12 credits must be obtained from courses at the 500 level or above

Biochemistry PhD students complete their program normally within 5-6 years.

Courses

Courses are chosen in consultation with the Graduate Student Advisor, the research supervisor, and the supervisory committee. They are selected to fill in any deficiencies in the student's background, to enhance the student's knowledge base in selected areas of specialization, and in preparation for the comprehensive examination. Students must maintain first-class standing in at least 12 credits of 500-level courses. All students must take the BIOC 530 seminar course.

Course information can be viewed at: http://www.biochem.ubc.ca/CourseMat.html http://courses.students.ubc.ca/

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PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Graduate Program Committee (2005/2006 academic year):

Dr. Christopher Proud, Head of DepartmentDr. Lindsay Eltis, Admissions AdvisorDr. Ivan Sadowski, Awards AdvisorDr. Grant Mauk, Graduate Advisor and Comprehensive Exam ChairGraduate Secretary: Hiltrud M. Vogler, Tel: (604) 822-5925; E-mail: [email protected]

Please direct all Biochemistry graduate program enquiries to the Graduate Secretary.

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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOUSING http://www.housing.ubc.ca

FINANCIAL AID http://students.ubc.ca/finance(need-based)

STUDENT EMPLOYMENT http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prostudents/apply/p&pmanual/admiss/visa.htmAUTHORIZATION

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT http://www.students.ubc.ca/international/SERVICES

PROGRAM FEES http://students.ubc.ca/calendar/index.cfm?tree=5,0,0,0

MSc:

Canadian citizens and permanent residents/landed immigrants$3,861.92 pa, payable in three installments of $1,287.30$ 1,764.40pa after installment nine

International students$7,200.00 pa, payable in three installments of $2,400.00 (or $3,338.08 pa if you are eligible for the partial tuition fee scholarship)

PhD:

A PhD tuition fee award of $3,861.92 is available to all PhD students in their first four years of study.http://www.grad.ubc.ca/prostudents/awards/fogsawd/tuitionaward/studentFAQ.asp

NB: Student activity fees are in addition to tuition fees. All fees are subject to change without notice.

For information concerning other UBC graduate programs, please contact:

Faculty of Graduate StudiesUniversity of British Columbia180-6371 Crescent RoadVancouver, B.C. CANADA V6T 1Z2

Tel: (604) 822-2848Fax: (604) 822-5802Email: [email protected]: http://www.grad.ubc.ca

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The Life Sciences Building

All units of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have moved into the Life Sciences Building, that is located south of the University Hospital on Point Grey Campus. This new state-of-the-art research building will house the UBC Medical School and the Centre for Blood Research, including over 85 research groups, teaching and corresponding administrative units from the Faculties of Medicine, Science and Dentistry.

Three five-storey towers will be linked by a Commons Atrium and Reading Atrium, both featuring Cafe Terraces. Two large lecture theatres will provide advanced audio-visual aids for seminar and teaching activities. Several smaller theatres will accommodate graduate courses and seminars. Administrative offices will be located on the ground-level floors. Research and technical support facilities will occupy the upper levels.

Moreover, UBC is actively engaged in constructing a University Town (see http://www. universitytown.ubc.ca/) to provide housing, retail and other amenities for students, campus personnel and visitors. Our Department will provide you with an energetic and multi-disciplinary research program. The strong housing infrastructure provided by UBC, as well as the temperate climate and recreational activities available around Vancouver make UBC a particularly pleasant environment for pursuing graduate studies.

© 2005The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of BC

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